Heat management system for vehicle

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a heat management system for a vehicle capable of improving system reliability. [Solution] A heat management system for a vehicle characterized in that when a request for cooling an in-vehicle device is received, a control device controls a branching section (43) so as to cause a heat medium from a low-temperature-side heat exchanger (24) to flow to an in-vehicle device temperature adjustment unit (51) side at a flow rate ratio determined on the basis of the dew point temperature of the outside air.

Description

Vehicle Thermal Management Systems

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

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle thermal management system installed in a vehicle such as an automobile is known to include an in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit that controls the temperature of in-vehicle equipment such as a battery using a heat medium flowing inside the system (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2016-107931 A

[0004] However, the vehicle thermal management system described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of system reliability.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to solve these problems and provide a vehicle thermal management system that has a simple configuration and is capable of improving system reliability.

[0006] The present invention provides a vehicle thermal management system including a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a high-temperature side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger; a low-temperature side heat medium circuit connected to the low-temperature side heat exchanger and including a cooler core; an on-board equipment temperature control circuit including an on-board equipment temperature control unit; a branching unit that controls the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger flowing to the cooler core side and the flow rate of the heat medium that flows to the on-board equipment temperature control unit side when the low-temperature side heat medium circuit and the on-board equipment temperature control circuit are connected; and a control device that controls each unit.When a request for cooling on-board equipment is received, the control device controls the branching unit so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger flows to the on-board equipment temperature control unit side at a flow rate determined based on the dew point temperature of the outside air, thereby solving the above problem.

[0007] The present invention can improve system reliability with a simple configuration.

[0008] An explanatory diagram showing one aspect of a vehicle thermal management system during cooling operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. An explanatory diagram showing one aspect of a vehicle thermal management system during dehumidifying heating operation. An explanatory diagram showing another aspect of a vehicle thermal management system during dehumidifying heating operation. A flowchart of control example 1 in a vehicle thermal management system. A flowchart of control example 2 in a vehicle thermal management system. A flowchart of control example 3 in a vehicle thermal management system. A flowchart of control example 4 in a vehicle thermal management system. A flowchart of control example 5 in a vehicle thermal management system.

[0009] A vehicle thermal management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" used in this specification refer to upstream and downstream in the flow direction of a refrigerant or heat medium.

[0010] First, a vehicle thermal management system 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle to provide air conditioning for the vehicle cabin, and as shown in FIG. 1 , includes a refrigerant circuit 20, a high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, a low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, an in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, a motor temperature control circuit 60, a radiator circuit 70, a flow path switching device 80, an HVAC 90, a ventilation device (not shown), and a control device (not shown).

[0011] The refrigerant circuit 20 is configured as a circuit using a refrigerant such as hydrofluoroolefin, and the circuits 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 are configured as circuits using a heat medium such as a coolant liquid.

[0012] The specific configuration of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The refrigerant circuit 20 functions as a heat pump that circulates refrigerant and repeatedly compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates it. As shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigerant circuit 20 includes a compressor 21 that compresses gaseous refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure before discharging it, a high-temperature side heat exchanger 22 that condenses the compressed gaseous refrigerant downstream of the compressor 21 to radiate heat, a pressure reducing device 23 such as an expansion valve that expands liquid refrigerant to a low pressure downstream of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 22, a low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 that evaporates the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant downstream of the pressure reducing device 23 to absorb heat, a refrigerant storage section 25 that can store the refrigerant, and flow paths that connect the above sections 21 to 25.

[0014] The high-temperature side heat exchanger 22 is configured as a part that exchanges heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 and the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30. The low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 is configured as a part that exchanges heat between the refrigerant decompressed by the decompression device 23 and the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40.

[0015] The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is a circuit that receives heat from the refrigerant circuit 20 via the high-temperature side heat exchanger 22 and circulates the heated heat medium. As shown in FIG. 1 , the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 includes a heater core 31 for heating air to be supplied to the vehicle interior within the HVAC 90, a circulation pump 32 for circulating the heat medium, and a first flow path 33 and a second flow path 34, one end of which is connected to (a second flow path switching unit 82 of) the flow path switching device 80 and the other end of which is connected to the heater core 31 and through which the heat medium flows.

