CN110892225B - Equipment temperature adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment temperature adjustment unit (10) is provided with one or more equipment heat exchangers (11-14) which are configured so that the target equipment and the working fluid can exchange heat so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled. The condenser (50) dissipates heat from the working fluid in the gas phase, and allows the condensed working fluid in the liquid phase to flow out. The liquid-phase passage (55) allows the liquid-phase working fluid to flow between the condenser (50) and the device temperature adjustment unit (10). The plurality of gas phase passages (21-24, 30-32, 40-42) allow the working fluid in the gas phase to flow between the equipment temperature adjusting part (10) and the condenser (50). A first connection part (211) of a first gas phase passage (21) and an equipment temperature adjusting part (10) in the plurality of gas phase passages are connected, and a second connection part (221) of a second gas phase passage (22) and the equipment temperature adjusting part (10) are positioned at positions separated in the horizontal direction.

Description

Equipment temperature adjusting device

Cross reference to related applications

The present application is based on japanese patent application No. 2017-176038 applied on 13/9/2017 and japanese patent application No. 2018-137127 applied on 20/7/2018, and the contents of the descriptions thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus temperature adjustment device that adjusts the temperature of a target apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, a device temperature control apparatus for controlling the temperature of a target device by a loop type thermosiphon system is known.

The device temperature control device described in patent document 1 includes: a device heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a battery as a target device and a working fluid; a condenser disposed on an upper side of the equipment heat exchanger in a gravity direction; and a gas-phase passage and a liquid-phase passage connecting the equipment heat exchanger and the condenser. The device temperature control apparatus further includes a heating member capable of heating the working fluid inside the device heat exchanger.

In the device temperature control apparatus described in patent document 1, when cooling the battery, the working fluid inside the device heat exchanger absorbs heat from the battery and evaporates, and flows into the condenser through the gas phase passage. The working fluid in the liquid phase condensed at the condenser passes through the liquid-phase passage and flows into the heat exchanger for the plant. In this way, the device temperature control apparatus is configured to cool the battery by the phase change of the working fluid circulating in the thermosiphon circuit.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-41418

The inventors of the present invention have found the following problems with respect to the thermosiphon type device temperature control apparatus described in patent document 1. That is, as shown in fig. 42, when the device temperature adjustment device 100 is mounted on a vehicle or the like, the device temperature adjustment device 100 may be tilted together with the vehicle. In the state shown in fig. 42, the facility heat exchanger 110 included in the facility temperature adjustment device 100 is inclined such that the connection portion 201 of the gas-phase passage 200 to the facility heat exchanger 110 is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the liquid surface FL of the liquid-phase working fluid in the equipment heat exchanger 110 is located above the connection portion 201 of the gas-phase passage 200. That is, the connection portion 201 of the gas-phase passage 200 is immersed in the working fluid in the liquid phase. In this case, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger 110 during the heat generation of the battery is not flowed into the gas phase passage 200, but is stored in the upper chamber 120 in the equipment heat exchanger 110. Therefore, the working fluid does not circulate through the thermosiphon circuit including the equipment heat exchanger 110, the gas-phase passage 200, the condenser 500, and the liquid-phase passage 550, and the equipment temperature control device 100 cannot cool the battery.

The target device for temperature adjustment by device temperature adjustment device 100 may be a battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In this case, the battery pack is configured by a large number of battery cells and is disposed below the floor panel of the electric vehicle, and therefore has a large size in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the horizontal length of the equipment heat exchanger 110 is also increased together with the battery pack. Therefore, even in the case where the inclination angle of the electric vehicle is small, the connection portion 210 of the gas-phase passage 200 is likely to be immersed in the liquid-phase working fluid. That is, when the target device is a battery pack of an electric vehicle, the inclination of the electric vehicle greatly affects the battery cooling capability of the device temperature control apparatus 100.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to provide a device temperature control device capable of controlling the temperature of a target device even when the device is tilted.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus temperature control device for controlling a temperature of a target apparatus by phase transition between a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid includes:

an equipment temperature adjustment unit having one or more equipment heat exchangers configured to allow heat exchange between the target equipment and the working fluid so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled;

a condenser that dissipates heat from the gaseous phase working fluid and allows the condensed liquid phase working fluid to flow out;

a liquid-phase passage that causes a liquid-phase working fluid to flow between the condenser and the equipment temperature adjustment portion; and

a plurality of gas phase passages that flow a gas-phase working fluid between the apparatus temperature adjustment portion and the condenser,

a first connection portion, to which a first gas phase passage of the plurality of gas phase passages is connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment portion, and a second connection portion, to which a second gas phase passage is connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment portion, are located at positions separated in the horizontal direction.

Thus, when the device temperature adjustment unit is inclined, one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger included in the equipment temperature adjustment unit flows from the first connection portion or the second connection portion located on the upper side in the direction of gravity through at least one of the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage and flows into the condenser. The working fluid condensed in the condenser flows in the liquid-phase passage and flows into the heat exchanger for equipment. By such circulation of the working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus can cool the target device even when the device temperature control unit is inclined

From another aspect, a device temperature control device for controlling the temperature of a target device (2) by changing the phase of a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid includes:

an equipment temperature adjustment unit that has a plurality of equipment heat exchangers configured to be capable of exchanging heat between a target equipment and a working fluid so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled, and a connection passage that connects the plurality of equipment heat exchangers to each other;

a condenser that dissipates heat from the gaseous phase working fluid and allows the condensed liquid phase working fluid to flow out;

a liquid-phase passage through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows between the plurality of equipment heat exchangers and the condenser; and

a plurality of gas-phase passages for allowing a working fluid in a gas phase to flow between the plurality of heat exchangers for plant and the condenser,

the first connection portion of the plurality of gas phase passages, to which the first gas phase passage is connected to the equipment temperature adjustment portion, and the second connection portion of the second gas phase passage, to which the second gas phase passage is connected to the equipment temperature adjustment portion, are located at positions separated in the horizontal direction, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided to different equipment heat exchangers or to the same equipment heat exchanger, respectively.

Thus, when the device temperature adjustment unit is inclined, one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the plurality of heat exchangers for equipment included in the equipment temperature adjustment unit flows from the first connection unit or the second connection unit located on the upper side in the direction of gravity through at least one of the first gas phase passage and the second gas phase passage, and flows into the condenser. The working fluid condensed by the condenser flows through the liquid-phase passage and flows into the plurality of equipment heat exchangers. By such circulation of the working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus can cool the target device even when the plurality of device temperature control units are inclined.

