JP2013203190A - Battery temperature adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery temperature adjusting device capable of achieving battery heating with high efficiency even under an extremely cold condition by guiding temperature-controlled air subjected to a refrigeration cycle to a battery through a circulation flow passage or an outside air introduction flow passage.SOLUTION: A battery temperature adjusting device is structured so that a case 30 is provided on the way to a circulation duct 33 that permits a circulation mode for circulating inside air and an outside air mode for incorporating and circulating outside air to be switchable by a damper 6; an evaporator 21 and a condenser 22 of a refrigeration cycle 2 is built in the case 30, with a motor driving battery 1 for vehicle running sandwiched therebetween; during cooling of the battery 1, the damper 6 is switched so that a lower one of outside air and circulating air temperatures is supplied to the battery 1; and during heating of the battery 1, hot air is supplied to the battery 1 to heat the battery 1 by switching a refrigerant flow passage of the refrigeration cycle 2 or changing a flow direction of circulating air in the circulation duct 33.

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature control device for a battery mounted on a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and an electric vehicle (hereinafter collectively referred to as EV). The battery temperature control device is a device that heats and cools the battery with temperature-controlled air.

  A battery mounted on a vehicle using only the engine as a power source is only used for starting the engine and driving an electric auxiliary machine, and therefore has a relatively small capacity. On the other hand, since the battery mounted on the EV supplies electric power to the traveling motor for a long time, the voltage is high and the capacity is large. The battery mounted on the EV may generate heat due to current flowing during charging or discharging to supply power to the motor, and may become high temperature. Therefore, cooling is necessary to avoid performance degradation and deterioration due to high temperature. is there. On the other hand, since the battery mounted on the EV cannot exhibit input / output performance in a low temperature state, it is necessary to heat the battery so as to exhibit performance. In particular, when the outside air temperature is very low (for example, when the temperature is −20 ° C. or lower), it is desired to heat the battery to bring out the performance of the battery.

  Furthermore, due to demands for reducing energy consumption and environmental protection, EVs are increasingly motivated to extend the distance traveled by batteries alone without operating the engine. As conventional techniques for meeting these requirements, techniques such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known.

  The technology of Patent Document 1 cools and heats a battery using temperature-controlled air that is cooled and heated by a refrigeration cycle provided for adjusting the temperature of the battery. This enables high-efficiency cooling and heating from the height of the operating coefficient COP. Moreover, the technique of patent document 2 is a technique which can heat a battery, without receiving the influence of external temperature by circulating temperature control wind.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since at least one of the evaporator and the condenser communicates with the outside air, there is a problem that the operation of the refrigeration cycle (heat pump) becomes impossible when the outside air temperature is very low. Remaining. Moreover, in the technique of patent document 2, since it is heating only by an electric heater without having a refrigeration cycle (cooling is simple air cooling), the efficiency is low, and the increase in energy consumption and the travel distance with only the battery are greatly shortened. Have a challenge.

JP 2011-178270 A

JP 2009-272112 A

  In view of the above problems, the present invention guides the temperature-controlled air to the battery using a refrigeration cycle, and enables the temperature-controlled air flow path to be switched between a circulation flow path and an outside air circulation flow path, even in an extremely cold state with high efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery temperature control device that enables battery heating.

  The battery temperature adjusting device of the present invention that solves the above problems is a temperature adjusting device 10 for a battery 1 for driving a motor for driving a vehicle, and includes a case 30, a duct 33, and a blower 5, and air flows inside. The ventilation path 3 is provided at a connection point between the first and second outside air communication ducts 31 and 32 connected to the duct 33 and the duct 33 of the first and second outside air communication ducts 31 and 32. Is provided with a damper 6 that switches between an inside air circulation path and an outside air circulation path that takes in outside air and discharges it after circulation, an evaporator 21 and a condenser 22 in a case 30, and the evaporator 21 is heated to a high temperature by a refrigerant. The battery 1 is disposed in a case 30 between the condenser 21 and the evaporator 22 so that the battery 1 is heated from the condenser 21 side when the battery 1 needs to be heated. Flow towards, when the battery 1 cooling is required and is characterized in that it has to flow toward the air from the evaporator 22 side to the battery 1.

  This makes it possible to heat and cool the battery according to the environment in which the battery is placed by creating a temperature-controlled wind that can be temperature-controlled using the refrigeration cycle and guiding it to the battery. The battery can be used with high efficiency.

