Vehicle air conditioning device, secondary battery heating system, and secondary battery heating method

Abstract

A vehicle air conditioning device (10) is provided with: a heat generation unit (52) that is provided in a passage (34) of air toward a room (16) provided in a vehicle (14) and that generates heat by being energized; and a heat transmission mechanism (30) that can transmit the heat of the air in the passage (34) heated by the heat generated by the heat generation unit (52) to a secondary battery (20) provided in the vehicle (14). The heat transmission mechanism (30) shifts between a heat transmission state (36) in which the heat of the air in the heated passage (34) is transmitted to the secondary battery (20), and a non-heat transmission state (38) in which the heat of the air in the heated passage (34) is not transmitted to the secondary battery (20).

Description

Vehicle air conditioning device, secondary battery heating system, and secondary battery heating method

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, a heating system for a secondary battery, and a heating method for a secondary battery.

[0002] JP2019-172267A discloses a vehicle air conditioning system equipped with a battery temperature adjustment device that can heat a battery, for example, in a low-temperature environment.

[0003] The battery temperature regulator heats the battery by heating a heat medium with a heat medium heater such as a PTC heater and exchanging heat between the heat medium and the battery.

[0004] In addition to the battery temperature regulator, the vehicle air conditioning system also includes an auxiliary heater, which is a PTC heater that heats the air in the passage of the HVAC unit. This auxiliary heater is used solely for temperature regulation within the vehicle cabin.

[0005] To effectively utilize a heat generating part provided in an air passage leading to a room provided in a vehicle, compared with a heat generating part used only for adjusting the temperature of the room provided in the vehicle.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a heat generating section provided in an air passageway leading to a room provided in the vehicle, which generates heat when energized; and a heat transfer mechanism capable of transferring heat from the air in the passageway heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section to a secondary battery provided in the vehicle, wherein the heat transfer mechanism transitions between a heat transfer state in which the heat from the heated air in the passageway is transferred to the secondary battery, and a non-heat transfer state in which the heat from the heated air in the passageway is not transferred to the secondary battery.

[0007] The vehicle air conditioning device of the above aspect makes it possible to effectively utilize the heat generating portion provided in the air passage leading to the room provided in the vehicle, compared to a heat generating portion used only for adjusting the temperature of the room provided in the vehicle.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a secondary battery heating system including a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a secondary battery heating system including a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a secondary battery is heated by a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a secondary battery heating system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partially transparent view showing an oblique view of an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partially transparent view showing an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment viewed from a different angle than FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment with a return opening opened. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view seen from above for explaining the operation of an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view seen from a side for explaining the operation of an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram for explaining a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation, or a dehumidifying heating operation of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram for explaining a first heating operation of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. Fig. 13 is a configuration diagram for explaining a second heating operation of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. Fig. 14 is a configuration diagram of a heating system for a secondary battery equipped with a vehicle air conditioner according to a first modified example. Fig. 15 is a configuration diagram of a heating system for a secondary battery equipped with a vehicle air conditioner according to a second modified example. Fig. 16 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a secondary battery is heated by a vehicle air conditioner according to the second modified example. Fig. 17 is a configuration diagram of a heating system for a secondary battery equipped with a vehicle air conditioner according to a third modified example. Fig. 18 is a configuration diagram of a heating system for a secondary battery equipped with a vehicle air conditioner according to a fourth modified example.

[0009] Hereinafter, a heating system 12 for a secondary battery 20 including a vehicle air conditioning device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 14 equipped with a heating system 12 for a secondary battery 20 including a vehicle air conditioning device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the heating system 12 for a secondary battery 20 including the vehicle air conditioning device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which the secondary battery 20 is heated by the vehicle air conditioning device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the heating system 12 for a secondary battery 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 14 is provided with an automotive air conditioner 10. The automotive air conditioner 10 is provided on the front side of a room 16 provided in the vehicle 14. The vehicle 14 is an electric vehicle, and a secondary battery 20 for a motor that drives the vehicle 14 is provided below the room 16.

[0012] The room 16 provided in the vehicle 14 constitutes, for example, a vehicle cabin where the occupants ride. The room 16 provided in the vehicle 14 includes a space where the occupants of the vehicle 14, animals and plants, food and drink carried in the vehicle 14, or other luggage that requires temperature control are present.

[0013] The vehicle air conditioner 10 adjusts the state of air in the room 16. Adjusting the state of air in the room 16 includes increasing, decreasing, or maintaining constant at least one of the temperature and humidity of the air.

[0014] 1, the vehicle 14 is described as an electric vehicle, but the vehicle 14 does not have to be limited to an electric vehicle. That is, the heating system 12 for the secondary battery 20 equipped with the automotive air conditioning device 10 may be adapted to various types of vehicles 14 equipped with the secondary battery 20 as needed.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the heating system 12 includes a vehicle air conditioning device 10 provided in a vehicle 14, a secondary battery 20 provided in the vehicle 14, and a control unit 32 (see FIG. 4 for the control unit 32) that controls the heat transfer mechanism 30 of the vehicle air conditioning device 10.

[0016] The heat transfer mechanism 30 can form a heat transfer state 36 (see FIG. 3 ) in which heat from the air in the heated passage 34 is transferred to the secondary battery 20, and a non-heat transfer state 38 (see FIG. 2 ) in which heat from the air in the heated passage 34 is not transferred to the secondary battery 20. The heat transfer mechanism 30 forms the heat transfer state 36 and the non-heat transfer state 38.

[0017] It should be noted that the heat transfer mechanism 30 may be in other states in addition to the heat transfer state 36 and the non-heat transfer state 38 .

[0018] The vehicle air conditioner 10 includes an air conditioning unit 40 (HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) unit).

[0019] The unit housing 42 of the air conditioning unit 40 forms the aforementioned passage 34 through which air is ventilated. A fan 44 is provided inside the unit housing 42 on the upstream side of the air flow direction toward the room 16. The fan 44 is configured as a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, or the like. The rotation of the fan 44 is controlled by the control unit 32.

[0020] A heat exchanger 46 is provided downstream of the fan 44 in the air flow direction. In the heat exchanger 46, heat is exchanged between the heat transfer medium flowing inside and the air in the passage 34. The heat exchanger 46 constitutes an evaporator.

[0021] An air mix door 48 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 46. The air mix door 48 is made up of a first air mix door 48A and a second air mix door 48B (see FIG. 9; details will be described later).

[0022] A heater core 50 is provided downstream of the air mix door 48. The opening and closing of the air mix door 48 is controlled by the control unit 32. The air mix door 48 adjusts the amount of air passing through the heater core 50.

[0023] A heat generating unit 52 is provided downstream of the heater core 50. The heat generating unit 52 is composed of a heater such as a PTC heater that generates heat when energized, or other heat generating means. The heat generating unit 52 is supplied with power under the control of the control unit 32, and generates heat when energized to heat the air in the passage 34.

[0024] An intake opening 56 for taking in air and an intake opening opening / closing unit 58 for opening and closing the intake opening 56 are provided on the upstream side of the unit housing 42. A supply opening 60 through which air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating unit 52 passes before being sent to the room 16, and a supply opening opening / closing unit 62 for opening and closing the supply opening 60 are provided on the downstream side of the unit housing 42. The intake opening opening / closing unit 58 and the supply opening opening / closing unit 62 are controlled to open and close by the control unit 32.