Note that the parenthesized reference numerals attached to the respective components and the like indicate an example of the correspondence relationship between the components and the like and the specific components and the like described in the embodiment described later.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the equipment heat exchanger and the battery module provided in the equipment temperature control device.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the equipment heat exchanger and the battery module provided in the equipment temperature control device.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the working fluid when the device temperature control apparatus cools the battery.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of the working fluid in the case where the device temperature adjustment apparatus is tilted.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the working fluid in the case where the device temperature adjustment apparatus is tilted.

Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the enclosed amount of the working fluid is changed as a modification 1 to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the enclosed amount of the working fluid is changed as a modification 2 of the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the enclosed amount of the working fluid is changed as modified example 3 of the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the apparatus temperature adjustment device of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the ninth embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the tenth embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the twelfth embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the thirteenth embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an apparatus temperature adjustment device of the fourteenth embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a device heat exchanger and a battery module provided in a device temperature adjustment device according to a fifteenth embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a device heat exchanger and a battery module provided in a device temperature control apparatus according to a sixteenth embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of an apparatus temperature control device according to the seventeenth embodiment.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of the XXVI portion of fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a schematic configuration diagram of an equipment temperature control device according to an eighteenth embodiment.

Fig. 28 is an enlarged view of the XXVIII portion of fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is an enlarged view of the XXIX portion of fig. 27.

Fig. 30 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a nineteenth embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a nineteenth embodiment.

Fig. 32 is a sectional view of a flow path area adjustment valve provided in the device temperature adjustment apparatus according to the twentieth embodiment.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view of a flow path area adjustment valve provided in the device temperature adjustment apparatus according to the twentieth embodiment.

Fig. 34 is a sectional view of a flow path area adjustment valve provided in a device temperature adjustment apparatus according to a twenty-first embodiment.

Fig. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path area adjustment valve provided in the device temperature adjustment apparatus according to the twenty-first embodiment.

Fig. 36 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a twenty-second embodiment.

Fig. 37 is an enlarged view of the XXXVII portion of fig. 36.

Fig. 38 is an enlarged view of the XXXVIII portion of fig. 36.

Fig. 39 is a schematic configuration diagram of a device temperature control apparatus according to a twenty-third embodiment.

Fig. 40 is an enlarged view of the XL portion of fig. 39.

Figure 41 is an enlarged view of the XLI portion of figure 39.

Fig. 42 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional device temperature control apparatus.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In the description of the embodiments, the terms first, second, third, and the like are used for convenience of description, and are not intended to limit the number, arrangement, shape, and the like of the respective components.

(first embodiment)

A first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 6. The device temperature control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as "vehicle") such as an electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. The device temperature adjustment device 1 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "present device 1") cools or warms up a secondary battery (hereinafter, referred to as "battery") mounted on a vehicle, and adjusts the temperature of the battery.

First, the battery 2 as a target device for temperature adjustment by the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 will be described. A large-sized battery 2 provided in a vehicle is mounted under a seat of the vehicle, under a trunk, or the like as a battery pack (i.e., a power storage device) in which a plurality of battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells 3 are combined are stored. The electric power stored in the battery 2 is supplied to the vehicle-running motor via an inverter or the like. The battery 2 generates heat by itself when power supply or the like is performed during vehicle running. When the temperature of the battery 2 becomes high, not only does it not sufficiently function, but also deterioration is promoted, so that it is necessary to limit the output and input so as to reduce self-heat generation. Therefore, in order to ensure the output and input of the battery 2, a cooling device for maintaining the battery 2 at a predetermined temperature or lower is required.

In addition, in a season where the outside air temperature is high, such as summer season, the temperature of the battery 2 rises not only during the running of the vehicle but also during the standing still. The battery 2 is disposed in a large amount under the floor of the vehicle, under the trunk, or the like, and the amount of heat per unit time given to the battery 2 is small, but the temperature of the battery 2 gradually increases due to long-term standing. When the battery 2 is left in a high temperature state, the life of the battery 2 is shortened, and therefore it is desirable to maintain the temperature of the battery 2 at a predetermined temperature or lower even during a stop of the vehicle or the like.

Further, the battery 2 is constituted by a plurality of battery cells 3. If there is unevenness in the temperature of each battery cell 3, the deterioration of the battery cells 3 is biased, and the storage performance of the battery 2 is lowered. This is because the battery 2 is configured as a series-connected body including a plurality of battery cells 3, and the input/output characteristics of the battery 2 are determined in accordance with the characteristics of the most deteriorated battery cell 3. Therefore, in order to allow the battery 2 to exhibit desired performance for a long period of time, it is important to equalize the temperature in which the temperature unevenness between the plurality of battery cells 3 is reduced.

In general, as another cooling device for cooling the battery 2, an air-cooled cooling unit by a blower or a cooling unit using the heat and cold of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is generally used. However, the air-cooled cooling means by the blower blows only air in the vehicle interior, and thus the cooling capacity is low. Further, since the battery 2 is cooled by sensible heat of the air, the temperature difference between the upstream and downstream of the air flow increases, and the temperature unevenness between the plurality of battery cells 3 cannot be sufficiently suppressed. In addition, although the cooling unit using the heat and cold of the refrigeration cycle has high cooling capacity, it is necessary to drive a compressor or the like that consumes a large amount of electric power during the stop of the vehicle. This is not preferable because it leads to an increase in power consumption, an increase in noise, and the like.

Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment adopts a thermosiphon system that adjusts the temperature of the battery 2 by natural circulation of the working fluid, instead of forcibly circulating the working fluid by the compressor.

