Heat management system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a heat management system that performs air conditioning and temperature control while suppressing an increase in the number of components. [Solution] In a heat management system 1: a high-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20 includes a circulation pump P20; a battery temperature control circuit 40, serving as a temperature control circuit for an on-vehicle heat generation device, includes a circulation pump P40; and a low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 30 includes a circulation pump P30. Even when switching takes place between said circuits, any of the circulation pumps can be allocated to: a circulation path that includes, in a vehicle cabin, a high-temperature-side heat exchanger 12 and a low-temperature-side heat exchanger 14, in both of which the target temperature for performing air conditioning in the vehicle cabin needs to be managed; and a circulation path that includes a motor 51 and a battery 41 for performing temperature control. As a result, since it is not necessary to provide a circulation pump for each temperature control target, air conditioning and temperature control of each on-vehicle heat generation apparatus can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

Description

Thermal Management System

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal management system.

[0002] In recent years, the use of electric vehicles has been increasing. In electric vehicles, battery power is also used to regulate the temperature of the vehicle interior and various on-board devices. In order to ensure a sufficient driving distance with a charged battery, it is necessary to use power efficiently. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose technologies related to thermal management systems using heat pumps.

[0003] Patent No. 6398764 JP2023-025323

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal management system that can perform air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of on-board heat-generating devices while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a thermal management system is provided, which is configured to circulate a refrigerant, and which includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a high-temperature side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit including a heater core that heats air supplied to a vehicle interior and configured to circulate a heat medium that is heat exchangeable with the refrigerant via the high-temperature side heat exchanger; a low-temperature side heat medium circuit including a cooler core that cools air supplied to the vehicle interior and configured to circulate a heat medium that is heat exchangeable with the refrigerant via the low-temperature side heat exchanger; an on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit including a temperature adjustment unit that controls the temperature of on-board heat-generating devices and configured to circulate the heat medium; an exterior heat exchange circuit including a radiator and configured to circulate the heat medium; and a flow path switching device configured to switch between connection and independence of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit, the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit, and the exterior heat exchange circuit, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit includes a circulation pump, and the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit includes a circulation pump; and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes: a first path along which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger is directed toward the cooler core; a second path along which the heat medium that has passed through the cooler core is directed toward the low-temperature side heat exchanger; a circulation pump arranged on the second path; a third path along which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger is directed toward the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the outdoor heat exchange circuit via the flow path switching device; a fourth path that merges the heat medium that has flowed from the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the outdoor heat exchange circuit into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit via the flow path switching device with the heat medium flowing through the second path upstream of the circulation pump; and a fifth path that merges the heat medium that has flowed from the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the outdoor heat exchange circuit into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit via the flow path switching device with the heat medium flowing through the second path downstream of the circulation pump.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal management system that can perform air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of on-board heat-generating devices while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an exemplary configuration of a thermal management system according to a first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when cooling the battery and performing a cooling operation for the vehicle cabin. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an exemplary configuration of a thermal management system according to the first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when heating the battery and performing a heating operation for the vehicle cabin. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of an exemplary configuration of a thermal management system according to the first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when performing a dehumidifying and heating operation for the vehicle cabin. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of an exemplary configuration of a thermal management system according to the first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when recovering exhaust heat from a motor to perform a heating operation for the vehicle cabin. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of an exemplary configuration of a thermal management system according to the first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when cooling the battery and performing a heating operation for the vehicle cabin by recovering exhaust heat from a motor. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of an exemplary configuration of a thermal management system according to the first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when cooling the motor by circulating a heat medium. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a thermal management system according to a first embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when defrosting the radiator and heating the vehicle cabin while driving. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a thermal management system according to a second embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when cooling the battery and cooling the vehicle cabin. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a thermal management system according to the second embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when heating the battery and heating the vehicle cabin. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a thermal management system according to the second embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when dehumidifying and heating the vehicle cabin. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a thermal management system according to the second embodiment, illustrating an example of the state of the thermal management system when cooling the battery and recovering exhaust heat from the motor to heat the vehicle cabin.Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the configuration of a heat management system according to a second embodiment, showing an example of the state of the heat management system when cooling the motor by circulating a heat medium. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the configuration of a heat management system according to a second embodiment, showing an example of the state of the heat management system when defrosting the radiator and heating the vehicle cabin while driving.

[0008] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [System Configuration] <System Overview> This embodiment relates to a thermal management system having a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The thermal management system of this embodiment is installed in an electric vehicle and is configured to be able to perform air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of on-board heat-generating devices while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0010] 1 to 7 are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of an example configuration of a thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment. The thermal management system 1 is configured so that circuits are switched in response to various operations. Each of FIGS. 1 to 7 shows the circuit configuration during some of the various operations.

[0011] The thermal management system 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 configured to circulate a refrigerant. The refrigerant may be, but is not limited to, a hydrofluoroolefin. The thermal management system 1 also includes a high-temperature heat medium circuit 20, a low-temperature heat medium circuit 30, a battery temperature control circuit 40, a motor temperature control circuit 50, and an outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, each configured to circulate a fluid heat medium, such as a coolant. Of these circuits, the low-temperature heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 are connected to a flow path switching device 70, such as an eight-way valve. The flow path switching device 70 can connect these flow paths to form a circulation path through which these circuits cooperate to circulate the heat medium, or can separate one or more circuits from other circuits to make them independent. The high-temperature heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 are also connected to a flow path switching device, such as a four-way valve V20, which connects or disconnects the flow paths between each other. The four-way valve V20 can form a circulation path through which the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to circulate the heat medium, or can separate these circuits from each other.

[0012] The thermal management system 1 also includes an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit 100. The thermal management system 1 also includes various sensors (not shown) and a control device that controls the operation of each part of the thermal management system 1. The operation of the thermal management system 1 is controlled based on the detected values ​​of the various sensors, various requests, etc.