[0025] Here, the supply opening 60 is composed of a front opening that supplies air toward the front seats of the room 16, a foot opening that supplies air to the feet of the front seats, and a defroster opening for supplying air toward the front window.

[0026] When closing the supply opening 60, all openings that make up the supply opening 60, such as the front opening, foot opening, and defroster opening, can be closed to prevent heated air from leaking from the passage 34.

[0027] The supply opening 60 may include openings for supplying air to the driver's seat, the passenger seat, and the rear seats, respectively. In this case, the vehicle air conditioning device 10 is capable of independent air conditioning for the driver's seat, the passenger seat, and the rear seats.

[0028] It should be noted that this configuration capable of independent air conditioning is shown as an example, and the vehicle air conditioning system 10 may not necessarily be a system that performs independent air conditioning.

[0029] When the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 is sent to the secondary battery 20 by the heat transfer mechanism 30 , the supply opening 60 is closed by the supply opening opening opening / closing portion 62 .

[0030] Here, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the intake opening 56 is open when the heat of the air in the passage 34 is sent to the secondary battery 20 by the heat transfer mechanism 30, but the intake opening 56 may also be closed.

[0031] The reason why intake opening 56 may be open is that air ventilated through ventilation path 70 (described later) flows into the range affected by the negative pressure from fan 44, and most of the air circulating through circulation path 72 (described later) becomes air inside unit housing 42. An example of a condition for this is when vehicle 14 is stopped, during which no air enters through intake opening 56 due to the air flow generated by vehicle 14 moving.

[0032] However, the vehicle air conditioner 10 is not limited to this configuration. Even if any of the openings of the vehicle air conditioner 10 is open, it is not necessary to close the openings that do not affect or have only a small effect on heating of the secondary battery 20.

[0033] An opening that has no or little effect refers to an opening that, even when the opening is open, can heat the secondary battery 20 to a desired temperature with the heat of the air in the heated passage 34. Whether or not an opening has an effect when it is open depends on the path of the circulating air, the shape and size of the passage 34, the direction of the air from the fan 44, the range of the negative pressure caused by the fan 44, the position or size of the opening in question, the amount of heat generated by the heat-generating portion 52, etc.

[0034] (Ventilation Path) The unit housing 42 is provided with a ventilation path 70 that connects the upstream side and downstream side of the locations where the fan 44, the heat exchanger 46, the heater core 50, and the heat generating unit 52 are arranged. The ventilation path 70 ventilates air from the downstream side to the upstream side of the locations where the fan 44, the heat exchanger 46, the heater core 50, and the heat generating unit 52 are arranged. The ventilation path 70 also constitutes at least a part of a circulation path 72 that returns air heated by the heat generated by the heat generating unit 52 to the heat generating unit 52 via the heat exchanger 46.

[0035] Specifically, the circulation path 72 is composed of at least a part of the passage 34 and the ventilation path 70. The passage 34 constituting the circulation path 72 can be rephrased as a first passage 72A (see FIG. 3) running from the upstream side, which is one side of the heat exchanger 46, to the downstream side, which is the other side. The ventilation path 70 constituting the circulation path 72 can be rephrased as a second passage 72B (see FIG. 3) running from the downstream side, which is the other side of the heat exchanger 46, to the upstream side, which is one side.

[0036] The unit housing 42 is provided with a return opening 76 that guides the air in the passage 34 to the ventilation duct 70, and a return opening opening opening unit 78 that opens and closes the return opening 76, both located downstream of the heat-generating unit 52 in the circulation path 72. The unit housing 42 is also provided with a return opening 80 that returns the air that has passed through the ventilation duct 70 into the unit housing 42, and a return opening opening opening unit 82 that opens and closes the return opening 80, both located upstream of the fan 44 in the circulation path 72. The return opening 80 is located within a range affected by the negative pressure caused by the fan 44. The return opening opening opening unit 78 and the return opening opening opening unit 82 are controlled to open and close by the control unit 32.

[0037] Although this embodiment will be described using an example in which the return opening opening / closing section 78 and the return opening opening / closing section 82 are provided separately, this embodiment may be configured with a single opening / closing section as long as air can be ventilated from the downstream side to the upstream side of the location of the fan 44, etc., as described above.

[0038] When the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 is sent to the secondary battery 20 by the heat transfer mechanism 30, the return opening 76 and the return opening 80 are opened.

[0039] The vehicle air conditioner 10 includes a cooling circuit 86 that performs a cooling cycle to cool the air in the passage 34, and a heating circuit 88 that performs a heating cycle to heat the air in the passage 34. The vehicle air conditioner 10 also includes a medium circuit 90 through which a medium that exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium flowing in the cooling circuit 86 flows and transfers heat from the medium to the secondary battery 20.

[0040] (Cooling Circuit) The cooling circuit 86 includes the above-mentioned heat exchanger 46, a check valve 94, a compressor 96, a water-cooled condenser (refrigerant-water heat exchanger) 100 equipped with a gas-liquid separator 98, a branching section 102, and a first electric expansion valve 104. A branching path 106 is connected to the cooling circuit 86 via the branching section 102. The branching path 103 is provided with a second electric expansion valve 108 and a chiller 110.

[0041] The compressor 96 draws in and compresses the gaseous refrigerant from the heat exchanger 46 via the check valve 94. The compressor 96 raises the temperature and pressure of the gaseous refrigerant.

[0042] The water-cooled condenser 100 functions as a condenser that condenses the refrigerant after passing through the compressor 96. The water-cooled condenser 100 includes a gas-liquid separator 98, which separates the refrigerant into gaseous and liquid forms. The water-cooled condenser 100 also performs heat exchange between the refrigerant, which has been heated to a high temperature and pressure by the compressor 96, and the antifreeze circulating through the heating circuit 88, thereby transferring heat from the refrigerant to the antifreeze. The liquid refrigerant that has been condensed in the water-cooled condenser 100 is sent to a branching section 102.

[0043] The branching section 102 can be in a non-branching state in which the liquid refrigerant from the water-cooled condenser 100 is sent to the first electric expansion valve 104 side, and in a branching state in which the liquid refrigerant from the water-cooled condenser 100 is sent to the branching path 106.

[0044] The first electric expansion valve 104 reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant sent from the branching portion 102 and expands it, sending it to the heat exchanger 46. The liquid refrigerant becomes gaseous in the heat exchanger 46. The heat exchanger 46 exchanges heat between the gaseous refrigerant therein and the air in the passage 34.

[0045] The liquid medium sent to the branch path 106 via the branch section 102 is decompressed and expanded by the second electric expansion valve 108 and sent to the chiller 110. The liquid medium becomes a gaseous refrigerant in the chiller 110. The chiller 110 performs heat exchange between the gaseous refrigerant and antifreeze liquid, which serves as a heat transfer refrigerant and flows through the medium circuit 90, to cool the antifreeze liquid flowing through the medium circuit 90.

[0046] The compressor 96 and the branching section 102 are controlled by the control section 32 .

