Heat management system

Abstract

A circulation guide unit of this heat management system includes: a first flow path for allowing a heat management heat medium to pass through, of an outside air heat exchanger and an internal heat exchanger, only the outside air heat exchanger; a second flow path for allowing the heat management heat medium to pass through, of the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger, only the internal heat exchanger; a third flow path for allowing the heat management heat medium to pass while avoiding the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a fourth flow path for allowing the heat management heat medium to pass in the order of the internal heat exchanger and the outside air heat exchanger; and a flow path selection unit for guiding the heat management heat medium so as to allow the heat management heat medium to selectively pass through one or more of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.

Description

Thermal Management System

[0001] The present invention relates to thermal management systems.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchange system for a vehicle in which a large number of flow paths are connected in parallel. The heat exchange system for a vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 selectively supplies refrigerant to the plurality of flow paths connected in parallel.

[0003] JP 2014-20280 A

[0004] However, the vehicle heat exchange system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a radiator that exchanges heat between outside air and a refrigerant, and a chiller that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a low-temperature refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle. In Patent Document 1, the flow path including the radiator and the flow path including the chiller are connected in parallel to the heat-generating portion. Therefore, for example, it is not possible to guide the refrigerant so that it circulates through the chiller, the radiator, and the heat-generating portion. Therefore, the vehicle heat exchange system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is unable to perform flexible and efficient heat management.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to enable flexible and efficient thermal management with a simple structure in a thermal management system mounted on a vehicle.

[0006] The present invention employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a thermal management system that is mounted on a vehicle and performs thermal management of a thermally managed object including a driving motor, the thermal management system including an outside air heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outside air and a heat management heat medium, an internal heat exchanger that causes the heat management heat medium to radiate heat to a vehicle internal heat medium that is another heat medium included in the vehicle, and a circulation guide unit that guides the heat management heat medium to circulate so that it passes through the thermally managed object, the circulation guide unit being a first flow guide that guides the heat management heat medium to pass through only the outside air heat exchanger out of the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger. a second flow path that passes the heat management heat medium only through the internal heat exchanger out of the external air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a third flow path that passes the heat management heat medium while avoiding the external air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a fourth flow path that passes the heat management heat medium through the internal heat exchanger and then the external air heat exchanger; and a flow path selection unit that selectively guides the heat management heat medium to pass through one or more of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path and the fourth flow path.

[0008] The present invention allows the flow path selection unit to select among the following: thermal management of the thermal management target by passing the heat management medium only through the outdoor air heat exchanger out of the outdoor air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; thermal management of the thermal management target by passing the heat management medium only through the internal air heat exchanger out of the outdoor air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; thermal management of the thermal management target by passing the heat management medium through both the outdoor air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger connected in series; and thermal management of the thermal management target by passing the heat management medium while bypassing both the outdoor air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to achieve flexible and efficient thermal management in a thermal management system mounted on a vehicle with a relatively simple structure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle equipped with a thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing how a thermal management heat medium is guided by a drive system circulation guide section included in the thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how a thermal management heat medium is guided by a drive system circulation guide section included in the thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how a thermal management heat medium is guided by a drive system circulation guide section included in the thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first example of an interior air conditioning system. FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second example of an interior air conditioning system. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of a drive system circulation guide section included in the thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of a drive system circulation guide section included in the thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a thermal management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 equipped with a thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle. The vehicle 100 may also be a so-called hybrid vehicle equipped with both an internal combustion engine and a traction motor. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes the thermal management system 1, as well as a traction motor 101, an inverter 102, an on-board charger 103, a DC / DC converter 104, and a battery 105. The vehicle 100 also includes an interior air conditioning system 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The traction motor 101 is a motor that generates power for propelling the vehicle 100. The traction motor 101 generates rotational power from power supplied from the battery 105 via the inverter 102. The inverter 102 is disposed between the traction motor 101 and the battery 105 via a conductive path and performs power conversion. The inverter 102 converts DC power supplied from the battery 105 into AC power and supplies it to the traction motor 101. The inverter 102 also converts regenerated AC power supplied from the traction motor 101 into DC power and supplies it to the battery 105.

[0013] The on-board charger 103 generates DC power of a predetermined voltage from an external power system. The on-board charger 103 inputs the generated DC power to a DC / DC converter 104. The DC / DC converter 104 is connected to the on-board charger 103 and the battery 105. The DC / DC converter 104 has a boost circuit that converts the DC power of the predetermined voltage input from the on-board charger 103 into DC power of a higher voltage (e.g., 400 volts), and supplies (charges) the boosted DC power to the battery 105. The DC / DC converter 104 also has a step-down circuit that converts the DC power charged in the battery 105 into DC power of a lower voltage (e.g., 12 volts), and supplies the stepped-down DC power as operating power for the vehicle air conditioning system 20 and a control unit 8 (described later).

[0014] The battery 105 is a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery. The battery 105 stores power input from the DC / DC converter 104. The battery 105 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery using a liquid electrolyte. The battery 105 may also be, for example, a semi-solid battery using a gel electrolyte or an all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte. The battery 105 inputs the stored DC power to the inverter 102. The battery 105 can also store regenerated power input from a regenerative device (not shown) that processes power regenerated during regenerative operation of the inverter 102 or the traction motor 101.

[0015] 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment. The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment is a system that performs thermal management of a driving motor 101 and the like using a thermal management heat medium X such as so-called antifreeze. As shown in FIG. 2 , the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment includes an outside air heat exchanger 2, a first internal heat exchanger 3 (internal heat exchanger), a second internal heat exchanger 4 (internal heat exchanger), a drive system circulation guide unit 5 (circulation guide unit), a battery system circulation guide unit 6, a switching valve 7, and a control unit 8.

[0016] The outside-air heat exchanger 2 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outside air and the heat management heat medium X. For example, when the heat management heat medium X has a higher temperature than the outside air, it dissipates heat to the outside air in the outside-air heat exchanger 2. Also, when the heat management heat medium X has a lower temperature than the outside air, it can absorb heat from the outside air in the outside-air heat exchanger 2. Such an outside-air heat exchanger 2 is disposed midway along an outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i (described later) that the drive system circulation guide 5 has.

[0017] The first internal heat exchanger 3 is a heat exchanger that transfers heat from a compressible heat medium used in the vehicle interior air conditioning system 20 to a heat management heat medium X. The heat medium used in the vehicle interior air conditioning system 20 is hereinafter referred to as an air conditioning heat medium Y (see FIGS. 7 and 8 ).

[0018] The air-conditioning heat medium Y is a heat medium different from the thermal management heat medium X and is an internal vehicle heat medium (another heat medium) included in the vehicle 100. The thermal management heat medium X releases heat to the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the first internal heat exchanger 3. That is, the air-conditioning heat medium Y absorbs heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the first internal heat exchanger 3. Such a first internal heat exchanger 3 is disposed in a midway position of a first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, which will be described later, provided in the drive system circulation guide unit 5.

[0019] The second internal heat exchanger 4 is a heat exchanger separate from the first internal heat exchanger 3. Like the first internal heat exchanger 3, the second internal heat exchanger 4 is a heat exchanger that dissipates heat from the air-conditioning heat medium Y to the thermal management heat medium X. The thermal management heat medium X dissipates heat to the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the second internal heat exchanger 4. In other words, the air-conditioning heat medium Y absorbs heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the second internal heat exchanger 4. The second internal heat exchanger 4 is disposed in a midway position of a switching valve downstream flow path 6b (described later) that is provided in the battery system circulation guide unit 6.

[0020] The drivetrain circulation guide unit 5 designates the traction motor 101, the inverter 102, the on-board charger 103, and the DC / DC converter 104 as thermal management targets 110, and guides the thermal management heat medium X to circulate through the thermal management targets 110. In other words, in this embodiment, the thermal management targets 110 to be thermally managed by the drivetrain circulation guide unit 5 are pre-selected from the group of devices constituting the vehicle 100, such as the traction motor 101, the inverter 102, the on-board charger 103, and the DC / DC converter 104, to which the thermal management heat medium X is supplied (liquid-cooled devices). Furthermore, if the vehicle 100 is equipped with a regenerative device or an internal combustion engine (neither of which is shown) that processes power regenerated during regenerative operation of the traction motor 101, these may also be included in the thermal management targets 110.

