Temperature control system

Abstract

To appropriately air-coll an air-cooling object unit.SOLUTION: A processor 94 of a temperature control system 1 performs the following steps of: determining whether temperature transition of air-cooling object unit 10 is in a rising trend; performing intake-determination to determine which of inside air or outside air is to be introduced into an air passage when the temperature transition of the air-cooling object unit 10 is determined to be in the rising trend; and not performing the intake-determination when the temperature transition of the air-cooling object unit 10 is determined not to be in the rising trend.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control system. [Background Art]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for controlling the temperature of a power supply device mounted on a vehicle. In Patent Document 1, when the battery temperature is higher than a threshold value, the cooling capacity of the battery pack is calculated from the vehicle speed and the outside air temperature. Then, in Patent Document 1, it is selected whether the battery pack is cooled by inside air, which is the air inside the vehicle compartment, or outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle, according to the calculated cooling capacity. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-252659 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, even if the battery temperature is higher than the threshold value, if the temperature of the air-cooled target unit, which is a unit to be air-cooled such as the power supply device, does not rise over time, it is estimated that the current air cooling of the air-cooled target unit by air is functioning. In this case, for example, if the determination of whether to cool the air-cooled target unit with inside air or outside air is always performed when the battery temperature is higher than the threshold value, the processing load for performing such determination increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature control system capable of appropriately performing air cooling of an air-cooled target unit. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a temperature control system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: A unit mounted in a vehicle that generates heat when an electric current flows through it, and is a unit that is subject to air cooling, is an air-cooled unit, The air-cooled unit is arranged in an air passage through which air that exchanges heat with the air-cooled unit flows, An interior air intake passage that acquires interior air, which is the air inside the vehicle, and supplies it to the air passage, An outside air intake passage that acquires outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle, and supplies it to the air passage, An intake opening / closing unit capable of opening and closing the air passage between the air passage and the internal intake passage, and opening and closing the air passage between the air passage and the external intake passage, Control device and Equipped with, The control device is One or more processors, One or more memories connected to the processor, It has, The aforementioned processor, To determine whether the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit is on an upward trend, If it is determined that the temperature of the air-cooled unit is on an upward trend, an intake determination process is performed to determine whether to introduce the internal air or the external air into the air passage. If it is determined that the temperature of the air-cooled unit is not on an upward trend, the intake detection process will not be performed. Execute the process that includes this. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to properly air-cool a unit that is to be air-cooled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle to which the temperature control system according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the temperature control unit. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the intake detection process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc., shown in these embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 2 to which the temperature control system 1 according to this embodiment is applied. The vehicle 2 is, for example, an electric vehicle equipped with a motor as a drive source. The vehicle 2 may also be a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with both a motor and an engine as drive sources.

[0011] Vehicle 2 includes an air-cooled unit 10, an air passage 12, an internal intake passage 14, an external intake passage 16, an intake opening / closing section 18, a unit temperature sensor 20, an internal temperature sensor 22, an external temperature sensor 24, a higher-level device 26, and a control device 28.

[0012] The air-cooled unit 10 is a unit mounted on the vehicle 2 that generates heat when an electric current flows through it, and is therefore a unit that is subject to air cooling.

[0013] The air-cooled target unit 10 is, for example, an inverter that drives a traveling motor with electric power supplied from the high-voltage system wiring of the vehicle 2, a DCDC converter that supplies electric power from the high-voltage system wiring to the low-voltage system wiring, a battery that supplies electric power to the high-voltage system wiring, or the like. As described above, since electric devices connected to high-voltage system wiring generate a large amount of heat when current flows therethrough, it is preferable to actively cool the devices to suppress temperature rise caused by heat generation. The air-cooled target unit 10 is an electric device that requires such cooling and is cooled by air.

[0014] Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which one air-cooled target unit 10 is provided, the number of the air-cooled target unit 10 is not limited to one, and a plurality of air-cooled target units 10 may be provided.

