Heat management system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a heat management system enabling independent adjustment of a flow rate of a heating medium flowing through a high-temperature side heating medium circuit and a flow rate of the heating medium flowing through an in-vehicle heat generator temperature control circuit. [Solution] A high-temperature side heating medium circuit 20 includes: a circulation pump P20 that pushes out a heating medium; a heating medium heating device 22 that can heat the heating medium; a path through which the heating medium flows in the order of the circulation pump P20, a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, the heating medium heating device 22, and a heater core; a proportional control three-way valve V2 that causes the heating medium that has passed through the heating medium heating device 22 to branch toward a battery temperature adjustment circuit 40 on a path downstream of the heating medium heating device 22; and a junction C20 that joins the heating medium that has flowed through the battery temperature adjustment circuit 40 and is then flowing to the high-temperature side heating medium circuit 20 to a path between the circulation pump P20 and the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12.

Description

Thermal Management System

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

[0002] In recent years, the use of electric vehicles has increased. In electric vehicles, battery power is also used to regulate the temperature of the vehicle interior and various on-board devices. In order to ensure a sufficient driving distance with a charged battery, it is necessary to use power efficiently. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a thermal management system using a heat pump.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-052534

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a thermal management system that can independently adjust the flow rate of heat medium flowing through a high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the flow rate of heat medium flowing through an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a thermal management system includes a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant and including a compressor, a high-temperature side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit including a heater core that heats air supplied to a vehicle interior and configured to circulate a heat medium that can exchange heat with the refrigerant via the high-temperature side heat exchanger; an on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature regulation circuit including a temperature regulation unit that regulates the temperature of on-vehicle heat-generating devices and configured to circulate a heat medium; and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature regulation circuit are configured to be switchable between connection and independence with each other. and a flow path switching device connected to the high-temperature side heat medium circuit, wherein the high-temperature side heat medium circuit includes a circulation pump that pushes out the heat medium, a heat medium heating device that can heat the heat medium, a path through which the heat medium flows in the order of the circulation pump, the high-temperature side heat exchanger, the heat medium heating device, and the heater core, a branching device that branches the heat medium that has passed through the heat medium heating device from a path downstream of the heat medium heating device toward the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit, and a junction section that merges the heat medium that has flowed through the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit into a path between the circulation pump and the high-temperature side heat exchanger.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal management system that can independently adjust the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the configuration of a thermal management system, and is a diagram showing an example of the state of the thermal management system when warming up the battery and heating the vehicle interior.

[0008] [System Configuration] <System Overview> This embodiment relates to a thermal management system having a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The thermal management system of this embodiment is installed in an electric vehicle and is configured to be able to independently adjust the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the on-board heat-generating device temperature control circuit.

[0009] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment. The thermal management system 1 is configured so that circuits are switched in response to various operations. FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration during some of the various operations.

[0010] The thermal management system 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 configured to circulate a refrigerant. The refrigerant may be, but is not limited to, a hydrofluoroolefin. The thermal management system 1 also includes a high-temperature heat medium circuit 20, a low-temperature heat medium circuit 30, a battery temperature control circuit 40, a motor temperature control circuit 50, and an outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, each configured to circulate a fluid heat medium, such as a coolant. Of these circuits, the low-temperature heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 are connected to a flow path switching device 70, such as an eight-way valve. The flow path switching device 70 can connect these flow paths to each other to form a circulation path through which these circuits cooperate to circulate the heat medium, or can separate one or more circuits from the other circuits to make them independent.

[0011] The flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 are connected to a flow path switching device such as a four-way valve V20 that connects or disconnects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60. The four-way valve V20 can form a circulation path through which the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to circulate the heat medium, or can separate these circuits from each other.

[0012] Furthermore, the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 are connected to a flow path switching device such as a four-way valve V21 that connects or disconnects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the battery temperature control circuit 40. This four-way valve V21 can form a circulation path through which the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the battery temperature control circuit 40 cooperate to circulate the heat medium, or can separate these circuits from each other.