[0021] The drive system circulation guide section 5 includes a switching valve upstream flow path 5a, a switching valve downstream flow path 5b, an upstream three-way valve 5c (flow path selection section), a first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, a first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e, a first branch section 5f, a second branch section 5g, an intermediate flow path 5h, an outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, an outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, a downstream three-way valve 5k (flow path selection section), and a pump 5m.

[0022] The switching valve upstream flow path 5a is a flow path located upstream of the switching valve 7 in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X in the drive system circulation guide section 5. The downstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 5a is connected to the upstream side of the switching valve 7 in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X. As shown in FIG. 2 , the upstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 5a is connected to the downstream three-way valve 5k.

[0023] The switching valve downstream flow path 5b is a flow path located downstream of the switching valve 7 in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X in the drive system circulation guide section 5. The upstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 5b is connected to the downstream side of the switching valve 7 in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X. As shown in FIG. 2 , the downstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 5b is connected to the upstream three-way valve 5c.

[0024] The pump 5m is disposed in the flow path 5b downstream of the switching valve, and drives the heat management heat medium X. More specifically, the pump 5m is disposed upstream of the thermal management target 110.

[0025] A thermal management target 110 is disposed in a portion of the switching valve downstream flow path 5b. That is, the temperature of the thermal management target 110, which includes the traction motor 101, inverter 102, on-board charger 103, and DC / DC converter 104, is adjusted by heat exchange with the thermal management heat medium X in the switching valve downstream flow path 5b.

[0026] For example, the traction motor 101, the inverter 102, the on-board charger 103, and the DC / DC converter 104 are arranged in descending order of rated temperature in the flow direction of the thermal management heat medium X. For example, from the upstream side of the flow direction of the thermal management heat medium X, the on-board charger 103, the DC / DC converter 104, the inverter 102, and the traction motor 101 are arranged in this order.

[0027] The downstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and the upstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 5b can be directly connected via a switching valve 7. The switching valve 7 can be controlled by a control unit 8. The switching valve upstream flow path 5a and the switching valve downstream flow path 5b are directly connected to each other means that the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and the switching valve downstream flow path 5b are connected by the shortest flow path with only the switching valve 7 interposed therebetween.

[0028] Furthermore, the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and the switching valve downstream flow path 5b can be connected to the battery system circulation guide section 6 via the switching valve 7 (see FIG. 2). By connecting the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and the switching valve downstream flow path 5b to the battery system circulation guide section 6, the heat management heat medium X is supplied from the switching valve upstream flow path 5a to the battery system circulation guide section 6, and the heat management heat medium X that has passed through the battery system circulation guide section 6 is supplied to the switching valve downstream flow path 5b.

[0029] The upstream three-way valve 5c is a three-way valve connected to the downstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the upstream end of the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and the upstream end of the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e. The upstream three-way valve 5c can be controlled by the control unit 8. The upstream three-way valve 5c can switch the connection state between the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e between a state in which the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b flows into the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and a state in which the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b flows into the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e.

[0030] The first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d has an upstream end connected to the upstream three-way valve 5c and a downstream end connected to the first branch portion 5f. The first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d is a flow path in which the first internal heat exchanger 3 is provided midway. In other words, the thermal management heat medium X guided to the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d exchanges heat with the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0031] The first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e has an upstream end connected to the upstream three-way valve 5c and a downstream end connected to the second branch portion 5g. The first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e is a flow path for guiding the thermal management heat medium X so as to bypass the first internal heat exchanger 3. In other words, the thermal management heat medium X guided to the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e passes through without exchanging heat with the air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0032] The first branch portion 5f is a hollow branch portion that connects the downstream end of the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, the upstream end of the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and one end of the intermediate flow path 5h. The heat management heat medium X supplied from the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d to the first branch portion 5f is guided to either the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i or the intermediate flow path 5h based on the state of the downstream three-way valve 5k.

[0033] The second branch portion 5g is a hollow branch portion that connects the downstream end of the first internal heat exchanger bypass passage 5e, the upstream end of the outside-air heat exchanger bypass passage 5j, and the other end of the intermediate passage 5h. The heat management heat medium X supplied to the second branch portion 5g is guided to either the outside-air heat exchanger bypass passage 5j or the intermediate passage 5h.

[0034] The intermediate flow path 5h is a flow path connecting the first branch portion 5f and the second branch portion 5g. One end of the intermediate flow path 5h is connected to the first branch portion 5f, and the other end is connected to the second branch portion 5g. Based on the states of the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k, the intermediate flow path 5h allows the thermal management heat medium X to pass in either the direction from the first branch portion 5f to the second branch portion 5g or the direction from the second branch portion 5g to the first branch portion 5f.

[0035] The upstream end of the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i is connected to the first branch 5f, and the downstream end is connected to the downstream three-way valve 5k. The outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i is a flow path in which the outdoor air heat exchanger 2 is provided at a midpoint. In other words, the heat management heat medium X guided to the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i exchanges heat with outdoor air in the outdoor air heat exchanger 2.

[0036] The outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j has an upstream end connected to the second branch 5g and a downstream end connected to the downstream three-way valve 5k. The outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j is a flow path for passing the heat management heat medium X so as to bypass the outdoor air heat exchanger 2. In other words, the heat management heat medium X guided to the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j passes through without exchanging heat with the outdoor air.

[0037] The downstream three-way valve 5k is a three-way valve connected to the downstream end of the outdoor-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, the downstream end of the outdoor-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and the upstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 5a. The downstream three-way valve 5k can be controlled by the control unit 8. The downstream three-way valve 5k can switch the connection states of the outdoor-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, the outdoor-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and the switching valve upstream flow path 5a between a state in which the thermal management heat medium X supplied from the outdoor-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i flows into the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and closes the downstream end of the outdoor-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and a state in which the thermal management heat medium X supplied from the outdoor-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j flows into the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and closes the outdoor-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i.

[0038] 3 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing how the heat management medium X is guided from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a via the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e, the intermediate flow path 5h, the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, or the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j.

[0039] 3, the upstream three-way valve 5c controls the connection state between the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b flows into the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e. Also, in FIG. 3, the downstream three-way valve 5k controls the connection state between the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and the switching valve upstream flow path 5a so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i flows into the switching valve upstream flow path 5a while closing the downstream end of the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j.

[0040] 3, the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b to the upstream three-way valve 5c is guided in this order through the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e, the intermediate flow path 5h, and the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and is then supplied from the downstream three-way valve 5k to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a. In this case, the heat management heat medium X is heat exchanged only in the outdoor air heat exchanger 2 out of the outdoor air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0041] 3 , the flow path formed by connecting the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e, the intermediate flow path 5h, and the external air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i is referred to as the external air heat exchange flow path 10. In other words, the drive system circulation guide unit 5 has the external air heat exchange flow path 10 (first flow path) through which the heat management heat medium X passes only through the external air heat exchanger 2 of the external air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0042] 4, the upstream three-way valve 5c controls the connection state between the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b flows into the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d. Also, in FIG. 4, the downstream three-way valve 5k controls the connection state between the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and the switching valve upstream flow path 5a so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j flows into the switching valve upstream flow path 5a while closing the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i.

[0043] 4, the heat management heat medium X discharged from the upstream three-way valve 5c is guided in this order through the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, the intermediate flow path 5h, and the outside air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and is then supplied to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a from the downstream three-way valve 5k. In this case, the heat management heat medium X is heat exchanged only in the first internal heat exchanger 3 out of the outside air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0044] 4 , the flow path formed by connecting the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, the intermediate flow path 5h, and the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j is referred to as the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11. In other words, the drive system circulation guide unit 5 has the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11 (second flow path) that allows the heat management heat medium X to pass only through the first internal heat exchanger 3 out of the outdoor air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0045] 5, the upstream three-way valve 5c controls the connection state between the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b flows into the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e. Also, in Fig. 5, the downstream three-way valve 5k controls the connection state between the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and the switching valve upstream flow path 5a so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j flows into the switching valve upstream flow path 5a while closing the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i.

[0046] 5, the heat management heat medium X that has passed through the upstream three-way valve 5c is guided to the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e and the outside air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j in this order, and is supplied to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a from the downstream three-way valve 5k. In this case, the heat management heat medium X is guided while avoiding the outside air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0047] 5 is connected to the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, the flow path being referred to as a heat exchanger bypass flow path 12. In other words, the drive system circulation guide unit 5 has a heat exchanger bypass flow path 12 (third flow path) that guides the heat management heat medium X while avoiding the outside-air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3.