[0047] The cooling circuit 86 has the functions of cooling the air in the passage 34, transferring the heat received from the air in the passage 34 to the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 via the water-cooled condenser 100, and cooling the antifreeze flowing through the medium circuit 90.

[0048] (Heating Circuit) The heating circuit 88 includes the heater core 50, the heating-side pump 120, the water-cooled condenser 100, a switching unit 122, a radiator 124, and a flow path switching unit 126. The heating circuit 88 is configured using at least a part of the cooling circuit 86. The heating circuit 88 heats the air in the passage 34. When the heat transfer mechanism 30 is in the heat transfer state 36, the heating circuit 88 does not perform a heating cycle for heating the room 16.

[0049] The heating side pump 120 sends the antifreeze from the heater core 50 to the water-cooled condenser 100 .

[0050] The water-cooled condenser 100 exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the cooling circuit 86 and the antifreeze sent from the heating-side pump 120. The antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 receives heat from the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 86 as it passes through the water-cooled condenser 100.

[0051] The switching unit 122 establishes a flow state in which the antifreeze solution from the water-cooled condenser 100 is sent to the radiator 124 , and a bypass state in which the antifreeze solution from the water-cooled condenser 100 is sent downstream of the radiator 124 .

[0052] The radiator 124 is provided, for example, outside the vehicle cabin and exchanges heat between the antifreeze solution passing through the inside of the radiator 124 and the outside air.

[0053] The flow path switching unit 126 switches between a circulation state (see Figure 2) in which the antifreeze that has passed through the switching unit 122 etc. is sent directly to the heater core 50, and a bypass state (see Figure 3) in which the antifreeze that has passed through the switching unit 122 etc. is sent to the heater core 50 via the medium circuit 90.

[0054] The heating-side pump 120 , the switching unit 122 , and the flow path switching unit 126 are each controlled by the control unit 32 .

[0055] The heating circuit 88 has the function of heating the air in the passage 34 with the heat received from the water-cooled condenser 100 and the function of heating the secondary battery 20 .

[0056] (Medium Circuit) The medium circuit 90 includes the flow path switching unit 126 described above, the cell-side pump 130 , and the chiller 110 described above.

[0057] In the circulation state (see FIG. 2), the flow path switching unit 126 circulates the antifreeze solution within the medium circuit 90 .

[0058] In the circulation state, the battery-side pump 130 sends the antifreeze solution in the medium circuit 90 to the chiller 110 by flowing it along the outer surface of the secondary battery 20, for example. The antifreeze solution flowing around the outer periphery of the secondary battery 20 exchanges heat with the secondary battery 20.

[0059] The chiller 110 exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 86 and the antifreeze in the medium circuit 90 .

[0060] In the bypass state (see FIG. 3 ), the flow path switching unit 126 circulates antifreeze between the heating circuit 88 and the medium circuit 90. At this time, the branching unit 102 is in a non-branching state in which the refrigerant from the water-cooled condenser 100 is sent only to the first electric expansion valve 104.

[0061] When the flow path switching unit 126 is in the bypass state, the battery-side pump 130 sends the antifreeze solution that has flowed in from the heating circuit 88 along the outer surface of the secondary battery 20 to the chiller 110. The antifreeze solution flowing around the outer periphery of the secondary battery 20 exchanges heat with the secondary battery 20. The antifreeze solution sent from the heating circuit 88 heats the secondary battery 20 as it flows along the outer surface of the secondary battery 20.

[0062] (Heat Transfer Mechanism) The heat transfer mechanism 30 is made up of the circulation path 72 described above, the cooling circuit 86 described above, the heating circuit 88 described above, and the medium circuit 90 described above.

[0063] The ventilation path 70 that constitutes the circulation path 72 allows air to circulate between the downstream and upstream sides of the locations of the fan 44, heat exchanger 46, heater core 50, and heat generating portion 52 when the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 is sent to the secondary battery 20.

[0064] Here, if the ventilation passage 70 of the heat transfer mechanism 30 that transfers heat from the heat generating portion 52 is configured, for example, in the room 16 of the vehicle 14, which has a large volume, much of the heat will be absorbed by the air in the room 16, and the heat transfer efficiency will deteriorate.

[0065] For this reason, it is preferable that the space constituting the heat transfer mechanism 30 is narrow enough that no person can enter. It is also preferable that the space constituting the heat transfer mechanism 30 is a dedicated passageway without any openings for people to enter and exit or for loading and unloading luggage.

[0066] 4, the vehicle 14 is provided with a drive unit 140, an interior display unit 142, and an interior light 144 in addition to the secondary battery 20 and the automotive air conditioner 10. The automotive air conditioner 10, the drive unit 140, the interior display unit 142, the interior light 144, and the secondary battery 20 are controlled by a control unit 32. The control unit 32 controls charging of the secondary battery 20.

[0067] It should be noted that the control unit 32 does not necessarily have to be configured with one control board and control chip, but may be configured with multiple control boards and control chips depending on the specifications or configuration of the vehicle 14.

[0068] The drive unit 140 is composed of a motor that drives the vehicle 14 and a drive circuit that drives the motor. When charging the secondary battery 20, the control unit 32 stops the power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the drive unit 140, while continuing the power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the vehicle air conditioner 10.

[0069] Here, supplying power to the automotive air conditioner 10 means supplying power from the secondary battery 20 to the automotive air conditioner 10 in order to operate each component of the automotive air conditioner 10 .

[0070] The interior display unit 142 is configured, for example, by a display unit for meters. The interior light 144 is configured, for example, by a room lamp. When charging the secondary battery 20, the control unit 32 stops the power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or the interior light 144, while continuing the power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the automotive air conditioner 10.

[0071] Furthermore, when charging the secondary battery 20, the control unit 32 can selectively establish a power supply stop state in which power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or the interior light 144 is stopped, and a power supply permitted state in which power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or the interior light 144 is permitted. The selection between the power supply stop state and the power supply permitted state is performed, for example, by a setting operation by the user. The control unit 32 supplies power from the secondary battery 20 to the vehicle air conditioner 10 in both the power supply stop state and the power supply permitted state.

[0072] (Air Conditioning Unit) Next, the structure of the air conditioning unit 40 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG.

[0073] FIG. 5 is a partially transparent view showing an air conditioning unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely. FIG. 6 is a partially transparent view showing an air conditioning unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a different angle than FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the air conditioning unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the air conditioning unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the return opening 80 opened. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view seen from above to explain the operation of the air conditioning unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view seen from the side to explain the operation of the air conditioning unit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the unit housing 42 of the air conditioning unit 40 is formed with an air blowing chamber 150 in which the fan 44 is provided and a passage chamber 152 provided downstream of the air blowing chamber 150.

[0075] 5, 6, and 9, an air intake section 156 equipped with a filter 154 (see FIG. 9) is provided on the side of the blower chamber 150. The air intake section 156 is provided with an intake opening 158 and an intake opening opening opening / closing section 160 (see FIG. 9) that opens and closes the intake opening 158.

[0076] 7 to 9, a partition wall 164 is provided between the blower chamber 150 and the passage chamber 152 (see FIG. 9). The partition wall 164 is provided with a blower opening 81 (see FIG. 9), a return opening 80, and a sliding return opening opening / closing portion 82.