[0013] The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11 that compresses gaseous refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure and then discharges it, a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 that condenses the compressed gaseous refrigerant to release heat, a pressure reducing device 13 such as an expansion valve that expands the liquid refrigerant to a low pressure, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 that evaporates the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant to absorb heat. The refrigerant circuit 10 is configured to function as a heat pump that circulates the refrigerant and repeats compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.

[0014] In the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium circulating in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. In the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30.

[0015] In the example shown in the figure, the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 includes a refrigerant passage 12a through which the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10 passes, and a heat medium passage 12b through which the heat medium circulating in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 passes. The low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 includes a refrigerant passage 14a through which the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10 passes, and a heat medium passage 14b through which the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 passes.

[0016] The elements of the refrigerant circuit 10 are connected by refrigerant flow paths 10a, 10b, and 10c. The compressor 11 is connected to an inlet of a refrigerant passage 12a of a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 by a refrigerant flow path 10a. The outlet of the refrigerant passage 12a of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to an inlet of a refrigerant passage 14a of a low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 by a refrigerant flow path 10b, and a pressure reducing device 13 such as an expansion valve is installed on the refrigerant flow path 10b. The outlet of the refrigerant passage 14a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to the compressor 11 by a refrigerant flow path 10c. An accumulator 15 is installed on the refrigerant flow path 10c.

[0017] <High-Temperature Side Heat Medium Circuit> The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and a heater core 21 that is housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100 and heats the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is a circuit through which a heat medium that has been heated by receiving heat from the refrigerant circuit 10 via the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 circulates. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 can be used to activate the heater core 21 to heat the vehicle cabin.

[0018] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 are connected by heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b, and 20c. The inlet side 21a of the heater core 21 is connected to the outlet of the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 by the heat medium flow path 20a. The inlet of the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to the four-way valve V20 by the heat medium flow path 20c. The outlet side 21b of the heater core 21 is connected to the four-way valve V20 by the heat medium flow path 20b. A circulation pump P20 for circulating the heat medium is installed on the path of the heat medium flow path 20c. The heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P20 and circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. The heat medium is heated by receiving heat from the refrigerant circuit 10 while passing through the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, and is supplied to the heater core 21 from the inlet side 21a and passes through the heater core 21. At this time, the heat medium releases heat in the heater core 21, thereby causing the heater core 21 to function. After passing through the heater core 21, the heat medium is discharged from the outlet side 21b and directed again toward the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12.

[0019] <Low-Temperature Side Heat Medium Circuit> The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, a cooler core 31 housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100 and cooling the air supplied to the vehicle cabin, a proportional control three-way valve V30 as a distribution device that distributes the heat medium, a check valve V31 as a first check valve that prevents backflow of the heat medium, and a check valve V32 as a second check valve that prevents backflow of the heat medium. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is a circuit through which the heat medium that has been cooled by transferring heat to the refrigerant circuit 10 via the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 circulates. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 can be used to operate the cooler core 31 to cool or dehumidify the vehicle cabin.

[0020] Furthermore, the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 can be connected to one another by a flow path switching device 70. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 can also be used to control the temperatures of the battery 41 and the motor 51 by forming a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50. In other words, in this case, the exhaust heat of the battery 41 and the motor 51 can be used as a heat absorption source for the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0021] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected by heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, 30i, 30j, and 30k. The outlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to the proportional control three-way valve V30 by the heat medium flow path 30a. One side of the proportional control three-way valve V30 is connected to the inlet side 31a of the cooler core 31 by the heat medium flow path 30b. Therefore, the outlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to the inlet side 31a of the cooler core 31 by the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b via the proportional control three-way valve V30. The other side of the proportional control three-way valve V30 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 30c.

[0022] An outlet side 31b of the cooler core 31 is connected to a check valve V31 by a heat medium flow path 30d. The check valve V31 is connected to an inlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 via a heat medium flow path 30e connected thereto, a junction, a heat medium flow path 30f downstream thereof, and a heat medium flow path 30g downstream of the junction. A circulation pump P30 for circulating the heat medium is installed on the heat medium flow path 30f.

[0023] The check valve V32 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 via the heat medium flow path 30j connected thereto, the junction, and the heat medium flow path 30i upstream thereof. The check valve V32 is also connected to the inlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 via the heat medium flow path 30k connected thereto, the junction, and the heat medium flow path 30g downstream thereof. The flow path switching device 70 is also connected to the heat medium flow path 30f via the heat medium flow path 30i, the junction, and the heat medium flow path 30h downstream thereof.

[0024] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is connected to at least one of the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 by the flow path switching device 70, and can cooperate with at least one of these circuits to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0025] The heat medium is circulated through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 by a circulation pump P30 installed on the heat medium flow path 30f. When the heat medium passes through the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, it rejects heat to the refrigerant circuit 10 and is cooled. The cooled heat medium can be supplied to the cooler core 31 from the inlet side 31a and pass through the cooler core 31. At this time, the heat medium absorbs heat in the cooler core 31, allowing the cooler core 31 to function. The heat medium that bypasses the cooler core 31 then passes through at least one of the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, which are connected via the flow path switching device 70, before returning to the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0026] <Battery Temperature Control Circuit> The battery temperature control circuit 40 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit includes the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 described above and a battery 41 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device. The battery 41 is provided with a battery temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the battery 41. The battery temperature control circuit 40 can be used to adjust the temperature of the battery 41.

[0027] Note that a configuration similar to that of the battery temperature control circuit 40 can also be applied to other in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuits having an in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of other in-vehicle equipment that similarly requires temperature control, not limited to the battery.

[0028] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the battery temperature control circuit 40 are connected by heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b. The inlet side 41a of the battery 41 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 40a. The outlet side 41b of the battery 41 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 40b.

[0029] The battery temperature control circuit 40 can independently form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium by using the flow path switching device 70. Furthermore, the battery temperature control circuit 40 can connect the flow paths of at least one of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 by using the flow path switching device 70, and can form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with at least one of these circuits.