[0016] The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 is a circuit that transfers heat to the refrigerant circuit 20 via the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and circulates the cooled heat medium, and as shown in FIG. 1 , includes a cooler core 41, a circulation pump 42, a first branch portion 43, a second branch portion 44, a circulation path 45, a first flow path 46, a second flow path 47, a third flow path 48, and a fourth flow path 49.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooler core 41 is disposed on the circulation path 45 and serves to cool the air supplied to the vehicle cabin within the HVAC 90. As shown in FIG. 1 , the circulation pump 42 is disposed on the circulation path 45 downstream of the first branch portion 43 and configured as a pump for circulating the heat medium. In this embodiment, the first branch portion 43 is configured as a three-way valve and, as shown in FIG. 1 , is disposed on the circulation path 45 downstream of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and configured to control the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing toward the cooler core 41 and the flow rate of the heat medium that flows toward the first flow path 46 (the in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 when the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 are connected by the flow path switching device 80). In this embodiment, the second branch portion 44 is configured as a three-way valve and is connected to the downstream side of the second flow path 47 as shown in Fig. 1 , and is configured to control the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium from the second flow path 47 flowing to the third flow path 48 and the fourth flow path 49. As shown in Fig. 1 , the circulation path 45 is a flow path for circulating the heat medium that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24, and is connected to the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24, the cooler core 41, and the circulation path 45. As shown in Fig. 1 , the first flow path 46 is connected to the downstream side of the first branch portion 43 and is a flow path for flowing the heat medium from the first branch portion 43 to other circuits (the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, the motor temperature control circuit 60, and the radiator circuit 70) connected via the flow path switching device 80. As shown in Fig. 1 , the second flow path 47 is a flow path for allowing the heat medium from other circuits (the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, the motor temperature control circuit 60, and the radiator circuit 70) connected via the flow path switching device 80 to flow to the circulation path 45. As shown in Fig. 1 , the third flow path 48 is provided downstream of the second branch portion 44 and allows the heat medium from the second branch portion 44 to flow to the circulation path 45, and its downstream end is connected to the circulation path 45 upstream of the circulation pump 42. As shown in Fig. 1 , the fourth flow path 49 is provided downstream of the second branch portion 44 and allows the heat medium from the second branch portion 44 to flow to the circulation path 45, and its downstream end is connected to the circulation path 45 downstream of the circulation pump 42.

[0018] The in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 is a circuit for controlling the temperature of in-vehicle equipment that generates heat, such as a battery, and as shown in FIG. 1 , includes an in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 for controlling the temperature of the in-vehicle equipment, a circulation path 52 in which the in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 is provided and for circulating the heat medium, a circulation pump 53 provided on the circulation path 52 and for circulating the heat medium, a first flow path 54 for flowing the heat medium from other circuits (low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, motor temperature control circuit 60, radiator circuit 70) connected via a flow path switching device 80 into the circulation path 52, and a second flow path 55 for flowing the heat medium from the in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 (circulation path 52) into the other circuits (low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, motor temperature control circuit 60, radiator circuit 70) connected via the flow path switching device 80. The circulation path 52 has a flow path 52a (connecting the flow paths 54 and 55) for constituting the circulation path 52, and an open / close valve 52b is installed in the flow path 52a. The first flow path 54 is connected to the circulation path 52 on the upstream side of the circulation pump 53, as shown in FIG.

[0019] The in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 includes a circulation path 52 and a circulation pump 53, and is therefore capable of circulating the heat medium in the circulation path 52 both when the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 is disconnected from other circuits by the flow path switching device 80 and when the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 is connected to other circuits by the flow path switching device 80, and is configured to be able to control the temperature of the in-vehicle equipment by the in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 is connected to other circuits by the flow path switching device 80, the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 is configured so that the heat medium from the other circuits can flow in the circulation path 52 and the heat medium in the circulation path 52 can flow in the other circuits.

[0020] In this embodiment, as described above, the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 is described as having a circulation path 52 and a circulation pump 53, but the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 may also be configured without providing the flow path 52a (connecting the flow paths 54, 55), the opening / closing valve 52b, or the circulation pump 53 to form the circulation path 52.

[0021] The motor temperature control circuit 60 is a circuit for controlling the temperature of the motor, and as shown in Figure 1, it includes a motor temperature control unit 61 for controlling the temperature of the motor, and a first flow path 62 and a second flow path 63, one end of which is connected to the motor temperature control unit 61 and the other end of which is connected to the flow path switching device 80 (the first flow path switching unit 81) and through which the heat medium flows.

[0022] The motor temperature control circuit 60 includes a motor temperature control unit 61, which controls the temperature of the motor and allows the motor, which generates heat while driving, to be used as a heat source for heating the heat medium. When the motor temperature control circuit 60 is connected to at least one of the other circuits (the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, and the radiator circuit 70) by the flow path switching device 80, the motor temperature control circuit 60 cooperates with the connected circuit to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0023] The radiator circuit 70 is a circuit that circulates the heat medium and exchanges heat with outside air (air outside the vehicle cabin) in a radiator 71 that serves as an exterior heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 1 , the radiator circuit 70 includes the radiator 71, a first flow path 72 that has one end connected to the radiator 71 and the other end connected to a flow path switching device 80 (a second flow path switching unit 82 thereof) and through which the heat medium flows, and a second flow path 73 that has one end connected to the radiator 71 and the other end connected to a flow path switching device 80 (a first flow path switching unit 81 thereof) and through which the heat medium flows.

[0024] The radiator circuit 70 can be separated from the other circuits and made independent by the flow path switching device 80. Furthermore, when the radiator circuit 70 is connected to at least one of the other circuits (the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, and the motor temperature control circuit 60) by the flow path switching device 80, the radiator circuit 70 cooperates with at least one of these circuits to form a circulation path for circulating the heat medium.

