Testing system, testing method, and program recording medium for testing system

Abstract

This testing system for testing a heat management system for managing heat generated from one or a plurality of heat source components installed in a vehicle comprises: a simulated vehicle body simulating a vehicle body of the vehicle; simulated heat source bodies which are situated in the simulated vehicle body to thermally simulate the heat source components; a heat supply device for supplying heat to the simulated heat source bodies; a heat amount calculating unit for calculating an amount of heat generated from the heat source components of the vehicle while traveling, on the basis of a vehicle model that models the vehicle; a heat source body control unit for controlling the heat supply device on the basis of the calculated amount of heat, to thermally simulate the heat source components by means of the simulated heat source bodies; and an operating state acquiring unit for acquiring an operating state of the heat management system.

Description

Test system, test method, and program recording medium for test system

[0001] The present invention relates to a test system, a test method, and a program recording medium for testing a thermal management system mounted on a vehicle.

[0002] In recent years, in the case of electrically powered vehicles such as hybrid (including plug-in hybrid) vehicles, electric vehicles, or fuel cell vehicles, attention has been focused on the development of thermal management systems that manage heat generated from heat-generating components such as engines, batteries, motors, or inverters, from the perspectives of improving cruising range, improving passenger comfort, and extending battery life (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] A conventional method for evaluating the performance of this thermal management system involves running a completed vehicle on a simulated running test using a chassis dynamometer.

[0004] Special Publication No. 2012-514556

[0005] However, with the conventional method described above, it is necessary to wait until a vehicle prototype is completed before evaluating the performance of the developed thermal management system, which is one of the reasons for the lengthening of vehicle development times. Therefore, in order to shorten vehicle development times, there is a need to develop a new, unprecedented testing system that can evaluate thermal management systems through simulation even before a vehicle prototype is available.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a test system that can test a thermal management system mounted on a vehicle by simulation.

[0007] In other words, the test system of the present invention is a test system for testing a thermal management system that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of a vehicle, and is characterized by comprising a simulated vehicle body that simulates the body of the vehicle, a simulated heat source body that is installed within the simulated vehicle body and that thermally simulates the heat source components, a heat supply device that supplies heat to the simulated heat source body, a heat quantity calculation unit that calculates the amount of heat generated from the heat source components of the vehicle while it is running based on a vehicle model that models the vehicle, and a heat source body control unit that controls the heat supply device based on the calculated heat quantity and thermally simulates the heat source components using the simulated heat source body.

[0008] With this configuration, by installing and controlling a simulated heat source device that thermally simulates a heat source component within a simulated vehicle body, the heat generated by the heat source component of a vehicle during actual road driving can be simulated within the simulated vehicle body, allowing for simulation testing of the thermal management system without the need for simulated driving using a completed vehicle. This allows for evaluation of the thermal management system even before a vehicle prototype is available, thereby shortening the vehicle development period. Furthermore, since evaluation tests of the thermal management system can be performed by simulating the vehicle's ambient environment before the vehicle prototype is completed, it also shortens the testing time after the actual vehicle is completed. Furthermore, it allows for evaluation of the efficiency of the thermal management system in its system state, measuring the system's electrical consumption, and providing basic data for finalizing vehicle specifications. Furthermore, since driving conditions can be simulated without actual road driving, the durability, reliability, and reproducibility of malfunctions of components and systems can be safely evaluated in a test laboratory. Furthermore, thermal management system component manufacturers can evaluate their systems by simulating components other than their own. It should be noted that "supplying heat to the simulated heat source" means supplying a heat medium (heat medium or refrigerant) to the simulated heat source to heat or cool the simulated heat source.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the test system includes a plurality of the simulated heat source bodies, the heat quantity calculation unit calculates the heat quantity generated from each of the plurality of heat source components, and the heat source body control unit controls the heat supply device based on the calculated heat quantity of each of the heat source components, so that each of the plurality of heat source components is thermally simulated by the plurality of simulated heat source bodies. In this way, by simulating the heat of the plurality of heat source components, it is possible to more realistically reproduce the heat generated by an actual running vehicle within the simulated vehicle body.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the test system further includes a simulated vehicle body air conditioning unit that supplies temperature-controlled air into the simulated vehicle body, and a driving environment control unit that controls the simulated vehicle body air conditioning unit based on a driving environment model that models the driving environment of the vehicle while it is running, and causes the simulated vehicle body to simulate the driving environment of the vehicle while it is running. In this way, the driving environment, such as the temperature and humidity of the air outside the vehicle during actual driving, can be simulated inside the simulated vehicle body, thereby more realistically reproducing the environment in which the thermal management system is placed during actual driving.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the test system further includes a simulated vehicle cabin for thermally simulating the environment of the vehicle cabin, a simulated vehicle cabin air conditioning unit for supplying temperature-controlled air into the simulated vehicle cabin, and a vehicle cabin environment control unit for controlling the simulated vehicle cabin air conditioning unit based on a vehicle cabin environment model that models the environment of the vehicle cabin while traveling, and causing the simulated vehicle cabin to simulate the environment of the vehicle cabin while traveling. In this way, the driving environment, such as the temperature and humidity of the air inside the vehicle cabin during actual traveling, can be simulated inside the simulated vehicle body, thereby more realistically reproducing the environment in which the thermal management system is placed during actual traveling.