Next, the structure of the device temperature control apparatus 1 will be explained. As shown in fig. 1, in the device temperature control apparatus 1, the device temperature control unit 10, the plurality of gas- phase passages 21, 22, and 40, the condenser 50, the liquid-phase passage 55, and the like are connected to each other to form a closed fluid circuit. The device temperature control apparatus 1 constitutes a loop type thermosiphon circuit in which a flow path through which a gas-phase working fluid flows and a flow path through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows are separated. In the thermosiphon circuit, a predetermined amount of working fluid is sealed in a state where the interior thereof is evacuated. For example, a freon refrigerant such as HFO-1234yf or HFC-134a is used as the working fluid. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located halfway in the height direction of the equipment heat exchanger. In the drawings, an example of the height of the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is indicated by a one-dot chain line. The upper and lower surfaces indicated by two arrows in the drawing indicate the upper and lower sides in the direction of gravity in a state where the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the facility temperature adjustment unit 10 of the first embodiment is configured by one facility heat exchanger 11. The equipment heat exchanger 11 has a shape having a longitudinal direction and a short-side direction when viewed from the direction of gravity. The equipment heat exchanger 11 is composed of a cylindrical upper header tank 111, a cylindrical lower header tank 112, and a heat exchange portion 113. The upper header tank 111 is provided at a position on the upper side in the direction of gravity in the equipment heat exchanger 11. The lower header tank 112 is provided at a position on the lower side in the direction of gravity in the equipment heat exchanger 11. The plurality of heat exchange portions 113 include a plurality of tubes that communicate the flow path in the upper header tank 111 with the flow path in the lower header tank 112. The heat exchange unit 113 may have a plurality of flow paths formed inside the plate-like member. Each component of the equipment heat exchanger 11 is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. Further, each component of the equipment heat exchanger 11 may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity other than metal.

The battery 2 is provided outside the heat exchange portion 113 via an electrically insulating heat conductive sheet 114. By the heat conductive sheet 114, insulation between the heat exchanging portion 113 and the battery 2 is secured, and thermal resistance between the heat exchanging portion 113 and the battery 2 becomes small. In the present embodiment, the surface 6 of the battery 2 opposite to the surface 5 provided with the terminal 4 is provided in the heat exchanging portion 113 with the heat conductive sheet 114 interposed therebetween. Further, the heat conductive sheet 114 may be omitted and the battery 2 and the heat exchanging portion 113 may be directly connected.

A plurality of battery cells 3 constituting the battery 2 are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity. The method of installing the battery 2 is not limited to the method shown in fig. 1 to 3, and any installation method can be adopted as described in the fifteenth embodiment and the sixteenth embodiment to be described later. The number, shape, and the like of the battery cells 3 constituting the battery 2 are not limited to those shown in fig. 1 to 3, and any number, shape, and the like can be adopted.

The battery 2 can exchange heat with the working fluid inside the equipment heat exchanger 11. When the battery 2 generates heat, the working fluid in the liquid phase in the apparatus heat exchanger 11 evaporates. Thereby, the plurality of battery cells 3 are uniformly cooled by latent heat of evaporation of the working fluid.

Outflow ports 111a and 111b are provided on the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the upper header tank 111 of the equipment heat exchanger 11. The lower header tank 112 is provided with an inflow port 112 a. The outlets 111a and 111b are pipe connection portions for connecting ends of the gas pipes constituting the gas- phase passages 21, 22, and 40. The inlet 112a is a pipe connection portion for connecting an end portion of the liquid pipe constituting the liquid phase passage 55.

The plurality of gas- phase passages 21, 22, and 40 are passages for allowing the gas-phase working fluid evaporated inside the equipment heat exchanger 11 to flow to the condenser 50. In the present embodiment, the plurality of gas- phase passages 21, 22, and 40 include the first gas-phase passage 21, the second gas-phase passage 22, and the merging passage 40. One end of the first gas-phase passage 21 is connected to one outlet port 111a provided in the upper header tank 111 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 in the longitudinal direction. An end portion of the first gas-phase passage 21 connected to the equipment heat exchanger 11 is referred to as a first connection portion 211. One end of the second gas-phase passage 22 is connected to the other outlet 111b provided in the longitudinal direction of the upper header tank 111 of the equipment heat exchanger 11. An end portion of the second gas-phase passage 22 connected to the equipment heat exchanger 11 is referred to as a second connection portion 221. The first connection portion 211 of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22 are provided at positions separated in the horizontal direction in one heat exchanger for equipment 11. Specifically, the first connection portion 211 of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22 are provided at positions on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange portion 113 in the equipment heat exchanger 11.

The first connection portion 211 is provided on the vehicle front side of the heat exchange portion 113 in the equipment heat exchanger 11. The second connection portion 221 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the heat exchange portion 113 in the equipment heat exchanger 11. That is, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are provided at positions separated in the vehicle front-rear direction. The first gas phase passage 21 has a portion 21a extending from the first connection portion 211 toward the vehicle front side. The second gas-phase passage 22 has a portion 22a extending rearward of the vehicle from the second connection portion 221. The first gas-phase passage 21 may extend upward from the first connection portion 211, or may extend upward and obliquely forward. The second gas-phase passage 22 may extend upward from the second connection portion 221, or may extend upward and obliquely rearward.

The first gas phase passage 21 has the following effect as an effect of having the portion 21a extending from the first connection portion 211 toward the vehicle front side. That is, as shown in fig. 5, a portion 21a of the first gas-phase passage 21 extending from the first connection portion 211 toward the vehicle front side is a pipe for corresponding to the inclination when the position of the condenser 50 is raised. Here, since there is a portion 21a of the first gas phase passage 21 that extends from the first connection portion 211 toward the vehicle front, the first gas phase passage 21 does not relatively descend from the heat exchange portion 113 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 when inclined as shown in fig. 5. Therefore, the gas-phase refrigerant evaporated in the heat exchange portion 113 becomes easily guided to the first gas-phase passage 21 at the time of the inclination.

The second gas phase passage 22 has the following effect as an effect of having the portion 22a extending from the second connection portion 221 toward the vehicle rear side. That is, as shown in fig. 6, a portion 22a of the second gas-phase passage 22 extending toward the vehicle rear from the second connection portion 221 is a pipe for corresponding to the inclination when the position of the condenser 50 is lowered. Here, since the portion 22a of the second gas-phase passage 22 extending rearward of the vehicle from the second connection portion 221 is present, the second gas-phase passage 22 does not relatively descend with respect to the heat exchange portion 113 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 when inclined as shown in fig. 6. Therefore, when tilted, the gas-phase refrigerant evaporated in the heat exchange portion 113 becomes easily guided to the second gas-phase passage 22.

