Air conditioning control method and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides an air conditioning control method for an automobile including: a liquid circuit configured such that a liquid heat medium circulates through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, the vicinity of a battery, and a heater core; a refrigerant circuit configured such that a refrigerant circulates through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; an air circuit configured such that air passes through a PTC heater and the heater core; and switching means provided in an air flow path in the air circuit, the switching means being configured to switch between a first mode in which air having passed through the PTC heate is flowed into a vehicle interior through a first flow path in which the heater core is disposed, a second mode in which air having passed through the PTC heater is flowed into the vehicle interior through a second flow path, and a third mode in which air having passed through the PTC heater is flowed into the vehicle interior through both of the first flow path and the second flow path. The method is configured to perform battery warm-up control, immediate indoor heating control, and indoor temperature control.

Description

Air conditioning control method and air conditioning device

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning control method and an air conditioning device.

[0002] In the development of electric vehicles, both performance and cost must be achieved, and water-cooling of the refrigerant circuit is being considered as a way to resolve this trade-off. Unlike air-cooled circuits, water-cooled circuits require the elimination of accumulators, so a chiller is required to secure heat and vaporize the refrigerant. For this reason, a PTC heater that heats the water is typically placed upstream of the chiller (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-128456

[0004] However, a water-cooled cycle having a PTC heater for heating water has the disadvantage that a large amount of water must be heated, resulting in a decrease in quick heating performance.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an air conditioning control method and an air conditioning device that can improve quick heating performance.

[0006] An air conditioning control method according to the present invention is an air conditioning control method for an automobile including: a liquid circuit configured to circulate a liquid heat medium through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, an area near a battery, and a heater core; a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; an air circuit configured to pass air through a PTC heater and the heater core; and a switching means provided in an air flow path in the air circuit, the switching means being configured to switch between a first mode in which the air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a first flow path in which the heater core is disposed, a second mode in which the air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a second flow path, and a third mode in which the air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via both the first flow path and the second flow path, the air conditioning control method being configured to perform battery warm-up control, interior quick heating control, and interior temperature adjustment control, and in the battery warm-up control, the switching means is switched to the first mode, air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior; the heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger; the heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger; the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger is heated by the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium passes near the battery before being supplied to the heater core; in the interior quick heating control, the switching means is switched to the second mode; the air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the vehicle interior via the second flow path; and the heat medium that has passed through the second heat exchanger is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery; in the interior temperature adjustment control, the switching means is switched to the first mode or the third mode; The air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior. The heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant that passes through the first heat exchanger.The heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger, the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger heats the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery.

[0007] The air conditioner of the present invention is an automobile air conditioner comprising: a liquid circuit configured to circulate a liquid heat medium through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, an area near a battery, and a heater core; a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; an air circuit configured to allow air to pass through a PTC heater and the heater core; and an air flow path in which the PTC heater, the heater core, and a switching means are disposed, the air flow path being configured to switch between a first mode in which the air that has passed through the PCT heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a first flow path in which the heater core is disposed, a second mode in which the air that has passed through the PCT heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a second flow path, and a third mode in which the air that has passed through the PCT heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via both the first flow path and the second flow path, the air conditioner being configured to perform battery warm-up control, quick interior warm-up control, and interior temperature adjustment control, and in the battery warm-up control, the switching means is switched to the first mode, air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior; the heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger; the heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger; the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger is heated by the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium passes near the battery before being supplied to the heater core; in the interior quick heating control, the switching means is switched to the second mode; the air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the vehicle interior via the second flow path; and the heat medium that has passed through the second heat exchanger is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery; in the interior temperature adjustment control, the switching means is switched to the first mode or the third mode; The air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior. The heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant that passes through the first heat exchanger.The heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger, the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger heats the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery.

[0008] According to the air conditioning control method and air conditioning device of the present invention, it is possible to improve quick heating performance.

[0009] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first mode in an air circuit; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second mode in an air circuit; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device; FIG. 5 is a flowchart for selecting control; FIG. 6 is a flowchart of battery warm-up control; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of indoor instant heating control; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of indoor temperature adjustment control.

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An air conditioning system and an air conditioning control method for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1, the air conditioning system is a device mounted on an automobile and has a liquid circuit 1, a refrigerant circuit 2, and an air circuit 3, which are controlled by a control device 4. These circuits and the control device will be described in detail below.