[0025] The flow path switching device 80 is installed between each circuit (in this embodiment, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, the motor temperature control circuit 60, and the radiator circuit 70) and is configured to be able to switch between connection and disconnection between them, i.e., to connect at least two of the above circuits to form a circulation path through which these circuits cooperate to circulate the heat medium, or to disconnect one or more circuits from the other circuits to make them independent. The flow path switching device 80 has a first flow path switching unit 81 configured as an eight-way valve in this embodiment, a second flow path switching unit 82 configured as a four-way valve in this embodiment, and an inter-switching unit flow path 83 having one end connected to the first flow path switching unit 81 and the other end connected to the second flow path switching unit 82.

[0026] The HVAC 90 is configured as an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system for ventilating and circulating air within the vehicle cabin. As shown in FIG. 1 , the HVAC 90 includes a case 91 having an air flow passage therein, an intake unit 92 that closes either an outside air intake port for introducing outside air into the vehicle cabin or an inside air intake port for introducing inside air into the vehicle cabin, thereby switching the air introduced into the case between outside air (introduced outside air) and inside air (circulated inside air), a blower 93 installed adjacent to the intake unit 92 so that the air introduced into the case 91 is supplied to the air flow passage, and an air mix damper 94 that controls the ratio of air that passes through a heater core passage 95 and air that passes through a bypass passage 96.

[0027] In the HVAC 90, a cooler core 41 is installed in the upstream portion of the air flow passage in a case 91, and a heater core passage 95 in which a heater core 31 is installed and a bypass passage 96 are formed in parallel in the downstream portion of the air flow passage in the case 91. Therefore, when air introduced into the case 91 is guided to the heater core passage 95, the air is ventilated through the cooler core 41 and then ventilated to the heater core 31. On the other hand, when air introduced into the case 91 is guided to the bypass passage 96, the air is ventilated through the cooler core 41 and then bypasses the heater core 31.

[0028] The ventilation device (not shown) forcibly ventilates the outside air and the interior air of the vehicle. The specific embodiment of the control device may be any device capable of ventilating the outside air and the interior air of the vehicle, such as a device that forcibly opens a vehicle window when the control device receives a ventilation request. Although the present embodiment describes the ventilation device (not shown) as being provided separately from the HVAC 90, the HVAC 90 may also be used as the ventilation device. That is, the HVAC 90 can ventilate the outside air and the interior air of the vehicle by only blowing air without performing heat exchange in the heater core 31 and the cooler core 41, and such an HVAC 90 may also be used as the ventilation device.

[0029] The control device is connected to each part of the vehicle thermal management system 10 and is configured as a controller that controls the operation of each part of the vehicle thermal management system 10 and performs various arithmetic processing. In this embodiment, the control device is configured by an ECU (electronic control unit) or a PLC (programmable logic controller), but the specific form of the control device may be any device that includes a CPU, various memories, storage units, etc. and is capable of controlling the operation of each of the above parts and performing various arithmetic processing.

[0030] In addition to the above, the vehicle thermal management system 10 also includes a heat medium tank capable of storing a heat medium, various sensors (not shown) such as a temperature sensor, and the like.

[0031] Next, an example of an operation mode of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below. [Cooling Operation / In-Vehicle Equipment Cooling]

[0032] The state of each part when a cooling operation request and a request to cool on-board equipment are received will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, flow paths through which the refrigerant or heat medium flows are indicated by thick lines, and flow paths through which these do not flow are indicated by thin lines.

[0033] First, when the control device receives a request for air conditioning operation and a request for cooling on-board equipment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the flow path switching device 80 connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50, so that the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50 can cool the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin in the cooler core 41, and can control the temperature (cool) of the on-board equipment in the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50.

[0034] At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing toward the cooler core 41 and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the in-vehicle equipment temperature adjustment unit 51 (circulation path 52) is controlled by the first branch 43 (and the control device). When a request for cooling in-vehicle equipment is received, the circulation pump 53 circulates the heat medium in the circulation path 52 in which the in-vehicle equipment temperature adjustment unit 51 is provided. When a request for cooling operation or a request for cooling in-vehicle equipment is received, the second branch 44 is controlled so that the heat medium from the in-vehicle equipment temperature adjustment circuit 50 returns to the circulation path 45 through the third flow path 48. In the state shown in FIG. 1 , the on-off valve 52b installed in the flow path 52a of the circulation path 52 is open, i.e., the heat medium can flow through the flow path 52a.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the flow path switching device 80 connects the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the motor temperature control circuit 60, and the radiator circuit 70, so that the heat of the heat medium in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30, the motor temperature control circuit 60, and the radiator circuit 70 is dissipated to the air outside the vehicle cabin in the radiator 71.

[0036] At this time, the heater core passage 95 is blocked by the air mix damper 94, and the air cooled in the cooler core 41 is guided to the bypass passage 96 without passing through the heater core passage 95. [Dehumidifying heating operation]

[0037] The state of each part when a dehumidifying and heating operation request is received will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. In Figures 2 and 3, flow paths through which the refrigerant or heat medium flows are indicated by thick lines, and flow paths through which these do not flow are indicated by thin lines.

[0038] First, when the control device receives a request for dehumidifying and heating operation, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flow path switching device 80 connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to either the radiator circuit 70 or the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 (in the example shown in FIG. 3 , the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 and the motor temperature control circuit 60), and the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 cools (dehumidifies) the air to be supplied to the vehicle cabin in the cooler core 41.