An end portion of the first gas-phase passage 21 on the opposite side from the equipment heat exchanger 11 and an end portion of the second gas-phase passage 22 on the opposite side from the equipment heat exchanger 11 are connected by a joining portion 30. The merging passage 40 connects the merging portion 30 and the condenser 50. The joining portion 30 is provided on the upper side in the gravity direction than the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221. The working fluid flowing through the first gas-phase passage 21 and the working fluid flowing through the second gas-phase passage 22 are merged at the merging portion 30. The working fluid merged at the merging portion 30 flows through the merging passage 40 to the condenser 50.

The condenser 50 is disposed above the equipment heat exchanger 11 in the direction of gravity. The condenser 50 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the gas-phase working fluid flowing into the condenser 50 through the gas- phase passages 21, 22, and 40 and a predetermined heat receiving medium. As the predetermined heat receiving medium that exchanges heat with the working fluid flowing through the condenser 50, various heat receiving media such as a refrigerant circulating through a refrigeration cycle, cooling water circulating through a cooling water circuit, or air can be used. For example, when air is used as the predetermined heat receiving medium for exchanging heat with the working fluid flowing through the condenser 50, the condenser 50 is configured as an air-cooling type heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air blown by a fan, not shown, or traveling wind and the working fluid in a gas phase. In this case, the working fluid in a gas phase flowing in the condenser 50 is condensed by radiating heat to the air passing through the condenser 50. The condenser 50 is usually disposed in an engine room in front of the vehicle.

The condenser 50 is not limited to a position above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid as shown in the drawings, and may be provided at a position over the liquid surface FL of the working fluid in the height direction.

The liquid-phase passage 55 is a passage for flowing the liquid-phase working fluid condensed inside the condenser 50 to the equipment heat exchanger 11. An end portion of the liquid-phase passage 55 on the opposite side to the condenser 50 is connected to an inlet port 112a of a lower header tank 112 provided in the equipment heat exchanger 11. Thereby, the working fluid condensed in the condenser 50 and brought into a liquid phase flows down in the liquid-phase passage 55 by its own weight and flows into the heat exchanger 11 for a plant.

Further, the gas- phase passages 21, 22, 40 and the liquid-phase passage 55 are named for convenience, and do not refer to a passage through which only the working fluid in the gas phase or the liquid phase flows. That is, the working fluid in both the gas phase and the liquid phase may flow through any one of the gas phase passages 21, 22, 40 and the liquid phase passage 55. In addition, the shapes of the gas- phase passages 21, 22, and 40 and the liquid-phase passage 55 can be appropriately changed in consideration of mountability to a vehicle.

Next, the flow of the working fluid when the device temperature control apparatus 1 cools the battery 2 will be described.

< horizontal State >

Fig. 4 shows a case where the device temperature adjusting section 10 is in a horizontal state. In the present embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located halfway in the height direction of the heat exchange unit 113 when the device temperature adjusting apparatus 1 is in the non-operating state and the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is in the horizontal state. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are located above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid when the device temperature adjusting apparatus 1 is in the non-operating state and the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is in the horizontal state.

When the device temperature control apparatus 1 is in an operating state and the battery 2 is cooled, the condenser 50 exchanges heat between the working fluid in a gas phase and a predetermined heat receiving medium. Specifically, during the stop of the vehicle, a fan, not shown, for blowing air to the condenser 50 is driven to blow air by the fan. Further, in the case of the vehicle during traveling, since the traveling wind flows to the condenser 50, driving of the fan is not required. Alternatively, a compressor of a refrigeration cycle, not shown, for exchanging heat with the working fluid flowing through the condenser 50 is driven, and the refrigerant is circulated through the refrigeration cycle. Alternatively, a pump of a cooling water circuit, not shown, for exchanging heat with the working fluid flowing through the condenser 50 is driven to circulate the cooling water through the cooling water circuit.

Thereby, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the condenser 50 flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 by its own weight, and flows into the lower header tank 112 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 from the inlet port. The working fluid flowing into lower header tank 112 is branched into a plurality of flow paths provided in heat exchanger 113. Here, in the present embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located in the middle of the heat exchange unit 113 when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is in the horizontal state. Therefore, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are located on the upper side of the liquid surface FL of the working fluid in the apparatus temperature adjustment portion 10.

The liquid-phase working fluid flowing through the plurality of flow paths of the heat exchanging unit 113 is evaporated by heat exchange with the battery 2. In this process, the battery 2 is cooled by the latent heat of vaporization of the working fluid. Then, the working fluid in the gas phase joins the upper header tank 111. The working fluid in the gas phase flows from the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221, which are connected to one and the other of the upper header tank 111 in the longitudinal direction, through the first gas phase passage 21, the second gas phase passage 22, and the merging passage 40, and flows into the condenser 50.

As described above, the flow sequence of the working fluid when cooling the battery 2 is as follows: the condenser 50 → the liquid-phase passage 55 → the lower header tank 112 → the heat exchange portion 113 → the upper header tank 111 → the first and second gas- phase passages 21, 22 → the joining passage 40 → the condenser 50. That is, a loop-shaped flow path including the equipment heat exchanger 11 and the condenser 50 is formed.

< inclined State >

Next, a case where the temperature control device 1 is in an inclined state will be described. Fig. 5 and 6 show a state in which the device temperature control apparatus 1 is tilted at a predetermined angle. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located above one of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 and below the other of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 when the device temperature adjustment portion 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located below the merging portion 30 when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle.

The predetermined angle, which is a reference for adjusting the sealed amount of the working fluid, is appropriately set according to the usage environment of the vehicle in which the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 is mounted, and the like. In the present embodiment, the predetermined angle is set to 25 °, for example. The predetermined angle may be set to, for example, 5 ° to 25 ° as appropriate. However, it is desirable that the device temperature control apparatus 1 is configured to correspond to the inclination of the vehicle in the front-rear direction with respect to the left-right direction of the vehicle. A running vehicle can easily maintain the inclination in the front-rear direction of the vehicle for a long time as in the case of a climbing period, but cannot maintain the inclination in the left-right direction of the vehicle for a long time. Therefore, the facility thermostat 1 is highly necessary to correspond to the vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, the device temperature control apparatus 1 is effective also in terms of inertial force acting on the vehicle. In this case, in a scene such as acceleration or deceleration, it is easy to maintain a state in which the inertial force acts in the vehicle front-rear direction for a long time. On the other hand, the state where the inertial force acts in the vehicle lateral direction due to a curve or the like is not maintained for a long time. The facility temperature control device 1 has a high necessity to correspond to the vehicle front-rear direction.