[0012] <1-1. Liquid Circuit> The liquid circuit 1 includes a heater core 11, a chiller (first heat exchanger) 12, and a water-cooled condenser (second heat exchanger) 13, through which a liquid heat medium, such as an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, circulates. That is, the heat medium that passes through the heater core 11 passes through a first liquid flow path 14 and is supplied to the chiller 12, and the heat medium that passes through the chiller 12 passes through a second liquid flow path 15 and is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 13. The heat medium that passes through the water-cooled condenser 13 passes through a third liquid flow path 16 and is supplied to the heater core 11. When the heat medium heated by the heater core 11 is supplied to the chiller 12, heat exchange with the refrigerant occurs in the chiller 12, heating the refrigerant. In addition, in the water-cooled condenser 13, heat exchange occurs between the heat medium and the refrigerant heated in a heat pump cycle (described later), heating the heat medium.

[0013] As will be described later, the chiller 12 and the water-cooled condenser 13 perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, with the chiller 12 performing heat exchange on the low-temperature side and the water-cooled condenser 13 performing heat exchange on the high-temperature side. A first temperature sensor 111 is provided at the inlet of the heater core 11 where the heat medium flows in, and a second temperature sensor 112 is provided at the outlet where the heat medium is discharged.

[0014] Furthermore, a fourth liquid flow path 17 is provided between the water-cooled condenser 13 and the heater core 11, and this fourth liquid flow path 17 is configured to pass near the battery 5. An on-off valve 18 formed of a solenoid valve or the like is provided in the fourth liquid flow path 17, and when the on-off valve 18 is closed, the heat medium that has passed through the water-cooled condenser 13 passes through the third liquid flow path 16 and is supplied to the heater core 11. In other words, the heat medium does not pass through the fourth liquid flow path 17, and therefore the battery 5 is not heated by the heat medium. On the other hand, when the on-off valve 18 is open, the heat medium passes through the third liquid flow path 16 and the fourth liquid flow path 17 and is supplied to the heater core 11. Therefore, the battery 5 is heated by the heat medium.

[0015] The fourth liquid flow path 17, which passes near the battery 5, is provided with a third temperature sensor 51 for detecting the temperature of the heat medium before it passes near the battery 5, and a fourth temperature sensor 52 for detecting the temperature of the heat medium after it has passed near the battery 5. A fifth temperature sensor 53 for detecting the temperature of the battery 5 is also provided.

[0016] <1-2. Refrigerant Circuit> The refrigerant circuit 2 includes an evaporator 21, a chiller 12, and a water-cooled condenser 13, through which a refrigerant such as an HFO circulates. That is, the refrigerant that passes through the chiller 12 passes through a first refrigerant flow path 22 and is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 13, and the refrigerant that passes through the water-cooled condenser 13 passes through a second refrigerant flow path 23 and is supplied to the evaporator 21. The refrigerant that passes through the evaporator 21 passes through a third refrigerant flow path 24 and is supplied to the first refrigerant flow path 22, and then passes through the first refrigerant flow path 22 and is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 13. In addition, a fourth refrigerant flow path 25 is connected to the second refrigerant flow path 23, and the refrigerant branching from the second refrigerant flow path 23 passes through the fourth refrigerant flow path 25 and is supplied to the chiller 12.

[0017] During cooling, the refrigerant circulates through the water-cooled condenser 13, the second refrigerant flow path 23, the evaporator 21, the third refrigerant flow path 24, and the first refrigerant flow path 22. When cooling and cooling the battery 5 are performed simultaneously, or when dehumidifying and heating are performed simultaneously, the refrigerant passes through the water-cooled condenser 13 and the second refrigerant flow path 23, then flows through two parallel paths to the first refrigerant flow path 22, and circulates. That is, the refrigerant flows from the second refrigerant flow path 23 to the evaporator 21 and the third refrigerant flow path 24 to the first refrigerant flow path 22, and simultaneously flows from the second refrigerant flow path 23 to the first refrigerant flow path 22 via the fourth refrigerant flow path 25 and the chiller 12.

[0018] On the other hand, during heating, the refrigerant circulates through the water-cooled condenser 13, the second refrigerant flow path 23, the fourth refrigerant flow path 25, the chiller 12, and the first refrigerant flow path 22. As described above, the refrigerant is heated by heat exchange with the heat medium in the chiller 12. This operates the heat pump cycle.