[0048] 6, the upstream three-way valve 5c controls the connection state between the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, and the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the switching valve downstream flow path 5b flows into the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d. Also, in Fig. 6, the downstream three-way valve 5k controls the connection state between the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j, and the switching valve upstream flow path 5a so that the heat management heat medium X supplied from the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i flows into the switching valve upstream flow path 5a while closing the downstream end of the outside-air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j.

[0049] 6, the heat management heat medium X discharged from the upstream three-way valve 5c is guided in this order to the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d and the outside air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and is then supplied to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a from the downstream three-way valve 5k. In this case, the heat management heat medium X is guided in this order to the first internal heat exchanger 3 and the outside air heat exchanger 2. In other words, the heat management heat medium X undergoes heat exchange in both the first internal heat exchanger 3 and the outside air heat exchanger 2.

[0050] 6 , the flow path formed by connecting the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d and the outside-air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i is referred to as the serial heat exchange flow path 13. In other words, the drive system circulation guide unit 5 has the serial heat exchange flow path 13 (fourth flow path) that guides the heat management heat medium X to the first internal heat exchanger 3 and then the outside-air heat exchanger 2.

[0051] In this embodiment, as described above, the thermal management heat medium X is selectively guided to any one of the outside air heat exchange path 10, the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange path 11, the heat exchanger bypass path 12, and the series heat exchange path 13 via the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k controlled by the control unit 8. In other words, the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k function as a path selection unit. Note that in this embodiment, the path selection unit is described as a switching valve that switches the flow direction of the thermal management heat medium X, but the path selection unit may also be provided with, for example, a variable flow rate valve that can control the distribution rate of the thermal management heat medium X to the outside air heat exchange path 10, the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange path 11, the heat exchanger bypass path 12, and the series heat exchange path 13.

[0052] 2 , the battery system circulation guide unit 6 manages the temperature of the battery 105. For example, when the temperature of the battery 105 is higher than a predetermined operating temperature range, the battery system circulation guide unit 6 cools the battery 105. On the other hand, when the temperature of the battery 105 is lower than the predetermined operating temperature range, the battery system circulation guide unit 6 warms the battery 105. This battery system circulation guide unit 6 includes a switching valve upstream flow path 6a, a switching valve downstream flow path 6b, a heater 6c, and a pump 6d.

[0053] The switching valve upstream flow path 6a is a flow path located upstream of the switching valve 7 in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X in the battery system circulation guide section 6. The downstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 6a is connected to the switching valve 7. As shown in Figure 2, the upstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 6a is connected to the heater 6c. A battery 105 is disposed midway along the switching valve upstream flow path 6a.

[0054] The switching valve downstream flow path 6b is a flow path located downstream of the switching valve 7 in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X in the battery system circulation guide section 6. The upstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 6b is connected to the switching valve 7. As shown in FIG. 2 , the downstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 6b is connected to the heater 6c.

[0055] A pump 6d and a second internal heat exchanger 4 are arranged in this order in the flow direction of the heat management heat medium X at a midpoint of the flow path 6b downstream of the switching valve.

[0056] The downstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 6a and the upstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 6b can be directly connected via the switching valve 7. The switching valve upstream flow path 6a and the switching valve downstream flow path 6b are directly connected to each other, meaning that the switching valve upstream flow path 6a and the switching valve downstream flow path 6b are connected by the shortest route with only the switching valve 7 interposed therebetween.

[0057] Furthermore, the switching valve upstream flow path 6a can be connected to the switching valve downstream flow path 5b via the switching valve 7. Furthermore, the switching valve downstream flow path 6b can be connected to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a via the switching valve 7 (see FIG. 2). By connecting the switching valve upstream flow path 6a and the switching valve downstream flow path 6b to the switching valve downstream flow path 5b and the switching valve upstream flow path 5a, the heat management heat medium X is supplied from the switching valve upstream flow path 5a to the switching valve downstream flow path 6b, and the heat management heat medium X is supplied from the switching valve upstream flow path 6a to the switching valve downstream flow path 5b.

[0058] The heater 6c is an electric heater that converts DC power stored in the battery 105 into thermal energy to heat the heat management heat medium X, and in this embodiment is, for example, an electric water heater provided with a PTC heater. The heater 6c is connected to the downstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 6b and to the upstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 6a. The heater 6c heats the heat management heat medium X flowing through the switching valve downstream flow path 6b as needed. The heater 6c is also connected to and controlled by the control unit 8.

[0059] The pump 6d is disposed midway through the flow path 6b downstream of the switching valve, and causes the supplied heat management medium X to flow in the battery system circulation guide section 6. More specifically, the pump 6d is disposed downstream of the switching valve 7 and upstream of the second internal heat exchanger 4 in the flow direction of the heat management medium X in the battery system circulation guide section 6.

[0060] The switching valve 7 is connected to the control unit 8 and controlled by the control unit 8. The switching valve 7 switches the connection state between the drive system circulation guide unit 5 and the battery system circulation guide unit 6 between a series connection state and a non-connection state.

[0061] The series connection state is a connection state in which the drive system circulation guide section 5 and the battery system circulation guide section 6 are connected in series to allow the heat management heat medium X to flow in and out of each other. In this series connection state, the downstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 5a is connected to the upstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 6b. Also, the downstream end of the switching valve downstream flow path 5b is connected to the upstream end of the switching valve upstream flow path 6a.

[0062] The non-connected state is a connection state in which the upstream flow path 5a of the switching valve and the downstream flow path 5b of the switching valve of the drive system circulation guide section 5 are directly connected, and the upstream flow path 6a of the switching valve and the downstream flow path 6b of the switching valve of the battery system circulation guide section 6 are directly connected, and in this state, the heat management heat medium X cannot flow in or out between the drive system circulation guide section 5 and the battery system circulation guide section 6.

[0063] The control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c, the downstream three-way valve 5k, and the switching valve 7. By controlling the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k, the control unit 8 selects a flow path to guide the thermal management heat medium X from among the outside air heat exchange flow path 10, the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11, the heat exchanger bypass flow path 12, and the serial heat exchange flow path 13.

[0064] The control unit 8 also controls the switching valve 7 to switch the connection state between the drive system circulation guide unit 5 and the battery system circulation guide unit 6 between a series connection state and a non-connection state. The control unit 8 may also control the pumps 5m and 6d.

[0065] The vehicle 100 also includes an outside air temperature sensor, an interior temperature sensor, a battery temperature sensor, and a heat management medium temperature sensor, all of which are not shown. The control unit 8 is connected to these sensors. That is, the control unit 8 receives a signal indicating the outside air temperature from the outside air temperature sensor, a signal indicating the interior air temperature of the vehicle 100 from the interior temperature sensor, a signal indicating the temperature of the battery 105 from the battery temperature sensor, and a signal indicating the temperature of the heat management medium from the heat management medium temperature sensor. The control unit 8 also receives a signal indicating the operating status of the interior air conditioning system 20. In addition, the control unit 8 may also receive an equipment status signal indicating the status of equipment installed in the vehicle 100.

[0066] For example, when the vehicle interior air conditioning system 20 is operating and the temperature of the thermal management medium X that has passed through the thermal management target 110 is equal to or lower than the temperature of the outside air, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management medium X is guided to the serial heat exchange flow path 13. In this case, the temperature of the thermal management medium X is increased by heat exchange with the outside air.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, when the vehicle interior air conditioning system 20 is operating, the temperature of the heat management heat medium X that has passed through the heat management subject 110 is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature of the heat management subject 110 is a heat exhaust no-no temperature that does not require heat exhaust to the outside, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the heat management heat medium X is guided to the air conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11. Note that the heat exhaust no-no temperature here refers to a temperature at which the temperature of the heat management subject 110 is lower than the rated temperature and does not require heat exhaust.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is operating and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 exceeds the above-mentioned heat dissipation unnecessary temperature, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the serial heat exchange flow path 13.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped, the temperature of the heat management medium X that has passed through the heat management object 110 is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature of the heat management object 110 is at a temperature at which heat dissipation is not required, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the heat management medium X is guided to the heat exchanger bypass flow path 12.

[0070] Also, for example, when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 exceeds the temperature at which heat dissipation is not required, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the outside air heat exchange passage 10.