  In addition, the code | symbol attached | subjected above is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific embodiment as described in embodiment mentioned later.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation position in the vehicle of the temperature control apparatus of the battery of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Example of the temperature control apparatus of a battery. FIG. 2 shows an air flow during battery heating in the battery temperature control apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and (a) is an operation explanatory diagram showing an air flow when heating is performed by circulating the inside air in the circulation duct. (B) is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the flow of air when taking in external air and heating. The structure of 2nd Example of the temperature control apparatus of a battery and the heating / cooling operation | movement of a battery are shown, (a) is a block diagram which shows the operation | movement of the four-way valve at the time of battery heating, and the flow of internal air and external air (B) is a partial block diagram which shows the operation | movement of the four-way valve at the time of battery cooling, and the flow of internal air and external air. The structure of 3rd Example of the temperature control apparatus of a battery and a heating / cooling operation | movement of a battery are shown, (a) is a block diagram which shows the flow of the internal air at the time of battery heating, and external air, (b) It is a block diagram which shows the flow of the internal air at the time of battery cooling, and external air. 4A and 4B show an embodiment in which the four-way valve of the refrigeration cycle shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is replaced with a combination of a two-way valve and a three-way valve, and FIG. 4A shows a two-way valve and a three-way valve during battery heating. The operation diagram of the refrigeration cycle showing the operation of the valve, (b) is an operation diagram of the refrigeration cycle showing the operation of the two-way valve and the three-way valve during battery cooling. It is a partial block diagram of the modification which attached the radiation fin to the battery heated or cooled with the refrigerating cycle of the temperature control apparatus of the battery of this invention. It is the partial block diagram of the modified example which covered the ventilation path of the refrigerating cycle of the temperature control apparatus of the battery of this invention with the heat insulating material.

  Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts having the same configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an installation position in a vehicle 9 of a battery temperature adjusting device 10 of the present invention. The vehicle 9 is usually provided with an air conditioner unit 7 for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment 8 in an engine room or the like. The air conditioner unit 7 takes in the outside air A and the circulated air C circulated through the room 8 into the apparatus main body, and blows out the cold air CA and the hot air WA adjusted in temperature by passing through a cooler unit and a heater unit (not shown) into the room 8. Operate.

  When the vehicle 9 is an EV, a high voltage battery 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a battery 1) for supplying power to a travel motor (not shown) is mounted. Since the EV battery 1 has a large capacity and a large size, the EV battery 1 is often mounted in a rear portion of a vehicle such as a trunk room of the vehicle 9. Therefore, the battery temperature control device 10 is mounted at a position different from that of the air conditioner unit 7. The battery temperature adjusting device 10 according to the present invention adjusts the temperature of the battery 1, and includes a ventilation path 3 that houses the battery 1 and a refrigeration cycle 2 that changes the temperature of air flowing in the ventilation path 3. . The battery temperature control device 10 according to the present invention changes its installation position depending on the mounting position of the battery 1.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the first embodiment of the battery temperature control apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The ventilation path 3 in the battery temperature control apparatus 10 of the first embodiment includes a case 30 that houses the battery 1 and a duct 33 that connects the inlet and the outlet of the case 30. A first outside air communication duct 31 and a second outside air communication duct 32 are adjacently connected to the duct 33, and the damper 6 is connected to the connection point of the first and second outside air communication ducts 31, 32 to the duct 33. Is provided. The damper 6 can take two positions, a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a broken line. When the damper 6 is at the solid line position, the first and second outside air communication ducts 31 and 32 do not communicate with the duct 33 and an inside air circulation path is formed. On the other hand, when the damper 6 is at the position of the broken line, the duct 33 is divided into two, one of the dividing points of the duct 33 communicates with the outside air through the first outside air communicating duct 31, and the other passes through the second outside air communicating duct 32. An outside air circulation path is formed in communication with the.

  A blower 5 including a motor 50 and a blade 51 is provided at a predetermined position inside the duct 33. The blower 5 of the first embodiment sends air in the duct 33 in one direction, and cannot reversely send air in the opposite direction. Outside the ventilation path 3, an outside air temperature sensor 41 for measuring the outside air temperature is provided as a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor is provided at a portion where the air exits from the case 30 in the duct 33. A circulating air temperature sensor 42 is provided. The installation position of the outside air temperature sensor 41 may be anywhere as long as the outside air temperature can be measured, but the upstream side of the first outside air communication duct 31 is desirable.