[0030] On the heat medium flow path 40a, a circulation pump P40 and a heat medium heater 42 are installed in this order from the upstream side. Even if the battery temperature control circuit 40 forms a circulation path independent of other circuits, or even if the other circuits that cooperate to form a circulation path do not have a circulation pump installed therein, the heat medium can be circulated by the circulation pump P40, and the temperature of the battery 41 can be adjusted.

[0031] <Motor Temperature Control Circuit> The motor temperature control circuit 50, which serves as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit, includes a motor 51, which serves as an in-vehicle heat-generating device. The motor 51 is provided with a motor temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the motor 51. The motor temperature control circuit 50 can be used to circulate a heat medium to adjust the temperature of the motor 51. Furthermore, the thermal management system 1 can use the motor 51, which constantly generates heat while the vehicle is running, as a heat source via the motor temperature control circuit 50.

[0032] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the motor temperature control circuit 50 are connected by heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b. The inlet side 51a of the motor 51 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 50a. The outlet side 51b of the motor 51 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 50b. The motor temperature control circuit 50 connects the flow paths of at least one of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 with each other by the flow path switching device 70, and can form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with at least one of these circuits.

[0033] <Outdoor Heat Exchange Circuit> The outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 includes a radiator 61 as an outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 can be used to circulate a heat medium and exchange heat between the heat medium and outdoor air.

[0034] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 are connected by heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c. The inlet side 61a of the radiator 61 is connected to the four-way valve V20 by the heat medium flow path 60a. The flow path switching device 70 and the four-way valve V20 are connected by the heat medium flow path 60c. When the four-way valve V20 connects these two heat medium flow paths 60a and 60c, the inlet side 61a of the radiator 61 is connected to the flow path switching device 70. The outlet side 61b of the radiator 61 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 60b.

[0035] The outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 can be separated from the other circuits and made independent by the flow path switching device 70. Furthermore, the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 can connect the flow paths of at least one of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 by the flow path switching device 70, and can form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with at least one of these circuits.

[0036] <HVAC Unit> As described above, the heater core 21 of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the cooler core 31 of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100. The case 110 forms the outer shell of the HVAC unit 100 and also defines an air flow passage 120 therein.

[0037] The HVAC unit 100 also has an intake unit 130. The intake unit 130 closes either an outside air intake port that introduces outside air into the vehicle cabin or an inside air intake port that introduces inside air into the vehicle cabin, thereby switching the air introduced into the case 110 between outside air (outside air intake) and inside air (inside air circulation). The HVAC unit 100 also has a blower 140 installed adjacent to the intake unit 130 so that the air introduced into the case 110 is supplied to the air flow passage 120.

[0038] A cooler core 31 is installed at the upstream side of the air flow passage 120. A heater core passage 121 and a bypass passage 122 are formed in parallel at the downstream side of the air flow passage 120. The heater core 21 is provided in the heater core passage 121. Therefore, when air introduced into the case 110 is guided to the heater core passage 121, the air is ventilated through the cooler core 31 and then ventilated to the heater core 21. On the other hand, when air introduced into the case 110 is guided to the bypass passage 122, the air is ventilated through the cooler core 31 and then bypasses the heater core 21. The ratio of air passing through the heater core passage 121 and air passing through the bypass passage 122 is adjusted by an air mix damper 150.

[0039] [System Operation] Specific operations of the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0040] 1 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the outside temperature is high. At this time, the vehicle interior is cooled. The battery 41 is also cooled.

[0041] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows.

[0042] That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 60a so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and passed through the heater core 21 flows into the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60.

[0043] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the motor temperature control circuit 50 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. That is, it connects the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 with the heat medium flow paths 60b and 60c passing through the radiator 61.

[0044] Furthermore, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 60c and 20c so that the heat medium that has passed through the motor temperature control circuit 50 flows from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 to the high temperature side heat medium circuit 20.

[0045] As a result, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, and the heat medium circulates through a circulation path formed by the heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b, and 20c of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b of the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c of the exterior heat exchange circuit 60. As a result, the motor 51 is cooled by the heat medium that is heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and then radiated to the outside air by the radiator 61, and the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using this heat medium as a heat radiation source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin is operated in cooling mode.

[0046] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0047] That is, the flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0048] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the battery temperature control circuit 40 via the flow path switching device 70. The check valve V32 allows the heat medium pushed out by the output of the circulation pump P40 to flow and prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30j and 30k from flowing back toward the flow path switching device 70 between the flow path switching device 70 and the junction. Thus, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30j, 30k, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41. The heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by the pushing out of the heat medium by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the battery 41 is cooled by the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0049] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the cooler core 31. The check valve V31 allows the heat medium pushed out by the output of the circulation pump P30 to flow and prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g from flowing back toward the cooler core 31 between the cooler core 31 and the junction point. Therefore, the heat medium pushed out by the circulation pump P30 circulates through a circulation path consisting of the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30. As a result, the vehicle cabin is cooled by the heat medium that has dissipated heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14. The heat medium that branches from the heat medium flow path 30i to the heat medium flow path 30h also merges with this circulation path.

[0050] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin and the motor 51 that performs temperature control. The circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin. The circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41 that performs temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so that the air conditioning of the vehicle cabin and the temperature control of the battery 41 and the motor 51 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, by providing the check valve V31, the heat medium does not flow back toward the cooler core 31 even if there is an output difference between the circulation pumps P30 and P40. Furthermore, by providing the check valve V32, the heat medium at a flow rate corresponding to the output difference is also distributed to the check valve V32, so that the amount of heat medium flowing through the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be adjusted to an appropriate flow rate. Therefore, since the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs suitable for their respective purposes, it is not necessary to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to be the same, and unnecessary power consumption can be prevented.