[0077] The return opening opening / closing part 82 slides along the partition wall 164 to form a return opening closed state in which the air blowing opening 81 is open and the return opening 80 is closed (see FIG. 7 ), and a return opening open state in which the air blowing opening 81 is closed and the return opening 80 is open (see FIG. 8 ). The return opening opening / closing part 82 is used to both open and close the air blowing opening 81 and the return opening 80.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, and 10, the passage chamber 152 is provided with the heat exchanger 46, the heater core 50, and the heat generating portion 52.

[0079] 5, 6, and 10, the heater core 50 and the heat generating portion 52 are lower in height than the heat exchanger 46. The portion of the passage chamber 152 in which the heater core 50 and the heat generating portion 52 are arranged is divided into a lower portion in which the heater core 50 and the heat generating portion 52 are provided, and an upper portion in which the heater core 50 and the heat generating portion 52 are not provided.

[0080] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, the passage chamber 152 is provided with a partition wall 166 extending in the air flow direction, and the passage chamber 152 is divided by the partition wall 166 into a one-side passage 170 and an other-side passage 172.

[0081] As shown in Figure 9, the upper portion of the partition wall 166 is provided with a return opening 76 and a return opening opening / closing unit 78 that opens and closes the return opening 76. The return opening opening / closing unit 78 is configured so that a plate-shaped member that closes the return opening 76 rotates around a support shaft. The support point is provided on the edge of the return opening 76, on the edge downstream in the air return direction. The plate-shaped member is configured to rotate toward the one-side passage 170 when opening the return opening 76 from a closed state.

[0082] A first air mix door 48A that slides up and down is provided in the one-side passage 170 between the heat exchanger 46 and the heater core 50. A second air mix door 48B that slides up and down is provided in the other-side passage 172 between the heat exchanger 46 and the heater core 50.

[0083] An end space 180 is formed downstream of the heat generating section 52, and the end space 180 communicates with the upper and lower sections. A supply opening 60 and a supply opening opening opening / closing section 62 that communicate with the end space 180 are provided at the end of the unit housing 42.

[0084] 5, 6, and 9, with the air supply opening 81 open and the return opening 80 closed, the return opening 76 is closed and the supply opening 60 is open. Then, air sent from the fan 44 is sent to one side passage 170 and the other side passage 172, which are separated by the partition wall 166. The air sent from the fan 44 also passes through the heat exchanger 46, the heater core 50, the heat generating portion 52, etc., and is supplied toward the interior of the room 16. At this time, both the one side passage 170 and the other side passage 172 constitute the passage 34.

[0085] On the other hand, when the return opening 76 is opened and the supply opening 60 is closed while the air blowing opening 81 is closed and the return opening 80 is open, the other-side passage 172, which is separated by the partition wall 166, communicates with the one-side passage 170 via the return opening 76. The other-side passage 172, which is separated by the partition wall 166, also communicates with the air blowing chamber 150 via the return opening 80. Then, the air in the one-side passage 170 is ventilated toward the other-side passage 172, and the air in the other-side passage 172 is drawn into the air blowing chamber 150 by the negative pressure of the fan 44.

[0086] At this time, the first air mix door 48A closes the upper section and opens the lower section of the one-side passage 170. The second air mix door 48B opens the upper section and closes the lower section of the other-side passage 172.

[0087] In this case, air supplied from the fan 44 to the passage chamber 152 reaches the end space 180 via the heat exchanger 46, heater core 50, and heat generating portion 52 in the one-side passage 170, which is bounded by the partition wall 166. The air that has reached the end space 180 returns to the blower chamber 150 via the upper section of the one-side passage 170, the return opening 76, the upper section of the other-side passage 172, the heat exchanger 46 of the other-side passage 172, and the return opening 80.

[0088] In this case, the lower section of the one-side passage 170 constitutes the passage 34 and also constitutes the first passage 72A. The upper section of the one-side passage 170 and the upper section of the other-side passage 172 constitute the ventilation passage 70 described above and also constitutes the second passage 72B. The upper section of the other-side passage 172 constitutes a passage through which air that has passed through the heat exchanger 46 flows when being directed toward the room 16.

[0089] The air conditioning unit 40 is located closer to the front of the vehicle than the room 16 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the ventilation passage 70 constituting the heat transfer mechanism 30 constitutes a transfer path that transfers the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 without passing through the interior space of the room 16.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the ventilation passage 70, which serves as a transmission path for transmitting the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 without passing through the interior space of the room 16, has been described as an example in which the entire area does not pass through the interior space of the room 16. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and it is sufficient if the above-described ventilation passage 70 is included. In addition to the ventilation passage 70, the present embodiment may be configured so that part of the air in the heated passage 34 unintentionally leaks into the room 16, or part of the air in the heated passage 34 is intentionally ventilated into the room 16.

[0091] Furthermore, the ventilation passage 70, which serves as a transfer path constituting part of the heat transfer mechanism 30, is provided at least in front of or below the interior space of the room 16. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle air conditioning system 10 is provided further forward of the vehicle than the room 16. Therefore, the ventilation passage 70, which serves as a part of the heat transfer mechanism 30, is provided at least in front of the interior space of the room 16. Note that it is sufficient that a portion of the ventilation passage 70, which serves as a transfer path constituting part of the heat transfer mechanism 30, is provided at least in front of or below the interior space of the room 16.

[0092] Furthermore, in the air conditioning unit 40 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the return opening opening / closing portion 82 is a slide type return opening opening / closing portion 82, so that the heat exchanger 46 and the fan 44 can be easily arranged close to each other.

[0093] (Air Conditioning Operation) Next, an operation of adjusting the temperature and the like of the room 16 of the vehicle 14 by the vehicle air conditioner 10 will be described.

[0094] (Cooling, Dehumidifying, and Dehumidifying and Heating Operations) FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram for explaining the cooling operation, the dehumidifying operation, or the dehumidifying and heating operation of the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment that is one example of the present invention.

[0095] 11 , when cooling, dehumidifying, or dehumidifying and heating the room 16 of the vehicle 14, the control unit 32 opens the intake opening 56 and the supply opening 60 and closes the return opening 76 and the feedback opening 80. The control unit 32 also sets the branching unit 102 to a non-branching state, the switching unit 122 to a flow-through state, and the flow path switching unit 126 to a circulation state. Furthermore, the control unit 32 operates the fan 44, the compressor 96, and the heating-side pump 120, and stops the battery-side pump 130.

[0096] Then, during dehumidifying and heating, the control unit 32 energizes the heat generating unit 52 to generate heat to make up for the heat amount required for heating that cannot be covered by the heater core 50, and de-energizes the heat generating unit 52 during cooling and dehumidifying.

[0097] The control unit 32 controls the compressor 96 of the cooling circuit 86 and the opening degree of the air mix door 48 according to the temperature of the room 16 and the set temperature.

[0098] As a result, the automotive air conditioner 10 cools the air in the passage 34 by the heat exchanger 46 of the cooling circuit 86 and sends the cooled air to the room 16. The heat of the antifreeze heated by the water-cooled condenser 100 is cooled by the radiator 124.