Fig. 5 shows a state in which the condenser 50 side of the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined upward. This state is, for example, a state in which the condenser 50 is inclined so that the vehicle front is upward when it is disposed in the vehicle front. At this time, the first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21 connected to one of the longitudinal directions of the upper header tank 111 is located above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid, and the second connection portion 221 of the second gas phase passage 22 connected to the other of the longitudinal directions of the upper header tank 111 is located below the liquid surface FL of the working fluid.

When the equipment temperature adjustment device 1 is in an operating state and the battery 2 is cooled, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the condenser 50 flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the lower header tank 112 of the equipment heat exchanger 11, as indicated by the arrow in fig. 5. The working fluid flowing into the lower header tank 112 is branched into a plurality of flow paths of the heat exchanger 113, and evaporates by exchanging heat with the battery 2. In the case of fig. 5, the working fluid in the vapor phase evaporated in the heat exchange unit 113 flows from the first connection portion 211 located above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid, through the first vapor-phase passage 21 and the merging passage 40, and flows into the condenser 50.

On the other hand, fig. 6 shows a state in which the condenser 50 side of the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined downward. In this state, the first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21 connected to one of the longitudinal directions of the upper header tank 111 is located below the liquid surface FL of the working fluid, and the second connection portion 221 of the second gas phase passage 22 connected to the other of the longitudinal directions of the upper header tank 111 is located above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid.

When the device temperature control apparatus 1 is in an operating state and the battery 2 is cooled, as shown by the arrow in fig. 6, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the condenser 50 flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the lower header tank 112 of the device heat exchanger 11 when the battery 2 is cooled. The working fluid flowing into the lower header tank 112 is branched into a plurality of flow paths of the heat exchanger 113, and evaporates by exchanging heat with the battery 2. In the case of fig. 6, the working fluid in the vapor phase evaporated in the heat exchange unit 113 flows from the second connection portion 221 located above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid, through the second vapor-phase passage 22 and the merging passage 40, and flows into the condenser 50. As described above, in the first embodiment, the battery 2 can be cooled even when the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined to any one side in the longitudinal direction.

Next, the liquid surface FL of the working fluid will be described in detail.

When the present apparatus 1 is operated, that is, when evaporation occurs in the device temperature adjusting unit 10 and condensation occurs in the condenser 50, the liquid level slightly changes up and down due to the pressure balance at the time of evaporation. As described above, in the present embodiment, the sealing amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are positioned above the liquid surface of the working fluid. If the liquid level of the working fluid is not adjusted in this way, the performance cannot be ensured because the working fluid in the gas phase cannot be released stably, or the performance cannot be ensured because the working fluid in the gas phase can be released only when the liquid level moves slightly downward.

When the present apparatus 1 is not operated, that is, when evaporation does not occur in the device temperature adjusting portion 10 and condensation does not occur in the condenser 50, the liquid surface is stationary. In this state, if the relationship that the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are located above the liquid surface of the working fluid is not satisfied, there is no path through which the gaseous working fluid evaporated in the device temperature adjustment unit 10 is released even if the cold heat source is supplied to the condenser 50 to operate the present apparatus 1. That is, the stable operation of the present apparatus 1 cannot be started.

Here, the operation principle of the present apparatus 1 will be explained. The working fluid is evaporated in the device temperature adjustment unit 10 to become a gas phase, and the gas phase working fluid is condensed in the condenser 50 to become a liquid phase working fluid, which is stored in the liquid phase passage. At this time, the liquid level difference between the device temperature adjusting unit 10 and the liquid phase passage 55 is operated as a drive source. In other words, a part of the liquid-phase refrigerant of the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is evaporated and then moves to the liquid-phase passage 55 via the condenser 50, thereby generating a liquid level difference, and the working fluid circulates.

Next, the liquid level at the time of operation is compared with the liquid level at the time of non-operation. As described above, since the present apparatus 1 operates by the evaporation of a part of the liquid-phase refrigerant in the device temperature adjusting unit 10 and the movement of the part to the liquid-phase passage 55 via the condenser 50, the liquid surface in the non-operation state is higher than the liquid surface in the operation state in the device temperature adjusting unit 10. The liquid level during operation may slightly change up and down due to pressure equilibrium, and the liquid level during operation may be temporarily higher than the liquid level during non-operation.

As described above, regarding the relationship in which the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are located above the liquid surface of the working fluid, if the relationship is satisfied in the liquid surface when the present apparatus 1 is not operated, the cooling performance can be ensured in substantially all the conditions of the present apparatus 1.

The device temperature control apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above achieves the following operational effects.

(1) In the first embodiment, the first connection portion 211 at which the first gas-phase passage 21 is connected to the equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second connection portion 221 at which the second gas-phase passage 22 is connected to the equipment heat exchanger 11 are located at positions separated in the horizontal direction. Thus, when the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined, one of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 is positioned on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 is positioned on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger 11 flows from the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 located on the upper side in the direction of gravity in at least one of the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22, and flows into the condenser 50. The working fluid condensed in the condenser 50 flows in the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the heat exchanger 11 for equipment. By such circulation of the working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can cool the battery 2 even when the device heat exchanger 11 is inclined to any one side in the longitudinal direction.

(2) In the first embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located in the middle of the equipment heat exchanger 11 when the equipment temperature control device 1 is in the non-operating state and the equipment heat exchanger 11 is in the horizontal state. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are located above the liquid surface FL of the working fluid when the equipment temperature control device 1 is in the non-operating state and the equipment heat exchanger 11 is in the horizontal state. This improves the gas release property of the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221. That is, the pressure loss of the working fluid in the gas phase flowing from the equipment heat exchanger 11 to the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22 through the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 is reduced. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can improve the cooling performance of the battery 2 by improving the circulation of the working fluid in the thermosiphon circuit.

(3) In the first embodiment, the amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted such that, when the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined at a predetermined angle, the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located above one of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 and below the other of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221. Thus, in the case where the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined, the working fluid evaporated inside the equipment heat exchanger 11 flows from the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 on the side that is not submerged in the working fluid in the liquid phase to the first gas phase passage 21 or the second gas phase passage 22. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can improve the cooling performance of the battery 2 by improving the circulation of the working fluid in the thermosiphon circuit.