[0051] 2 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 at startup when the outside air temperature is low. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is warmed up.

[0052] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0053] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0054] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0055] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0056] As a result, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30h, 30f, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by the circulation pump P30 pushing out the heat medium without passing through the check valve V32. As a result, the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 passes through the radiator 61 and exchanges heat with the outside air. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium that absorbs heat from the outside air in the radiator 61 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin is operated by outside air heat absorption heating.

[0057] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 warms up the battery 41.

[0058] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature regulation. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature regulation circuit 50, so it is possible to perform air conditioning in the vehicle interior and temperature regulation of the battery 41 while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0059] 3 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 at startup when the outside air temperature is relatively low, such as during the winter months. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is warmed up.

[0060] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0061] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0062] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60.

[0063] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0064] As a result, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30h, 30f, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61, and the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P30, causing the heat medium to circulate through these circulation paths without passing through the check valve V32. As a result, the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 passes through the radiator 61 and exchanges heat with the outside air. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium that absorbs heat from the outside air in the radiator 61 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin operates in heating mode.

[0065] Furthermore, the proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the cooler core 31.

[0066] Thus, heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g are formed in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30. In addition, the check valve V31 prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g from flowing back toward the cooler core 31 between the cooler core 31 and the junction of the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g and the heat medium flow path 30h. As a result, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P30, and the heat medium circulates through these circulation paths.

[0067] As a result, when the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows into the cooler core 31, the cooler core 31 is cooled. Therefore, moisture in the air blown from the blower 140 is condensed in the cooler core 31 and dehumidified. At this time, the air mix damper 150 opens the heater core passage 121. Therefore, the air dehumidified by the cooler core 31 is blown into the heater core 21. The air blown into the heater core 21 is heated and blown into the vehicle compartment. As a result, the vehicle compartment is dehumidified and heated.

[0068] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 warms up the battery 41.

[0069] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature regulation. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature regulation circuit 50, so it is possible to perform air conditioning in the vehicle interior and temperature regulation of the battery 41 while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0070] <Heating Operation (Start-up / Battery Temperature Below Optimum Temperature Range)> Figure 4 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the outside air temperature is low and heating operation cannot be performed by absorbing heat only from the radiator 61 as shown in Figure 2. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is warmed up.

[0071] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0072] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0073] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0074] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0075] Therefore, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30h, 30f, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61, and the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b of the motor temperature control circuit 50 passing through the motor 51, and the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P30, so that the heat medium circulates through these circulation paths without passing through the check valve V32. As a result, the radiator 61 absorbs heat from the outside air, and the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium that absorbs the exhaust heat of the motor 51.

[0076] The flow path switching device 70 allows the battery temperature control circuit 40 to form an independent heat medium circulation path. Since the battery 41 also generates heat, the temperature of the battery 41 is controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium circulating through the battery temperature control circuit 40 through the pushing out of the heat medium by the circulation pump P40.

[0077] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature regulation. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature regulation circuit 50, so it is possible to perform air conditioning in the vehicle interior and temperature regulation of the battery 41 while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0078] 5 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the outside air temperature is low and the temperature of the battery 41 rises to the point where it is about to exceed the upper limit of the optimum temperature range. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is cooled.

[0079] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0080] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0081] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0082] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0083] Thus, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30j, 30k, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41 and the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51. As a result, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P40, and the heat medium circulates through these circulation paths via the check valve V32. As a result, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat generated by the battery 41 and the heat of the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin operates in heating mode. The heat medium in the battery temperature control circuit 40 exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit 10 in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 and is cooled. The cooled heat medium cools the battery 41. As described above, the heating operation can be continued by effectively utilizing the exhaust heat of the motor as a heat absorption source while cooling the battery 41.

[0084] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin and a circulation path including the battery 41 for temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so the vehicle cabin air conditioning and the temperature control of the battery 41 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, the check valve V32 allows the heat medium to flow by the circulation pump P40 without passing through the circulation pump P30, so the circulation pump P30 can be stopped. This prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0085] <Motor Cooling> Figure 6 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the outside air temperature is appropriate but the temperature of the motor 51 rises and approaches the upper limit of the appropriate temperature range. At this time, the vehicle interior is neither heated nor cooled. The motor 51 is cooled.

[0086] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is set as follows: The four-way valve V20 connects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 60a so that the heat medium circulating through the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows into the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. Since the refrigerant circuit 10 stops operating, the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 does not flow through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20.

[0087] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the motor temperature control circuit 50 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. That is, it connects the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 with the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b and 60b passing through the radiator 61.

[0088] Furthermore, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 60c and 20c so that the heat medium that has passed through the motor temperature control circuit 50 flows from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 to the high temperature side heat medium circuit 20.

[0089] As a result, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, and the heat medium circulates through a circulation path formed by the heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b, and 20c of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b of the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60b of the exterior heat exchange circuit 60. As a result, the motor 51 is cooled by the heat medium whose heat has been dissipated into the outside air by the radiator 61. Since the heat medium heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 does not circulate in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the vehicle interior is neither cooled nor heated.

[0090] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is set as follows: That is, the flow path switching device 70 separates the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 from the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the exterior heat exchange circuit 60. Since the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 does not circulate in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the vehicle interior is neither cooled nor heated.

[0091] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the motor 51, which performs temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the temperature of the motor 51 can be controlled while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, the flow path switching device 70 allows the circulation pump P20 to circulate the heat medium without using the circulation pumps P30 and P40, so the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be stopped. This prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0092] <Heating Operation (Defrosting During Driving)> FIG. 7 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when defrosting the radiator 61 and heating the vehicle interior during driving.

[0093] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0094] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0095] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0096] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0097] Therefore, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30h, 30f, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P30. As a result, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates by using the heat of the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin operates in heating mode.

[0098] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the radiator 61 is defrosted by the heat generated by the battery 41 or the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device 42.