[0012] Preferably, the test system further includes an operating status acquisition unit that acquires operating status of the thermal management system, so that operating status such as power consumption of a thermal management system such as a temperature control system can be automatically acquired during testing.

[0013] A specific embodiment of the test system is one in which the vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the operating status acquisition unit acquires information about the power consumption of the thermal management system as the operating status.

[0014] A specific embodiment of the test system is one in which the thermal management system is equipped with a temperature control device for adjusting the heat generated by the vehicle, and the temperature control device includes one or more selected from an HVAC, an intercooler, a compressor, a radiator, or a heater.

[0015] In a specific embodiment of the test system, the simulated heat source thermally simulates one or more selected from the engine, motor, inverter, and battery of the vehicle.

[0016] The test method of the present invention is a test method for testing a thermal management system that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of a vehicle, and is a test method that uses a test system that includes a simulated vehicle body that simulates the body of the vehicle, a simulated heat source body that is installed within the simulated vehicle body and that thermally simulates the heat source components, and a heat supply device that supplies heat to the simulated heat source body, and is characterized by including a heat quantity calculation step that calculates the amount of heat generated from the heat source components of the vehicle while it is running, based on a vehicle model that models the vehicle, and a simulated heat source body control step that controls the heat supply device based on the calculated heat quantity and thermally simulates the heat source components using the simulated heat source body.

[0017] In addition, the program recording medium for a test system of the present invention is for testing a thermal management system that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of a vehicle, and records a program for a test system that includes a simulated vehicle body that simulates the body of the vehicle, a simulated heat source body that is installed within the simulated vehicle body and that thermally simulates the heat source components, and a heat supply device that supplies heat to the simulated heat source body.The program is characterized in that it causes a computer to function as a heat quantity calculation unit that calculates the amount of heat generated from the heat source components of the vehicle while it is running, based on a vehicle model that models the vehicle, and a heat source body control unit that controls the heat supply device based on the calculated heat quantity and thermally simulates the heat source components using the simulated heat source body.

[0018] According to the test method and test system program recording medium of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the test system of the present invention described above.

[0019] According to the present invention configured in this way, it is possible to provide a test system that can test a thermal management system mounted on a vehicle by simulation.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a test system according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a test system according to the same embodiment; Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a test system according to another embodiment; Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a test system according to another embodiment.

[0021] A test system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] <Configuration of Test System 100> The test system 100 of this embodiment is mounted on an electrically powered vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle (including a plug-in hybrid vehicle), an electric vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle, and tests, by simulation, the operation of a thermal management system 200 that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of the vehicle (e.g., an engine, a motor, an inverter, a battery, etc.). Specifically, the test system 100 simulates the heat generated from the heat source components of the vehicle while it is traveling on an actual road in a mock vehicle body 1 in which the thermal management system 200 under test is installed, and acquires and evaluates the operating status of the thermal management system 200 at that time.