[0015] The air-cooled target unit 10 is disposed in the air flow path 12. The air flow path 12 is a flow path through which air that performs heat exchange with the air-cooled target unit 10 circulates. More specifically, the air flow path 12 is divided into a main flow path 40, a common intake flow path 42, and an exhaust flow path 44.

[0016] The air-cooled target unit 10 is disposed in the main flow path 40. The common intake flow path 42 and the exhaust flow path 44 communicate with the main flow path 40. The common intake flow path 42 is located upstream of the flow of air circulating through the air flow path 12 with respect to the main flow path 40. The exhaust flow path 44 is located downstream of the flow of air circulating through the air flow path 12 with respect to the main flow path 40.

[0017] The internal air intake flow path 14 communicates with the common intake flow path 42. The internal air intake flow path 14 acquires internal air, which is air in the compartment 46 of the vehicle 2, and supplies the acquired internal air to the air flow path 12.

[0018] An internal air acquisition port 50 is formed at an end portion of the internal air intake flow path 14 opposite to the common intake flow path 42. The internal air acquisition port 50 opens into the compartment 46 of the vehicle 2. For example, the internal air acquisition port 50 is located at a lower portion of a rear seat of the vehicle 2. Note that the internal air acquisition port 50 is not limited to being disposed at the exemplified position, and may be disposed at any position where internal air can be appropriately acquired.

[0019] The outside air intake passage 16 is connected to the common intake passage 42. The outside air intake passage 16 takes in outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle 2, and supplies it to the air passage 12.

[0020] An outside air intake port 52 is formed at the end of the outside air intake passage 16 opposite to the common intake passage 42. The outside air intake port 52 opens to the outside of the vehicle 2. For example, the outside air intake port 52 is located near the rear wheels at the bottom of the vehicle 2. The outside air intake port 52 is not limited to being located in the example position, but may be located at any position where outside air can be appropriately obtained. In addition, the outside air intake port 52 opens toward the rear of the vehicle 2 to suppress the ingress of foreign matter. The direction of the opening of the outside air intake port 52 is not limited to the rear of the vehicle 2, but may also be toward the front of the vehicle 2, etc.

[0021] The intake opening / closing section 18 is provided at the junction 54 where the internal intake passage 14 and the external intake passage 16 connect to the common intake passage 42. The intake opening / closing section 18 is configured to exclusively allow opening and closing between the air passage 12 and the internal intake passage 14, and between the air passage 12 and the external intake passage 16.

[0022] More specifically, the intake opening / closing section 18 has a valve body 60 and an actuator 62. The valve body 60 is formed, for example, in a plate shape.

[0023] The valve body 60 is configured to be movable between the end of the internal intake passage 14 on the side of the common intake passage 42 and the end of the external intake passage 16 on the side of the common intake passage 42. In other words, the valve body 60 is configured to exclusively switch between an internal air selection state, in which the internal air intake passage 14 is open and the external air intake passage 16 is closed, and an external air selection state, in which the internal air intake passage 14 is closed and the external air intake passage 16 is open. In Figure 1, the external air selection state is illustrated by the position of the valve body 60 shown by the solid line, and the internal air selection state is illustrated by the position of the valve body 60 shown by the dashed line. The actuator 62 drives the valve body 60 under the control of the control device 28.

[0024] An exhaust port 70 is formed at the end of the exhaust passage 44 opposite to the main passage 40. The exhaust port 70 opens to the outside of the vehicle 2 at least. For example, the exhaust port 70 is located in the trunk of the vehicle 2. However, the exhaust port 70 is not limited to being located in the example shown, and may be placed at any location that allows the air that has flowed through the air passage 12 to be properly discharged to the outside of the vehicle 2.

[0025] A fan 72 is provided in the exhaust passage 44. The fan 72 causes the air in the air passage 12 to flow.