[0099] 12 is a configuration diagram for explaining the first heating operation of the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first heating operation is an operation mode when the secondary battery 20 generates heat and heat is obtained from the secondary battery 20.

[0100] 12 , when heating a room 16 provided in a vehicle 14, the control unit 32 opens the intake opening 56 and the supply opening 60 and closes the return opening 76 and the return opening 80. The control unit 32 also sets the branching unit 102 to a branching state, the switching unit 122 to a bypass state, and the flow path switching unit 126 to a circulation state. The control unit 32 also operates the fan 44, the compressor 96, the heating-side pump 120, and the battery-side pump 130.

[0101] As a result, the vehicle air conditioner 10 passes antifreeze heated by the water-cooled condenser 100 through the heater core 50, thereby heating the air in the passage 34 and sending it to the room 16. At this time, the vehicle air conditioner 10 increases the heating capacity by transferring heat from the antifreeze in the medium circuit 90, which has been heated by the secondary battery 20, to the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 86 using the chiller 110.

[0102] 13 is a configuration diagram for explaining the second heating operation of the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second heating operation is an operation mode when heat cannot be obtained from the secondary battery 20.

[0103] 13 , when heating a room 16 provided in a vehicle 14, the control unit 32 opens the intake opening 56 and the supply opening 60 and closes the return opening 76 and the return opening 80. The control unit 32 also sets the branching unit 102 to a branching state, the switching unit 122 to a bypass state, and the flow path switching unit 126 to a detouring state. The control unit 32 also operates the fan 44, the compressor 96, the heating-side pump 120, and the battery-side pump 130. The control unit 32 also energizes the heat generating unit 52.

[0104] As a result, the vehicle air conditioning system 10 heats the air in the passage 34 by passing the antifreeze heated in the water-cooled condenser 100 through the medium circuit 90 and into the heater core 50, and sends the air to the room 16. The antifreeze in the medium circuit 90 is cooled by the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 86, but by circulating the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 through the medium circuit 90, a decrease in the temperature of the secondary battery 20 is suppressed.

[0105] 3, when heating the secondary battery 20, the control unit 32 closes the supply opening 60 while leaving the intake opening 56 open. The intake opening 56 may be closed. The control unit 32 also opens the reflux opening 76 and the return opening 80.

[0106] The control unit 32 also sets the branching unit 102 to a non-branching state, the switching unit 122 to a bypass state, and the flow path switching unit 126 to a detouring state. Furthermore, the control unit 32 activates the fan 44, the compressor 96, the heating-side pump 120, and the battery-side pump 130, and energizes the heat generating unit 52.

[0107] In this state, the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generating portion 52 circulates through the ventilation passage 70. The heat of the air circulating through the ventilation passage 70 and the passage 34 is transferred to the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 86 via the heat exchanger 46.

[0108] The temperature of the refrigerant to which heat has been transferred in the passage 34 is further increased by the compressor 96 of the cooling circuit 86, and then transferred to the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 via the water-cooled condenser 100. The heat transferred to the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 as it circulates through the medium circuit 90, heating the secondary battery 20.

[0109] In the heat transfer state 36, the control unit 32 does not perform a heating cycle consisting of the first heating operation and the second heating operation to heat the room 16. However, the control unit 32 can switch from the heat transfer state 36 to a state in which a heating cycle to heat the room 16 is performed, for example, by a setting operation by the occupant.

[0110] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

[0111] (First Modification) FIG. 14 shows a first modification of the air conditioning unit 40 which is an example of the present invention.

[0112] The air conditioning unit 40 according to the first modified example differs from the previously described embodiment in that it does not have a partition wall 164 between the blower chamber 150 and the passage chamber 152, and a partition wall 166 between the heat exchanger 46 and the fan 44. Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 40 according to the first modified example differs from the previously described embodiment in that the return opening opening / closing unit 82-1 that opens and closes the return opening 80 is a rotary return opening opening / closing unit 82-1.

[0113] The rotary return opening opening / closing unit 82-1 has the function of opening and closing the return opening 80 and the function of acting as a partition wall (166) between the heat exchanger 46 and the fan 44. The return opening opening / closing unit 82-1 rotates about a support shaft to establish a return opening open state (see FIG. 14 ) in which the return opening 80 is open, and a return opening closed state (not shown) in which the return opening 80 is closed. In the return opening open state, the return opening opening / closing unit 82-1 functions as a partition wall (166) for the air sent from the fan 44. In this state, the air sent from the fan 44 is sent to a one-side passage 170 separated by the partition wall (166). On the other hand, in the return opening closed state, the return opening opening opening / closing unit 82-1 does not function as a partition wall (166) for the air sent from the fan 44. At this time, the air sent from the fan 44 is sent to one side passage 170 and the other side passage 172 separated by the partition wall (166).

[0114] In the air conditioning unit 40 relating to the first variant, the return opening opening / closing section 82-1 is a rotary type return opening opening / closing section 82-1, so the distance between the heat exchanger 46 and the fan 44 needs to be at least equal to or greater than the rotation radius of the return opening opening / closing section 82-1.

[0115] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 40 according to the first modification can be easily positioned in both the open and closed states of the return opening without blocking the outlet of the fan 44 with respect to the air sent from the fan 44. When configured in this manner, the return opening opening / closing section 82-1 does not cause a sudden increase in air flow resistance, and it is easy to avoid a reduction in the amount of air circulating due to the return opening opening / closing section 82-1.

[0116] (Second Modification) Fig. 15 is a configuration diagram of a heating system 202 for a secondary battery 20 equipped with a vehicle air conditioner 200 according to a second modification, which is an example of the present invention. Fig. 16, which is an example of the present invention, is a configuration diagram showing a state in which the vehicle air conditioner 200 according to the second modification heats the secondary battery 20.

[0117] The vehicle air conditioning system 200 according to the second modification differs from the above-described embodiment in that the heat of the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 86 is transferred to the medium circuit 90 via a low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 .

[0118] The cooling circuit 86 of this vehicle air conditioning system 200 is composed of a compressor 96, a water-cooled condenser 100 through which the refrigerant from the compressor 96 passes, an electric expansion valve 214 through which the refrigerant from the water-cooled condenser 100 passes, and a chiller 216 through which the refrigerant from the electric expansion valve 214 passes.

[0119] The cooling circuit 86 uses a flammable refrigerant such as propane or a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide that is required to have a higher pressure resistance than R134a. The cooling circuit 86 is disposed in an exterior space away from the room 16.

[0120] Furthermore, the medium circuit 90 that adjusts the temperature of the secondary battery 20 is provided with a water-water heat exchanger 220 instead of the chiller 110 described above.

[0121] The low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 includes a low-temperature heat medium circuit pump 222 and a three-way valve 224 through which the low-temperature heat medium sent from the low-temperature heat medium circuit pump 222 passes. The low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 also includes a cooler core 212 through which the cold or hot heat medium from the three-way valve 224 passes, and a chiller 216 through which the low-temperature heat medium from the cooler core 212 passes.