(4) In the first embodiment, the facility temperature adjustment device 1 further includes the merging portion 30 and the merging passage 40. The joining portion 30 is provided on the upper side in the gravity direction than the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221. The merging passage 40 allows the working fluid in the gas phase to flow between the merging portion 30 and the condenser 50. Thus, the facility temperature control apparatus 1 is configured such that the merging portion 30 and the condenser 50 are connected by the merging passage 40, and the number of pipes can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the facility heat exchanger 11 and the condenser 50 are connected by the first gas-phase passage and the second gas-phase passage in their entirety.

Further, by providing the merging portion 30 on the upper side in the gravity direction than the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221, the merging portion 30 can be suppressed from being submerged when the plant heat exchanger 11 is inclined. If the merging portion 30 is submerged, the working fluid in the gas phase flowing through the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22 may not easily pass through the merging portion 30 when the facility heat exchanger 11 is inclined. On the other hand, if the merging portion 30 is not submerged when the facility heat exchanger 11 is inclined, the gas-phase working fluid flowing through the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22 easily passes through the merging portion 30 and flows into the condenser 50. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can improve the cooling performance of the battery 2 by improving the circulation of the working fluid in the thermosiphon circuit.

(5) In the first embodiment, the amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located below the merging portion 30 when the facility heat exchanger 11 is inclined at a predetermined angle. This can suppress the merging portion 30 from being submerged when the facility heat exchanger 11 is inclined.

(6) In the first embodiment, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are provided at positions separated in the horizontal direction in one equipment heat exchanger 11. Thus, when the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger 11 flows through the first or second connection portion 211 or 221 located on the upper side in the direction of gravity through the first or second gas- phase passage 21 or 22 and flows into the condenser 50. Therefore, even when the facility heat exchanger 11 is inclined, the facility temperature control apparatus 1 can cool the battery 2.

(7) In the first embodiment, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction than the heat exchange portion 113 in the equipment heat exchanger 11. Thus, in the single equipment heat exchanger 11, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are provided at positions far apart in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even when the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined largely, the working fluid in the gas phase evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger 11 can be discharged from the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 to the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22.

(modification 1)

Modification 1 to the first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 7. Modification example 1 is the same as the first embodiment except that the amount of the working fluid sealed in the thermosiphon circuit of the facility temperature control apparatus 1 is changed from the first embodiment, and therefore only the portion different from the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 7 shows a state in which the device temperature control apparatus 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle. In modification 1, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located in the middle of the first gas phase passage 21 and the second gas phase passage 22 when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is in the horizontal state and when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located below the joining portion 30 when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is in a horizontal state and when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle.

When cooling the battery 2, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the condenser 50 flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the lower header tank 112 of the equipment heat exchanger 11. The working fluid flowing into the lower header tank 112 is branched into a plurality of flow paths of the heat exchanger 113, and evaporates by exchanging heat with the battery 2. In fig. 7, the second connection portion 221 of the second gas phase passage 22 is located above the first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21. Therefore, the gas-phase working fluid evaporated in the heat exchange unit 113 flows toward the second connection unit 221 in the upper header tank 111, and flows from the second connection unit 221 to the condenser 50 through the second gas-phase passage 22 and the merging passage 40. Further, according to the method of arranging the pipes constituting the second gas phase passage 22, it is considered that the working fluid can be stored in the middle of the second gas phase passage 22. Therefore, as shown by a broken line P1 in fig. 7, it is preferable that the pipes constituting the second gas-phase passage 22 be arranged so as to have a gentle vertical inclination in the restriction of the vehicle installation space. Further, it is preferable that the piping has a layout in which the height increases toward the joining portion 30.

(modification 2)

Modification 2 to the first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 8. Modification example 2 also changes the amount of the working fluid sealed in the thermosiphon circuit of the facility temperature control apparatus 1 from the first embodiment, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a state in which the device temperature control apparatus 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle. In modification 2, the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located above the merging portion 30 and in the middle of the merging passage 40. That is, the confluence section 30 is immersed in the liquid-phase working fluid. In this case, it is considered that, when the battery 2 is cooled, the working fluid evaporated by heat exchange with the battery 2 in the heat exchange portion 113 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 does not easily pass through the first gas-phase passage 21, the second gas-phase passage 22, and the merging portion 30. Therefore, as shown by a broken line P2 in fig. 8, it is preferable that the pipes constituting the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22 have a layout in which the inclination in the vertical direction is relaxed in the restriction of the vehicle mounting space. Further, it is preferable that the piping has a layout in which the height increases toward the joining portion 30.

(second embodiment)

A second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 9. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that a part of the structure of the second gas phase passage 22 and the amount of the working fluid to be enclosed are changed from the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 shows a state in which the device temperature control apparatus 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle. In the second embodiment, the distance in the vertical direction between the upper header tank 111 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second gas-phase passage 22 is larger than the distance in the vertical direction between the upper header tank 111 and the second gas-phase passage 22 shown in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located below the portion where the second gas phase passage 22 extends horizontally when the equipment temperature adjusting unit 10 is in a horizontal state and when the equipment temperature adjusting unit 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle.

In the second embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located in the middle of the first gas phase passage 21 and the second gas phase passage 22 when the facility temperature adjusting unit 10 is in the horizontal state and when the facility temperature adjusting unit 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle. The amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located below the joining portion 30 when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is in a horizontal state and when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is inclined at a predetermined angle.

When cooling the battery 2, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the condenser 50 flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the lower header tank 112 of the equipment heat exchanger 11. The working fluid flowing into the lower header tank 112 is branched into a plurality of flow paths of the heat exchanger 113, and evaporates by exchanging heat with the battery 2. In fig. 9, the second connection portion 221 of the second gas phase passage 22 is located above the first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21. Therefore, the working fluid in the gas phase evaporated in the heat exchange unit 113 flows toward the second connection unit 221 side in the upper header tank 111, passes through the second gas-phase passage 22 and the merging passage 40 from the second connection unit 221, and flows to the condenser 50.

In the second embodiment, when the equipment heat exchanger 11 is inclined, one of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other of the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger 11 flows from the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 located on the upper side in the direction of gravity in at least one of the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22, and flows into the condenser 50. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can cool the battery 2 regardless of which side in the longitudinal direction the device heat exchanger 11 is inclined.