[0026] More specifically, when the intake opening / closing section 18 is in the internal air selection state, the fan 72 takes in internal air through the internal air intake port 50 into the internal air intake passage 14, and circulates the taken-in internal air in the order of internal air intake passage 14, common intake passage 42, main passage 40, and exhaust passage 44 before discharging it from the exhaust port 70. As a result, the unit to be air-cooled 10 is cooled by the internal air circulating in the air passage 12.

[0027] Furthermore, when the intake opening / closing section 18 is in the outside air selection state, the fan 72 takes in outside air through the outside air inlet 52 into the outside air intake passage 16, and circulates the taken-in outside air in the order of outside air intake passage 16, common intake passage 42, main passage 40, and exhaust passage 44 before discharging it from the exhaust port 70. As a result, the air-cooled unit 10 is cooled by the outside air circulating through the air passage 12.

[0028] Furthermore, the fan 72 is not limited to being provided in the exhaust passage 44; it may also be provided in the common intake passage 42 or in the main passage 40. Alternatively, the fan 72 may be omitted, and the system may be configured to draw in the air passage 12 through the natural flow of internal and external air.

[0029] The unit temperature sensor 20 is installed on the air-cooled unit 10 and detects the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10. If there are multiple air-cooled units 10, a unit temperature sensor 20 is installed on each air-cooled unit 10.

[0030] The interior air temperature sensor 22 is positioned, for example, around the interior air intake 50 in the interior 46 of the vehicle 2 to detect the temperature of the interior air. However, the interior air temperature sensor 22 is not limited to being positioned around the interior air intake 50; it may be positioned at any location in the interior 46 of the vehicle 2 where the temperature of the interior air can be appropriately detected.

[0031] The outside air temperature sensor 24 is, for example, exposed to the outside of the vehicle 2 and positioned around the outside air intake port 52 to detect the temperature of the outside air. However, the outside air temperature sensor 24 is not limited to being positioned around the outside air intake port 52; it may be positioned at any location where the temperature of the outside air can be appropriately detected.

[0032] The higher-level device 26 is, for example, an electronic control unit that centrally controls multiple control units. The higher-level device 26 includes a communication unit 80, one or more processors 82, and one or more memories 84 connected to the processors 82.

[0033] The communication unit 80 establishes communication with each piece of equipment and control device mounted on the vehicle 2. For example, the higher-level device 26 can communicate with the air-cooled unit 10 through the communication unit 80 and control the operation of the air-cooled unit 10. The higher-level device 26 can also communicate with the control device 28 through the communication unit 80.

[0034] Memory 84 includes ROM where programs and other data are stored, and RAM as a work area. The processor 82 works in cooperation with the programs contained in memory 84 to function as a higher-level control unit 86 that controls the entire higher-level device 26.

[0035] The upper control unit 86 transmits an output instruction signal to the air-cooled unit 10, which is a signal that causes the air-cooled unit 10 to produce an electrical output. The upper control unit 86 transmits the output instruction signal to the air-cooled unit 10 when it causes the air-cooled unit 10 to produce an output, but does not transmit the output instruction signal when it does not cause the air-cooled unit 10 to produce an output. In other words, if the output of the air-cooled unit 10 is zero, the output instruction signal is not transmitted, but if it is caused to produce an output from the air-cooled unit 10 even if the output value is small, the output instruction signal is transmitted.

[0036] For example, if the air-cooled unit 10 is an inverter, the higher-level control unit 86 transmits an output instruction signal to the inverter indicating the control values ​​of the current and voltage to be supplied from the inverter to the motor. The inverter supplies the current and voltage to the motor according to the output instruction signal received from the higher-level device 26. When the vehicle 2 is running on its motor, the higher-level device 26 transmits an output instruction signal to the inverter. On the other hand, when the vehicle 2 is stationary or running on its engine, the higher-level device 26 does not transmit an output instruction signal to the inverter.