[0039] In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30 is separated from the other circuits, and the air to be supplied to the vehicle interior is heated in the heater core 31 by the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 30.

[0040] At this time, the bypass passage 96 is blocked by the air mix damper 94 , and the air cooled (dehumidified) in the cooler core 41 is guided to the heater core passage 95 .

[0041] 2 and 3, the on-off valve 52b installed in the flow path 52a of the circulation path 52 is closed, that is, the heat medium cannot flow through the flow path 52a.

[0042] 2 is connected to the radiator circuit 70, the ratio between the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the cooler core 41 side and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the radiator 71 side is controlled by the first branch unit 43 (and the control device) in accordance with the target temperature of the cooler core 41. Specifically, when the target temperature of the cooler core 41 is high, the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the radiator 71 side is controlled to be increased to increase the amount of heat absorption in the radiator 71, and when the target temperature of the cooler core 41 is low, the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the radiator 71 side is controlled to be decreased to decrease the amount of heat absorption in the radiator 71.

[0043] 3 is connected to the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 (the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 and the motor temperature control circuit 60), the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the cooler core 41 side to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side is controlled by the first branch section 43 (and the control device) in accordance with the target temperature of the cooler core 41. Specifically, when the target temperature of the cooler core 41 is high, the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side is increased to increase the amount of heat absorption in the in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51, and when the target temperature of the cooler core 41 is low, the flow rate of the heat medium cooled in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side is decreased to decrease the amount of heat absorption in the in-vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51.

[0044] Next, several control examples of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below. [Control Example 1]

[0045] First, a first control example of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below.

[0046] First, in control example 1, when the control device receives a request to cool onboard equipment (in this control example, a request to cool onboard equipment and a request to operate air conditioning), the control device controls the first branch section 43 so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows to the onboard equipment temperature control section 51 side at a flow rate determined based on the dew point temperature of the outside air.

[0047] In addition, in control example 1, the control device may control the first branch section 43 so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows to the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 side at a flow rate determined based on the vehicle equipment target temperature, which is determined by information on the management temperature range of the vehicle equipment and the dew point temperature of the outside air.

[0048] Control example 1 will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0049] First, when the vehicle thermal management system 10 starts operating, the control device acquires operating information including the outside air temperature, the outside air humidity, the current temperature of the vehicle-mounted devices, and the target temperature of the vehicle-mounted devices (S101).

[0050] Here, the outside air temperature, outside humidity, and current in-vehicle device temperature are information acquired by various sensors mounted on the vehicle, and the target in-vehicle device temperature is information stored in advance in the control device. The current in-vehicle device temperature may be the temperature of the in-vehicle device itself, or may be a calculated value calculated from the temperature of the heat medium flowing into or out of the in-vehicle device temperature adjustment unit 51. The target in-vehicle device temperature is a target temperature for cooling the in-vehicle device, and may be the target temperature of the in-vehicle device itself, or the target temperature of the heat medium flowing into (supplied to) the in-vehicle device temperature adjustment unit 51.

[0051] Next, the control device checks whether or not it has received a request to cool the onboard equipment (S102), and if it has not received a request to cool the onboard equipment, it continues the current operation (in this control example, air conditioning operation) (S103).

[0052] If the control device receives a request to cool the in-vehicle device in S102, the control device calculates the dew point temperature of the outside air based on the outside air temperature and outside air humidity acquired in S101 (S104).

[0053] The control device then compares the current temperature of the vehicle equipment with the dew point temperature (S105), and if the current temperature of the vehicle equipment is below the dew point temperature, it continues only the current operation (air conditioning operation in this control example) without supplying low-temperature heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 and starting cooling of the vehicle equipment by the vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 (S106).

[0054] When the low-temperature heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 is not flowing to the vehicle equipment temperature adjustment unit 51 side, the heat medium may or may not be circulated in the circulation path 52 by the circulation pump 53.

[0055] Furthermore, if it is determined in S105 that the current temperature of the vehicle equipment is higher than the dew-point temperature, the control device then compares the dew-point temperature of the outside air with the target temperature of the vehicle equipment (S107), and if the dew-point temperature of the outside air is higher than the target temperature of the vehicle equipment, corrects the target temperature of the vehicle equipment (S108), and controls the first branch section 43 to flow the low-temperature heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 side, thereby lowering the temperature of the heat medium in the circulation path 52 and starting cooling of the vehicle equipment by the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 (S109).

[0056] Here, correcting the target temperature of the vehicle equipment means correcting the target temperature of the vehicle equipment so that the upper limit (e.g., 30°C) of the management temperature range of the vehicle equipment (a temperature range that is preset and stored in the control device, e.g., 20°C to 30°C) is equal to or greater than the target temperature of the vehicle equipment (e.g., 27°C) equal to or greater than the dew point temperature (e.g., 26°C).

[0057] Furthermore, if it is determined in S107 that the dew point temperature of the outside air is lower than the target temperature for the vehicle equipment, the control device does not correct the target temperature for the vehicle equipment, but instead controls the first branch section 43 to flow the low-temperature heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 side, thereby lowering the temperature of the heat medium in the circulation path 52 and starting cooling of the vehicle equipment by the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 (S109).