[0013] The thermal management system 1 also includes an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit 100. The thermal management system 1 also includes various sensors (not shown) and a control device that controls the operation of each part of the thermal management system 1. The operation of the thermal management system 1 is controlled based on the detected values ​​of the various sensors, various requests, etc.

[0014] The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11 that compresses gaseous refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure and then discharges it, a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 that condenses the compressed gaseous refrigerant to release heat, a pressure reducing device 13 such as an expansion valve that expands the liquid refrigerant to a low pressure, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 that evaporates the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant to absorb heat. The refrigerant circuit 10 is configured to function as a heat pump that circulates the refrigerant and repeats compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.

[0015] In the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium circulating in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. In the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30.

[0016] In the example shown in the figure, the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 includes a refrigerant passage 12a through which the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10 passes, and a heat medium passage 12b through which the heat medium circulating in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 passes. The low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 includes a refrigerant passage 14a through which the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10 passes, and a heat medium passage 14b through which the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 passes.

[0017] The elements of the refrigerant circuit 10 are connected by refrigerant flow paths 10a, 10b, and 10c. The compressor 11 is connected to an inlet of a refrigerant passage 12a of a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 by a refrigerant flow path 10a. The outlet of the refrigerant passage 12a of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to an inlet of a refrigerant passage 14a of a low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 by a refrigerant flow path 10b, and a pressure reducing device 13 such as an expansion valve is installed on the refrigerant flow path 10b. The outlet of the refrigerant passage 14a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to the compressor 11 by a refrigerant flow path 10c. An accumulator 15 is installed on the refrigerant flow path 10c.

[0018] <High-Temperature Side Heat Medium Circuit> The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and a heater core 21 that is housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100 and heats the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is a circuit through which a heat medium that has been heated by receiving heat from the refrigerant circuit 10 via the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 circulates. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 can be used to activate the heater core 21 to heat the vehicle cabin.

[0019] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the high temperature side heat medium circuit 20 are connected by heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, and 20g.

[0020] The outlet of the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to the inlet side 21a of the heater core 21 by heat medium passages 20a and 20b via a proportional control three-way valve V22 serving as a branching device. A heat medium heating device 22 is installed on the path of the heat medium passage 20a.

[0021] The inlet of the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to the four-way valve V20 via the heat medium passage 20c connected thereto, the junction C20, and the heat medium passage 20d upstream thereof. A circulation pump P20 for pushing out the heat medium is installed on the heat medium passage 20d. The outlet side 21b of the heater core 21 is connected to the four-way valve V20 via the heat medium passage 20e.

[0022] With this configuration, the heat medium is pushed out by the circulation pump P20 and circulates through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. The heat medium, which receives heat from the refrigerant circuit 10 and is warmed while passing through the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, is supplied to the heater core 21 from the inlet side 21a and passes through the heater core 21. At this time, the heat medium releases heat from the heater core 21, causing the heater core 21 to function. After passing through the heater core 21, the heat medium is discharged from the outlet side 21b and returns to the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12.

[0023] The inlet of the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to the four-way valve V21 via the heat medium passage 20c connected thereto, the junction C20, and the heat medium passage 20g upstream of the junction C20. The outlet of the heat medium passage 12b of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 is connected to the four-way valve V21 by the heat medium passages 20a and 20f via the proportional control three-way valve V22.

[0024] The high temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is connected to at least the battery temperature control circuit 40 through the four-way valve V21, and can cooperate with the battery temperature control circuit 40 to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0025] <Low-temperature side heat medium circuit> The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 described above, a cooler core 31 that is housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100 and cools the air supplied to the vehicle cabin, a proportional control three-way valve V30, and a three-way valve V31. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is a circuit through which the heat medium that has been cooled by transferring heat to the refrigerant circuit 10 via the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 circulates. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 can be used to operate the cooler core 31 to cool or dehumidify the vehicle cabin.