[0037] Furthermore, for example, if the air-cooled unit 10 is a DC-DC converter, the higher-level control unit 86 sends an output instruction signal to the DC-DC converter indicating a control value for the current supplied from the DC-DC converter to the low-voltage wiring. The DC-DC converter supplies current to the low-voltage wiring according to the output instruction signal received from the higher-level device 26. For example, when the power consumption of the low-voltage wiring is high, such as when the air conditioning system is operating, an output instruction signal is sent from the higher-level device 26 to the DC-DC converter. On the other hand, for example, when the power consumption of the low-voltage wiring is low, such as when the air conditioning system is stopped, no output instruction signal is sent from the higher-level device 26 to the DC-DC converter.

[0038] The control device 28 includes a communication unit 90, a storage device 92, one or more processors 94, and one or more memories 96 connected to the processors 94.

[0039] The communication unit 90 establishes communication with each piece of equipment and control device mounted on the vehicle 2. For example, the control device 28 can communicate with the air-cooled unit 10 through the communication unit 90 and obtain arbitrary information from the air-cooled unit 10. The control device 28 can also communicate with the host device 26 through the communication unit 90.

[0040] The memory device 92 is composed of non-volatile memory elements. The non-volatile memory elements may include electrically readable and writable non-volatile memory elements such as flash memory.

[0041] Memory 96 includes ROM where programs and other data are stored, and RAM as a work area. The processor 94 works in cooperation with the programs contained in memory 96 to function as a temperature control unit 98 that realizes the operation of the temperature control system 1.

[0042] The temperature control unit 98 determines whether an output instruction signal has been transmitted from the higher-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10.

[0043] For example, the temperature control unit 98 may periodically communicate with the unit to be air-cooled 10 and obtain information from the unit to be air-cooled 10 indicating whether it has received an output instruction signal from the host device 26. Alternatively, the temperature control unit 98 may periodically communicate with the host device 26 and obtain information from the host device 26 indicating whether it has transmitted an output instruction signal to the unit to be air-cooled 10. Alternatively, the host device 26 may transmit an output instruction signal to the unit to be air-cooled 10 and also transmit information to the control device 28 indicating that it has transmitted the output instruction signal. In this case, the temperature control unit 98 may recognize that the output instruction signal has been transmitted by receiving information from the host device 26 indicating that the host device 26 has transmitted the output instruction signal to the unit to be air-cooled 10.

[0044] Furthermore, the temperature control unit 98 acquires the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 detected by the unit temperature sensor 20 and determines whether the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit 10 is upward. If there are multiple air-cooled units 10, the temperature control unit 98 determines that the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit 10 is upward if the temperature trend of one or more of the multiple air-cooled units 10 is upward. The temperature control unit 98 may also use the temperature after applying a low-pass filter to the temperature acquired from the unit temperature sensor 20 to determine whether there is an upward trend.

[0045] Here, an upward trend in temperature means that even if the temperature fluctuates up and down in the short term, it tends to rise when viewed over the medium or long term. For example, the temperature control unit 98 may determine that there is an upward trend if the temperature value after low-pass filtering continues to rise at a predetermined period. The predetermined period is set to be longer than the sampling period for acquiring temperature from the unit temperature sensor 20.

[0046] More specifically, the temperature control unit 98 repeatedly acquires the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 at predetermined time intervals. The temperature control unit 98 uses the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 for the most recent predetermined number of times, including the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 at the current control timing, as a sample for determining the upward trend. The predetermined time interval is set to, for example, 1 second, but can be set arbitrarily considering the speed of temperature changes of the air-cooled unit 10. The predetermined number of times is set to, for example, 10 times, but can be set to any number that allows for appropriate determination of the upward trend.

[0047] For example, the temperature control unit 98 derives a moving average of the temperature of the air-cooled unit over the most recent predetermined number of times. In the example where the predetermined number of times is 10, the moving average of the temperature at the current timing and the temperatures of the past 9 times that are close to the current timing is derived. If the temperature control unit 98 determines that the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend, it may determine that the moving average derived at the current control timing is greater than the moving average derived at the previous control timing.