[0019] A first expansion valve 26 is disposed between the evaporator 21 and a connecting portion of the second refrigerant flow path 23 with the fourth refrigerant flow path 25. A second expansion valve 27 is disposed in the fourth refrigerant flow path 25. The first expansion valve 26 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 21 during cooling, and the second expansion valve 27 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the chiller 12 during heating. A compressor 28 is disposed between the water-cooled condenser 13 and a connecting portion of the first refrigerant flow path 22 with the third refrigerant flow path 24. A sixth temperature sensor 121 and a first pressure sensor (not shown) are provided at an outlet from which the refrigerant is discharged in the chiller 12. An eighth temperature sensor (not shown) and a second pressure sensor (not shown) are provided at an outlet from which the refrigerant is discharged in the evaporator 21. Feedback control of the first expansion valve 26 and the second expansion valve 27 is performed using values ​​acquired by these sensors.

[0020] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating an outline of the air circuit. As shown in FIG. 2A, the air circuit 3 has a main flow path 31, which is supplied with air from inside the vehicle (inside air) or air from outside the vehicle (outside air). The main flow path 31 is also provided with the blower fan 32, the evaporator 21, and a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 33, arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. The main flow path 31 is further branched downstream into a first flow path 34 and a second flow path 35, and air passing through the PTC heater 33 flows into at least one of the first flow path 34 and the second flow path 35.

[0021] For this reason, an air mix door (switching means) 36 formed of a swingable member is provided downstream of the PTC heater 33. This air mix door 36 is configured to be able to switch the air that has passed through the PTC heater 33 between one of three modes: a first mode in which the air flows only through the first flow path 34 as shown in Fig. 2A; a second mode in which the air flows only through the second flow path 35 as shown in Fig. 2B; and a third mode in which the air flows through both the first flow path 34 and the second flow path 35. In the third mode, although not shown, the air mix door 36 is positioned so that neither the first flow path 34 nor the second flow path 35 is blocked.

[0022] The heater core 11 is disposed in the first flow path 34, and the air passing through the heater core 11 is supplied to the vehicle interior through the air conditioning outlet. The air passing through the second flow path 35 is also supplied to the vehicle interior through the air conditioning outlet.

[0023] <1-4. Control Device> Figure 3 is a block diagram of the control device. As shown in Figure 3, the control device 4 is composed of a known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, SSD, and other storage devices, and its peripheral circuits. The control device 4 performs various calculations and processes based on control programs stored in the ROM or storage device, and controls various devices connected to the control device 4. The control device receives detection signals related to temperatures detected by the first to sixth temperature sensors 111, 112, 51, 52, 53, and 121. A seventh temperature sensor 41 that detects the temperature inside the vehicle is also connected to the control device 4. Based on the detected temperatures, the control device 4 outputs drive signals for the air mix door 36, the first expansion valve 26, the second expansion valve 27, the compressor 28, the on-off valve 18, the PTC heater 33, and the blower fan 32, thereby performing various controls, including heating control, as described below. Furthermore, a battery 5 is connected to the control device 4, and the control device 4 is powered by power from the battery 5. In addition, although not shown, the pressure and temperature detected by the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the eighth temperature sensor described above are also input to the control device 4.

[0024] 2. Operation of Air Conditioner Next, the operation of the air conditioner during heating will be described. This air conditioner is configured to perform the following battery warm-up control, interior quick heating control, and interior temperature control using the control device 4 described above. Battery warm-up control is control for raising the temperature of the battery 5 when the temperature of the battery 5 is low, and is also control for heating the interior of the vehicle at the same time. Interior quick heating control is control for raising the temperature of the interior when the temperature of the interior is lower than a threshold value, and does not heat the battery. Interior temperature control is heating control when the temperature of the interior is higher than a threshold value, but does not heat the battery 5. Below, the control for selecting which of the battery warm-up control, interior quick heating control, and interior temperature control to perform will be described, and then each control will be described in detail.

[0025] <2-1. Control Settings> First, the control for performing the above-mentioned three controls will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0026] First, if there is a request for battery warm-up control (YES in step S101), the battery warm-up control is performed (step S102). The request for battery warm-up control is made, for example, when the temperature of the battery 5 detected by the fifth temperature sensor 53 is equal to or lower than a threshold value. Alternatively, the user can make a request for battery warm-up control by operating a button provided inside the vehicle. If the temperature of the battery 5 is low, it may take some time to charge the battery 5. Therefore, rapid charging may not be possible. Therefore, for example, when the ambient temperature is low, the user makes a request for battery warm-up control by operating the user himself / herself. On the other hand, if there is no request for battery warm-up control, the process proceeds to step S104, which will be described later.