[0099] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle interior, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature regulation. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature regulation circuit 50, and air conditioning can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0100] [About the System] In the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes a circulation pump P20, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes a circulation pump P30, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 includes a circulation pump P40. Even when the circuits are switched, one of the circulation pumps can be assigned to either the circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 or the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, which need to manage the target temperature for air conditioning in the vehicle cabin, or the circulation path including the battery 41 and the motor 51, which perform temperature control. This eliminates the need to provide a circulation pump for each temperature control target, making it possible to perform air conditioning and temperature control of each on-board heat-generating device while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the heat management system 1 of this embodiment, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes a check valve V31 that prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g from flowing back toward the cooler core 31 between the cooler core 31 and the junction, and a check valve V32 that prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30j and 30k from flowing back toward the flow path switching device 70 between the flow path switching device 70 and the junction. Therefore, the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs according to the purpose, and there is no need to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to be the same, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0102] Furthermore, the heat management system 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a proportional control valve V30 that distributes the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 to the heat medium flow path 30b and the heat medium flow path 30c. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of heat medium distributed to the heat medium flow path 30b and the heat medium flow path 30c, it is possible to easily control the air conditioning and temperature regulation.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the on-board heat-generating device that performs temperature control is the battery 41, so there is no need to provide a circulation pump for temperature control of the motor 51, and the temperature of the battery 41 and the motor 51 can be controlled while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0104] The thermal management system 1 of the first embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0105] (1) The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes a circulation pump P20, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit includes a circulation pump P40. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b as a first path through which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows toward the cooler core 31, heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g as a second path through which the heat medium that has passed through the cooler core 31 flows toward the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, a circulation pump P30 disposed on the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g as the second path, and a third path through which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows toward the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit via a flow path switching device 70. a heat medium flow path 30h serving as a fourth path for merging the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60 serving as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 via the flow path switching device 70 with the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g serving as the second path upstream of the circulation pump P30; and heat medium flow paths 30j, 30k serving as fifth paths for merging the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60 serving as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 via the flow path switching device 70 with the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g serving as the second path downstream of the circulation pump P30. As a result, even when the circuit is switched, it is possible to assign one of the circulation pumps to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, which need to manage the target temperature for air conditioning in the vehicle cabin, and to a circulation path including the battery 41 and the motor 51, which perform temperature control. This eliminates the need to provide a circulation pump for each temperature control target, making it possible to perform air conditioning and temperature control of each on-board heat-generating device while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0106] (2) The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes a cooler core 31, a check valve V31 as a first backflow prevention device that prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g as the second path from flowing back toward the cooler core 31 between the junction of the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g as the second path and the heat medium flow path 30h as the fourth path, and a flow path switching device 70, and a check valve V32 as a second backflow prevention device that prevents the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30j and 30k as the fifth path from flowing back toward the flow path switching device 70 between the junction of the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f, and 30g as the second path and the heat medium flow paths 30j and 30k as the fifth path. This allows the output of circulation pump P30 and the output of circulation pump P40 to be set to an output appropriate for the purpose, and eliminates the need to set the output of circulation pump P30 and the output of circulation pump P40 to the same output, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0107] (3) The proportional control valve V30 is provided as a distribution device that distributes the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 to the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b as the first path and the heat medium flow path 30c as the third path. This makes it possible to easily control the air conditioning and temperature by adjusting the amount of heat medium distributed to the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b and the heat medium flow path 30c.

[0108] (4) The on-board heat-generating device whose temperature is to be regulated is the battery 41. This makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the battery 41 while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0109] In the first embodiment, a battery 41 is used as an example of an on-board heat-generating device, and a battery temperature control circuit 40 is used as an example of an on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit. However, the on-board heat-generating device and the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit do not have to be limited to the examples in this embodiment; for example, the on-board heat-generating device may be a motor 51, and the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit may be a motor temperature control circuit 50.

[0110] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0111] [System Configuration] <System Overview> This embodiment relates to a thermal management system having a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The thermal management system of this embodiment is installed in an electric vehicle and is configured to perform air conditioning and temperature control while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0112] 8 to 13 are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of an example configuration of the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment. The thermal management system 1 is configured so that the circuit switches in response to various operations. Each of FIGS. 8 to 13 shows the circuit configuration during some of the various operations.

[0113] The heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment and the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment have the same configurations of the refrigerant circuit 10, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the HVAC unit 100, and therefore descriptions of these will be omitted.

[0114] <Low-Temperature Side Heat Medium Circuit> The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 of the thermal management system 1 according to the second embodiment includes the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, a cooler core 31 housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100 and cooling the air supplied to the vehicle cabin, a proportional control three-way valve V30 as a distribution device that distributes the heat medium, and a three-way valve V33 as a branching device that branches the heat medium. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is a circuit through which the heat medium that has been cooled by transferring heat to the refrigerant circuit 10 via the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 circulates. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 can be used to operate the cooler core 31 to cool or dehumidify the vehicle cabin.

[0115] Furthermore, the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 can be connected to one another by a flow path switching device 70. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 can also be used to control the temperatures of the battery 41 and the motor 51 by forming a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50. In other words, in this case, the exhaust heat of the battery 41 and the motor 51 can be used as a heat absorption source for the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0116] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected by heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, and 30i. The outlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to the proportional control three-way valve V30 by the heat medium flow path 30a. One side of the proportional control three-way valve V30 is connected to the inlet side 31a of the cooler core 31 by the heat medium flow path 30b. Therefore, the outlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to the inlet side 31a of the cooler core 31 by the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b via the proportional control three-way valve V30. The other side of the proportional control three-way valve V30 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 30c.

[0117] The outlet side 31b of the cooler core 31 is connected to the inlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 via the heat medium flow path 30d connected thereto, the junction, the heat medium flow path 30e downstream thereof, and the junction and the heat medium flow path 30f downstream thereof. A circulation pump P30 for circulating the heat medium is installed on the path of the heat medium flow path 30e.