[0058] Here, when cooling of the on-board equipment by the on-board equipment temperature control unit 51 starts in S109, the control device controls the first branch unit 43 so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows to the on-board equipment temperature control unit 51 side at a flow rate determined based on the dew point temperature of the outside air, specifically so that the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the on-board equipment temperature control unit 51 is above the dew point temperature and below the upper limit of the management temperature range of the on-board equipment.

[0059] In the above-described control example 1, when the control device receives a request to cool on-board equipment, the control device controls the first branch section 43 so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows to the on-board equipment temperature control section 51 at a flow rate determined based on the dew point temperature of the outside air. This makes it possible to prevent condensation from forming on the on-board equipment, thereby suppressing deterioration of the on-board equipment and improving the reliability of the system.

[0060] In addition, in Control Example 1, when the control device receives a request to cool an in-vehicle device, the control device controls the first branch section 43 so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows to the in-vehicle device temperature adjustment section 51 at a flow rate determined based on the target temperature of the in-vehicle device, which is determined based on the information on the management temperature range of the in-vehicle device and the dew point temperature. This makes it possible to cool the in-vehicle device at an appropriate temperature within the management temperature range while suppressing condensation on the in-vehicle device. [Control Example 2]

[0061] Next, a second control example of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below.

[0062] First, in control example 2, when a dehumidifying and heating operation is requested, the control device controls the flow path switching device 80 based on the dew point temperature of the outside air and the heat medium temperature in the in-vehicle equipment temperature regulation circuit 50 .

[0063] In addition, in control example 2, when a request for dehumidifying heating operation is made and the control device determines based on the dew point temperature of the outside air and the heat medium temperature in the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 that condensation will occur in the vehicle equipment, the control device may control the flow path switching device 80 to connect the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the radiator circuit 70 without connecting the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50.

[0064] Next, a second control example will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0065] First, when the vehicle thermal management system 10 starts operating, the control device acquires operating information including the outside air temperature, outside air humidity, current temperature of the in-vehicle devices, target temperature of the in-vehicle devices, and system temperature (S201).

[0066] Here, the system temperature is temperature information of each part of the system acquired by various sensors mounted on the vehicle, such as the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 .

[0067] Next, the control device calculates the target temperature of the heater core 31 in the dehumidifying heating operation (S202).

[0068] Next, the control device determines whether it is possible to recover the exhaust heat from the on-board equipment (S203), and if it determines that it is not possible to recover the exhaust heat from the on-board equipment, it connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to the radiator circuit 70 (S204).

[0069] Furthermore, if it is determined in S203 that exhaust heat can be recovered from the on-board equipment, the control device calculates the dew point temperature of the outside air based on the information acquired in S201, and determines whether condensation will occur in the on-board equipment when the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50 are connected (S205, S206).If it is determined that condensation will occur in the on-board equipment, the control device connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to the radiator circuit 70 (S204), as shown in FIG. 2.

[0070] Also, in S206, if the control device determines that condensation will not occur in the vehicle equipment when the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 are connected, it connects the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 (S207).

[0071] The connection of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 continues until certain conditions are met, such as a predetermined time having elapsed since the start of operation with the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 connected to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, the current temperature of the vehicle equipment falling below a preset threshold, or the heat medium temperature on the inlet side of the vehicle equipment temperature control unit 51 falling below a preset threshold (S208).

[0072] In the above-described control example 2, when the control device receives a request for dehumidifying and heating operation, the control device controls the flow path switching device 80 based on the dew point temperature of the outside air and the heat medium temperature in the vehicle-mounted equipment temperature control circuit 50. This makes it possible to prevent condensation from forming on the vehicle-mounted equipment while utilizing the exhaust heat of the vehicle-mounted equipment within a range where condensation does not occur, thereby improving the reliability and energy efficiency of the system. [Control example 3]

[0073] Next, a third control example of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below.

[0074] First, in control example 3, when the control device receives a request for air conditioning operation and a request for cooling on-board equipment, the control device controls the first branch section 43 so as to regulate the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50 side if the temperature difference between the equipment units of the on-board equipment exceeds a predetermined value.

[0075] In addition, in the third control example, the first branch portion 43 may be controlled to reduce the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the in-vehicle equipment temperature regulation circuit 50 as the temperature difference between the equipment units increases.

[0076] Control example 3 will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0077] First, when the vehicle thermal management system 10 starts operation, the control device acquires operating information including the outside air temperature, outside air humidity, current temperature of the vehicle equipment, target temperature of the vehicle equipment, and temperature differences between equipment units of the vehicle equipment (S301).

[0078] Here, the temperature difference between the equipment units of the on-board equipment is information acquired by a sensor mounted on the vehicle, and is the temperature difference occurring between multiple equipment units (cells in this embodiment) included in the on-board equipment (battery in this embodiment), and more specifically, the temperature difference between the temperature of the hottest equipment unit and the temperature of the coldest equipment unit among the multiple equipment units. In this embodiment, the equipment units are arranged in series along the flow direction of the heat medium in the on-board equipment temperature adjustment unit 51, and temperature differences may occur due to the positions of the equipment units, etc.