  The battery temperature control device 10 is further provided with a control device 4. The temperature detection value of the outside air temperature sensor 41 and the temperature detection value of the circulating air temperature sensor 42 are input to the control device 4. The control device 4 controls the switching of the position of the damper 6 and the rotation of the motor 50 of the blower 5. The control device 4 compares the temperature detection value of the outside air temperature sensor 41 with the temperature detection value of the circulating air temperature sensor 42, switches the damper 6, and controls the rotation of the motor 50 of the blower 5.

  The refrigeration cycle 2 includes a condenser 21, an evaporator 22, a compressor 23, and an expansion valve 24, and the refrigerant circulates through a refrigerant flow path connecting them. The condenser 21 and the evaporator 22 are provided inside the case 30, and the battery 1 is accommodated between the condenser 21 and the evaporator 22. In the first embodiment, the battery 1 includes a plurality of cells, but the battery 1 may be integrated. Since the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant (gas) compressed by the compressor 23 flows into the condenser 21, the condenser 21 becomes high temperature. Further, since the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant (liquid) from the expansion valve 24 flows into the evaporator 22, the evaporator 22 has a low temperature. Since the refrigeration cycle 2 includes the above members, the circulating air temperature sensor 42 detects the temperature of the air downstream of the evaporator 22. The refrigeration cycle 2 is also connected to the control device 4 or a control device (not shown), and is controlled so that the air passing through the condenser 21 or the evaporator 22 toward the battery 1 reaches a predetermined temperature.

  Here, the heating operation of the battery 1 in the battery temperature control apparatus 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3A shows a case where the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 41 is lower than the inside air temperature detected by the circulating air temperature sensor 42. At this time, the control device 4 controls the damper 6 to a position where the first and second outside air communication ducts 31 and 32 are closed. In this state, the air that has passed through the evaporator 22 circulates upstream of the condenser 21 (this is referred to as a circulation mode).

  When the refrigeration cycle 2 is activated, the condenser 21 becomes high temperature and the evaporator 22 becomes low temperature. When the blower 5 is operated in this state, the air heated through the condenser 21 moves as indicated by the solid line and passes through the vicinity of the battery 1 and the gap, so that the battery 1 is heated. The air that has passed through the battery 1 passes through the evaporator 22 and returns to the condenser 21 through the circulation duct 33. In this case, since heat is not exchanged with the outside, the battery 1 is heated by the amount of energy input as compressor power. Since there is no heat exchange with the outside world, this circulation mode can be operated at any ambient temperature.

  On the other hand, when the temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 41 is higher than the temperature measured by the circulating air temperature sensor 42, the control device 4 causes the damper 6 to connect the first and second outside air communication ducts 31 and 32 to the circulation duct 33. The circulation duct 33 is divided into two. By the damper 6, the circulation duct 33 on the condenser 21 side communicates with the outside air through the first outside air communication duct 31, and the circulation duct 33 on the evaporator 22 side communicates with the outside air through the second outside air communication duct 32.

  When the refrigeration cycle 2 is activated, the condenser 21 becomes high temperature and the evaporator 22 becomes low temperature. When the blower 5 is operated in this state, the air taken in through the first outside air communication duct 31 moves as indicated by a broken line and is heated through the condenser 21. Since the heated air passes through the vicinity of the battery 1 and the gap, the battery 1 is heated. The air that has passed through the battery 1 passes through the evaporator 22, and is discharged to the outside through the second outside air communication duct 32. (This is referred to as outside air mode). In this case, since the outside air taken from the outside is warmer than the air downstream of the evaporator 22, the refrigeration cycle 2 draws heat from the outside air, so that energy efficiency is improved, that is, the above-described operating coefficient COP is improved. To do.

  In this way, by providing the ventilation path 3 that includes the refrigeration cycle 2 and can switch between the circulation mode and the outside air mode, the battery 1 is heated in the circulation mode when the outside air temperature is low, and in the outside air mode at the normal outside temperature. The temperature of the battery 1 can be adjusted with high efficiency. Further, if the operation of the refrigeration cycle 2 is stopped and the ventilation path 3 is set to the outside air mode, the battery 1 can be cooled by the outside air, and the minimum cooling is possible even when the battery cooling is necessary in summer or the like. It becomes possible.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B show the configuration of the battery temperature control apparatus 10A and the heating / cooling operation of the battery 1 according to the second embodiment. The battery temperature adjusting device 10A of the second embodiment is different from the battery temperature adjusting device 10 of the first embodiment in that the flow path switching operation is possible on the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 23 of the refrigeration cycle 2. The valve 25 is provided. When the four-way valve 25 is in the state shown in FIG. 4A, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23 is input to the condenser 21, and the refrigerant output from the evaporator 22 is input to the compressor 23. The operation of the battery temperature adjusting device 10A at this time is exactly the same as the operation of the battery temperature adjusting device 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, when the damper 6 is at the solid line position, the circulation mode is set, and when the damper 6 is at the broken line position, the outside air mode is set.