[0026] Furthermore, the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 can be connected to one another by a flow path switching device 70. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 can also be used to control the temperatures of the battery 41 and the motor 51 by forming a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50. In other words, in this case, the exhaust heat of the battery 41 and the motor 51 can be used as a heat absorption source for the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0027] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected by heat medium flow paths 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f, 30g, 30h, and 30i. An outlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is connected to an inlet side 31a of the cooler core 31 by the heat medium flow paths 30a and 30b via a proportional control three-way valve V30. In addition, the proportional control three-way valve V30 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 30c.

[0028] The outlet side 31b of the cooler core 31 is connected to the inlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 via the heat medium flow path 30d connected thereto, the junction C30, the heat medium flow path 30e downstream thereof, the junction C31, and the heat medium flow path 30f downstream thereof. A circulation pump P30 that pushes out the heat medium is installed on the path of the heat medium flow path 30e.

[0029] The three-way valve V31 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 via the heat medium flow path 30h. The three-way valve V31 is also connected to the inlet of the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 via the heat medium flow path 30i, the junction C31, and the heat medium flow path 30f downstream of the junction C31. The three-way valve V31 is also connected to the heat medium flow path 30e via the heat medium flow path 30g.

[0030] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is connected to at least one of the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 by the flow path switching device 70, and can cooperate with at least one of these circuits to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0031] The heat medium is circulated through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 by a circulation pump P30 installed on the heat medium flow path 30e. As the heat medium passes through the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14, it rejects heat to the refrigerant circuit 10 and is cooled. The cooled heat medium can be supplied to the cooler core 31 from the inlet side 31a and pass through the cooler core 31. At this time, the heat medium absorbs heat in the cooler core 31, allowing the cooler core 31 to function. The heat medium discharged from the outlet side 31b after passing through the cooler core 31, or the heat medium that bypasses the cooler core 31, then passes through at least one of the battery temperature control circuit 40, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the exterior heat exchange circuit 60, which are connected via the flow path switching device 70, before returning to the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

[0032] <Battery Temperature Control Circuit> The battery temperature control circuit 40 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit includes the heat medium passage 14b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 described above and a battery 41 as an in-vehicle heat-generating device. The battery 41 is provided with a battery temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the battery 41. The battery temperature control circuit 40 can be used to adjust the temperature of the battery 41.

[0033] Note that a configuration similar to that of the battery temperature control circuit 40 can also be applied to other in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuits having an in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of other in-vehicle equipment that similarly requires temperature control, not limited to the battery.

[0034] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the battery temperature control circuit 40 are connected by heat medium flow paths 40a, 40b, and 40c. The inlet side 41a of the battery 41 is connected to the four-way valve V21 by the heat medium flow path 40a. The outlet side 41b of the battery 41 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 40b. The flow path switching device 70 and the four-way valve V21 are connected by the heat medium flow path 40c.

[0035] The battery temperature control circuit 40 can form circulation paths that independently circulate the heat medium by using the four-way valve V21 and the flow path switching device 70.

[0036] In addition, the battery temperature control circuit 40 can connect its flow path to at least one of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the motor temperature control circuit 50, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 using the flow path switching device 70, and can form a circulation path that circulates the heat medium in cooperation with at least one of these circuits.

[0037] The battery temperature control circuit 40 also connects the flow paths of at least the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 with the four-way valve V21, and can cooperate with the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0038] A circulation pump P40 that pushes out the heat medium is installed on the heat medium flow path 40a. Even if the battery temperature control circuit 40 forms a circulation path independent of other circuits, or even if the other circuits that cooperate to form a circulation path do not have a circulation pump, the heat medium can be circulated by the circulation pump P40, and the temperature of the battery 41 can be regulated.

[0039] <Motor Temperature Control Circuit> The motor temperature control circuit 50, which serves as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit, includes a motor 51, which serves as an in-vehicle heat-generating device. The motor 51 is provided with a motor temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the motor 51. The motor temperature control circuit 50 can be used to circulate a heat medium to adjust the temperature of the motor 51. Furthermore, the thermal management system 1 can use the motor 51, which constantly generates heat while the vehicle is running, as a heat source via the motor temperature control circuit 50.