[0023] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this test system 100 includes a simulated vehicle body 1 in which a thermal management system 200, which is a test specimen, is installed, a simulated vehicle body air conditioning unit 2 that adjusts the air inside the simulated vehicle body 1, a simulated vehicle compartment 3 that simulates the passenger compartment of a vehicle, a simulated vehicle compartment air conditioning unit 4 that adjusts the air inside the simulated vehicle compartment 3, a simulated heat source 5 that is housed in the simulated vehicle body 1 together with the thermal management system 200, a heat supply unit 6 that supplies heat to the simulated heat source 5, and a control unit 7.

[0024] The simulated vehicle body 1 thermally simulates the body of a vehicle, specifically, to simulate the driving environment of a vehicle while it is traveling on an actual road (meaning a state in which the engine is powered on, including an idling state, etc.). This driving environment refers to the environment of the air outside the vehicle while it is traveling on an actual road (i.e., the air taken into the engine compartment). Specifically, this driving environment includes at least the temperature of the air outside the vehicle while it is traveling on an actual road, and may also include humidity, pressure, air volume, etc.

[0025] Specifically, the simulated vehicle body 1 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped box with excellent thermal insulation properties, and has an interior space for accommodating the thermal management system 200 and the simulated heat source 5. The front-to-rear direction of the simulated vehicle body 1 is set to correspond to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The air inside the simulated vehicle body 1 is conditioned by the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 so as to maintain at least a predetermined temperature, and preferably a predetermined temperature and humidity.

[0026] The simulated vehicle body air conditioning device 2 receives a control signal from the control device 7 and adjusts the air inside the simulated vehicle body 1 to a predetermined temperature, thereby simulating the driving environment of a vehicle traveling on an actual road in the space inside the simulated vehicle body 1. More specifically, the simulated vehicle body air conditioning device 2 is configured to circulate air between the simulated vehicle body 1 and the simulated vehicle body 1, and includes a heat source device 21 (e.g., a hot heat source device or a cold heat source device such as a refrigerator or a boiler) that transfers heat between the heat source device 21 and a heat transfer medium, a simulated vehicle body air conditioner 22 (e.g., a fan coil unit or an air handling unit) that adjusts the air to a desired temperature by heat exchange using the heat transfer medium (e.g., a refrigerant and a heat medium such as cold water and hot water) sent from the heat source device 21, an air supply duct 23 that sends air from the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 22 to the simulated vehicle body 1, and a return air duct 24 that returns air from the simulated vehicle body 1 to the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 22. The simulated vehicle body air conditioner 22 may also be equipped with a humidifier and / or a dehumidifier to adjust the air to a desired humidity. The heat source device 21 and the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 42 are disposed outside the simulated vehicle body 1.

[0027] The downstream end of the supply air duct 23 is provided with an outlet 2a that blows temperature-adjusted air into the simulated vehicle body 1. The supply air duct 23 of this embodiment branches midway to provide multiple outlets 2a at its downstream end. The return air duct 24 is also provided with an inlet 2b at its upstream end that draws in air from inside the simulated vehicle body 1.

[0028] In this embodiment, the positions of the air outlets 2a and the air inlets 2b are set so as to simulate wind blowing against a moving vehicle and so as to allow air to flow from the front to the rear within the simulated vehicle body 1. Specifically, the multiple air outlets 2a are provided so as to open to the front wall 11 and the ceiling 13 of the simulated vehicle body 1, respectively, and the air inlets 2b are provided so as to open rearward of the air outlets 2a in the ceiling 13 of the simulated vehicle body 1. The air outlets 2a provided in the ceiling 13 are preferably provided so as to be positioned at least forward of the simulated heat source 5 housed within the simulated vehicle body 1. Furthermore, the air inlets 2b provided in the ceiling 13 are preferably provided so as to be positioned at least rearward of the simulated heat source 5 housed within the simulated vehicle body 1.