[0118] The three-way valve V33 is connected to the inlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 via the heat medium flow path 30i, the junction point, and the heat medium flow path 30f downstream thereof. The three-way valve V33 is also connected to the flow path switching device 70 via the heat medium flow path 30h. The three-way valve V33 is also connected to the heat medium flow path 30e via the heat medium flow path 30g.

[0119] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is connected to at least one of the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 by the flow path switching device 70, and can cooperate with at least one of these circuits to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0120] The heat medium is circulated through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 by a circulation pump P30 installed on the heat medium flow path 30e. As the heat medium passes through the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, it rejects heat to the refrigerant circuit 10 and is cooled. The cooled heat medium can be supplied to the cooler core 31 from the inlet side 31a and pass through the cooler core 31. At this time, the heat medium absorbs heat in the cooler core 31, allowing the cooler core 31 to function. The heat medium discharged from the outlet side 31b after passing through the cooler core 31, or the heat medium that bypasses the cooler core 31, then passes through at least one of the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, which are connected via the flow path switching device 70, before returning to the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0121] [System Operation] Specific operations of the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0122] <Cooling Operation (Battery Cooling)> Figure 8 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the outside temperature is high. At this time, the vehicle interior is cooled. The battery 41 is also cooled.

[0123] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows.

[0124] That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 60a so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and passed through the heater core 21 flows into the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60.

[0125] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the motor temperature control circuit 50 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. That is, it connects the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 with the heat medium flow paths 60b and 60c passing through the radiator 61.

[0126] Furthermore, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 60c and 20c so that the heat medium that has passed through the motor temperature control circuit 50 flows from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 to the high temperature side heat medium circuit 20.

[0127] As a result, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, and the heat medium circulates through a circulation path formed by the heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b, and 20c of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b of the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c of the exterior heat exchange circuit 60. As a result, the motor 51 is cooled by the heat medium that is heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and then radiated to the outside air by the radiator 61, and the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using this heat medium as a heat radiation source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin is operated in cooling mode.

[0128] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0129] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the battery temperature control circuit 40 via the flow path switching device 70.

[0130] The three-way valve V33 forms the heat medium flow paths 30h, 30i, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 via the flow path switching device 70 flows to the inlet of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0131] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0132] Therefore, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30h, 30i, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the battery 41 is cooled by the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0133] Furthermore, the proportional control three-way valve V30 forms the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the cooler core 31. Therefore, by pushing out the heat medium by the circulation pump P30, the heat medium circulates through a circulation path made up of the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30d, 30e, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30. As a result, the heat medium that has dissipated heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 cools the vehicle interior.

[0134] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin and the motor 51, which performs temperature control. The circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin. The circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so the vehicle cabin air conditioning and temperature control of the battery 41 and the motor 51 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, by combining the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 are not located on the same circulation path. Therefore, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective purposes. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to be the same, which prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0135] 9 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 at startup when the outside air temperature is low. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is warmed up.

[0136] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0137] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0138] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0139] The three-way valve V33 forms the heat medium flow paths 30h and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 via the flow path switching device 70 merges with the heat medium flow path 30e.

[0140] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. Thus, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30h, 30g, 30e, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61. The heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by the circulation pump P30 pushing the heat medium. As a result, the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 passes through the radiator 61 and exchanges heat with outside air. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium that absorbs heat from the outside air in the radiator 61 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning of the vehicle cabin is operated by outside air heat absorption heating.

[0141] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 warms up the battery 41.

[0142] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41 and motor 51, which perform temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so the vehicle cabin air conditioning and the temperature control of the battery 41 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, by combining the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 are not located on the same circulation path, so the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective purposes. Therefore, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 do not need to have the same output, which prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0143] 10 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 at startup when the outside air temperature is relatively low, such as during the mid-season. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is warmed up.

[0144] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 that is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0145] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0146] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60.

[0147] The three-way valve V33 forms the heat medium flow paths 30h and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium flowing from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 via the flow path switching device 70 merges with the heat medium flow path 30e.

[0148] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0149] Therefore, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30h, 30i, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P30. As a result, the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 passes through the radiator 61 and exchanges heat with the outside air. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium that absorbs heat from the outside air in the radiator 61 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin operates in heating mode.

[0150] Furthermore, the proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows through the cooler core 31. Thus, heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30d, 30e, and 30f are formed in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30. The heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P30, causing the heat medium to circulate through these circulation paths.

[0151] As a result, when the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows into the cooler core 31, the cooler core 31 is cooled. Therefore, moisture in the air blown from the blower 140 is condensed in the cooler core 31 and dehumidified. At this time, the air mix damper 150 opens the heater core passage 121. Therefore, the air dehumidified by the cooler core 31 is blown into the heater core 21. The air blown into the heater core 21 is heated and blown into the vehicle compartment. As a result, the vehicle compartment is dehumidified and heated.

[0152] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 warms up the battery 41.

[0153] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so the air conditioning of the vehicle cabin and the temperature control of the battery 41 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, by combining the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 are not located on the same circulation path, so the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective purposes. Therefore, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 do not need to have the same output, which prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0154] 11 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the outside air temperature is low and the temperature of the battery 41 rises to the point where it is about to exceed the upper limit of the optimum temperature range. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated. The battery 41 is also cooled.

[0155] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, which is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0156] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0157] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0158] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0159] The three-way valve V33 forms the heat medium flow paths 30h, 30i, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium flowing from the motor temperature control circuit 50 via the flow path switching device 70 flows to the inlet of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0160] Therefore, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30i, 30j, 30k, and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41 and the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40.

[0161] As a result, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the battery 41 and the heat generated by the motor 51 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin operates in heating mode. Also, the heat medium in the battery temperature control circuit 40 exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit 10 in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 and is cooled. The cooled heat medium cools the battery 41. As described above, the heating operation can be continued by effectively utilizing the exhaust heat of the motor as a heat absorption source while cooling the battery 41.