[0122] The three-way valve 224, in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 32, establishes a branching state in which the low-temperature heat medium from the pump 222 for the low-temperature heat medium circuit flows to the water-water heat exchanger 220. Furthermore, the three-way valve 224, in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 32, establishes a non-branching state in which the low-temperature heat medium from the pump 222 for the low-temperature heat medium circuit flows to the cooler core 212 in the passage 34. The cold / hot heat medium branched by the three-way valve 224 is returned to the chiller 216 via the water-water heat exchanger 220.

[0123] The low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 uses antifreeze as the low-temperature heat medium. The antifreeze used in the low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 has a higher alcohol content than the antifreeze used in the medium circuit 90, and is a heat medium with high fluidity even at extremely low temperatures. The low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 is arranged in a space closer to the room 16 than the air conditioning circuit 86.

[0124] As a result, the cooling circuit 86, which uses a flammable refrigerant such as propane or a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide that requires a higher pressure resistance than R134a, is arranged at a position away from the room 16. On the other hand, the low-temperature heat medium circuit 210, which uses antifreeze as a heat medium, is arranged at a position closer to the room 16 than the cooling circuit 86.

[0125] 15 , when heating the room 16 provided in the vehicle 14, the control unit 32 opens the intake opening 56 and the supply opening 60 and closes the reflux opening 76 and the return opening 80. The control unit 32 also sets the switching unit 122 to the bypass state and the flow path switching unit 126 to the circulation state. Furthermore, the control unit 32 operates the compressor 96, the heating-side pump 120, and the low-temperature heat medium circuit pump 222.

[0126] As a result, the automotive air conditioning system 10 heats the air in the passage 34 and sends it to the room 16 by passing the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 heated by the water-cooled condenser 100 through the heater core 50 .

[0127] When cooling the secondary battery 20 , the control unit 32 puts the three-way valve 224 of the low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 into a branched state and operates the battery-side pump 130 of the medium circuit 90 .

[0128] As a result, the vehicle air conditioner 10 cools the antifreeze solution in the medium circuit 90 with the low-temperature heat medium in the low-temperature heat medium circuit 210 cooled by the cooling circuit 86 , thereby cooling the secondary battery 20 .

[0129] 16 , when heating the secondary battery 20, the control unit 32 closes the supply opening 60 while leaving the intake opening 56 open. Note that the intake opening 56 may be closed. The control unit 32 also opens the reflux opening 76 and the return opening 80 and energizes the heating unit 52.

[0130] The control unit 32 also sets the switching unit 122 to a bypass state, sets the flow path switching unit 126 to a detouring state, and sets the three-way valve 224 to a non-branching state. Furthermore, the control unit 32 operates the compressor 96, the heating-side pump 120, the low-temperature heat medium circuit pump 222, and the battery-side pump 130.

[0131] As a result, the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generating portion 52 is transferred to the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 via the cooler core 212, the chiller 216, and the water-cooled condenser 100. The heat transferred to the antifreeze in the heating circuit 88 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 by the medium circuit 90, and heats the secondary battery 20.

[0132] (Third Modification) FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a heating system 302 for a secondary battery 20 that includes a vehicle air conditioning device 300 according to a third modification of the present invention.

[0133] In a vehicle air conditioner 300 according to the third modified example, the cooling circuit 86 is replaced with a heat pump circuit 304 capable of both heating and cooling, as compared with the above-described embodiment.

[0134] That is, the heat pump circuit 304 includes a compressor 310, the water-cooled condenser 100 described above, an outdoor heat exchanger 314 having an outdoor fan 312, a receiver 316, a check valve 317, and an internal heat exchanger 318. The heat pump circuit 304 also includes a thermostatic expansion valve 320, the heat exchanger 46 described above, a fixed throttle 322, and a bypass path 324 through which refrigerant bypasses the fixed throttle 322. The heat pump circuit 304 also includes a flow path switching valve 326 that opens and closes the bypass path 324, and a refrigerant flow path 328 that connects these paths to enable refrigerant circulation. A flow path switching valve 330 is provided in the refrigerant flow path 328.

[0135] The refrigerant from the receiver 316 flows to the chiller 110 via the second electric expansion valve 108. The refrigerant from the chiller 110 returns to the refrigerant flow path 328. In addition, the refrigerant from the internal heat exchanger 318 flows to the refrigerant flow path 328 via a check valve 319.

[0136] A bypass passage 334 is connected in parallel to the exterior heat exchanger 314 via a bypass valve 332. The bypass passage 334 can bypass the exterior heat exchanger 314. A radiator 342 is connected between the heater core 50 and the water-cooled condenser 100 via a bypass valve 340.

[0137] As a result, the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generating portion 52 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 via the heat exchanger 46 and chiller 110 of the heat pump circuit 304 , thereby heating the secondary battery 20 .

[0138] (Fourth Modification) FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a heating system 402 for a secondary battery 20 that includes a vehicle air conditioning device 400 according to a fourth modification of the present invention.

[0139] The vehicle air conditioning device 400 according to the fourth modification is different from the above-described embodiment in that heated air in the passage 34 is blown directly to the secondary battery 20 .

[0140] A passage 410 is connected to the downstream side of the unit housing 42 of the vehicle air conditioner 400, and serves as a ventilation path for circulating the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 to the secondary battery 20. The passage 410 constitutes the heat transfer mechanism 30.

[0141] A flow opening 412 and a flow opening opening opening / closing unit 414 that opens and closes the flow opening 412 are provided at a portion of the unit housing 42 to which the flow passage 410 is connected. The opening and closing of the flow opening opening / closing unit 414 is controlled by the control unit 32.

[0142] As a result, the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generating portion 52 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 via the flow passage 410 and heats the secondary battery 20 .

[0143] 1 , the vehicle air conditioning device 10 is provided closer to the front of the vehicle than the room 16, and the secondary battery 20 is disposed below the room 16. Therefore, the flow passage 410 that constitutes a part of the heat transfer mechanism 30 is provided at least below the interior space of the room 16.

[0144] (Operation) According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the following operations are provided.

[0145] The vehicle air conditioning devices 10, 200, 300, 400 are provided in an air passage 34 leading to a room 16 provided in a vehicle 14, and include a heat generating section 52 that generates heat when energized, and a heat transfer mechanism 30 that can transfer the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section 52 to a secondary battery 20 provided in the vehicle 14, and the heat transfer mechanism 30 transitions between a heat transfer state 36 in which the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 is transferred to the secondary battery 20, and a non-heat transfer state 38 in which the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 is not transferred to the secondary battery 20.

[0146] The vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, 400 are each provided in an air passage 34 leading to a room 16 provided in a vehicle 14, and include a heat generating unit 52 that generates heat when energized, a supply opening 60 through which the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating unit 52 passes when being supplied to the room 16, a supply opening opening / closing unit 62 that opens and closes the supply opening 60, and an air passage 70 that connects the upstream side and downstream side of the location of the heat generating unit 52 in the air flow direction leading to the room 16, and ventilates the air from the downstream side to the upstream side. When the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 provided in the vehicle 14 by the heat transfer mechanism 30 provided in the vehicle 14, the return opening 76 is directed to the ventilation passage 70, and the return opening opening opening / closing portion 78 opens and closes the return opening 76. When the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 is to be transferred to the secondary battery 20, the supply opening 60 is closed by the supply opening opening / closing portion 62, and the return opening 76 is opened by the return opening opening / closing portion 78.