[0071] The control unit 8 may estimate the future heat generation state of the thermal management target 110 and control the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k based on the estimation result. Specifically, the control unit 8 estimates the future heat generation state of the thermal management target 110 based on an equipment status signal indicating the state of the thermal management target 110. If this estimated value exceeds, for example, the above-mentioned heat exhaust unnecessary temperature, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the outside air heat exchange flow path 10 even if the actual temperature of the thermal management target 110 is the heat exhaust unnecessary temperature. Furthermore, if the estimated value is below, for example, the above-mentioned heat exhaust unnecessary temperature, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11 even if the actual temperature of the thermal management target 110 is above the heat exhaust unnecessary temperature.

[0072] The control unit 8 may be an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle 100. In such a case, the control unit 8 may control the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 and the inverter 102.

[0073] An example of the operation of the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment will be described below, in which the vehicle 100 is parked in a parking lot or the like, and the entire vehicle 100 reaches a temperature substantially equal to the outside air temperature, and then the vehicle 100 is started.

[0074] When the vehicle 100 is started, the control unit 8 controls the switching valve 7 according to the battery system heating medium temperature to set the connection state between the drive system circulation guide unit 5 and the battery system circulation guide unit 6. At this time, for example, if it is winter and the temperature of the battery 105 is lower than a predetermined operating temperature range, the switching valve 7 is set so that the drive system circulation guide unit 5 and the battery system circulation guide unit 6 are in a disconnected state in order to quickly adjust the temperature of the battery 105.

[0075] When the drive system circulation guide section 5 and the battery system circulation guide section 6 are disconnected in this manner, the heat management medium X circulates independently in each of the drive system circulation guide section 5 and the battery system circulation guide section 6. That is, the heat management medium X in the drive system circulation guide section 5 is circulated only in the drive system circulation guide section 5 by the pump 5m. Moreover, the heat management medium X in the battery system circulation guide section 6 is circulated only in the battery system circulation guide section 6 by the pump 6d.

[0076] The control unit 8 also controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k in response to a signal indicating the operating state of the interior air-conditioning system 20. For example, when the vehicle 100 is started and the interior air-conditioning system 20 is operating, the temperature of the air-conditioning heat medium Y passing through the first internal heat exchanger 3 is reduced in pressure by an expansion valve (described later) to become lower than the temperature of the outside air. Therefore, when the interior air-conditioning system 20 is operating, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the serial heat exchange flow path 13. As a result, the thermal management heat medium X dissipates heat to the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the first internal heat exchanger 3 and then absorbs heat from the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 2. Therefore, the temperatures of the air-conditioning heat medium Y and the thermal management target 110 can be increased in a relatively short period of time after the vehicle 100 is started.

[0077] Thereafter, when the vehicle 100 is driven while the in-vehicle air-conditioning system 20 is operating, the heat management medium 110 generates heat, and the temperature of the heat management medium X passing through the heat management medium 110 rises. This causes the temperature of the first internal heat exchanger 3 to become higher than the outside air temperature. In such a case, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the heat management medium X is guided into the air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11. As a result, the temperatures of the air-conditioning heat medium Y and the heat management medium 110 can be raised in a relatively short period of time while preventing the heat management medium X from radiating heat in the outside air heat exchanger 2.

[0078] Furthermore, when the temperature of the thermal management medium X further rises while the interior air-conditioning system 20 is operating and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 exceeds the heat dissipation unnecessary temperature, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management medium X is again guided into the serial heat exchange flow path 13. As a result, heat is dissipated from the thermal management medium X in the exterior air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3, preventing the temperature of the thermal management target 110 from rising more than necessary. Furthermore, because heat is dissipated in the first internal heat exchanger 3, the heat of the thermal management medium X can be effectively used in the interior air-conditioning system 20. Note that if the temperature of the thermal management target 110 further rises, the amount of heat dissipated by the thermal management medium X in the exterior air heat exchanger 2 may be increased, for example, by forcibly blowing air to the exterior air heat exchanger 2.

[0079] On the other hand, when the vehicle 100 is started and the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the heat exchanger bypass flow path 12. As a result, the thermal management heat medium X does not radiate heat in the outside air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3, and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 can be raised in a relatively short period of time.

[0080] Furthermore, if the vehicle 100 is driven while the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped, and the heat management target 110 generates heat, causing the temperature of the heat management target 110 to exceed the heat dissipation unnecessary temperature, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the heat management heat medium X is guided to the outside air heat exchange flow path 10. As a result, the heat management heat medium X dissipates heat in the outside air heat exchanger 2, preventing the temperature of the heat management target 110 from rising more than necessary. If the temperature of the heat management target 110 further rises, the amount of heat dissipated by the heat management heat medium X in the outside air heat exchanger 2 may be increased, for example, by forcibly blowing air to the outside air heat exchanger 2.

[0081] On the other hand, when the drive system circulation guide section 5 and the battery system circulation guide section 6 are not connected in series as described above, the heat management heat medium X is circulated independently in the battery system circulation guide section 6. In such a case, the heat management heat medium X circulated and guided by the battery system circulation guide section 6 is heated by passing through the battery 105 or the heater 6c.

[0082] Thereafter, when the thermal management target 110 generates heat due to, for example, driving the vehicle 100, the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X in the drive system circulation guide section 5 that has passed through the thermal management target 110 becomes higher than the temperature of the battery 105. In such a case, the control section 8 controls the switching valve 7 so that the drive system circulation guide section 5 and the battery system circulation guide section 6 are connected in series, and reduces or stops the power supply to the heater 6c. As a result, the heat from the thermal management heat medium X raises the temperature of the battery 105 in a relatively short period of time, and power consumption by the heater 6c is reduced.

[0083] If the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X further rises and exceeds a predetermined heat dissipation unnecessary temperature of the battery 105, the control unit 8 controls the switching valve 7 to disconnect the drive system circulation guide unit 5 and the battery system circulation guide unit 6. As a result, overheating of the battery 105 is prevented. The predetermined heat dissipation unnecessary temperature of the battery 105 is set to a temperature lower than the upper limit temperature of the predetermined operating temperature range of the battery 105. Furthermore, if the temperature of the battery 105 becomes higher than the predetermined operating temperature range while the interior air conditioning system 20 is stopped, the control unit 8 forcibly operates the interior air conditioning system 20 to lower the temperature of the air conditioning heat medium Y circulating through the second internal heat exchanger 4. As a result, the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X circulating through the battery system circulation guide unit 6 is lowered by heat absorption by the air conditioning heat medium Y in the second internal heat exchanger 4. As a result, the temperature of the battery 105 can be lowered.

[0084] Next, examples of the vehicle interior air conditioning system 20 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first example of the vehicle interior air conditioning system 20. The vehicle interior air conditioning system 20 generates conditioned air to be supplied to the vehicle interior using an air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7, a first example of the vehicle air conditioning system 20 (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle air conditioning system 30) includes an external condenser 30a, a first circulation flow path 30b, an accumulator 30c, a compressor 30d, an internal heating condenser 30e, an expansion valve bypass flow path 30f, a second circulation flow path 30g, an evaporator 30h, an evaporator bypass flow path 30i, a plurality of expansion valves 30j, and a plurality of shut-off valves 30k.

[0086] The external condenser 30a is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outside air and the air-conditioning heat medium Y. During heating, the external condenser 30a functions as an evaporator that evaporates the air-conditioning heat medium Y. During cooling, the external condenser 30a functions as a condenser that condenses the air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0087] The first circulation flow path 30b is a circulation flow path in which the external condenser 30a, the shutoff valve 30k1, the first internal heat exchanger 3, the accumulator 30c, the compressor 30d, the internal heating condenser 30e, and the expansion valve 30j1 are provided in this order along the way in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The air-conditioning heat medium Y circulates through the first circulation flow path 30b.

[0088] A single shutoff valve 30k1 is provided in the first circulation flow path 30b downstream of the external condenser 30a and upstream of the first internal heat exchanger 3. This shutoff valve 30k1 is open during heating and closed during cooling. The first internal heat exchanger 3, which absorbs heat from the thermal management heat medium X to the air-conditioning heat medium Y, is arranged downstream of the shutoff valve 30k1 and upstream of the accumulator 30c in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The accumulator 30c is arranged downstream of the first internal heat exchanger 3 and upstream of the compressor 30d in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The accumulator 30c is a container that temporarily stores the air-conditioning heat medium Y flowing through the first circulation flow path 30b.