[0048] Furthermore, the temperature control unit 98 may focus on any sample from the most recent predetermined number of samples and determine for each of those samples whether the value of the sample of interest has increased compared to the value of the previous sample for that sample. If the number of samples whose value has increased compared to the previous sample is greater than a predetermined comparison value of more than half of the predetermined number of samples, the temperature control unit 98 may determine that the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend.

[0049] Furthermore, the specific method for determining whether an upward trend is occurring is not limited to the example provided; any method that can appropriately identify an upward trend can be adopted.

[0050] The temperature control unit 98 determines that an output instruction signal has been sent from the higher-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10, and that the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend, and then performs an intake determination process. The intake determination process determines whether to introduce internal air or external air into the air passage 12.

[0051] Furthermore, the temperature control unit 98 may perform intake determination processing if it determines that the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend, regardless of whether or not an output instruction signal has been transmitted from the higher-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10.

[0052] In the intake determination process, the temperature control unit 98 derives a temperature difference by subtracting the temperature of the internal air from the temperature of the external air. If the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined first threshold greater than zero, the temperature control unit 98 sets the intake opening / closing unit 18 to the internal air selection state and introduces internal air into the air passage 12. In other words, in this case, the temperature control unit 98 controls the intake opening / closing unit 18 to introduce internal air into the air passage 12 and to prevent the introduction of external air into the air passage 12.

[0053] A predetermined first threshold greater than zero is set to any value that can identify a temperature difference sufficient to indicate that there is a reason to switch the air introduced into the airflow channel 12 from outside air to inside air. This first threshold may also be set taking into account the measurement accuracy due to manufacturing variations of the inside air temperature sensor 22 and the outside air temperature sensor 24.

[0054] The temperature control unit 98, when the temperature difference is less than a predetermined second threshold less than zero, sets the intake air switching unit 18 to an outside air selection state, allowing outside air to be introduced into the air passage 12. In other words, in this case, the temperature control unit 98 controls the intake air switching unit 18 to introduce outside air into the air passage 12 while preventing internal air from being introduced into the air passage 12.

[0055] A predetermined second threshold less than zero is set to any value that can distinguish whether a temperature difference has occurred to the extent that it becomes meaningful to switch the air introduced into the airflow channel 12 from internal air to external air. This second threshold may also be set taking into account the measurement accuracy due to manufacturing variations of the internal air temperature sensor 22 and the external air temperature sensor 24.

[0056] The first and second thresholds may be set such that the absolute value of the first threshold and the absolute value of the second threshold are the same, or they may be set such that the absolute values ​​of the first threshold and the absolute value of the second threshold are different.

[0057] The temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in its current state if the temperature difference is below a first threshold and above a second threshold. That is, if the current state is internal air selection, the internal air selection state is maintained, and if the current state is external air selection, the external air selection state is maintained.

[0058] When the temperature difference is below the first threshold and above the second threshold, the temperature of the outside air and the temperature of the inside air are roughly the same. Therefore, there is no significant difference in cooling effect regardless of whether the outside air or the inside air is used to cool the unit 10 to be air-cooled. In this case, by maintaining the intake air switch 18 in its current state, that is, by not switching between the outside air selection state and the inside air selection state, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the cooling effect of the unit 10 to be air-cooled while suppressing the unnecessary and frequent switching of the state of the intake air switch 18. As a result, the power consumption required for switching the state of the intake air switch 18 can be suppressed.

[0059] If the temperature control unit 98 determines that no output instruction signal has been sent from the higher-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10, it does not perform intake determination processing.

[0060] If no output instruction signal is transmitted, the air-cooled unit 10 does not produce any electrical output, so it is presumed that the heat generated by the air-cooled unit 10 will not increase and the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 will not rise. In other words, if it is determined that no output instruction signal has been transmitted, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the air-cooled unit 10 even if the current air-cooling mode of the air-cooled unit 10 is maintained, and therefore the intake detection process is not performed. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load of the intake detection process compared to the mode in which the intake detection process is performed every time.

[0061] If the temperature control unit 98 determines that the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit 10 is not on an upward trend, it does not perform the intake determination process.