[0147] The method of heating the secondary battery 20 uses a vehicle air conditioner 10, 200, 300, 400 that is provided in an air passage 34 leading to a room 16 provided in the vehicle 14, has a heat generating section 52 that generates heat when energized, and adjusts the temperature of the room 16, in which the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section 52 is absorbed by a heat transfer medium flowing inside a heat exchanger 46 provided in the passage 34, and the heat absorbed by the heat transfer medium heats the secondary battery 20 provided in the vehicle 14.

[0148] According to the vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, 400 and the method for heating the secondary battery 20 having these configurations, in the heat transfer state 36, the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generating portion 52 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 via the heat transfer mechanism 30, thereby heating the secondary battery 20. This allows the heat generating portion 52 provided in the passage 34 to be used both when heating the air heading toward the compartment 16 of the vehicle 14 and when heating the secondary battery 20, thereby making effective use of the heat generating portion 52 provided in the air passage 34.

[0149] Furthermore, since the heating section 52 in the passage 34 is used to heat the secondary battery 20, it is possible to reduce the dedicated heating section for heating the secondary battery 20 depending on the specifications of the vehicle 14. In this case, no space is required for installing a dedicated heating section for heating the secondary battery 20, resulting in a corresponding reduction in costs.

[0150] In addition, as an example of a specific embodiment, the heat transfer mechanism 30 may include a transfer path that transfers the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 without passing through the interior space of the room 16.

[0151] When configured in this manner, the vehicle air conditioning system 10, 200, 300, 400 can improve the efficiency of heat transfer to the secondary battery 20 compared to when the heat of the air in the heated passage 34 is transferred via the internal space of the room 16.

[0152] In addition, as a specific example, the transmission path may be provided at least in one of the front and bottom of the interior space of the room 16 .

[0153] This configuration reduces the range of changes required to position the transmission path relative to the vehicle 14 compared to rear or upper locations.

[0154] Furthermore, one example of the heat transfer mechanism 30 may include a heat exchanger 46 that is provided in the passage 34 and exchanges heat between the heat transfer medium flowing therethrough and the air in the passage 34; a cooling circuit 86 that includes the heat exchanger 46 and performs an air conditioning cycle to cool the air in the passage 34; a medium circuit 90 through which a medium that exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium flowing in the cooling circuit 86 flows and transfers the heat of the medium to the secondary battery 20; and a ventilation path 70 that connects the upstream and downstream sides of the locations where the heat exchanger 46 and the heat generating portion 52 are located in the air flow direction toward the room 16, and ventilates air from the downstream side to the upstream side when the heat of the air in the passage 34 that has been heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 is sent to the secondary battery 20.

[0155] The heat transfer medium flowing through the cooling circuit 86 includes the refrigerant described in the embodiment and the low-temperature refrigerant described in the second modified example. The heat transfer medium is not limited to the refrigerant described in the embodiment and the low-temperature refrigerant described in the second modified example, and may be another medium.

[0156] In this configuration, heat is transferred to the secondary battery 20 by utilizing at least a part of the cooling circuit 86 provided to cool the room 16 by a cooling cycle.

[0157] As an example of a specific implementation of the ventilation passage 70, it may include a one-way passage (70, 410) that ventilates air heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 from the downstream side to the upstream side.

[0158] The one-way passage includes the ventilation passage 70 in the embodiment, the second modified example, and the third modified example, and the passage 410 as the ventilation passage in the fourth modified example.

[0159] When configured in this manner, the vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, 400 can be configured by adding an air duct 70 that functions to transfer heat to the secondary battery 20 to the air conditioner.

[0160] As an example of a specific embodiment of the ventilation passage 70 , it may be configured to include at least a part of the passage through which the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 46 flows when being directed toward the room 16 .

[0161] In this configuration, a part of the air passage 34 provided for air conditioning can be used as the ventilation duct 70, so the overall volume of the vehicle air conditioner 10, 200, 300, 400 is smaller than when the entire ventilation duct 70 is newly constructed.

[0162] As an example of a specific implementation of the ventilation path 70, it may constitute at least a part of a circulation path 72 that returns air heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 to the heat generating portion 52 via the heat exchanger 46.

[0163] When configured in this manner, the heat transfer efficiency is higher than when the newly taken-in air is heated by the heat generating section 52 and the heat of the air heated by the heat generating section 52 is transferred to the secondary battery 20 via the heat exchanger 46.

[0164] Furthermore, as an example of a specific implementation of the heat transfer mechanism 30, it may include a circulation path 72 that returns air heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 to the heat generating portion 52 via the heat exchanger 46, and the circulation path 72 may include a first passage 72A that runs from one side of the heat exchanger 46 to the other side, and a second passage 72B that runs from the other side of the heat exchanger 46 to one side.

[0165] When configured in this manner, a portion of the air passage 34 (second passage 72B) provided for air conditioning is effectively utilized as the ventilation passage 70, and the overall volume of the vehicle air conditioner 10, 200, 300, 400 is reduced compared to when all of the ventilation passages 70 are newly constructed.

[0166] As another example of the implementation, a supply opening 60 may be provided through which the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section 52 passes when being supplied to the room 16, and a supply opening opening / closing section 62 for opening and closing the supply opening 60, and when the heat of the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section 52 is sent to the secondary battery 20, the supply opening 60 may be closed by the supply opening opening / closing section 62.

[0167] In this configuration, the heat transfer efficiency is higher when transferring heat to the secondary battery 20 compared to when the heated air in the passage 34 flows into the room 16 of the vehicle 14 through the supply opening 60.

[0168] Furthermore, for example, in a fourth modified example, the heat transfer mechanism 30 may include a flow passage 410 that sends the air in the passage 34 heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion 52 to the secondary battery 20 .

[0169] In this configuration, heat can be transferred to the secondary battery 20 simply by adding a flow passage 410 such as a duct to the air conditioner.

[0170] As another example of the embodiment, a heating circuit 88 is further provided in which a heating cycle is performed to heat the air in the passage 34 using at least a portion of the cooling circuit 86, and when the heat transfer mechanism 30 is in the heat transfer state 36, no heating cycle is performed to warm the room 16.

[0171] In this configuration, the secondary battery 20 is heated more efficiently than when the secondary battery 20 is heated while a heating cycle for warming the room 16 is being performed.

[0172] In another embodiment, the heat transfer state 36 may be switched to a state in which a heating cycle is performed to heat the room 16 .

[0173] In this configuration, the room 16 is heated by switching while the secondary battery 20 is being heated, compared to when the heating cycle for heating the room 16 is not performed in the heat transfer state 36. This allows, for example, a passenger in the room 16 to feel warm air from the air heated by the heating cycle for heating the room 16.

[0174] As another example of the implementation, the heating system 12, 202, 302, 402 for the secondary battery 20 may include the above-mentioned vehicle air conditioning device 10, 200, 300, 400, the secondary battery 20 provided in the vehicle 14, and a control unit 32 that controls the heat transfer mechanism 30 of the vehicle air conditioning device 10, 200, 300, 400.

[0175] Even in this configuration, the same effects as those described above are achieved.