(modification 3)

Modification 3 to the second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 10. Modification 3 is the same as the second embodiment except that the amount of the working fluid to be sealed is changed from the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 shows a state in which the device temperature control apparatus 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle. In modification 3, the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located above the merging portion 30 and in the middle of the merging passage 40. That is, the confluence section 30 is immersed in the liquid-phase working fluid. In this case, it is considered that, when the battery 2 is cooled, the working fluid evaporated by heat exchange with the battery 2 in the heat exchange portion 113 of the equipment heat exchanger 11 does not easily pass through the first gas-phase passage 21, the second gas-phase passage 22, and the merging portion 30. Therefore, as shown by a broken line P3 in fig. 10, it is preferable that the pipes constituting the first gas-phase passage 21 or the second gas-phase passage 22 have a layout in which the inclination in the vertical direction is relaxed in the restriction of the vehicle mounting space. Further, it is preferable that the piping has a layout in which the height increases toward the joining portion 30.

(third embodiment)

A third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 11. The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that a part of the structures of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 is changed from the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21 and the second connection portion 221 of the second gas phase passage 22 are connected to the middle of the upper header tank 111, respectively. In the third embodiment, the first connection portion 211 of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22 are provided at positions separated in the horizontal direction in one heat exchanger 11 for equipment. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can cool the battery 2 regardless of which side in the longitudinal direction the device heat exchanger 11 is inclined.

(fourth embodiment)

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 12. The fourth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except that a gas phase passage is added to the third embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the plurality of gas-phase passages includes the first gas-phase passage 21, the second gas-phase passage 22, the third gas-phase passage 23, and the merging passage 40. The first connection portion 211 of the first gas-phase passage 21, the second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22, and the third connection portion 231 of the third gas-phase passage 23 are connected to the middle of the upper header tank 111 of the equipment heat exchanger 11. An end portion of the first gas-phase passage 21 on the opposite side from the equipment heat exchanger 11 and an end portion of the third gas-phase passage 23 on the opposite side from the equipment heat exchanger 11 are connected by a first merging portion 31. An end portion of the second gas-phase passage 22 on the opposite side from the equipment heat exchanger 11 and an end portion of the first gas-phase passage 21 on the opposite side from the equipment heat exchanger 11 are connected by a second merging portion 32. In this way, the number of gas phase passages and the number of merging portions are not limited, and can be set arbitrarily according to the layout on the vehicle.

In the fourth embodiment, the first connection portion 211 of the first gas-phase passage 21, the second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22, and the third connection portion 231 of the third gas-phase passage 23 are provided at positions separated in the horizontal direction in one heat exchanger 11 for equipment. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can cool the battery 2 regardless of which side in the longitudinal direction the device heat exchanger 11 is inclined.

(fifth embodiment)

A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 13. In the fifth to fourteenth embodiments described below, the facility temperature adjusting unit 10 included in the facility temperature adjusting apparatus 1 is configured by a plurality of facility heat exchangers. The device temperature adjustment portion 10 can be stored in the case of the battery pack together with the battery 2. Note that in fig. 13 to 22 referred to in the description of the fifth to fourteenth embodiments, the condenser is not shown. The range of the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is indicated by a broken line.

In the fifth embodiment, the facility temperature adjustment unit 10 is configured by the first facility heat exchanger 11 and the second facility heat exchanger 12. The first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are provided at positions separated in the horizontal direction. In the fifth embodiment, although not shown, the amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface of the working fluid is located in the middle of the heat exchange portion when the device temperature adjustment portion 10 is in the horizontal state. Therefore, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are provided at a position above the liquid surface of the working fluid in the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and at a position above the liquid surface of the working fluid in the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

In the fifth embodiment, the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 merge at the merging portion 30. The merging passage 40 connects the merging portion 30 and the condenser. The first gas-phase passage 21 branches from the merging portion 30 into one first gas-phase passage 21c and the other first gas-phase passage 21d via the branching portion 21 b. The first connection portion 211a of the first gas phase passage 21c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211b of the other first gas-phase passage 21d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle front side.

The second gas-phase passage 22 branches from the merging portion 30 into one second gas-phase passage 22c and the other second gas-phase passage 22d via the branching portion 22 b. The second connection portion 221a of the one second gas-phase passage 22c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221b of the other second gas-phase passage 22d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle rear side.

The first gas- phase passages 21c and 21d and the second gas- phase passages 22c and 22d also function as connection passages that connect the first heat exchanger for plant 11 and the second heat exchanger for plant 12. The lower header tank 112 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the lower header tank 122 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are connected by the liquid phase passage 55.

In the fifth embodiment, in the case where the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is inclined in the vehicle front-rear direction, one of the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221 is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11 and 12 flows through the first gas phase passage 21 or the second gas phase passage 22 from either the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and flows into the condenser. The working fluid condensed by the condenser flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the plurality of heat exchangers 11 and 12 for plant. By such circulation of the working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment can cool the battery 2 even when the plurality of device heat exchangers 11 and 12 are inclined.

(sixth embodiment)

A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 14. The sixth embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment in part of the structure of the gas-phase passage.

In the sixth embodiment, the first gas phase passage 21 also branches from the merging portion 30 into one first gas phase passage 21c and the other first gas phase passage 21d via the branching portion 21 b. The first connection portion 211a of the first gas phase passage 21c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211b of the other first gas-phase passage 21d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle front side.

On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, the second gas-phase passage 22 branches from the joining portion 30 into one second gas-phase passage 22c and the other second gas-phase passage 22 d. The second connection portion 221a of the one second gas-phase passage 22c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221b of the other second gas-phase passage 22d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle rear side.

The sixth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to fifth embodiments.

(seventh embodiment)

A seventh embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 15. The seventh embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment in part of the structure of the gas-phase passage.

In the seventh embodiment, the first gas phase passage 21 also branches from the merging portion 30 into one first gas phase passage 21c and the other first gas phase passage 21d via the branching portion 21 b. The first connection portion 211a of the first gas phase passage 21c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211b of the other first gas-phase passage 21d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle front side.

The second gas-phase passage 22 branches from the merging portion 30 into one second gas-phase passage 22c and the other second gas-phase passage 22d via the branching portion 22 b. The second connection portion 221a of the one second gas-phase passage 22c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221b of the other second gas-phase passage 22d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle rear side.

The seventh embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to sixth embodiments.