[0029] The simulated vehicle compartment 3 is intended to simulate the cabin environment of a vehicle traveling on an actual road. This cabin environment refers to, for example, the air environment within the vehicle cabin. Specifically, this cabin environment includes at least the temperature of the air within the vehicle cabin, and may also include humidity, pressure, air volume, wind direction, etc. Specifically, the simulated vehicle compartment 3 is formed, for example, by a rectangular parallelepiped housing with excellent thermal insulation performance, and is located behind (downwind from) the simulated heat source 5 within the simulated vehicle body 1. The air within the vehicle cabin is conditioned by the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioning unit 4 to maintain at least a predetermined temperature, preferably a predetermined temperature and humidity.

[0030] The simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4 receives a control signal from the control device 7 and adjusts the air in the simulated vehicle compartment 3 to a predetermined temperature (preferably to a predetermined temperature and humidity), thereby simulating the vehicle compartment environment during actual road travel using the simulated vehicle compartment 3. More specifically, the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4 is configured to circulate air between the simulated vehicle compartment 3 and the simulated vehicle compartment 3, and includes a heat source device 41 (e.g., a heating or cooling source device such as a refrigerator or boiler) that transfers heat between the simulated vehicle compartment 3 and a heat transfer medium, a simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 42 (e.g., a fan coil unit or an air handling unit) that adjusts the air to a desired temperature by heat exchange using the heat transfer medium (e.g., a refrigerant or a heat medium such as cold water or hot water) sent from the heat source device 41, a supply air duct 43 that sends air from the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 42 to the simulated vehicle compartment 3, and a return air duct 44 that returns air from the simulated vehicle compartment 3 to the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 42. The simulated vehicle interior air conditioner 42 may be equipped with a humidifier and / or a dehumidifier to adjust the air to a desired humidity. The heat source device 41 and the simulated vehicle interior air conditioner 42 are disposed outside the simulated vehicle body 1.

[0031] An outlet 4a is provided at the downstream end of the supply air duct 43, through which temperature-adjusted air is blown into the simulated vehicle compartment 3. An inlet 4b is provided at the upstream end of the return air duct 44, through which air is drawn into the simulated vehicle compartment 3. In this embodiment, the outlet 4a and the inlet 4b are each provided so as to open into the ceiling 31 of the simulated vehicle compartment 3.

[0032] The simulated heat source 5 is intended to thermally simulate a heat source component provided in a vehicle. This simulated heat source 5 may be any component that is capable of at least generating heat within the simulated vehicle body 1. In this embodiment, the simulated heat source 5 is, for example, a heat dissipation device or a heat exchanger, and is configured to dissipate heat supplied from the heat supply device 6 into the simulated vehicle body 1 by thermal conduction. Here, heat is generated within the simulated vehicle body 1 by supplying a heated fluid, such as hot water, at a predetermined temperature and flow rate from the heat supply device 6.

[0033] The test system 100 of this embodiment includes one or more simulated heat sources 5 corresponding to a plurality of heat source components so as to simulate heat generation from each of the heat source components. Specifically, the test system 100 includes at least one of a simulated engine 51 that thermally simulates an engine, a simulated motor 52 that thermally simulates a motor, a simulated inverter 53 that thermally simulates an inverter, and a simulated battery 54 that thermally simulates a battery as the simulated heat source 5. These multiple simulated heat sources 5 are arranged in order, for example, along the front-to-rear direction, between the air outlet 2a and the air inlet 2b in the simulated vehicle body 1 (more specifically, forward of the simulated vehicle compartment 3).

[0034] The heat supply device 6 receives a control signal from the control device 7 and supplies a predetermined amount of heat to the simulated heat source 5, thereby thermally simulating a heat source traveling on an actual road within the simulated vehicle body 1. More specifically, the heat supply device 6 includes a heat source device 61 (e.g., a hot or cold heat source device such as a refrigerator or boiler) that transfers heat between the heat source device 61 and a heat transfer medium, a temperature control device 62 that generates a heated fluid at a desired temperature (e.g., −20°C to 110°C) by heat exchange using the heat transfer medium (e.g., a refrigerant and a heat medium such as cold water and hot water) sent from the heat source device 61, and a pipe 63 that circulates the heated fluid between the temperature control device 62 and the simulated heat source 5. The temperature control device 62 is configured to supply the heated fluid at a desired flow rate to the simulated heat source 5 by performing flow rate control and differential pressure control. The heat source device 61 and the temperature control device 62 are located outside the simulated vehicle body 1. The test system 100 of this embodiment includes a plurality of heat supply devices 6 corresponding to the plurality of simulated heat sources 5, respectively.