[0040] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the motor temperature control circuit 50 are connected by heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b. The inlet side 51a of the motor 51 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 50a. The outlet side 51b of the motor 51 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 50b. The motor temperature control circuit 50 connects the flow paths of at least one of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 with each other by the flow path switching device 70, and can form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with at least one of these circuits.

[0041] <Outdoor Heat Exchange Circuit> The outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 includes a radiator 61 as an outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 can be used to circulate a heat medium and exchange heat between the heat medium and outdoor air.

[0042] In the example shown in the figure, the elements of the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 are connected by heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c. The inlet side 61a of the radiator 61 is connected to the four-way valve V20 by the heat medium flow path 60a. The flow path switching device 70 and the four-way valve V20 are connected by the heat medium flow path 60c. When the four-way valve V20 connects these two heat medium flow paths 60a and 60c, the inlet side 61a of the radiator 61 is connected to the flow path switching device 70. The outlet side 61b of the radiator 61 is connected to the flow path switching device 70 by the heat medium flow path 60b.

[0043] The outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 can be separated from the other circuits and made independent by the flow path switching device 70. Furthermore, the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 can connect the flow paths of at least one of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the motor temperature control circuit 50 by the flow path switching device 70, and can form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium in cooperation with at least one of these circuits.

[0044] <HVAC Unit> As described above, the heater core 21 of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the cooler core 31 of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are housed in the case 110 of the HVAC unit 100. The case 110 forms the outer shell of the HVAC unit 100 and also defines an air flow passage 120 therein.

[0045] The HVAC unit 100 also has an intake unit 130. The intake unit 130 closes either an outside air intake port that introduces outside air into the vehicle cabin or an inside air intake port that introduces inside air into the vehicle cabin, thereby switching the air introduced into the case 110 between outside air (outside air intake) and inside air (inside air circulation). The HVAC unit 100 also has a blower 140 installed adjacent to the intake unit 130 so that the air introduced into the case 110 is supplied to the air flow passage 120.

[0046] A cooler core 31 is installed at the upstream side of the air flow passage 120. A heater core passage 121 and a bypass passage 122 are formed in parallel at the downstream side of the air flow passage 120. The heater core 21 is provided in the heater core passage 121. Therefore, when air introduced into the case 110 is guided to the heater core passage 121, the air is ventilated through the cooler core 31 and then ventilated to the heater core 21. On the other hand, when air introduced into the case 110 is guided to the bypass passage 122, the air is ventilated through the cooler core 31 and then bypasses the heater core 21. The ratio of air passing through the heater core passage 121 and air passing through the bypass passage 122 is adjusted by an air mix damper 150.

[0047] [System Operation] A specific operation of the thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] 1 shows the state of the thermal management system 1 at startup when the outside air temperature is low. At this time, the vehicle interior is heated and the battery 41 is warmed up.

[0049] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, through which the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 flows, is set as follows.

[0050] The proportional control three-way valve V22 forms heat medium flow paths 20a, 20b so that the heat medium that is heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and also heated by the heat medium heating device 22 flows to the heater core 21.

[0051] The four-way valve V20 connects the heat medium flow paths 20d and 20e so that the heat medium is circulated through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 separated from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 by the heat medium being pushed out by the circulation pump P20.

[0052] As a result, the heat medium flow paths 20d, 20c, 20a, 20b, and 20e form a path through which the heat medium flows in the order of the circulation pump P20, the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, the heat medium heating device 22, and the heater core 21. As a result, the vehicle interior is heated by the heat of the heat medium that absorbs heat in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and is heated by the heat medium heating device 22.

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

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

[0055] The three-way valve V31 forms the heat medium flow paths 30h and 30g of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 so that the heat medium flowing from the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 via the flow path switching device 70 merges with the heat medium flow path 30e.

[0056] The flow path switching device 70 connects the flow paths of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 and the outdoor heat exchange circuit 60 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. Thus, the heat medium flow paths 30a, 30c, 30h, 30g, 30e, and 30f of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 60a, 60b, and 60c passing through the radiator 61. The heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by the circulation pump P30 pushing the heat medium. As a result, the heat medium that is heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 passes through the radiator 61 and exchanges heat with outside air. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 10 operates using the heat of the heat medium that absorbs heat from the outside air in the radiator 61 as a heat absorption source, and the air conditioning of the vehicle cabin is operated by outside air heat absorption heating.