[0062] If the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is not on an upward trend, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the air-cooled unit 10 even if the current air-cooling mode of the air-cooled unit 10 is maintained, and therefore the intake detection process is not performed. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load of the intake detection process compared to the mode in which the intake detection process is performed every time.

[0063] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the temperature control unit 98. The temperature control unit 98 repeatedly executes the series of processes shown in Figure 2 each time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval is set to, for example, 1 second, but it may be set to any time considering the rate of temperature change of the air-cooled unit 10.

[0064] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the temperature control unit 98 determines whether an output instruction signal has been transmitted from the higher-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10 (S10).

[0065] If the temperature control unit 98 determines that no output instruction signal has been sent from the upper-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10 (NO in S10), it terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 2. In this case, the intake determination process is not performed.

[0066] If the temperature control unit 98 determines that an output instruction signal has been sent from the upper-level device 26 to the air-cooled unit 10 (YES in S10), the temperature control unit 98 acquires the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 detected by the unit temperature sensor 20 (S11). The temperature control unit 98 stores the acquired temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 in the storage device 92, associating it with the timing of acquisition (S12).

[0067] The temperature control unit 98 reads past temperature values ​​of the air-cooled unit 10 from the storage device (S13). For example, the temperature control unit 98 reads the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 from a predetermined number of times prior to the current control timing.

[0068] The temperature control unit 98 determines whether the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend based on the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 at the current control timing acquired in step S11 and the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 read in step S13 (S14).

[0069] For example, the temperature control unit 98 derives a moving average from the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 acquired at the current control timing and the past temperature values ​​of the air-cooled unit 10 read out. If the moving average derived this time is greater than the moving average derived last time, the temperature control unit 98 determines that the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend.

[0070] If the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is determined to be on an upward trend (YES in S14), the temperature control unit 98 performs an intake determination process (S15) and terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 2. The intake determination process (S15) will be described in detail later.

[0071] If the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is determined not to be on an upward trend (NO in S14), the temperature control unit 98 terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 2. In this case, the intake determination process is not performed.

[0072] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the intake air determination process (S15). When the intake air determination process (S15) is started, the temperature control unit 98 acquires the temperature of the outside air detected by the outside air temperature sensor 24 (S20). The temperature control unit 98 acquires the temperature of the inside air detected by the inside air temperature sensor 22 (S21). The temperature control unit 98 subtracts the acquired temperature of the inside air from the acquired temperature of the outside air to derive the temperature difference (S22).

[0073] Next, the temperature control unit 98 acquires the current intake selection information (S23). Here, the intake selection information is information indicating whether the current state of the intake opening / closing unit 18 is an internal air selection state or an external air selection state. The current intake selection information is stored in the storage device 92. The intake selection information may be stored in a flag format, for example, where "1" indicates an internal air selection state and "0" indicates an external air selection state. The temperature control unit 98 can acquire the current intake selection information by reading the intake selection information stored in the storage device 92.

[0074] Next, the temperature control unit 98 determines whether the temperature difference derived in step S22 is greater than a predetermined first threshold greater than zero (S24).

[0075] If it is determined that the temperature difference is greater than the first threshold (YES in S24), the temperature control unit 98 determines whether the current intake air selection information obtained in step S23 indicates an outside air selection state (S25).

[0076] If the current intake selection information determines that it does not indicate an outside air selection state (YES in S25), the temperature control unit 98 controls the intake opening / closing unit 18 so that the internal air intake passage 14 opens and the outside air intake passage 16 closes (S26). In other words, since the temperature of the outside air is currently relatively higher than the temperature of the internal air, and the intake opening / closing unit 18 is in the outside air selection state, the temperature control unit 98 switches the intake opening / closing unit 18 to the internal air selection state so that the internal air, which is relatively cooler, is introduced into the air passage 12. Then, the temperature control unit 98 updates the intake selection information to the internal air selection state and stores it in the memory device 92 (S27), and terminates the intake determination process (S15).