[0035] 1, one heat source device 61 is shared among a plurality of heat supply devices 6. Also, one heat source device is shared among the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2, the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4, and the plurality of heat supply devices 6.

[0036] A thermal management system 200, which is a specimen, is installed inside the simulated vehicle body 1 configured in this manner. This thermal management system 200 includes a temperature adjustment device 210 for adjusting the heat generated from a heat source component of the vehicle by heating or cooling the heat source component, and a temperature adjustment control device (not shown) for controlling the operation of the temperature adjustment device 210. Note that the temperature adjustment control device does not necessarily have to be installed inside the simulated vehicle body 1, and may be installed outside the simulated vehicle body 1.

[0037] The temperature control device 210 is, for example, an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), an intercooler, a compressor, a radiator, or a heater. The test system 100 of this embodiment is configured to test the operation of a radiator, a compressor, and an HVAC as the temperature control device 210, and actual units of these temperature control devices 210 are disposed within the simulated vehicle body 1. Each temperature control device 210 is disposed within the simulated vehicle body 1 at a position that thermally simulates a vehicle traveling on an actual road. Specifically, the radiator and compressor are disposed in front of each simulated heat source 5 within the simulated vehicle body 1 and facing an air outlet 2a provided in the front wall 11 of the simulated vehicle body 1 (i.e., a position where temperature-controlled air blows from the front). The HVAC is also disposed within the simulated vehicle compartment 3 to thermally simulate an actual vehicle.

[0038] The control device 7 at least reproduces, by means of the simulated heat source bodies 5, heat generated from heat source components when the vehicle is traveling on an actual road within the simulated vehicle body 1. The control device 7 of this embodiment is configured to thermally simulate and reproduce the environment of a vehicle traveling on an actual road within the simulated vehicle body 1 by controlling the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2, the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4, and the heat supply device 6. Specifically, the control device 7 is a dedicated or general-purpose computer equipped with a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, an A / D converter, etc. Based on a predetermined program stored in the internal memory, the control device 7 performs at least the functions of a relationship data receiving unit 71, a heat amount calculation unit 72, a heat source body control unit 73, a traveling environment control unit 74, and a vehicle compartment environment control unit 75, as shown in FIG. 2, by the CPU and peripheral devices working together.

[0039] The relational data receiving unit 71 receives at least one of a vehicle model that models a vehicle, a driving environment model that models a driving environment, or a vehicle cabin environment model that models a vehicle cabin environment, and outputs this to the heat calculation unit 72, the driving environment control unit 74, and / or the vehicle cabin environment control unit 75. The vehicle model, driving environment model, or vehicle cabin environment model is input as appropriate by the user of the test system 100.

[0040] The vehicle model includes a plurality of heat source component models in which various parameters of a plurality of heat source components provided in at least the vehicle are quantified. The vehicle model of this embodiment includes at least one of the following heat source component models: an engine model in which the amount of heat generated by the engine is quantified; a motor model in which the amount of heat generated by the motor is quantified; an inverter model in which the amount of heat generated by the inverter is quantified; and a battery model in which the amount of heat generated by the battery is quantified. The vehicle model may also be a model of vehicle information such as the type of actual vehicle (truck, passenger car, etc.), weight, transmission type (MT, AT, CVT, etc.), tire diameter, gear ratio, engine characteristics (e.g., the relationship between throttle opening, rotation speed, and output torque), ECU control characteristics (e.g., the relationship between accelerator opening and throttle opening), TCU control characteristics (e.g., the conditions and timing for changing the gear ratio), or BCU control characteristics (e.g., the distribution of braking force to each wheel).

[0041] The driving environment model is a numerical representation of various parameters that represent the driving environment of the vehicle while it is traveling on the actual road. These various parameters that represent the driving environment include at least the temperature of the air outside the vehicle while it is traveling on the actual road, and may also include humidity, pressure, air volume, etc.