[0089] The compressor 30d is disposed downstream of the accumulator 30c and upstream of the internal heating condenser 30e in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The compressor 30d compresses the air-conditioning heat medium Y and sends it out downstream.

[0090] The internal heating condenser 30e is disposed downstream of the compressor 30d and upstream of the expansion valve 30j1. The internal heating condenser 30e is a heat exchanger that uses the heat of the air-conditioning heat medium Y to heat the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin. The internal heating condenser 30e functions as a condenser that condenses the air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0091] An expansion valve 30j1 is provided in the first circulation flow path 30b downstream of the internal heating condenser 30e and upstream of the external condenser 30a. The expansion valve 30j1 cools the liquid air-conditioning heat medium Y condensed in the internal heating condenser 30e by reducing its pressure. An expansion valve bypass flow path 30f is connected to the first circulation flow path 30b so as to bypass the expansion valve 30j1.

[0092] The first circulation flow path 30b branches off downstream of the heating internal condenser 30e, and a shutoff valve 30k2 is provided in the expansion valve bypass flow path 30f, which bypasses the expansion valve 30j1. The shutoff valve 30k2 closes the expansion valve bypass flow path 30f during heating and opens the expansion valve bypass flow path 30f during cooling.

[0093] The second circulation flow path 30g has an expansion valve 30j2 and an evaporator 30h provided in this order in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat transfer medium Y. The second circulation flow path 30g is a branch flow path whose upstream and downstream ends are connected to the first circulation flow path 30b. The branch point from the first circulation flow path 30b to the upstream end of the second circulation flow path 30g is located in a section downstream of the external condenser 30a and upstream of the shutoff valve 30k1. The junction point from the downstream end of the second circulation flow path 30g to the first circulation flow path 30b is located in a section downstream of the shutoff valve 30k1 and upstream of the accumulator 30c. In this embodiment, the junction point between the downstream end of the second circulation flow path 30g and the first circulation flow path 30b is located in a section that is downstream of the shutoff valve 30k1, downstream of the first internal heat exchanger 3, and upstream of the accumulator 30c, thereby resulting in a configuration in which the air-conditioning heat medium Y does not pass through the first internal heat exchanger 3 during cooling, but it is also possible, for example, to set the junction point between the downstream end of the second circulation flow path 30g and the first circulation flow path 30b in a section that is downstream of the shutoff valve 30k1 and upstream of the first internal heat exchanger 3. In such a case, the air-conditioning heat medium Y passes through the first internal heat exchanger 3 during both heating and cooling.

[0094] The evaporator 30h is a heat exchanger that cools the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin by utilizing the latent heat of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The evaporator 30h is provided at a midpoint of the second circulation flow path 30g. The evaporator 30h functions as an evaporator that evaporates the liquid state of the air-conditioning heat medium Y during cooling.

[0095] The evaporator bypass flow path 30i is a branch flow path connected to the second circulation flow path 30g so as to bypass the evaporator 30h. The evaporator bypass flow path 30i is provided with an expansion valve 30j3 and a second internal heat exchanger 4, in this order, in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The branch point from the second circulation flow path 30g to the evaporator bypass flow path 30i is provided in the section from the upstream end of the second circulation flow path 30g to the expansion valve 30j2. The junction point from the downstream end of the evaporator bypass flow path 30i to the second circulation flow path 30g is provided in the section from the downstream side of the evaporator 30h to the junction point of the second circulation flow path 30g with the first circulation flow path 30b.

[0096] The expansion valve 30j lowers the temperature of the air-conditioning heat medium Y by suddenly reducing the pressure of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. As described above, one expansion valve 30j1 is disposed in the first circulation flow path 30b downstream of the internal heating condenser 30e and upstream of the external condenser 30a. One expansion valve 30j2 is disposed in the second circulation flow path 30g upstream of the evaporator 30h. One expansion valve 30j3 is disposed in the evaporator bypass flow path 30i upstream of the second internal heat exchanger 4. Each expansion valve 30j can also close the associated flow path.

[0097] The shutoff valve 30k is an on-off valve that opens and closes the provided flow path. As described above, one shutoff valve 30k1 is disposed in the first circulation flow path 30b, downstream of the external condenser 30a and upstream of the first internal heat exchanger 3. Also, one shutoff valve 30k2 is disposed in the expansion valve bypass flow path 30f, as described above.

[0098] In this vehicle interior air conditioning system 30, when heat absorption from outside air is required, such as during heating, the expansion valve 30j1 provided in the first circulation flow path 30b opens the flow path, and the shutoff valve 30k1 opens the flow path. Also, the shutoff valve 30k2 provided in the expansion valve bypass flow path 30f closes the flow path. Meanwhile, during cooling, the shutoff valve 30k1 provided immediately before the first internal heat exchanger 3 closes the flow path, and the expansion valve 30j2 provided midway along the second circulation flow path 30g opens the flow path. Meanwhile, when the temperature reduction control for the battery 105 is executed, the shutoff valve 30k1 provided immediately before the first internal heat exchanger 3 closes the flow path, and the expansion valve 30j3 provided in the evaporator bypass flow path 30i opens the flow path.

[0099] When heat absorption from outside air is required, such as for heating, the air-conditioning heat medium Y compressed by the compressor 30d is condensed in the internal heating condenser 30e and then decompressed by an expansion valve 30j1 provided at a midpoint of the first circulation flow path 30b leading from the internal heating condenser 30e to the external condenser 30a. The air-conditioning heat medium Y, which has become cooler than the outside air temperature due to this decompression, absorbs heat from the outside air and evaporates in the external condenser 30a. The air-conditioning heat medium Y evaporated in the external condenser 30a is heated by receiving heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the first internal heat exchanger 3 provided downstream of the external condenser 30a, and is then adiabatically compressed by the compressor 30d, and its temperature and pressure are increased.

[0100] As a result, the air-conditioning heat medium Y that has passed through the external condenser 30a is heated by receiving heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the first internal heat exchanger 3, and then the temperature and pressure of the air-conditioning heat medium Y are increased in the compressor 30d. In this way, the air-conditioning heat medium Y that has been heated in the first internal heat exchanger 3 is compressed in the compressor 30d, so the energy consumption required to increase the temperature of the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the compressor 30d is reduced compared to when the air-conditioning heat medium Y is not heated in the first internal heat exchanger 3. In this way, the air-conditioning heat medium Y receives heat from the first internal heat exchanger 3, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle interior air-conditioning system 30.

[0101] In addition, in the vehicle interior air conditioning system 30, during cooling, the air-conditioning heat medium Y is diverted from the first circulation flow path 30b to the second circulation flow path 30g downstream of the external condenser 30a and is depressurized by an expansion valve 30j2 provided in the second circulation flow path 30g. The air-conditioning heat medium Y, which has become lower in temperature than the outside air temperature due to this depressurization, is heated by heat exchange with the air in the vehicle cabin (interior air) in the evaporator 30h (cooling the air in the vehicle cabin) and evaporates. In addition, when temperature reduction control of the battery 105 is executed, the air-conditioning heat medium Y is diverted from the second circulation flow path 30g downstream of the external condenser 30a to the evaporator bypass flow path 30i and is depressurized by an expansion valve 30j3 provided in the evaporator bypass flow path 30i. The air-conditioning heat medium Y, whose temperature has become lower than the outside air temperature due to this pressure reduction, absorbs heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the battery system circulation guide portion 6 in the second internal heat exchanger 4, thereby lowering the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X. Thereafter, the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the second circulation flow path 30g that has passed through the evaporator 30h and the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the evaporator bypass flow path 30i that has passed through the second internal heat exchanger 4 are joined together and pressurized by the compressor 30d. In this way, the air-conditioning heat medium Y receives heat from the second internal heat exchanger 4, making it possible to appropriately manage the temperature of the battery 105 while regulating the air in the vehicle cabin to an appropriate temperature.

[0102] Fig. 8 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second example of the vehicle air conditioning system 20. As shown in Fig. 8, the second example of the vehicle air conditioning system 20 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle air conditioning system 40) includes an external condenser 40a, a first circulation flow path 40b, an accumulator 40c, a compressor 40d, an internal heating condenser 40e, an external condenser bypass flow path 40f, a second circulation flow path 40g, an evaporator 40h, an evaporator bypass flow path 40i, a plurality of expansion valves 40j, a plurality of three-way valves 40k, and a cooling connection flow path 40m.