[0057] The flow path switching device 70 also connects the flow paths of the battery temperature control circuit 40 and the motor temperature control circuit 50. That is, the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b passing through the motor 51 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a, 40b, and 40c passing through the battery 41.

[0058] In the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the proportional control three-way valve V22 forms heat medium flow paths 20a, 20f so that the heat medium is heated by heat exchange in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 and heated in combination with the heat medium heating device 22 and flows to the four-way valve V21.

[0059] The four-way valve V21 connects the flow paths of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the battery temperature control circuit 40 cooperate to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flow paths 20a, 20f, 20g, and 20c of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 are connected to the heat medium flow paths 40a, 40b, and 40c of the battery temperature control circuit 40.

[0060] As described above, the heat medium flow paths 20a, 20f, 20g, and 20c of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the heat medium flow paths 40a, 40b, and 40c of the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the heat medium flow paths 50a and 50b of the motor temperature control circuit 50 are connected, and the heat medium is circulated through these circulation paths by being pushed out by the circulation pump P40. As a result, the heat medium heated by the heat medium heater 22 branches off from the path downstream of the proportional control three-way valve V22 toward the battery temperature control circuit 40, and the heat of the heat medium heated by the heat medium heater 22 warms up the battery 41.

[0061] The heat medium that has flowed through the battery temperature control circuit 40 then passes through the heat medium flow path 20g and merges at a junction C20 of the paths between the circulation pump P20 and the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12. In other words, the heat medium that has branched from the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 to the battery temperature control circuit 40 to warm up the battery 41 flows downstream of the circulation pump P20 when returning to the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. Therefore, when warming up the battery 41 during heating operation, the circulation pump P20 and the circulation pump P40 are not connected in series. This makes it possible to independently adjust the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heater core 21 and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 40.

[0062] In addition, by branching the heat medium using the proportional control three-way valve V22, it is possible to easily adjust the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heater core 21 and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 40.

[0063] Furthermore, since a proportional control three-way valve V22 is arranged in the path between the heat medium heating device 22 and the heater core 21, the high-temperature heat medium before flowing through the heater core 21 can be used to warm up the battery 41, and the temperature of the battery 41 can be quickly heated to the target temperature.

[0064] In this embodiment, the heat medium heating device 22 alone can increase the temperature of the heat medium passing through the heater core 21 and warm up the battery 41, allowing for heating and warming while suppressing cost increases. Furthermore, by branching the heat medium downstream of the heat medium heating device 22, the heated heat medium can be supplied efficiently. Furthermore, the proportional control three-way valve V22 distributes the heat medium between 0 and 100% depending on the requirements of the battery 41 and the heater core 21, allowing for efficient use of the heated heat medium. Furthermore, by reducing the flow rate to the battery 41 depending on the requirements of the heater core 21, the heat medium can be heated without being restricted by the temperature of the battery 41. For example, even when the battery 41 is maintained at around 25°C, the heat medium temperature can be increased to a higher temperature (e.g., 60°C).

[0065] [About the System] The thermal management system 1 according to this embodiment switches between connection to and independence from other circuits using the four-way valves V20, V21, the flow path switching device 70, and the three-way valve V31, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium using the proportional control three-way valves V22, V30. In addition to the heating operation at startup shown in FIG. 1 , this can be switched to cooling operation, dehumidifying heating operation, heating operation that uses the exhaust heat of the motor 51, heating operation that uses the exhaust heat of the motor 51 while cooling the battery 41, motor cooling operation, and heating operation with defrosting.

[0066] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the heat medium is branched toward the battery temperature control circuit 40 by the proportional control three-way valve V22 upstream of the heater core 21. However, the position where the heat medium is branched toward the battery temperature control circuit 40 by the proportional control three-way valve V22 may be different from that in this embodiment as long as it is on a route downstream of the heat medium heating device 22, for example, by branching the heat medium toward the battery temperature control circuit 40 by the proportional control three-way valve V22 downstream of the heater core 21.