[0042] The vehicle interior environment model is a numerical representation of various parameters that represent the vehicle interior environment during actual road travel. These parameters include at least the temperature of the air inside the vehicle interior during actual road travel, and may also include humidity, pressure, air volume, etc.

[0043] The heat quantity calculation unit 72 is configured to calculate the amount of heat generated from each heat source component of the actual vehicle when the vehicle travels on an actual road under a predetermined driving scenario, based on the vehicle model acquired by the relationship data reception unit 71, and output the calculated amount of heat as generated heat quantity data. This generated heat quantity data is data that indicates, for example, the relationship between the elapsed time from the start of travel and the amount of heat generated from each heat source component.

[0044] The heat source control unit 73 controls the plurality of heat supply devices 6 based on the amount of heat generated by each heat source component indicated by the heat generation amount data, and causes each simulated heat source body 5 to supply the heat of that amount of heat generated, thereby thermally simulating each heat source component by each simulated heat source body 5. Specifically, the heat source control unit 73 controls the heat source equipment 61 and temperature adjustment equipment 62 provided in the heat supply device 6 based on the amount of heat generated by each heat source component indicated by the heat generation amount data, and causes the simulated heat source body 5 to supply heated fluid at a desired temperature and flow rate.

[0045] The driving environment control unit 74 also controls the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 based on the driving environment model, and causes the driving environment of a moving vehicle to be simulated by the simulated vehicle body 1. Specifically, the driving environment control unit 74 controls the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 to blow air at a temperature indicated by the driving environment model from the air outlet 2a into the simulated vehicle body 1. In addition to adjusting the temperature, the driving environment control unit 74 may also control the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 to blow air adjusted to the humidity, pressure, or air volume indicated by the driving environment model.

[0046] The vehicle interior environment control unit 75 also controls the simulated vehicle interior air conditioner 4 based on the vehicle interior environment model, and the vehicle interior environment during driving is simulated by the simulated vehicle interior 3. Specifically, the vehicle interior environment control unit 75 controls the simulated vehicle interior air conditioner 4 to blow air at a temperature indicated by the vehicle interior environment model from the air outlet into the vehicle interior. In addition to adjusting the temperature, the vehicle interior environment control unit 75 may also control the simulated vehicle interior air conditioner 4 to blow air adjusted to the humidity, pressure, or air volume indicated by the vehicle interior environment model.

[0047] The driving environment control unit 74 is configured to calculate the amount of heat radiated (heat radiation amount) from the equipment housed in the simulated vehicle body 1 based on the control amount of the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2. Similarly, the vehicle interior environment control unit 75 is configured to calculate the amount of heat radiated (heat radiation amount) from the equipment housed in the vehicle cabin based on the control amount of the vehicle cabin air conditioner.

[0048] According to the test system 100 of this embodiment configured as described above, by installing and controlling the simulated heat source body 5, which thermally simulates the heat source components, within the simulated vehicle body 1, the heat generated by the heat source components of a vehicle traveling on an actual road can be simulated within the simulated vehicle body 1. This allows the thermal management system 200 to be tested through simulation without conducting simulated driving using a completed vehicle. This enables evaluation of the thermal management system 200 even before a vehicle prototype is available, thereby shortening the vehicle development period. Furthermore, since evaluation tests of the thermal management system can be conducted by simulating the vehicle's ambient environment before the vehicle prototype is completed, it also shortens the testing time after the actual vehicle is completed. Furthermore, the efficiency of the thermal management system 200 can be evaluated in its system state, and the system's electricity consumption can be measured and used as basic data when finalizing vehicle specifications. Furthermore, since driving conditions can be simulated without traveling on an actual road, the durability, reliability, and reproducibility of malfunctions of the components and system can be safely evaluated within the simulated vehicle body 1. Furthermore, component manufacturers of the thermal management system 200 can evaluate the system by simulating components other than their own products.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0050] For example, the test system 100 in the above embodiment is for testing the thermal management system 200 mounted on an electric vehicle, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the test system 100 may be for testing the thermal management system 200 mounted on a pure engine vehicle.