[0103] The external condenser 40a is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outside air and the air-conditioning heat medium Y. During heating, the external condenser 40a functions as an evaporator that evaporates the air-conditioning heat medium Y. During cooling, the external condenser 40a functions as a condenser that condenses the air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0104] The first circulation flow path 40b is a circulation flow path in which the external condenser 40a is provided midway. The first circulation flow path 40b is arranged in the following order in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y: the external condenser 40a, the first three-way valve 40k1, the accumulator 40c, the compressor 40d, the second three-way valve 40k2, the heating internal condenser 40e, and the expansion valve 40j1.

[0105] The external condenser 40a is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outside air and the air-conditioning heat medium Y. During heating, the external condenser 40a functions as an evaporator that evaporates the air-conditioning heat medium Y. During cooling, the external condenser 40a functions as a condenser that condenses the air-conditioning heat medium Y. A first three-way valve 40k1, which is one of the three-way valves 40k, is disposed downstream of the external condenser 40a and upstream of the accumulator 40c. The upstream end of a second circulation flow path 40g, which will be described later, is also connected to this first three-way valve 40k1. The first three-way valve 40k1 is a control valve that can switch the direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y supplied from the external condenser 40a between a direction toward the accumulator 40c of the first circulation flow path 40b and a direction toward the second circulation flow path 40g. The first three-way valve 40k1 guides the air-conditioning heat medium Y in a direction toward the accumulator 40c during heating, and guides the air-conditioning heat medium Y in a direction toward the second circulation flow path 40g during cooling.

[0106] The accumulator 40c is disposed downstream of the first three-way valve 40k1 and upstream of the compressor 40d in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The accumulator 40c is a container that temporarily stores the air-conditioning heat medium Y flowing through the first circulation flow path 40b.

[0107] The compressor 40d is disposed downstream of the accumulator 40c and upstream of the second three-way valve 40k2 in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The compressor 40d compresses the air-conditioning heat medium Y and sends it out downstream.

[0108] The second three-way valve 40k2, one of the three-way valves 40k, is disposed downstream of the compressor 40d and upstream of the heating internal condenser 40e. The upstream end of the cooling connection flow path 40m, which will be described later, is also connected to this second three-way valve 40k2. The second three-way valve 40k2 is a control valve that can switch the direction in which the air-conditioning heat medium Y is supplied between the direction toward the heating internal condenser 40e and the direction toward the cooling connection flow path 40m. The second three-way valve 40k2 allows the air-conditioning heat medium Y to flow toward the heating internal condenser 40e during heating, and allows the air-conditioning heat medium Y to flow toward the cooling connection flow path 40m during cooling.

[0109] The internal heating condenser 40e is a heat exchanger that uses the heat of the air-conditioning heat medium Y to heat the air to be supplied into the vehicle cabin. The internal heating condenser 40e is disposed downstream of the second three-way valve 40k2 and upstream of the expansion valve 40j1. The internal heating condenser 40e functions as a condenser that condenses the air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0110] In addition, an expansion valve 40j1 is provided in the first circulation flow path 40b downstream of the internal heating condenser 40e and upstream of the external condenser 40a. This expansion valve 40j1 cools the air-conditioning heat medium Y in a liquid state condensed in the internal heating condenser 40e by reducing the pressure.

[0111] The external condenser bypass flow path 40f is connected to the first circulation flow path 40b so as to bypass the external condenser 40a. The upstream end of the external condenser bypass flow path 40f is connected downstream of the internal heating condenser 40e and upstream of the expansion valve 40j1 in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. An expansion valve 40j2 and a first internal heat exchanger 3 are provided in this order in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y at a midpoint of the external condenser bypass flow path 40f.

[0112] The cooling connection flow path 40m is provided to connect the second three-way valve 40k2 and a portion of the first circulation flow path 40b upstream of the external condenser 40a. The upstream end of the cooling connection flow path 40m is connected to the second three-way valve 40k2. The downstream end of the cooling connection flow path 40m is connected downstream of the expansion valve 40j1 and upstream of the external condenser 40a in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y.

[0113] The second circulation flow path 40g is a branch flow path whose upstream and downstream ends are connected to the first circulation flow path 40b. As described above, the upstream end of the second circulation flow path 40g is connected to the first three-way valve 40k1. The downstream end of the second circulation flow path 40g is connected to the downstream side of the first three-way valve 40k1 of the first circulation flow path 40b and the upstream side of the accumulator 40c in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. An expansion valve 40j3 and an evaporator 40h are provided in this order in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y at a midpoint of the second circulation flow path 40g.

[0114] The evaporator 40h is a heat exchanger that cools the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin by utilizing the latent heat of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The evaporator 40h is provided at a midpoint of the second circulation flow path 40g. The evaporator 40h functions as an evaporator that evaporates the liquid state of the air-conditioning heat medium Y during cooling.

[0115] The evaporator bypass flow path 40i is connected to the second circulation flow path 40g so as to bypass the evaporator 40h. The upstream end of the evaporator bypass flow path 40i is connected downstream of the first three-way valve 40k1 of the first circulation flow path 40b and upstream of the expansion valve 40j3 of the second circulation flow path 40g in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. The downstream end of the evaporator bypass flow path 40i is connected downstream of the first three-way valve 40k1 of the first circulation flow path 40b and upstream of the accumulator 40c in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. An expansion valve 40j4 and a second internal heat exchanger 4 are provided in this order in the flow direction of the air-conditioning heat medium Y at a midpoint of the evaporator bypass flow path 40i.

[0116] The expansion valve 40j suddenly reduces the pressure of the air-conditioning heat medium Y, thereby reducing the temperature of the air-conditioning heat medium Y. As described above, one expansion valve 40j1 is disposed in the first circulation flow path 40b, downstream of the internal heating condenser 40e and upstream of the external condenser 40a.

[0117] One expansion valve 40j2 is disposed midway through the external condenser bypass flow path 40f. One expansion valve 40j3 is disposed upstream of the evaporator 40h in the second circulation flow path 40g. One expansion valve 40j4 is disposed midway through the evaporator bypass flow path 40i. Each expansion valve 40j can also close the flow path in which it is provided.

[0118] In this vehicle interior air conditioning system 40, during heating, the expansion valve 40j1 located upstream of the external condenser 40a and the expansion valve 40j2 provided in the external condenser bypass flow path 40f open their flow paths. During heating, the first three-way valve 40k1 directs the air-conditioning heat medium Y supplied from the external condenser 40a toward the accumulator 40c. During heating, the second three-way valve 40k2 directs the air-conditioning heat medium Y toward the heating internal condenser 40e. When heat absorption from outside air is required, such as during heating, the air-conditioning heat medium Y compressed by the compressor 40d is condensed in the heating internal condenser 40e and then decompressed by the expansion valve 40j1 provided midway along the first circulation flow path 40b from the heating internal condenser 40e to the external condenser 40a, resulting in a temperature lower than the outside air temperature. The cooled air-conditioning heat medium Y is evaporated in the external condenser 40a and absorbs heat from the outside air. On the other hand, the air-conditioning heat medium Y is condensed in the heating internal condenser 40e, then diverted to the external condenser bypass flow path 40f, where it is depressurized by the expansion valve 40j2 provided midway through the external condenser bypass flow path 40f and becomes lower in temperature than the outside air temperature. The air-conditioning heat medium Y, whose temperature has been reduced by the expansion valve 40j2, absorbs heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the first internal heat exchanger 3 provided downstream of the expansion valve 40j2 and is thereby increased in temperature. In this case, the air-conditioning heat medium Y evaporated in the external condenser 40a merges with the air-conditioning heat medium Y whose temperature has been increased in the first internal heat exchanger 3, and is then compressed by the compressor 30d, whereby its temperature and pressure are increased.

[0119] In this way, the air-conditioning heat medium Y heated in the first internal heat exchanger 3 is combined with the air-conditioning heat medium Y that has absorbed heat from the outside air in the external condenser 40a and is supplied to the compressor 40d, so the energy consumption required to heat the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the compressor 40d is reduced compared to when the air-conditioning heat medium Y is not heated in the first internal heat exchanger 3. In this way, during heating, the air-conditioning heat medium Y receives heat from the first internal heat exchanger 3, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle interior air-conditioning system 40.