[0027] When the battery warm-up control is being performed, if the temperature of the battery 5 detected by the fifth temperature sensor 53 does not exceed the threshold value (NO in step S103), the battery warm-up control is continued. On the other hand, if the temperature of the battery 5 exceeds the threshold value (YES in step S103) and there is no request for heating (NO in step S104), the interior temperature control is performed (step S105). In this case, the interior temperature control is performed by reducing the output of the PTC heater. Note that the request for heating is made, for example, by the user operating the air conditioning in the vehicle.

[0028] On the other hand, if there is a request for heating (YES in step S104), and if there is a request for quick heating (YES in step S106), the room quick heating control is performed (step S107). As described above, a request for quick heating is made when the room temperature is lower than the threshold value.

[0029] If there is no request for immediate heating (NO in step S106), indoor temperature control is performed (step S108).

[0030] <2-2. Battery Warm-Up Control> Next, the battery warm-up control will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5. The battery warm-up control is performed as follows (step S201).

[0031] First, the control device 4 switches the air mix door 36 to the first position shown in FIG. 2A and drives the PTC heater 33 and blower fan 32. It also drives the compressor 28 of the refrigerant circuit 2. Furthermore, it opens the on-off valve 18 and causes the heat medium to flow from the water-cooled condenser 13 to the fourth liquid flow path 17. Air supplied to the PTC heater 33 by the blower fan 32 is heated by the PTC heater 33. This air is supplied to the heater core 11, which heats the heater core 11. Furthermore, the air that has passed through the heater core 11 is circulated into the vehicle interior, heating the interior.

[0032] In the heater core 11, the heat medium circulating through the liquid circuit 1 is heated and supplied to the chiller 12, thereby heating the refrigerant passing through the chiller 12. This refrigerant is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 13 by the compressor 28. In the water-cooled condenser 13, the heat medium is heated by the refrigerant and sent to the heater core 11. In this way, the heat medium is heated as it circulates through the liquid circuit 1. Therefore, the temperature of the air that passes through the heater core 11 and is supplied to the vehicle interior also increases.

[0033] The circulating heat medium heats the battery 5 as it passes through the fourth liquid flow path 17. If the temperature of the heat medium (outlet water temperature) passing through the battery 5 detected by the fifth temperature sensor 52 is below a threshold (YES in step S202), the battery 5 temperature rise rate (°C / s) is higher than a threshold (YES in step S203), the refrigerant temperature (outlet temperature) at the outlet of the chiller 12 is higher than a threshold (YES in step S204), and the liquid temperature at the outlet of the heater core 11 is lower than the liquid temperature at the inlet of the heater core 11 (YES in step S205), the battery warm-up control continues (step S206). On the other hand, if any one of steps S202 to S205 is NO, the battery warm-up control is stopped (step S207). The case where the refrigerant temperature (outlet temperature) at the outlet of the chiller 12 is lower than the threshold corresponds to a case where the chiller 12 cannot heat the refrigerant.

[0034] <2-3. Indoor quick heating control> Next, the indoor quick heating control will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. The indoor quick heating control is performed as follows (step S301).

[0035] First, the control device 4 switches the air mix door 36 to the second position and drives the compressor 28. The control device 4 also closes the on-off valve 18 and stops the supply of heat medium from the water-cooled condenser 13 to the fourth liquid flow path 17. This prevents the battery 5 from being heated. The control device 4 then drives the blower fan 32 to supply air to the PTC heater 33. The air heated by the PTC heater 33 is then supplied to the second flow path 35. This causes the warm air to flow into the vehicle interior, heating the interior.

[0036] At this time, the heat medium circulates in the liquid circuit 1 in the same manner as in the battery warm-up control, but the heat medium circulating in the liquid circuit 1 is not heated because the air does not pass through the heater core 11. Also, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 2 in the same manner as in the battery warm-up control.