[0176] As an example of a specific implementation, the control unit 32 may be configured to stop supplying power from the secondary battery 20 to the drive unit 140 that drives the vehicle 14 when charging the secondary battery 20, and to supply power from the secondary battery 20 to the vehicle air conditioning units 10, 200, 300, and 400.

[0177] In this configuration, the charging time of the secondary battery 20 is shortened compared to when power is supplied from the secondary battery 20 to the drive unit 140 when the secondary battery 20 is charged.

[0178] As an example of a specific implementation, the control unit 32 may be configured to stop supplying power from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or the interior light 144 of the vehicle 14 when charging the secondary battery 20, and to supply power from the secondary battery 20 to the vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, 400.

[0179] In this configuration, the charging time of the secondary battery 20 is shortened compared to when power is supplied from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or the interior lamp 144 when the secondary battery 20 is charged.

[0180] As an example of a specific implementation, the control unit 32 may be configured to select between a power supply stop state in which power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or interior light 144 of the vehicle 14 is stopped, and a power supply allowance state in which power supply from the secondary battery 20 to the interior display unit 142 or interior light 144 is allowed, when charging the secondary battery 20, so as to supply power from the secondary battery 20 to the vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, 400.

[0181] When configured in this manner, a power supply stop state and a power supply permitted state can be selected, and a state that allows the interior display unit 142 to display or the interior light 144 to light up and a state that suppresses unnecessary power consumption can be appropriately selected.

[0182] As an example of a specific implementation, the control unit 32 may be configured to supply power from the secondary battery 20 to the vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, and 400 in the power supply permitted state.

[0183] In this configuration, convenience is improved compared to when power is supplied to the vehicle air conditioners 10, 200, 300, 400 only when the power supply is stopped.

[0184] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0185] For example, the heating systems in the above embodiments have been described as the heating systems 12, 202, 302, and 402, but they may also be heating and cooling systems that can perform cooling in addition to heating.

[0186] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-150393, filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 15, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for a vehicle comprising: a heat generating unit that is provided in an air passage leading to a room provided in a vehicle and generates heat when electricity is applied; and a heat transfer mechanism capable of transferring heat of the air in the passage heated by the heat generated by the heat generating unit to a secondary battery provided in the vehicle, wherein the heat transfer mechanism transitions between a heat transfer state in which the heat of the heated air in the passage is transferred to the secondary battery, and a non-heat transfer state in which the heat of the heated air in the passage is not transferred to the secondary battery.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat transfer mechanism is provided with a transfer path that transfers the heat of the heated air in the passage without passing through the interior space of the room.

3. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission path is provided at least either in the front or in the lower part of the interior space of the room.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat transfer mechanism comprises: a heat exchanger provided within the passage for exchanging heat between a heat transfer medium flowing therein and the air within the passage; a cooling circuit including the heat exchanger and performing a cooling cycle for cooling the air within the passage; a medium circuit through which a medium that exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium flowing through the cooling circuit flows and transfers heat from the medium to the secondary battery; and a ventilation path that connects the upstream and downstream sides of the locations of the heat exchanger and the heat generating portion in the air flow direction toward the room, and ventilates air from the downstream side to the upstream side when the heat of the air within the passage heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion is sent to the secondary battery.

5. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, characterized in that the ventilation passage has a one-way passage for ventilating air heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion from the downstream side to the upstream side.

6. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, characterized in that the ventilation passage includes at least a part of the passage through which air that has passed through the heat exchanger flows when the air is directed toward the room.

7. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, characterized in that the ventilation passage constitutes at least a part of a circulation passage that returns air heated by heat generated by the heat generating portion to the heat generating portion via the heat exchanger.

8. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, characterized in that the heat transfer mechanism includes a circulation path that returns air heated by heat generated by the heat generating portion to the heat generating portion via the heat exchanger, and the circulation path includes a first passage that runs from one side of the heat exchanger to the other side and a second passage that runs from the other side of the heat exchanger to one side.

9. A vehicle air conditioning system as described in claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a supply opening through which air in the passage heated by heat generated by the heat generating portion passes when it is supplied to the room, and a supply opening opening opening / closing portion for opening and closing the supply opening, wherein the supply opening is closed by the supply opening opening opening portion when heat of the air in the passage heated by heat generated by the heat generating portion is sent to the secondary battery.

10. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat transfer mechanism includes a flow path for sending air in the passage heated by the heat generated by the heat generating portion to the secondary battery.

11. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, further comprising a heating circuit in which a heating cycle is performed to warm the air in the passage by utilizing at least a portion of the cooling circuit, and the heating cycle is not performed when the heat transfer mechanism is in the heat transfer state.

12. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 11, characterized in that it is possible to switch from the heat transfer state to a state in which the heating cycle is performed.

13. An air conditioning system for a vehicle comprising: a heat generating section provided in an air passage leading to a room provided in a vehicle, the heat generating section generating heat when energized; a supply opening through which air in the passage heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section passes when it is supplied to the room; a supply opening opening opening / closing section which opens and closes the supply opening; a ventilation path which connects the upstream side and downstream side of the location of the heat generating section in the air flow direction toward the room and ventilates air from the downstream side to the upstream side; a return opening which guides the air in the passage to the ventilation path when heat of the air in the passage heated by the heat generated by the heat generating section is transferred to a secondary battery provided in the vehicle by a heat transfer mechanism provided in the vehicle; and a return opening opening opening / closing section which opens and closes the return opening, wherein when the heat of the heated air in the passage is to be transferred to the secondary battery, the supply opening is closed by the supply opening opening opening / closing section and the return opening is opened by the return opening opening opening.

14. A heating system for a secondary battery comprising: a vehicle air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a secondary battery provided in the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the heat transfer mechanism of the vehicle air conditioning device.

15. The heating system for a secondary battery as described in claim 14, characterized in that the control unit is configured to stop power supply from the secondary battery to a drive unit that drives the vehicle when the secondary battery is being charged, and to supply power from the secondary battery to the vehicle air conditioning system.

16. The heating system for a secondary battery as described in claim 14, characterized in that the control unit is configured to stop the supply of power from the secondary battery to an interior display unit or interior light of the vehicle when the secondary battery is being charged, and to supply power from the secondary battery to the vehicle air conditioning system.

17. The heating system for a secondary battery as described in claim 14, characterized in that the control unit is capable of selecting, when charging the secondary battery, a power supply stop state in which power supply from the secondary battery to the interior display unit or interior light of the vehicle is stopped, and a power supply permitted state in which power supply from the secondary battery to the interior display unit or the interior light is permitted, and is configured to supply power from the secondary battery to the vehicle air conditioning system.

18. The heating system for a secondary battery according to claim 17, characterized in that the control unit is configured to supply power from the secondary battery to the vehicle air conditioning device in the power supply permitted state.

19. A method for heating a secondary battery using a vehicle air conditioning system that is provided in an air passage leading to a room provided in a vehicle, and has a heat generating part that generates heat when electricity is applied, and that adjusts the temperature of the room, characterized in that the heat of the air in the passage heated by the heat generated by the heat generating part is absorbed by a heat transfer medium flowing inside a heat exchanger provided in the passage, and the secondary battery provided in the vehicle is heated by the heat absorbed by the heat transfer medium.

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