[0079] Next, if the control device has not received a request to cool the in-vehicle equipment, the current operation (cooling operation in this embodiment) is continued (S302, S303).

[0080] Next, the control device determines whether the temperature difference between the equipment units of the on-board equipment is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S304), and if it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, performs temperature uniformity control to reduce the temperature difference between the equipment units of the on-board equipment by circulating the heat medium in the circulation path 52 of the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50 while isolating the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50 from other circuits (such as the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40) and making it independent (S305).

[0081] If it is determined in S304 that the temperature difference is smaller than the predetermined value, the temperature uniformity control is not performed.

[0082] Also, in S302, if the control device receives a request to cool the vehicle equipment, the control device calculates the dew point temperature of the outside air based on the outside air temperature and outside air humidity acquired in S301 (S306), and if the dew point temperature of the outside air is higher than the target temperature of the vehicle equipment, corrects the target temperature of the vehicle equipment (S308), and controls the first branch section 43 to flow the low-temperature heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 side, thereby lowering the temperature of the heat medium in the circulation path 52 and starting cooling of the vehicle equipment by the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 (S309).

[0083] Here, correcting the target temperature of the vehicle equipment means correcting the target temperature of the vehicle equipment so that the upper limit (e.g., 30°C) of the management temperature range of the vehicle equipment (a temperature range that is preset and stored in the control device, e.g., 20°C to 30°C) is equal to or greater than the target temperature of the vehicle equipment (e.g., 27°C) equal to or greater than the dew point temperature (e.g., 26°C).

[0084] Furthermore, if it is determined in S307 that the dew point temperature of the outside air is lower than the target temperature of the vehicle equipment, the control device does not correct the target temperature of the vehicle equipment, but instead controls the first branch section 43 to flow the low-temperature heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 side, thereby lowering the temperature of the heat medium in the circulation path 52 and starting cooling of the vehicle equipment by the vehicle equipment temperature control section 51 (S309).

[0085] Here, when cooling of the on-board equipment by the on-board equipment temperature control unit 51 starts in S309, the control device may control the first branch unit 43 so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows to the on-board equipment temperature control unit 51 side at a flow rate determined based on the dew point temperature of the outside air, specifically so that the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the on-board equipment temperature control unit 51 is above the dew point temperature and below the upper limit of the management temperature range of the on-board equipment.

[0086] Then, after starting cooling of the on-board equipment in S309, the control device determines whether the temperature difference between the equipment units is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S310). If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control device controls the first branch section 43 to regulate the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 toward the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50. In this control example, the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50 is separated and made independent from other circuits (such as the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40), and the heat medium is circulated in the circulation path of the on-board equipment temperature control circuit 50, thereby performing temperature uniformity control to reduce the temperature difference between the equipment units of the on-board equipment (S311).

[0087] It should be noted that the above-mentioned "regulating the flow rate of the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and that flows toward the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50" does not mean, as described above, setting the flow rate toward the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 to zero, but also includes reducing the flow rate of the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and that was flowing toward the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 until just before that. Furthermore, when reducing the flow rate of the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and that has been flowing to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side, the flow rate of the heat medium may be reduced at a fixed rate (for example, only the heat medium at a flow rate of 20% or less of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the first branch section 43 may be flowed to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side), or the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 may be reduced as the temperature difference between the equipment units increases, according to a pre-set information table that specifies the relationship between the temperature difference between the equipment units and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side.

[0088] Furthermore, in S310, if the temperature difference between the equipment units is smaller than a predetermined value, cooling of the in-vehicle equipment is continued.

[0089] Next, in S312, when the current temperature of the in-vehicle device reaches the target temperature of the in-vehicle device, the control device ends the cooling of the in-vehicle device (S312, S313).

[0090] In the above-described control example 3, when the temperature difference between the equipment units exceeds a predetermined value, the control device controls the first branch section 43 to regulate the flow rate of the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and flows to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature difference between the equipment units from widening due to the supply of low-temperature heat medium to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, thereby preventing variations in deterioration between the equipment units due to the temperature difference and improving the reliability of the system.

[0091] In addition, in Control Example 3, the control device controls the first branch section 43 so as to reduce the flow rate of the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 and flows toward the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 as the temperature difference between the equipment units increases. This makes it possible to moderate the temperature change of the heat medium near the inlet of the in-vehicle equipment temperature control section 51, thereby suppressing the increase in the temperature difference between the equipment units and effectively cooling the in-vehicle equipment. [Control Example 4]

[0092] Next, a fourth control example of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below.

[0093] First, in control example 4, when the vehicle thermal management system is started up (i.e., when it is started), if there is a request for air conditioning operation and a request to cool the vehicle equipment, and the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is higher than the outside air temperature, the control device causes the ventilation device to execute a forced ventilation mode to ventilate the air inside the vehicle cabin with outside air, and controls the first branch section 43 so that the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 to the cooler core 41 side is less than the flow rate to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side or is the same as the flow rate to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side.

[0094] In addition, in control example 4, when the temperature difference between the temperature inside the vehicle cabin and the outside air temperature becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, or when the current temperature of the vehicle equipment reaches the target temperature of the vehicle equipment, the control device may control the first branch section 43 so that the flow rate of the heat medium to the cooler core 41 side is greater than the flow rate of the heat medium to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side.