[0051] In the above embodiment, all of the functions of the relational data receiving unit 71, the heat amount calculating unit 72, the heat source control unit 73, the driving environment control unit 74, and the vehicle interior environment control unit 75 are performed by the control device 7, but this is not limited to this. Some of these functions may be performed by another computer.

[0052] In another embodiment of the test system 100, as shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 7 may be configured to function as an operating status acquisition unit 76. This operating status acquisition unit 76 acquires the operating status of the thermal management system 200 during testing of the thermal management system 200. The operating status may be, for example, the power consumption of each temperature adjustment device 210 included in the thermal management system 200. While testing the thermal management system 200, the operating status acquisition unit 76 acquires operating status data indicating the operating status of each temperature adjustment device 210 from the control device of the thermal management system 200. Note that the function of the operating status acquisition unit 76 may be performed by another computer.

[0053] 3, the test system 100 may be configured such that the control device 7 functions as a relational data storage unit 77. The relational data storage unit 77 is set in a predetermined area of ​​memory and stores in advance at least one of a vehicle model that models the vehicle, a driving environment model that models the driving environment, and a vehicle interior environment model that models the vehicle interior environment. At least one of the heat quantity calculation unit 72, the driving environment control unit 74, and the vehicle interior environment control unit 75 may be configured to acquire each model by referring to the relational data storage unit 77.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 is configured to maintain the air inside the simulated vehicle body 1 at at least a predetermined temperature, but this is not limiting. The simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 in other embodiments may be configured to maintain the air inside the simulated vehicle body 1 at at least a predetermined humidity. Similarly, the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4 in other embodiments may be configured to maintain the air inside the simulated vehicle compartment 3 at at least a predetermined humidity.

[0055] In the above embodiment, one heat source device 61 is shared among the plurality of heat supply devices 6, and one heat source device is also shared among the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2, the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4, and the heat supply devices 6, but this is not limited to this. Each heat supply device 6 may be provided with its own heat source device 61. Furthermore, the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2, the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4, and the heat supply devices 6 may each be provided with their own heat source device.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the heat supply device 6 is configured to generate a heating fluid using the temperature adjustment device 62 and supply the heating fluid to the simulated heat source 5 to heat it, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the heat supply device 6 may be configured to generate a cooling fluid using the temperature adjustment device 62 and supply the cooling fluid to the simulated heat source 5 (such as the simulated engine 51, the simulated motor 52, the simulated inverter 53, or the simulated battery 54) to cool the simulated heat source 5. The heat supply device 6 may be controlled by the heat source control unit 73 to selectively generate a heating fluid or a cooling fluid and supply it to the simulated heat source 5.

[0057] In another embodiment, the simulated heat source 5 may be used to simulate a part of a temperature control device (specifically, an HVAC, an intercooler, a compressor, a radiator, a heater, or the like) constituting a thermal management system. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the test system 100 of another embodiment may further include a simulated radiator 55 simulating a radiator as the simulated heat source 5. The heat supply device 6 may be configured to generate a heating fluid or a cooling fluid using a temperature control device 62 and supply this heating fluid or cooling fluid to the simulated radiator 55 for heating or cooling. Note that the simulated heat source 5 is not limited to a radiator, and may further include a simulated heat source 5 simulating another temperature control device constituting a thermal management system, such as an HVAC, an intercooler, a compressor, or a heater.

[0058] The types and order of the simulated heat sources 5 arranged in the simulated vehicle body 1 are not limited to those in the above embodiment and may be changed as desired. Similarly, the types and order of the thermal management systems 200 arranged in the simulated vehicle body 1 are not limited to those in the above embodiment and may be changed as desired.

[0059] Furthermore, the positions and orientations of the air outlet 2a and the air inlet 2b of the simulated vehicle body air conditioner 2 and the air outlet 4a and the air inlet 4b of the simulated vehicle compartment air conditioner 4 are not limited to those in the above embodiment and may be changed as desired. For example, the air outlet 2a does not have to be provided on the ceiling 13 of the simulated vehicle body 1. The air inlet 2b does not have to be provided behind the simulated heat source 5. The air outlet 4a and the air inlet 4b do not have to be provided so as to open to the ceiling 31 of the simulated vehicle compartment 3.