[0037] If the refrigerant temperature at the outlet of the chiller 12 is lower than the threshold value (NO in step S302), i.e., if the chiller 12 cannot vaporize the refrigerant, the compressor 28 is stopped and heating is performed using only the PTC heater 33 (step S303). On the other hand, if the refrigerant temperature at the outlet of the chiller 12 (outlet temperature) is higher than the threshold value, i.e., if the refrigerant is being heated by the chiller 12 (YES in step S302), and the difference between the set temperature and the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than the threshold value (YES in step S304), the interior quick heating control continues (step S305). On the other hand, if the difference between the set temperature and the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the threshold value (NO in step S304), the control switches to interior temperature regulation control (step S306).

[0038] <2-4. Room Temperature Regulation Control> Next, room temperature regulation control will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 7. Room temperature regulation control is the same as battery warm-up control except that the on-off valve 18 is closed. In other words, the battery is not heated.

[0039] First, the interior temperature is adjusted (step S401). At this time, the control device 4 switches the air mix door 36 to the first mode and drives the PTC heater 33 and the blower fan 32. It also drives the compressor 28 and closes the on-off valve 18. The air supplied to the PTC heater 33 by the blower fan 32 is heated by the PTC heater 33. This air is then supplied to the heater core 11, which heats the heater core 11. The air that has passed through the heater core 11 is then circulated into the vehicle interior, heating the interior.

[0040] In the heater core 11, the heat medium circulating through the liquid circuit 1 is heated and supplied to the chiller 12, thereby heating the refrigerant passing through the chiller 12. This refrigerant is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 13 by the compressor 28. In the water-cooled condenser 13, the heat medium is heated by the refrigerant and sent to the heater core 11. In this way, the heat medium is heated as it circulates through the liquid circuit 1. Therefore, the temperature of the air that passes through the heater core 11 and is supplied to the vehicle interior also increases.

[0041] If the refrigerant temperature at the outlet of the chiller 12 (outlet temperature) is higher than the threshold value (YES in step S402), the liquid temperature at the outlet of the heater core 11 is lower than the liquid temperature at the inlet of the heater core 11 (YES in step S403), and the rate of rise of the vehicle interior temperature (°C / s) is higher than the threshold value (YES in step S404), the interior temperature control continues (step S405).On the other hand, if any one of steps S402 to S204 is NO, the control switches to interior quick heating control (step S406).

[0042] <3. Features> Because the PTC heater 33 is disposed upstream of the heater core 11, the heat medium can be heated via the heater core 11 by air heated by the PTC heater 33. In this embodiment, the heated heat medium is supplied to the chiller 12, thereby starting up the refrigerant cycle of the refrigerant circuit 2 and operating the heat pump cycle even at low temperatures. This makes it possible to improve power consumption even when the PTC heater 33 is used. Furthermore, when instant heating is required, instant heating by the PTC heater 33 is possible by setting the air mix door 36 to the second position shown in FIG. 2B.

[0043] In this way, depending on whether or not there is a demand for instant heating, it is possible to switch between a heat pump using the refrigerant circuit 2 to ensure sufficient heating heat and instant heating using the air circuit 3 that can drive only the PTC heater. Therefore, compared to a circuit having a water PTC heater 33 as in the conventional example, it is possible to obtain instant heating while also achieving the same electricity cost (heat amount).

[0044] 4. Modifications Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible. Furthermore, the gist of the following modifications can be combined with each other as appropriate, and can also be combined with the above embodiment.

[0045] (1) In the above embodiment, the battery warm-up control and the interior temperature control may be performed by using the air mix door 36 in the third mode. Note that the switching of the flow path is not limited to the air mix door 36, and various switching means may be used.

[0046] (2) In the above embodiment, steps S202 to S205 shown in FIG. 5 are listed as conditions for stopping the battery warm-up control during the battery warm-up control. However, one or more of these may also be adopted.

[0047] (3) In the above embodiment, steps S402 to S404 shown in FIG. 7 are listed as conditions for switching to quick indoor heating control during indoor temperature regulation control. However, one or more of these may also be used.

[0048] (4) In the above embodiment, the chiller 12 and the water-cooled condenser 13 are used as heat exchangers, but the heat exchangers are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate.

[0049] (5) The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and can be modified as appropriate as long as the above-mentioned three controls can be performed.