  On the other hand, when the four-way valve 25 in the state of FIG. 4A is rotated by 90 °, the state is as shown in FIG. When the four-way valve 25 is in the state shown in FIG. 4B, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23 is input to the evaporator 22, and the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 21 is input to the compressor 23. That is, the functions of the condenser 21 and the evaporator 22 are reversed, the condenser 21 becomes an evaporator, and the evaporator 22 becomes a condenser. In the state shown in FIG. 4B, when the refrigeration cycle 2 is operated, the evaporator 22 (function is an evaporator) becomes high temperature, and the condenser 21 (function is an evaporator) becomes low temperature.

  When the blower 5 is operated in this state, the air passing through the condenser 21 (functioning as an evaporator) having a low temperature can be cooled, and the battery 1 can be cooled. Also in the battery temperature control apparatus 10A of the second embodiment, the circulation mode and the outside air mode can be switched by switching the damper 6. In FIG. 4B, the air flow indicated by the solid line indicates the air flow in the circulation mode, and the air flow indicated by the broken line indicates the air flow in the outside air mode. In the battery temperature control apparatus 10A of the second embodiment, the battery can be cooled to an ambient temperature or lower.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the battery temperature adjusting device 10B of the third embodiment and the battery heating / cooling operation. The battery temperature adjusting device 10B of the third embodiment is different from the battery temperature adjusting device 10 of the first embodiment in that the blower 5 is an axial flow fan 53 that can be operated in reverse. The axial fan 53 is attached to the tip portion of the rotating shaft 52 of the motor 50, and can rotate forward and backward. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the axial flow fan 53 is rotated forward. At this time, the air flowing in the case 30 flows from the condenser 21 side to the evaporator 22 side. The operation of the battery temperature control device 10B at this time is exactly the same as the operation of the battery temperature control device 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, when the damper 6 is at the solid line position, the circulation mode is set, and when the damper 6 is at the broken line position, the outside air mode is set.

  On the other hand, when the axial fan 53 is reversed, the air flowing in the case 30 flows from the evaporator 22 side to the condenser 21 side as shown in FIG. Therefore, the air passing through the evaporator 22 in the low temperature state can be cooled, and the battery 1 can be cooled. Also in the battery temperature control apparatus 10B of the third embodiment, the circulation mode and the outside air mode can be switched by switching the damper 6. The air flow indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5B indicates the air flow in the circulation mode, and the air flow indicated by the broken line indicates the air flow in the outside air mode. The battery temperature control apparatus 10B of the third embodiment can also cool the battery below the outside air temperature.

  In the battery temperature control apparatus 10B of the third embodiment, the axial flow fan 53 is used as the reversible blower 5. However, other reversible blowers can be used. In addition, even in a fan that cannot be reversed, the direction can be reversed in the circulation duct 33, or the circulation duct 33 is configured as a two-line duct only in the fan part, and different ducts can be installed by installing different fans in each direction. You may make it switch.

  6 (a) and 6 (b) show a second example in which the four-way valve 25 of the refrigeration cycle 2 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) is replaced with a combination of a two-way valve 26 and three-way valves 27 and 28. The modified example of an Example is shown. In the modified embodiment, only the configuration of the refrigeration cycle 2 is shown. In the modified embodiment, the compressor 23 of the refrigeration cycle 2 is provided with two systems of bypass flow paths BP1 and BP2. The bypass passage BP1 is provided with a two-way valve 26 that is opened and closed (ON / OFF) by the control device shown in FIG. The bypass flow path BP2 is provided with three-way valves 27 and 28 at its connection portions, respectively. The three-way valves 27 and 28 are configured such that the flow path “white”-“white” communicates with the control device, or the flow paths “black”-“black” communicate with each other.

  The state shown in FIG. 6A is a state in which the two-way valve 26 is closed (OFF), and the three-way valves 27 and 28 are in a state in which the flow paths “white”-“white” are in communication. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23 is input to the condenser 21, and the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 22 is input to the compressor 23. The operation of the refrigeration cycle 2 at this time is exactly the same as the operation of the refrigeration cycle 2 shown in FIG. The state shown in FIG. 6B is a state in which the two-way valve 26 is open (ON), and the three-way valves 27 and 28 are in a state where the flow paths “black”-“black” are in communication. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23 is input to the evaporator 22, and the refrigerant output from the condenser 21 is input to the compressor 23. The operation of the refrigeration cycle 2 at this time is exactly the same as the operation of the refrigeration cycle 2 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment in which the radiating fins 11 are attached to the battery 1 to be heated or cooled using the refrigeration cycle 2 of the battery temperature adjusting device 10, 10A, 10B of the present invention. When a heat transfer promoting structure such as the fin 11 is provided between the individual batteries 1, heat exchange with the battery 1 is promoted. Although not shown, when there is a part in the battery 1 where heating or cooling is particularly important, the part can be brought into thermal contact with a condenser or an evaporator.

  FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment in which the ventilation path 3 of the refrigeration cycle 2 of the battery temperature control device 10, 10 </ b> A, 10 </ b> B of the present invention is covered with a heat insulating material 35. When all or a part of the ventilation path 3 is thermally insulated from the outside, the effects described so far become even greater.

  Further, both or one of the first and second outside air communication ducts 31 and 32 can be communicated with the space in the passenger compartment 8. In this case, it is possible to use the heat energy in the passenger compartment 8.

  Further, the sensors 41 and 42 in the above-described embodiment are those that can measure temperature and humidity (either an integrated type or a separate body), and the circulation mode is determined by the magnitude of the enthalpy calculated by the control device 4 from the temperature and humidity. It is possible to switch the outside air mode. If the circulation mode and the outside air mode are switched depending on the enthalpy, the system can be made more efficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery 2 Refrigerating cycle 3 Ventilation path 6 Damper 10, 10A, 10B Battery temperature control device 21 Condenser 22 Evaporator 30 Case 33 Circulation duct 41, 42 Temperature sensor

Claims (8)

A temperature control device (10) for a battery (1) for supplying electric power to a motor for driving a vehicle,
A ventilation path (3) including a case (30), a duct (33), and a blower (5), through which air flows;
First and second outside air communication ducts (31, 32) connected to the duct (33);
An outside air circulation which is provided at a connection point of the first and second outside air communication ducts (31, 32) to the duct (33) and takes out the inside air circulation path and outside air through the ventilation path (3) and circulates after circulation. A damper (6) for switching to one of the routes;
A refrigeration cycle (2) comprising a condenser (21) and an evaporator (22) in the case (30), the refrigerant (21) being heated to a high temperature and the evaporator (22) being cooled to a low temperature by a refrigerant. Prepared,
The battery (1) is placed in the case (30) between the condenser (21) and the evaporator (22), and when the battery (1) needs to be heated, air is sent to the condenser ( 21) from the side toward the battery (1), and when the battery (1) needs to be cooled, air is allowed to flow from the evaporator (22) side toward the battery (1). Battery temperature control device. A first temperature sensor (41) for detecting the outside air temperature;
A second temperature sensor (42) for detecting the temperature of the air downstream of the evaporator (22);
A control device (4) for switching the damper (6) by comparing the temperature detection values of the first and second temperature sensors (41, 42);
When the battery (1) needs to be cooled and the detected value of the first temperature sensor (41) is higher than the detected value of the second temperature sensor (42), the control device (4) When the ventilation path (3) is an inside air circulation path and the detection value of the first temperature sensor (41) is lower than the detection value of the second temperature sensor (42), the ventilation path (3) The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the outside air circulation path is used.   When the battery (1) needs to be heated and the detected value of the first temperature sensor (41) is higher than the detected value of the second temperature sensor (42), the control device (4) When the ventilation path (3) is an outside air circulation path and the detection value of the first temperature sensor (41) is lower than the detection value of the second temperature sensor (42), the ventilation path (3) The temperature adjusting device for a battery according to claim 2, wherein the internal air circulation path is used.   The temperature control of the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blower (5) can be reversely operated and can reverse the flow of air flowing through the ventilation path (3). apparatus.   The flow of air flowing through the ventilation path (3) by the blower (5) is always in one direction, and by reversing the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle (2), the condenser (21) and the The battery temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the function of the evaporator (22) is exchanged.   A four-way valve (25) is provided in the refrigerant flow path of the refrigeration cycle (2), and the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle (2) is reversed by the flow path switching operation of the four-way valve (25). The battery temperature control device according to claim 5, wherein   The refrigerant flow path of the refrigeration cycle (2) is provided with a two-way valve (26) and two three-way valves (27, 28), and the two-way valve (26) and two three-way valves (27, 28). The battery temperature control device according to claim 5, wherein the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle (2) is reversed by the flow path switching operation.   The battery temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein all or part of the ventilation path (3) is covered with a heat insulating material (35).

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