[0067] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the battery 41 is warmed up by the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device 22. However, for example, the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device 22 may be branched by the proportional control three-way valve V22 to warm up an on-vehicle heat-generating device other than the battery 41, such as warming up the motor 51 with the heat medium heated by the heat medium heating device 22.

[0068] The thermal management system 1 of this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0069] (1) A refrigerant circuit 10 configured to circulate a refrigerant and including a compressor 11, a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, a pressure reducing device 13, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger 14; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 including a heater core 21 that heats air supplied to a vehicle cabin and configured to circulate a heat medium that can exchange heat with the refrigerant via the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12; a battery temperature control circuit 40 as an on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit including a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of a battery 41 as an on-vehicle heat-generating device and configured to circulate a heat medium; and a four-way valve V21 as a flow path switching device configured to switch between connection and independence of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the battery temperature control circuit 40 as an on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 includes a circulation pump P20 that pushes out a heat medium, a heat medium heating device 22 that heats the heat medium, a path through which the heat medium flows in the order of the circulation pump P20, the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12, the heat medium heating device 22, and the heater core, a proportional control three-way valve V22 as a branching device that branches the heat medium that has passed through the heat medium heating device 22 toward a battery temperature control circuit 40 that serves as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit on a path downstream of the heat medium heating device 22, and a junction C20 as a junction portion that merges the heat medium that has flowed through the battery temperature control circuit 40 that serves as an in-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit with the path between the circulation pump P20 and the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12. Therefore, when warming up the battery 41 during heating operation, the circulation pump P20 and the circulation pump P40 are not connected in series. This allows the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heater core 21 and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 40 to be adjusted independently.

[0070] (2) The branching device is the proportional control three-way valve V22. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heater core 21 and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 40 can be easily adjusted.

[0071] (3) The proportional control three-way valve V22 is disposed as a branching device in the path between the heat medium heating device 22 and the heater core 21. Therefore, the high-temperature heat medium before flowing through the heater core 21 can be used to warm up the battery 41, and the temperature of the battery 41 can be quickly heated to the target temperature.

[0072] The present invention has been described above by showing preferred embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0073] 1: Thermal management system 10: Refrigerant circuit, 11: Compressor, 12: High-temperature side heat exchanger, 13: Pressure reducing device, 14: Low-temperature side heat exchanger, 15: Accumulator 20: High-temperature side heat medium circuit, 21: Heater core, P20: Circulation pump, V20, V21: Four-way valve, V22: Proportional control three-way valve 30: Low-temperature side heat medium circuit, 31: Cooler core, P30: Circulation pump, 40: Battery temperature control circuit, 41: Battery, P40: Circulation pump 50: Motor temperature control circuit, 51: Motor 60: Outdoor heat exchange circuit, 61: Radiator 70: Flow path switching device 100: HVAC unit, 110: Case, 120: Air flow passage, 121: Heater core passage, 122: Bypass passage, 150: Air mix damper

Claims

1. A thermal management system comprising: a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a high-temperature side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit including a heater core that heats air supplied to a vehicle cabin, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit being configured to circulate a heat medium capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant via the high-temperature side heat exchanger; an on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit including a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of an on-vehicle heat-generating device, the heat medium being circulated; and a flow path switching device configured to switch between connection and independence of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit, wherein the high-temperature side heat medium circuit comprises: a circulation pump that pushes out a heat medium; a heat medium heating device that can heat the heat medium; a path through which the heat medium flows in the order of the circulation pump, the high-temperature side heat exchanger, the heat medium heating device, and the heater core; and a branching device that branches the heat medium that has passed through the heat medium heating device from a path downstream of the heat medium heating device toward the on-vehicle heat-generating device temperature control circuit. a junction section that causes the heat medium that has flowed through the vehicle-mounted heat-generating device temperature adjustment circuit to merge with a path between the circulation pump and the high-temperature side heat exchanger.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the branching device is a proportional control three-way valve.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the branching device is disposed in a path between the heat medium heating device and the heater core.

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