[0050] 1: Liquid circuit 2: Refrigerant circuit 3: Air circuit 4: Control device 5: Battery 11: Heater core 12: Chiller (first heat exchanger) 13: Water-cooled condenser (second heat exchanger) 33: PTC heater 34: First flow path 35: Second flow path 36: Air mix door (switching means)

Claims

1. An air conditioning control method for an automobile comprising: a liquid circuit configured to circulate a liquid heat medium through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, an area near a battery, and a heater core; a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; an air circuit configured to pass air through a PTC heater and the heater core; and a switching means provided in an air flow path in the air circuit, the switching means being configured to switch between a first mode in which air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a first flow path in which the heater core is disposed, a second mode in which air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a second flow path, and a third mode in which air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via both the first flow path and the second flow path, the method being configured to perform battery warm-up control, interior quick heating control, and interior temperature adjustment control, wherein in the battery warm-up control, the switching means is switched to the first mode, air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior; the heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger; the heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger; the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger is heated by the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium passes near the battery before being supplied to the heater core; in the interior quick heating control, the switching means is switched to the second mode; the air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the vehicle interior via the second flow path; and the heat medium that has passed through the second heat exchanger is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery; in the interior temperature adjustment control, the switching means is switched to the first mode or the third mode; The air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior. The liquid heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant that passes through the first heat exchanger. The heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger.the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger is heated by the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery.

2. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the battery warm-up control is performed when there is no request for heating and there is a request for the battery warm-up control.

3. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein, when there is a request for heating and also a request for the battery warm-up control, the request for the battery warm-up control is given priority and the battery warm-up control is performed.

4. An air conditioning control method as described in claim 1, wherein when there is a request for heating and a request for the room quick heating control, the room quick heating control is performed, and when the room temperature exceeds a threshold value, the control is switched to the room temperature adjustment control.

5. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the indoor temperature control is performed when there is a demand for heating and no demand for the indoor quick heating control.

6. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the room quick heating control is performed when the difference between the room set temperature and the room temperature exceeds a threshold value.

7. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the battery warm-up control is stopped when the temperature of the liquid at the outlet from the vicinity of the battery exceeds a threshold value.

8. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the battery warm-up control is stopped when the rate of temperature rise of the battery does not exceed a threshold value.

9. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the battery warm-up control is stopped when the fluid temperature at the outlet of the heater core is higher than the fluid temperature at the inlet of the heater core.

10. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the battery warm-up control is stopped when the refrigerant cannot be vaporized in the first heat exchanger.

11. An air conditioning control method as described in claim 1, wherein, in the room instant heating control, if the refrigerant is vaporized in the first heat exchanger, a heat pump cycle is operated in the refrigerant circuit, and if the refrigerant cannot be vaporized in the first heat exchanger, heating is performed using only the PTC heater.

12. An air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein in the indoor temperature control, if the liquid temperature at the outlet of the heater core is higher than the liquid temperature at the inlet of the heater core, the control is switched to the indoor quick heating control.

13. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein, in the indoor temperature control, if the refrigerant cannot be vaporized in the first heat exchanger, the control is switched to the indoor quick heating control.

14. The air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein in the interior temperature control, if the rate of rise in the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than a threshold value, the control is switched to the interior quick heating control.

15. An air conditioning system for an automobile comprising: a liquid circuit configured to circulate a heat medium through a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, an area near a battery, and a heater core; a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; an air circuit configured to pass air through a PTC heater and the heater core; and an air flow path in which the PTC heater, the heater core, and a switching means are disposed, the air flow path being configured to switch between a first mode in which the air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a first flow path in which the heater core is disposed, a second mode in which the air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via a second flow path, and a third mode in which the air that has passed through the PTC heater is caused to flow into the vehicle interior via both the first flow path and the second flow path, the air conditioning system being configured to perform battery warm-up control, quick interior warm-up control, and interior temperature adjustment control, wherein in the battery warm-up control, the switching means is switched to the first mode, air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior; the heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger; the heated refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger; the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger is heated by the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium passes near the battery before being supplied to the heater core; in the interior quick heating control, the switching means is switched to the second mode; the air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the vehicle interior via the second flow path; and the heat medium that has passed through the second heat exchanger is supplied to the heater core without passing near the battery; in the interior temperature adjustment control, the switching means is switched to the first mode or the third mode; The air heated by the PTC heater is supplied to the heater core to heat the heater core, and the air that has passed through the heater core is supplied to the vehicle interior. The heat medium heated in the heater core is supplied to the first heat exchanger to heat the refrigerant that passes through the first heat exchanger.The air conditioning device performs control as follows: supplying the heated refrigerant to the second heat exchanger; heating the heat medium passing through the second heat exchanger with the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger; and supplying the heat medium to the heater core without passing near the battery.

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