[0095] Control example 4 will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0096] First, when the vehicle thermal management system 10 starts operating, the control device acquires operating information including the outside air temperature, outside air humidity, current temperature of the vehicle equipment, target temperature of the vehicle equipment, and interior temperature of the vehicle (acquired by sensors installed in the vehicle) (S401).

[0097] Next, the control device determines whether the request it has received is a cooling operation request or a request to cool on-board equipment (S402), and if it is not a cooling operation request or a request to cool on-board equipment, if the request it has received is not a cooling operation request (for example, heating operation), it transitions to the received operation mode (S404), and if it is a cooling operation request, it transitions to cooling operation, specifically, transitions to S101 or S102 in Control Example 1 (S409). Note that the flow of transition to S101 or S102 is as described above, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0098] Also, in S402, if the control device receives a request for air conditioning operation and a request to cool vehicle equipment, the control device compares the temperature inside the vehicle cabin with the outside air temperature (S405), and if the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is higher than the outside air temperature, executes a forced ventilation mode in which the ventilation device ventilates the air inside the vehicle cabin with the outside air (S406).

[0099] Here, when executing the forced ventilation mode in S406, the control device controls the first branch section 43 so that the flow rate to the cooler core 41 side is less than the flow rate to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side (including setting the flow rate to the cooler core 41 side to zero) or is the same as the flow rate to the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side.

[0100] The forced ventilation mode continues until certain conditions are met, such as the temperature difference between the interior temperature and the outside temperature becoming equal to or less than a predetermined value, the current temperature of the vehicle equipment becoming the same as the target temperature of the vehicle equipment, or a predetermined time having elapsed since the forced ventilation mode was activated (S407).

[0101] If the above condition is met, the forced ventilation mode is terminated (S408). At this time, the control device controls the first branch part 43 so that the flow rate of the heat medium to the cooler core 41 side is greater than the flow rate of the heat medium to the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 side (including setting the flow rate of the heat medium to the cooler core 41 side to zero).

[0102] When the forced ventilation mode ends, the operation mode is switched to the inside air circulation mode and transitions to the cooling operation, specifically, transitions to S101 or S102 of the control example 1 (S409).

[0103] In the above-described control example 4, when the vehicle thermal management system is started up and there is a request for battery cooling or air conditioning operation, if the vehicle interior temperature is higher than the outside air temperature, the control device controls the ventilation device to execute a forced ventilation mode in which the vehicle interior air is ventilated with outside air. The control device also controls the first branch 43 so that the flow rate to the cooler core 41 is less than or equal to the flow rate to the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50. This prevents a deterioration in energy efficiency during the forced ventilation mode, suppresses deterioration of the in-vehicle equipment during start-up, and improves system reliability. Furthermore, when the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 is circulated to the cooler core 41, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 can be uniformly lowered. This ensures rapid cooling, i.e., the supply of cool air quickly after the forced ventilation mode ends, thereby improving passenger comfort. [Control Example 5]

[0104] Next, a fifth control example of the vehicle thermal management system 10 will be described below.

[0105] First, in control example 5, when the control device receives a request for air conditioning operation and a request for cooling onboard equipment, the control device performs start-up control to control the first branch section 43 at a flow rate ratio fixed to a predetermined value when a request for air conditioning operation and a request for cooling onboard equipment is received at the start-up of the vehicle thermal management system.

[0106] The flow rate ratio fixed to the predetermined value is determined based on the capacity of the path from the outlet of the first branch 43 in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to the inlet of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 (i.e., the amount of heat medium that can be received), and the length of the path from the outlet of the first branch 43 to the inlet of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 (specifically, the first flow path 46 in the present control example) among the heat medium paths formed by the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 when the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 and the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 are connected. the entire flow path of the first flow path switching unit 81, the entire flow path of the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50, the entire second flow path 47, the flow path of the second branch unit 44, the entire third flow path 48, and the flow path of the circulation path 45 from its connection with the third flow path 48 to the inlet of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24. That is, for example, if the ratio of the former capacity to the latter capacity is 4:6, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 may be set to 4:6. This makes it possible to uniformly lower the temperature of the heat medium in the path through which the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flows, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 during and after the start-up control is completed, and reducing the load on the compressor 21.

[0107] It is also preferable to make the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the in-vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 50 greater than the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40. The flow rate ratio fixed to the above-mentioned predetermined value also includes setting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 to 0.

[0108] In addition, in control example 5, the control device may terminate the start-up control after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start-up control was executed, or when the temperature of the heat medium entering the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 reaches a predetermined threshold value.

[0109] Control Example 5 will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0110] First, when the vehicle thermal management system 10 starts operating, the control device acquires operating information including the outside air temperature, the outside air humidity, the current temperature of the vehicle-mounted devices, and the target temperature of the vehicle-mounted devices (S501).

[0111] Next, when the control device receives a request for cooling operation and a request for cooling on-board equipment, the control device compares the temperature inside the vehicle compartment with the outside air temperature and determines whether start-up control is necessary (S502).