[0077] On the other hand, if it is determined that the current intake selection information does not indicate outside air selection information, that is, that the current intake selection information indicates internal air selection information (NO in S25), the temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in its current state (S28) and terminates the intake determination process (S15). In step S28, the temperature control unit 98 does not perform any substantial processing on the intake opening / closing unit 18. That is, although the temperature of the outside air is currently relatively higher than the temperature of the internal air, the intake opening / closing unit 18 is in the internal air selection state, so internal air, which is relatively cooler, is introduced into the air passage 12. Therefore, the temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in the internal air selection state. The intake selection information remains unchanged.

[0078] Furthermore, if in step S24 it is determined that the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first threshold (NO in S24), the temperature control unit 98 determines whether the temperature difference is less than a predetermined second threshold that is less than zero (S29).

[0079] If it is determined that the temperature difference is less than the second threshold (YES in S29), the temperature control unit 98 determines whether the current intake air selection information indicates an internal air selection state (S30).

[0080] If the current intake selection information determines that the internal air selection state is indicated (YES in S30), the temperature control unit 98 controls the intake opening / closing unit 18 so that the internal air intake passage 14 opens and the external air intake passage 16 closes (S31). In other words, since the temperature of the outside air is currently relatively lower than the temperature of the internal air, and the intake opening / closing unit 18 is in the internal air selection state, the temperature control unit 98 switches the intake opening / closing unit 18 to the external air selection state so that the relatively cooler outside air is introduced into the air passage 12. Then, the temperature control unit 98 updates the intake selection information to the external air selection state and stores it in the storage device 92 (S32), and terminates the intake determination process (S15).

[0081] On the other hand, if the current intake selection information does not indicate an internal air selection state, that is, if it is determined that the current intake selection information indicates an external air selection state (NO in S30), the temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in its current state (S28) and terminates the intake determination process (S15). In other words, although the temperature of the outside air is currently relatively lower than the temperature of the internal air, the intake opening / closing unit 18 is in the external air selection state, so that the relatively cooler outside air is introduced into the air passage 12. Therefore, the temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in the external air selection state. The intake selection information remains unchanged.

[0082] Furthermore, if in step S29 the temperature difference is determined to be greater than or equal to the second threshold (NO in S29), the temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in its current state (S28) and terminates the intake determination process (S15). In other words, since the temperature of the outside air and the temperature of the inside air are approximately the same, there is no significant difference in cooling effect regardless of whether the air used to cool the unit 10 is outside or inside air. Therefore, the temperature control unit 98 maintains the intake opening / closing unit 18 in its current state. The intake selection information remains unchanged.

[0083] As described above, the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment determines whether the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend. If the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment determines that the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend, an intake determination process is performed to determine whether to introduce internal air or external air into the air passage 12. If the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment determines that the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is not on an upward trend, the intake determination process is not performed.

[0084] As a result, in the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, when the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend, appropriate air from the outside air and the inside air is introduced into the air passage 12, and the air-cooled unit 10 can be effectively cooled. Furthermore, in the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is not on an upward trend, the intake air determination process is not performed, which reduces the processing load of the intake air determination process compared to the configuration in which the intake air determination process is performed every time.

[0085] Therefore, according to the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to properly air cool the air-cooled unit 10.

[0086] Furthermore, in the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, it is determined whether an output instruction signal has been transmitted from the higher-level device to the unit to be air-cooled. In the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if it is determined that an output instruction signal has been transmitted from the higher-level device to the unit to be air-cooled, and it is determined that the temperature trend of the unit to be air-cooled is on an upward trend, the intake determination process is performed. In the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if it is determined that no output instruction signal has been transmitted from the higher-level device to the unit to be air-cooled, the intake determination process is not performed.

[0087] As a result, in the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, when an output instruction signal is transmitted and the temperature of the air-cooled unit 10 is on an upward trend, appropriate air from the outside air and the inside air is introduced into the air passage 12, thereby effectively cooling the air-cooled unit 10. In the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if an output instruction signal is not transmitted, the intake determination process is not performed, which reduces the processing load of the intake determination process compared to a configuration in which the intake determination process is performed every time.