[0120] In the vehicle interior air conditioning system 40, during cooling, the first three-way valve 40k1 guides the air-conditioning heat medium Y supplied from the external condenser 40a to the second circulation flow path 40g, and the second three-way valve 40k2 guides the air-conditioning heat medium Y to the cooling connection flow path 40m.

[0121] As a result, the air-conditioning heat medium Y is diverted from the first circulation flow path 40b to the second circulation flow path 40g downstream of the external condenser 40a and is decompressed by an expansion valve 40j3 provided in the second circulation flow path 40g. The air-conditioning heat medium Y, which has become colder than the outside air temperature as a result of this decompression, is heated by heat exchange with the air (interior air) in the vehicle cabin in the evaporator 40h (cooling the air in the vehicle cabin) and is then evaporated. Furthermore, in this vehicle air-conditioning system 40, when the temperature of the battery 105 is to be lowered, the air-conditioning heat medium Y is diverted from the second circulation flow path 40g to the evaporator bypass flow path 40i and is decompressed by an expansion valve 40j4 provided in the evaporator bypass flow path 40i. The air-conditioning heat medium Y, which has become colder than the outside air temperature as a result of this decompression, absorbs heat from the thermal management heat medium X in the battery system circulation guide portion 6 in the second internal heat exchanger 4, thereby lowering the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X. The air-conditioning heat medium Y in the second circulation flow path 40g that has passed through the evaporator 40h is merged with the air-conditioning heat medium Y in the evaporator bypass flow path 40i that has passed through the second internal heat exchanger 4, and then the pressure of the air-conditioning heat medium Y is increased by the compressor 40d. In this way, the air-conditioning heat medium Y receives heat from the second internal heat exchanger 4, so that the temperature of the battery 105 can be appropriately managed while adjusting the air in the vehicle cabin to an appropriate temperature.

[0122] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment as described above is mounted on a vehicle 100 and performs thermal management of a thermal management target 110 including a traction motor 101. The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment includes an outside air heat exchanger 2, a first internal heat exchanger 3, a drive system circulation guide unit 5, a second internal heat exchanger 4, and a battery system circulation guide unit 6. The outside air heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between outside air and a thermal management heat medium X. The first internal heat exchanger 3 and the second internal heat exchanger 4 exchange heat between the thermal management heat medium X and another heat medium included in the vehicle 100, namely, an air-conditioning heat medium Y. The drive system circulation guide unit 5 guides the thermal management heat medium X to circulate through the thermal management target 110. The battery system circulation guide unit 6 guides the thermal management heat medium X to circulate through the battery 105.

[0123] Furthermore, the drive system circulation guide unit 5 includes an outside air heat exchange passage 10, an air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange passage 11, a heat exchanger bypass passage 12, a series heat exchange passage 13, an upstream three-way valve 5c, and a downstream three-way valve 5k. The outside air heat exchange passage 10 passes the heat management heat medium X only through the outside air heat exchanger 2 out of the outside air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3. The air-conditioning heat medium heat exchange passage 11 passes the heat management heat medium X only through the first internal heat exchanger 3 out of the outside air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3. The heat exchanger bypass passage 12 passes the heat management heat medium X while avoiding the outside air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3. The series heat exchange passage 13 passes the heat management heat medium X through the first internal heat exchanger 3 and then the outside air heat exchanger 2 in that order. The upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k selectively guide the heat management heat medium X to one or more of the outside air heat exchange flow path 10, the air conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11, the heat exchanger bypass flow path 12, and the serial heat exchange flow path 13.

[0124] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can select from the following: to thermally manage the thermal management target 110 by passing the thermal management heat medium X only through the external air heat exchanger 2 out of the external air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3; to thermally manage the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 by passing the thermal management heat medium X only through the internal air heat exchanger out of the external air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3; to thermally manage the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 by passing the thermal management heat medium X through both the external air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3 connected in series; or to thermally manage the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 by guiding the thermal management heat medium X while bypassing both the external air heat exchanger 2 and the first internal heat exchanger 3. Thus, the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can achieve flexible and efficient thermal management with a simple structure in the thermal management system 1 mounted on the vehicle 100.

[0125] Furthermore, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the first internal heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the air-conditioning heat medium Y and the heat management heat medium X used in the vehicle interior air-conditioning system 20. In the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the heat recovered by the heat management heat medium X can be effectively utilized in the vehicle interior air-conditioning system 20. Therefore, the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can improve the power consumption of, for example, an electric vehicle.

[0126] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment also includes a control unit 8 that controls the upstream three-way valve 5 c and the downstream three-way valve 5 k. When the vehicle air conditioning system 20 is operating and the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X that has passed through the first internal heat exchanger 3 becomes lower than the temperature of the outside air, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5 c and the downstream three-way valve 5 k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the serial heat exchange flow path 13.

[0127] In the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the thermal management heat medium X can absorb heat from the outside air by the outside air heat exchanger 2. This makes it possible to raise the temperatures of, for example, the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 in a short time.

[0128] In addition, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the air conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path 11 when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is operating, the temperature of the thermal management heat medium X that has passed through the first internal heat exchanger 3 is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and further, the temperature of the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 are at a heat dissipation no-no temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside.

[0129] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can prevent the heat recovered by the thermal management heat medium X from being released into the outside air when the temperatures of the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 are at a level that requires heating. Therefore, it is possible to raise the temperature of the thermal management target 110 in a short period of time.

[0130] In addition, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is operating and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 or the battery 105 exceeds the temperature at which heat dissipation is not necessary, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the serial heat exchange flow path 13.

[0131] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can dissipate heat from the thermal management heat medium X by the first internal heat exchanger 3 and the outside air heat exchanger 2. This prevents the temperature of the thermal management target 110 or the battery 105 from exceeding their rated temperatures, for example.

[0132] In addition, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 becomes lower than the heat dissipation unnecessary temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the heat exchanger bypass flow path 12.

[0133] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can prevent the heat management heat medium X from radiating heat to the outside air. Therefore, it can be used, for example, to increase the temperature (warm up) of the thermal management target 110 and the battery 105 in a relatively short time.

[0134] In addition, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the outside air heat exchange path 10 when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 or the battery 105 exceeds the temperature at which heat dissipation is not necessary.

[0135] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can dissipate heat from the thermal management heat medium X to the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 2. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the thermal management target 110 or the battery 105 from exceeding their respective rated temperatures.

[0136] In addition, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped and the temperature of the thermal management target 110 exceeds the temperature at which heat dissipation is not required, the control unit 8 forcibly operates the compressor of the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 and controls the upstream three-way valve 5c and the downstream three-way valve 5k so that the thermal management heat medium X is guided to the serial heat exchange flow path 13.

[0137] In the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, even when the in-vehicle air conditioning system 20 is stopped, the thermal management heat medium X can be dissipated in the first internal heat exchanger 3, the second internal heat exchanger 4, and the outside air heat exchanger 2. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the thermal management target 110 or the battery 105 from becoming higher than their rated temperatures.

[0138] Furthermore, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, when the temperature of the battery 105 exceeds the heat dissipation unnecessary temperature even though the temperature of the thermal management target 110 is at a heat dissipation unnecessary temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside, the control unit 8 controls the switching valve 7 to disconnect the drive system circulation guide unit 5 and the battery system circulation guide unit 6. At this time, the control unit 8 forcibly operates the compressor of the interior air conditioning system 20 even when the interior air conditioning system 20 is stopped, and controls the thermal management heat medium X to dissipate heat through the second internal heat exchanger 4.

[0139] Furthermore, in the thermal management system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 8 may estimate the future heat generation states of the thermal management subject 110 and the battery 105, and based on the estimation results, control the upstream three-way valve 5c, the downstream three-way valve 5k, and the switching valve 7. The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment improves the responsiveness of the flow path switching operation to changes in the state of the thermal management subject 110, and can prevent overshooting or undershooting of the temperatures of the thermal management subject 110 and the battery 105.