[0112] In S502, if it is determined that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is lower than the outside air temperature and start-up control is not necessary, the requested cooling operation is carried out without executing start-up control, and specifically, the process proceeds to S101 or S102 of control example 1 (S503).

[0113] If it is determined in S503 that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is higher than the outside air temperature and start-up control is necessary, a flow rate ratio fixed to a predetermined value is read from the storage unit of the control device (S504), and start-up control is performed at the read flow rate ratio. Here, start-up control means control in which the control device controls the first branch unit 43 at the above-mentioned flow rate ratio (for example, the flow rate of the heat medium to the cooler core 41 side: the flow rate of the heat medium to the in-vehicle equipment temperature adjustment unit 51 side = 2:8 or 3:7). In addition to the start-up control, forced ventilation is performed in S503 by the ventilation device to ventilate the air inside the vehicle cabin with outside air.

[0114] In addition, when the control device receives a request for air conditioning operation and a request to cool vehicle equipment, the control device may perform start-up control without comparing the temperature inside the vehicle cabin with the outside air temperature to determine whether start-up control is necessary (i.e., without providing step S502).

[0115] The above-mentioned start-up control (and forced ventilation) continues until certain conditions are met, such as a predetermined time having elapsed since the start-up control (and forced ventilation) was executed, the temperature of the heat medium entering the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 falling below a preset threshold, the current temperature of the cooler core 41 (obtained by a sensor mounted on the vehicle) reaching the target temperature of the cooler core 41, or the current temperature of the on-board equipment reaching the target temperature of the on-board equipment (S505).When these conditions are met, the requested cooling operation is executed, and specifically, the process proceeds to S101 or S102 of control example 1 (S503).

[0116] In the above-described control example 5, when the vehicle thermal management system 10 is started up and there is a request for air conditioning operation and a request for cooling of the vehicle equipment, the control device executes start-up control to control the first branch section 43 at a flow rate rate fixed to a predetermined value. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the vehicle equipment at start-up and improve the reliability of the system, and also makes it possible to uniformly lower the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 (when the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 is flowed to the cooler core 41 side), thereby ensuring so-called quick cooling ability, in which cool air is supplied early after the forced ventilation mode ends, and improving the comfort of the occupants.

[0117] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the present invention as defined in the claims, such as configuring a vehicle thermal management system 10 by arbitrarily combining each configuration of the above or below embodiments, control examples, and modified examples.

[0118] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the on-board device is a battery, but the specific form of the on-board device may be any device that generates heat during operation, such as a motor, etc. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first branch portion 43 is configured as a three-way valve, but openable and closable solenoid valves may be provided in the circulation path 45 upstream of the cooler core 41 and in the first flow path 46, respectively, and these solenoid valves may be used as the first branch portion 43 to control the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger 24 flowing to the cooler core 41 side and the first flow path 46 side.

[0119] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Vehicle thermal management system 20: Refrigerant circuit 21: Compressor 22: High-temperature side heat exchanger 23: Pressure reduction device 24: Low-temperature side heat exchanger 25: Refrigerant reservoir 30: High-temperature side heat medium circuit 31: Heater core 32: Circulation pump 33: First flow path 34: Second flow path 40: Low-temperature side heat medium circuit 41: Cooler core 42: Circulation pump 43: First branch portion 44: Second branch portion 45: Circulation path 46: First flow path 47: Second flow path 48: Third flow path 49: Fourth flow path 50: Vehicle equipment temperature control circuit 51: Vehicle equipment temperature control portion 52: Circulation path 52a: Flow path 52b: Opening and closing valve DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 53 Circulation pump 54 First flow path 55 Second flow path 60 Motor temperature control circuit 61 Motor temperature control section 62 First flow path 63 Second flow path 70 Radiator circuit 71 Radiator 72 First flow path 73 Second flow path 80 Flow path switching device 81 First flow path switching section 82 Second flow path switching section 83 Flow path between switching devices 90 HVAC 91 Case 92 Intake unit 93 Blower 94 Air mix damper 95 Heater core passage 96 Bypass passage

Claims

1. A thermal management system for a vehicle comprising: a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a high-temperature side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a low-temperature side heat exchanger; a low-temperature side heat medium circuit connected to the low-temperature side heat exchanger and including a cooler core; an on-board equipment temperature control circuit including an on-board equipment temperature control unit; a branching unit that controls the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium that has exchanged heat in the low-temperature side heat exchanger flowing to the cooler core side and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the on-board equipment temperature control unit side when the low-temperature side heat medium circuit and the on-board equipment temperature control circuit are connected; and a control device that controls each unit, wherein when a request for cooling on-board equipment is received, the control device controls the branching unit so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger flows to the on-board equipment temperature control unit side at a flow rate determined based on the dew point temperature of the outside air.

2. The vehicle thermal management system described in claim 1, characterized in that when a request for cooling onboard equipment is received, the control device controls the branching section so that the heat medium from the low-temperature side heat exchanger flows to the onboard equipment temperature control section at a flow rate determined based on the target temperature of the onboard equipment, which is determined by the management temperature range of the onboard equipment and the dew point temperature.

3. The vehicle thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle equipment temperature control circuit has a circulation path for circulating a heat transfer medium and a circulation pump installed in the circulation path.

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