[0162] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path including the high-temperature heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin and a circulation path including the battery 41 for temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so the air conditioning of the vehicle cabin and the temperature control of the battery 41 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, the combination of the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33 prevents the circulation pump P30 and the circulation pump P40 from being located on the same circulation path, allowing the circulation pump P30 to be stopped. This prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0163] 12 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when the temperature of the motor 51 rises to the point where it is about to exceed the upper limit of the optimum temperature range, even though the outside air temperature is optimum. At this time, the vehicle interior is neither heated nor cooled. The motor 51 is cooled.

[0164] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 does not flow, is set as follows: The four-way valve V20 connects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. The four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 60a so that the heat medium circulating in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows into the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60.

[0165] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the motor temperature control circuit 50 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. That is, it connects the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 with the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b and 60b passing through the radiator 61.

[0166] Furthermore, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 60c and 20c so that the heat medium that has passed through the motor temperature control circuit 50 flows from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 to the high temperature side heat medium circuit 20.

[0167] Therefore, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P20, and the heat medium circulates through a circulation path formed by the heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b, and 20c of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b of the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60b of the exterior heat exchange circuit 60. As a result, the motor 51 is cooled by the heat medium whose heat is dissipated into the outside air by the radiator 61. Since the heat medium warmed by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 does not circulate in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the refrigerant circuit 10 does not operate. Therefore, the vehicle interior is neither cooled nor heated.

[0168] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is set as follows: That is, the flow path switching device 70 separates the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 from the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the exterior heat exchange circuit 60. Since no heat medium circulates in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the refrigerant circuit 10 does not operate. Therefore, the vehicle interior is neither cooled nor heated.

[0169] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to a circulation path that includes the motor 51, which performs temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so it is possible to perform air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of the motor 51 while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, the flow path switching device 70 prevents the circulation pumps P20, P30, and P40 from being arranged on the same circulation path, allowing the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to be stopped. This prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0170] <Heating Operation (Defrosting During Driving)> FIG. 13 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 when defrosting the radiator 61 and heating the vehicle interior during driving.

[0171] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows: That is, the four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20b and 20c so that the heat medium that has been heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, which is separated from the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, and flows through the heater core 21. As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has absorbed heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 heats the vehicle interior.

[0172] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows, is set as follows.

[0173] The proportional control three-way valve V30 forms heat medium flow paths 30a and 30c so that the heat medium cooled by heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows in a detour without passing through the cooler core 31.

[0174] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the motor temperature control circuit 50 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0175] The three-way valve V33 forms the heat medium flow paths 30h and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium flowing from the motor temperature control circuit 50 via the flow path switching device 70 merges with the heat medium flow path 30e.

[0176] Therefore, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30h, 30g, 30e, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P30. As a result, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium warmed by the heat generated by the motor 51 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin operates in heating mode.

[0177] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 40a and 40b passing through the battery 41 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the radiator 61 is defrosted by the heat generated by the battery 41 or the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device 42.

[0178] As described above, the circulation pump P20 is assigned to the high-temperature heat exchanger 12 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, the circulation pump P30 is assigned to a circulation path including the low-temperature heat exchanger 14 used for air conditioning the vehicle cabin, and the circulation pump P40 is assigned to a circulation path including the battery 41, which performs temperature control. Therefore, there is no need to provide a circulation pump in the motor temperature control circuit 50, so the air conditioning of the vehicle cabin and the temperature control of the battery 41 can be performed while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps. Furthermore, by combining the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 are not located on the same circulation path, so the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective purposes. Therefore, the circulation pumps P30 and P40 do not need to have the same output, which prevents unnecessary power consumption.

[0179] [About the System] In the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes a circulation pump P20, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes a circulation pump P30, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 includes a circulation pump P40. Even when the circuits are switched, one of the circulation pumps can be assigned to either the circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 or the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, which need to manage the target temperature for air conditioning in the vehicle cabin, or the circulation path including the battery 41 and the motor 51, which perform temperature control. This eliminates the need to provide a circulation pump for each temperature control target, making it possible to perform air conditioning and temperature control of each on-board heat-generating device while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0180] Furthermore, the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a three-way valve V33 that directs the heat medium that has flowed from the battery temperature control circuit 40 through the flow path switching device 70 into either the heat medium flow path 30g or the heat medium flow path 30i. Therefore, the combination of the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33 prevents multiple circulation pumps from being arranged on the same circulation path, and the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective applications. This eliminates the need to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to the same value, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0181] Furthermore, in the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment, the three-way valve V33 allows the heat medium to flow through the heat medium flow path 30i when the flow path switching device 70 connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40, and allows the heat medium to flow through the heat medium flow path 30g when the flow path switching device 70 does not connect the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40. Therefore, the combination of the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33 prevents multiple circulation pumps from being arranged on the same circulation path, and the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective applications. This eliminates the need to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to the same value, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0182] Furthermore, the heat management system 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a proportional control valve V30 that distributes the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 to the heat medium flow path 30b and the heat medium flow path 30c. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of heat medium distributed to the heat medium flow path 30b and the heat medium flow path 30c, it is possible to easily control the air conditioning and temperature regulation.