[0060] Although the simulated vehicle body 1 and the simulated vehicle compartment 3 in the above embodiment are configured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the present invention is not limited to this. The simulated vehicle body 1 and the simulated vehicle compartment 3 may have any shape as long as they form a space with excellent thermal insulation performance.

[0061] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0062] According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a test system that can test a thermal management system mounted on a vehicle by simulation.

[0063] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Test system 1 Simulated vehicle body 2 Simulated vehicle body air conditioning device 4 Simulated vehicle compartment air conditioning device 5 Simulated heat source body 6 Heat supply device 7 Control device 72 Heat amount calculation unit 73 Heat source body control unit 200 Thermal management system (test specimen)

Claims

1. A test system for testing a heat management system that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of a vehicle, comprising: a simulated vehicle body that simulates the vehicle body of the vehicle; a simulated heat source body installed in the simulated vehicle body for thermally simulating the heat source component; a heat supply device that supplies heat to the simulated heat source body; a heat quantity calculation unit that calculates the amount of heat generated from the heat source component of the vehicle during travel based on a vehicle model that models the vehicle; a heat source control unit that controls the heat supply device based on the calculated heat quantity and thermally simulates the heat source component with the simulated heat source body.

2. The test system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the simulated heat source bodies, wherein the heat quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of heat generated from each of the plurality of heat source components, and the heat source control unit controls the heat supply device based on the calculated heat quantity of each heat source component and thermally simulates each of the plurality of heat source components with the plurality of simulated heat source bodies.

3. The test system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a simulated vehicle body air conditioner that supplies temperature-controlled air into the simulated vehicle body, and a driving environment control unit that controls the simulated vehicle body air conditioner based on a driving environment model that models the driving environment of the vehicle during travel and reproduces the driving environment of the vehicle during travel by the simulated vehicle body in a simulated manner.

4. The test system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a simulated passenger compartment that thermally simulates the environment of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a simulated passenger compartment air conditioner that supplies temperature-controlled air into the simulated passenger compartment, and a passenger compartment environment control unit that controls the simulated passenger compartment air conditioner based on a passenger compartment environment model that models the environment of the passenger compartment during travel and reproduces the environment of the passenger compartment during travel by the simulated passenger compartment in a simulated manner.

5. The test system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an operation status acquisition unit that acquires the operation status of the heat management system.

6. The test system according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle is an electrified vehicle, and the operation status acquisition unit acquires information regarding the power consumption of the heat management system as the operation status.

7. The test system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat management system includes temperature control equipment for adjusting heat generated from the vehicle, and the temperature control equipment includes one or more selected from HVAC, an intercooler, a compressor, a radiator, or a heater.

8. The test system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the simulated heat source thermally simulates one or more selected from the engine, motor, inverter, or battery of the vehicle.

9. A test method for testing a heat management system that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of a vehicle, the method using a test system comprising a simulated vehicle body that simulates the vehicle body of the vehicle, a simulated heat source installed in the simulated vehicle body for thermally simulating the heat source component, and a heat supply device that supplies heat to the simulated heat source, the method comprising: A heat quantity calculation step of calculating the amount of heat generated from the heat source component of the vehicle during travel based on a vehicle model that models the vehicle; A test method for a heat management system, comprising a simulated heat source control step of controlling the heat supply device based on the calculated amount of heat to thermally simulate the heat source component with the simulated heat source.

10. A program for a test system for testing a heat management system that manages heat generated from one or more heat source components of a vehicle, the test system comprising a simulated vehicle body that simulates the vehicle body of the vehicle, a simulated heat source installed in the simulated vehicle body for thermally simulating the heat source component, and a heat supply device that supplies heat to the simulated heat source, the program comprising: A heat quantity calculation unit that calculates the amount of heat generated from the heat source component of the vehicle during travel based on a vehicle model that models the vehicle; A recording medium on which a program for a test system is recorded, the program causing a computer to function as a heat source control unit that controls the heat supply device based on the calculated amount of heat to thermally simulate the heat source component with the simulated heat source.