[0140] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0141] For example, in the above embodiment, the thermal management system 1 is described as including the drive system circulation guide unit 5, the battery system circulation guide unit 6, and the switching valve 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also employ a configuration that does not include the switching valve 7 when the battery 105 is configured as a so-called solid-state battery whose heat dissipation unnecessary temperature is approximately the same as that of the thermal management target 110.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the flow path selector includes an upstream three-way valve 5c and a downstream three-way valve 5k. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the flow path selector may include an upstream three-way valve 5c and one four-way valve 50. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9 , the four-way valve 50 is connected to a first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e, an intermediate flow path 5h, an outside air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and a switching valve upstream flow path 5a. Even with the configuration shown in FIG. 9 , the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths of the present invention can be formed by controlling the upstream three-way valve 5c and the four-way valve 50.

[0143] 10 , the flow path selection unit may be configured to include an upstream three-way valve 5c and one five-way valve 51. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, the first internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5e, the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j are connected to the five-way valve 51. In this case, a branch section 52 is provided to connect the switching valve upstream flow path 5a, the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j. Even with the configuration shown in FIG. 10 , the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths of the present invention can be formed by controlling the upstream three-way valve 5c and the five-way valve 51.

[0144] 11 , the flow path selection unit may be configured to include a single six-way valve 53. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 , the six-way valve 53 is connected to the switching valve upstream flow path 5a, the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the upstream and downstream ends of the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and the upstream and downstream ends of the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d. Even with the configuration shown in FIG. 11 , the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths of the present invention can be formed by controlling the six-way valve 53. For example, the third flow path can be formed by the six-way valve 53 directly connecting the switching valve upstream flow path 5a and the switching valve downstream flow path 5b.

[0145] 12, the flow path selection unit may be configured to include a single four-way valve 54. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the four-way valve 54 is connected to the switching valve downstream flow path 5b, the first internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5d, the intermediate flow path 5h, and the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j. In this case, a branch section 55 is provided to connect the switching valve upstream flow path 5a, the outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5i, and the outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5j. Even in the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths of the present invention can be formed by controlling the four-way valve 54.

[0146] The above embodiment can also be described as follows, for example:

[0147] (Supplementary Note 1) A thermal management system is mounted on a vehicle and performs thermal management of a thermally managed object including a driving motor, the thermal management system comprising: an outside air heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outside air and a thermal management heat medium; an internal heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the thermal management heat medium and a vehicle internal heat medium, which is another heat medium included in the vehicle; and a circulation guide unit that circulates and guides the thermal management heat medium so that it passes through the thermally managed object, the circulation guide unit comprising: a first flow path that passes the thermal management heat medium only through the outside air heat exchanger among the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a second flow path that passes the thermal management heat medium only through the internal heat exchanger among the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a third flow path that passes the thermal management heat medium while avoiding the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; and a fourth flow path that passes the thermal management heat medium through the internal heat exchanger and then the outside air heat exchanger. a flow path selection unit that selectively guides the heat management heat medium to pass through any one or more of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.

[0148] (Appendix 2) The thermal management system according to appendix 1, characterized in that the vehicle interior heat medium includes a compressible air conditioning heat medium used in an in-vehicle air conditioning system, and the internal heat exchanger exchanges heat between the air conditioning heat medium and the thermal management heat medium.

[0149] (Appendix 3) A thermal management system according to Appendix 2, further comprising a control unit that controls the flow path selection unit, wherein the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the thermal management heat medium is guided to the fourth flow path when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating and the temperature of the thermal management heat medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger becomes lower than the temperature of the outside air.

[0150] (Appendix 4) The thermal management system according to Appendix 3, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the thermal management heat medium is guided to the second flow path when the in-vehicle air conditioning system is operating, the temperature of the thermal management heat medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature of the thermal management object is a heat dissipation no-no temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside.

[0151] (Appendix 5) The thermal management system according to appendix 4, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the heat management medium is guided to the fourth flow path when the vehicle interior air conditioning system is operating and the temperature of the thermal management object exceeds the heat exhaust unnecessary temperature.

[0152] (Appendix 6) The thermal management system described in any one of Appendices 3 to 5, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the thermal management heat medium is guided to the third flow path when the vehicle interior air conditioning system is stopped, the temperature of the thermal management heat medium that has passed through the thermal management object is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature of the thermal management object is a heat dissipation no-no temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside.

[0153] (Supplementary Note 7) The thermal management system according to Supplementary Note 6, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the heat management medium is guided to the first flow path when the vehicle interior air conditioning system is stopped and the temperature of the thermal management object exceeds the heat exhaust unnecessary temperature.

[0154] (Supplementary Note 8) The thermal management system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 7, wherein the control unit estimates a future heat generation state of the thermal management target and controls the flow path selection unit based on the estimation result.

[0155] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Thermal management system 2 Outdoor air heat exchanger 3 First internal heat exchanger (internal heat exchanger) 4 Second internal heat exchanger 5 Drive system circulation guide section 5a Switching valve upstream flow path 5b Switching valve downstream flow path 5c Upstream three-way valve (flow path selection section) 5d First internal heat exchanger installation flow path 5e First internal heat exchanger bypass flow path 5f First branch section 5g Second branch section 5h Intermediate flow path 5i Outdoor air heat exchanger installation flow path 5j Outdoor air heat exchanger bypass flow path 5k Downstream three-way valve (flow path selection section) 5m Pump 6 Battery system circulation guide section 6a Switching valve upstream flow path 6b Switching valve downstream flow path 6c Heater 6d Pump 7 Switching valve 8 Control section 10 Outdoor air heat exchange flow path (first flow path) 11 Air conditioning heat medium heat exchange flow path (second flow path) 12 Heat exchanger bypass flow path (third flow path) 13 Serial heat exchange flow path (fourth flow path) 20 Vehicle interior air conditioning system 50 Four-way valve (flow path selection unit) 51 Five-way valve (flow path selection unit) 52 Branching unit 53 Six-way valve (flow path selection unit) 54 Four-way valve (flow path selection unit) 55 Branching unit 100 Vehicle 101 Traction motor 102 Inverter 103 On-board charger 104 DC / DC converter 105 Battery 110 Thermal management object X Heat medium for thermal management Y Heat medium for air conditioning

Claims

1. A thermal management system mounted on a vehicle for performing thermal management of a thermally managed object including a driving motor, comprising: an outside air heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outside air and a heat management heat medium; an internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat management heat medium and a vehicle internal heat medium, which is another heat medium contained in the vehicle; and a circulation guide unit for circulating and guiding the heat management heat medium so that it passes through the thermally managed object, wherein the circulation guide unit has: a first flow path for passing the heat management heat medium only through the outside air heat exchanger among the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a second flow path for passing the heat management heat medium only through the internal heat exchanger among the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; a third flow path for passing the heat management heat medium while avoiding the outside air heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger; and a fourth flow path for passing the heat management heat medium through the internal heat exchanger and then the outside air heat exchanger. a flow path selection unit that selectively guides the heat medium for thermal management to pass through any one or more of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle interior heat medium includes a compressible air-conditioning heat medium used in an in-vehicle air-conditioning system, and the internal heat exchanger exchanges heat between the air-conditioning heat medium and the thermal management heat medium.

3. A thermal management system as described in claim 2, further comprising a control unit which controls the flow path selection unit, wherein the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the thermal management heat medium is guided to the fourth flow path when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating and the temperature of the thermal management heat medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger becomes lower than the temperature of the outside air.

4. A thermal management system as described in claim 3, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the thermal management heat medium is guided to the second flow path when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating, the temperature of the thermal management heat medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature of the thermally managed object is a heat dissipation non-required temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside.

5. The thermal management system described in claim 4, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the heat management heat medium is guided to the fourth flow path when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating and the temperature of the thermally managed object exceeds the heat exhaust unnecessary temperature.

6. A thermal management system as described in claim 3, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the heat management heat medium is guided to the third flow path when the vehicle air conditioning system is stopped, the temperature of the heat management heat medium that has passed through the thermal management object is higher than the temperature of the outside air, and the temperature of the thermal management object is a heat dissipation non-required temperature that does not require heat dissipation to the outside.

7. The thermal management system described in claim 6, characterized in that the control unit controls the flow path selection unit so that the heat management heat medium is guided to the first flow path when the vehicle air conditioning system is stopped and the temperature of the thermally managed object exceeds the heat exhaust unnecessary temperature.

8. A thermal management system as described in any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the control unit estimates the future heat generation state of the thermal management target and controls the flow path selection unit based on the estimation result.

Images