[0183] Furthermore, according to the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the on-board heat-generating device that performs temperature control is the battery 41, so that the temperature of the battery 41 can be controlled while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0184] The thermal management system 1 of the second embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0185] (1) The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes a circulation pump P20, and the battery temperature control circuit 40 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit includes a circulation pump P40. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b as a first path through which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows toward the cooler core 31, heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f as a second path through which the heat medium that has passed through the cooler core 31 flows toward the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, a circulation pump P30 disposed on the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f as the second path, and a third path through which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 flows toward the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit via a flow path switching device 70. a heat medium flow path 30c as a first path, a heat medium flow path 30g as a fourth path for allowing the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit to the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 via the flow path switching device 70 to merge with the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f as the second path upstream of the circulation pump P30; and a heat medium flow path 30i as a fifth path for allowing the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit to the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 via the flow path switching device 70 to merge with the heat medium flowing through the heat medium flow paths 30d, 30e, 30f as the second path downstream of the circulation pump P30. As a result, even when the circuit is switched, it is possible to assign one of the circulation pumps to a circulation path including the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, which need to manage the target temperature for air conditioning in the vehicle cabin, and to a circulation path including the battery 41 and the motor 51, which perform temperature control. This eliminates the need to provide a circulation pump for each temperature control target, making it possible to perform air conditioning and temperature control of each on-board heat-generating device while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0186] (2) The three-way valve V33 is included as a branching device that routes the heat medium flowing from the battery temperature control circuit 40 or the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, which serves as an on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit, to either the heat medium flow path 30g serving as the fourth path or the heat medium flow path 30i serving as the fifth path via the flow path switching device 70. This combination of the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33 prevents multiple circulation pumps from being arranged on the same circulation path, and allows the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to be set to outputs appropriate for their respective applications. This eliminates the need to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to the same value, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0187] (3) The three-way valve V33 as a branching device flows the heat medium through the heat medium flow path 30i as the fifth path when the flow path switching device 70 connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40, and flows the heat medium through the heat medium flow path 30g as the fourth path when the flow path switching device 70 does not connect the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the battery temperature control circuit 40. As a result, the combination of the flow path switching device 70 and the three-way valve V33 prevents multiple circulation pumps from being arranged on the same circulation path, and the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 can be set to outputs appropriate for their respective applications. This eliminates the need to set the outputs of the circulation pumps P30 and P40 to the same value, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0188] (4) The proportional control valve V30 is provided as a distributor that distributes the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 to the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b as the first path and the heat medium flow path 30c as the third path. This makes it possible to easily control the air conditioning and temperature by adjusting the amount of heat medium distributed to the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b and the heat medium flow path 30c.

[0189] (5) The on-board heat-generating device whose temperature is to be regulated is the battery 41. This makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the battery 41 while suppressing an increase in the number of circulation pumps.

[0190] In the second embodiment, a battery 41 is used as an example of an on-board heat-generating device, and a battery temperature control circuit 40 is used as an example of an on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit. However, the on-board heat-generating device and the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit do not have to be limited to the examples in this embodiment; for example, the on-board heat-generating device may be a motor 51, and the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit may be a motor temperature control circuit 50.

[0191] The present invention has been described above by showing preferred embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0192] 1: Thermal management system 10: Refrigerant circuit, 11: Compressor, 12: High-temperature side heat exchanger, 13: Pressure reducing device, 14: Low-temperature side heat exchanger, 15: Accumulator 20: High-temperature side heat medium circuit, 21: Heater core, P20: Circulation pump, V20: Four-way valve 30: Low-temperature side heat medium circuit, 31: Cooler core, P30: Circulation pump, V30: Proportional control three-way valve, V31: Check valve, V32: Check valve, V33: Three-way valve 40: Battery temperature control circuit, 41: Battery, P40: Circulation pump 50: Motor temperature control circuit, 51: Motor 60: Outdoor heat exchange circuit, 61: Radiator 70: Flow path switching device 100: HVAC unit, 110: Case, 120: Air flow passage, 121: Heater core passage, 122: Bypass passage, 150: Air mix damper

Claims

1. A thermal management system comprising: a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a high-temperature side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit including a heater core for heating air supplied to a vehicle interior, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit being configured to circulate a heat medium capable of heat exchange with the refrigerant via the high-temperature side heat exchanger; a low-temperature side heat medium circuit including a cooler core for cooling air supplied to a vehicle interior, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit being configured to circulate a heat medium capable of heat exchange with the refrigerant via the low-temperature side heat exchanger; an on-board heat generating device temperature control circuit including a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of an on-board heat generating device, the heat medium being circulated; an exterior heat exchange circuit including a radiator, the heat medium being circulated; and a flow path switching device configured to switch between connection and independence of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit, the on-board heat generating device temperature control circuit, and the exterior heat exchange circuit, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit including a circulation pump, the on-board heat generating device temperature control circuit including a circulation pump, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit being a first path along which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger is directed toward the cooler core; a second path along which the heat medium that has passed through the cooler core is directed toward the low-temperature side heat exchanger; a circulation pump arranged on the second path; a third path along which the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger is directed toward the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the exterior heat exchange circuit via the flow path switching device; a fourth path that merges the heat medium that has flowed from the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the exterior heat exchange circuit into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit via the flow path switching device with the heat medium flowing through the second path upstream of the circulation pump; and a fifth path that merges the heat medium that has flowed from the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the exterior heat exchange circuit into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit via the flow path switching device with the heat medium flowing through the second path downstream of the circulation pump.

2. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes: the cooler core; a first backflow prevention device that prevents the heat medium flowing through the second path from flowing back toward the cooler core between the junction of the second path and the fourth path; and the flow path switching device; and a second backflow prevention device that prevents the heat medium flowing through the fifth path from flowing back toward the flow path switching device between the junction of the second path and the fifth path.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising a branching device that causes the heat medium that has flowed from the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature control circuit or the exterior heat exchange circuit to the low-temperature side heat medium circuit via the flow path switching device to flow to either the fourth path or the fifth path.

4. The thermal management system of claim 3, wherein the branching device causes the heat medium to flow through the fifth path when the flow path switching device connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit and the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature control circuit, and causes the heat medium to flow through the fourth path when the flow path switching device does not connect the low-temperature side heat medium circuit and the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature control circuit.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising a distributor that distributes the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger to the first path and the third path.

6. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the on-board heat-generating device is a battery.

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