[0088] Furthermore, in the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if the temperature difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the internal air from the temperature of the outside air is greater than a predetermined first threshold greater than zero, the intake opening / closing unit 18 is controlled to allow internal air to be introduced into the air passage 12 and to prevent the introduction of outside air into the air passage 12. In the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if the temperature difference is less than a predetermined second threshold less than zero, the intake opening / closing unit 18 is controlled to allow outside air to be introduced into the air passage 12 and to prevent the introduction of internal air into the air passage 12. In the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, if the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the current state of the intake opening / closing unit 18 is maintained.

[0089] As a result, in the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, when the temperature difference is greater than the first threshold, and when the temperature difference is greater than the second threshold, appropriate air from the outside air and the inside air is introduced into the air passage 12, and the unit 10 to be air-cooled can be effectively cooled. In the temperature control system 1 of this embodiment, when the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the intake air determination process is not performed, so the processing load of the intake air determination process can be reduced compared to the embodiment in which the intake air determination process is performed every time.

[0090] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, a control device 28 separate from the higher-level device 26 included the function of a temperature control unit 98 that realizes the operation of the temperature control system 1. However, the function of the temperature control unit 98 is not limited to the control device 28, but may be included in the higher-level device 26, or in other control devices 28 mounted on the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the function of the temperature control unit 98 is not limited to being consolidated in a single control device 28, but may be distributed among multiple control devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Temperature control system 2 vehicles 10 Air-cooled units 12 Airflow channels 14 Interior intake air passage 16. Outside air intake passage 18 Intake opening / closing section 26 Higher-level equipment 28 Control device 46 Indoor 94 processors 96 memory

Claims

1. A unit mounted in a vehicle that generates heat when an electric current flows through it, and is a unit that is subject to air cooling, is an air-cooled unit, The air-cooled unit is arranged in an air passage through which air that exchanges heat with the air-cooled unit flows, An interior air intake passage that acquires interior air, which is the air inside the vehicle, and supplies it to the air passage, An outside air intake passage that acquires outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle, and supplies it to the air passage, An intake opening / closing unit capable of opening and closing the air passage between the air passage and the internal intake passage, and opening and closing the air passage between the air passage and the external intake passage, Control device and Equipped with, The control device is One or more processors, One or more memories connected to the processor, It has, The aforementioned processor, To determine whether the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit is on an upward trend, If it is determined that the temperature of the air-cooled unit is on an upward trend, an intake determination process is performed to determine whether to introduce the internal air or the external air into the air passage. If it is determined that the temperature of the air-cooled unit is not on an upward trend, the intake detection process will not be performed. A temperature control system that performs processes including those mentioned above.

2. The system further comprises a higher-level device that transmits an output instruction signal, which is a signal that causes the air-cooled unit to produce an electrical output, to the air-cooled unit. The aforementioned processor, Determining whether the output instruction signal has been transmitted from the above-level device to the air-cooled unit, When it is determined that the output instruction signal has been transmitted from the above-level device to the air-cooled unit, and that the temperature trend of the air-cooled unit is on an upward trend, the intake determination process is performed. If it is determined that the output instruction signal has not been transmitted from the above-level device to the air-cooled unit, the intake determination process will not be performed. A temperature control system according to claim 1, which performs a process including the following:

3. The aforementioned processor, In the intake determination process, If the temperature difference obtained by subtracting the temperature of the internal air from the temperature of the external air is greater than a predetermined first threshold greater than zero, the intake opening / closing unit is controlled to allow the internal air to be introduced into the air passage and to prevent the external air from being introduced into the air passage. If the temperature difference is less than a predetermined second threshold less than zero, the intake opening / closing unit is controlled to allow outside air to be introduced into the air passage and to prevent inside air from being introduced into the air passage. If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold, the current state of the intake opening / closing section is maintained. A temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, which performs a process including the following:

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