(eighth embodiment)

The eighth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 16. The arrangement of the heat exchangers 11 and 12 for equipment constituting the equipment temperature adjustment unit 10 of the eighth embodiment is different from that of the fifth embodiment. The plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11 and 12 are each arranged such that the longitudinal direction thereof extends in the vehicle width direction. The plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11 and 12 are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction. Of the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11 and 12, the equipment heat exchanger disposed on the front side of the vehicle is referred to as a first equipment heat exchanger 11, and the equipment heat exchanger disposed on the rear side of the vehicle is referred to as a second equipment heat exchanger 12.

In the eighth embodiment, the first gas-phase passage 21 connects the merging section 30 and the first heat exchanger for plant 11. The first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21 is connected to the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the vehicle front side. The first gas phase passage 21 has a portion 21a extending from the first connection portion 211 toward the vehicle front side.

The second gas-phase passage 22 connects the merging portion 30 and the second heat exchanger for plant 12. The second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22 is connected to the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 disposed on the vehicle rear side. The first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 merge at a merging portion 30. The merging passage 40 connects the merging portion 30 and the condenser.

In addition, in the eighth embodiment, the device temperature adjusting section 10 includes: a plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11, 12 provided at positions separated in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a connecting passage 61. The connection passage 61 connects the first connection portion 211 provided in the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second connection portion 221 provided in the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

In the eighth embodiment, in the case where the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is inclined in the vehicle front-rear direction, one of the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221 is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11 and 12 flows through the connection passage 61 from the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 located on the upper side in the direction of gravity through at least one of the first gas phase passage 21 and the second gas phase passage 22 and flows into the condenser. The working fluid condensed by the condenser flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the plurality of heat exchangers 11 and 12 for plant. Therefore, the eighth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to seventh embodiments.

(ninth embodiment)

A ninth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 17. The ninth embodiment is different from the eighth embodiment in the number of heat exchangers for plant and the like.

In the ninth embodiment, the facility temperature adjustment unit 10 is configured by three or more facility heat exchangers 11, 12, and 13 and the connection passage 61. In the ninth embodiment, the equipment heat exchanger disposed at the forefront in the direction in which the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 are arranged is also referred to as a first equipment heat exchanger 11, and the equipment heat exchanger disposed at the rearmost is also referred to as a second equipment heat exchanger 12. The plurality of equipment heat exchangers disposed between the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are collectively referred to as a third equipment heat exchanger 13.

The connection passage 61 connects one ends of the upper header tanks 111, 121, and 131 of the first to third equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, and 13 to each other. Specifically, the connection passage 61 connects the first connection portion 211 provided in the first equipment heat exchanger 11, the second connection portion 221 provided in the second equipment heat exchanger 12, and the third connection portion 231 provided in the third equipment heat exchanger 13.

In the ninth embodiment, the first connection portion 211, to which the first gas-phase passage 21 is connected to the equipment temperature adjusting portion 10, is connected to the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the vehicle front side. The first gas phase passage 21 has a portion 21a extending from the first connection portion 211 toward the vehicle front side. The second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22 connected to the equipment temperature adjustment unit 10 is connected to the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 disposed on the vehicle rear side. That is, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are disposed at positions as far as possible from each other in the horizontal direction. Further, the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 merge at the merging portion 30. The merging passage 40 connects the merging portion 30 and the condenser.

In the ninth embodiment, in the case where the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is inclined in the vehicle front-rear direction, one of the first connecting portion 211 and the second connecting portion 221 is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, and 13 flows through the connection passage 61 from the first connection portion 211 or the second connection portion 221 located on the upper side in the direction of gravity through at least one of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22, and flows into the condenser. The working fluid condensed by the condenser flows through the liquid-phase passage 55 and flows into the plurality of heat exchangers 11, 12, and 13 for plant. Therefore, the ninth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to eighth embodiments.

(tenth embodiment)

A tenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 18. The tenth embodiment is a modification of the eighth embodiment in part of the structure of the gas-phase passage and the connection passage.

In the tenth embodiment, the linking passage includes the first linking passage 61 and the second linking passage 62. The first connecting passage 61 connects an end portion on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and an end portion on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12. The second connecting passage 62 connects an end portion on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and an end portion on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

In the tenth embodiment, the first gas passage 21 includes a first gas phase passage 21e on the right side in the vehicle width direction and a first gas phase passage 21f on the left side in the vehicle width direction.

The first gas-phase passage 21e on the vehicle-width-direction right side connects the first merging portion 31 and the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211a of the first gas phase passage 21e on the right side in the vehicle width direction is connected to a portion on the right side in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11.

The first gas-phase passage 21f on the left side in the vehicle width direction connects the second merging portion 32 and the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the front side of the vehicle. The first connection portion 211b of the first gas-phase passage 21f on the left side in the vehicle width direction is connected to a portion on the left side in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 111 of the first heat exchanger for plant 11.

The second gas phase passage 22 includes a second gas phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction and a second gas phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction.

The second gas-phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction connects the first merging portion 31 and the second heat exchanger for plant 12 disposed on the rear side of the vehicle. The second connection portion 211a of the second gas-phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction is connected to a portion on the right side in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

The second gas-phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction connects the second merging portion 32 and the first equipment heat exchanger 12 disposed on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221b of the second gas-phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the left side portion in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

The first gas-phase passage 21e and the second gas-phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction merge at the first merging portion 31. The first gas-phase passage 21f and the second gas-phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction merge at the second merging portion 32. The first merging portion 31 and the second merging portion 32 are connected by a first merging passage 41. The middle of the first merging passage 41 and the condenser are connected by a second merging passage 42.

One end of the lower header tank 112 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and one end of the lower header tank 122 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are connected by the first lower connection passage 71. The other end of the lower header tank 112 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the other end of the lower header tank 122 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are connected by a second lower connection passage 72. The liquid phase passage 55 branches at a middle portion thereof and is connected to the first lower connecting passage 71 and the second lower connecting passage 72.

In the tenth embodiment, when the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is inclined in the vehicle front-rear direction, one of the first connecting portions 211a, 211b or the second connecting portions 221a, 221b is positioned on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other is positioned on the lower side in the direction of gravity.

Further, in the tenth embodiment, when the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is inclined in the vehicle width direction, one of the connecting portions 211a, 221a on the vehicle right side or the connecting portions 211b, 221b on the vehicle left side is positioned on the upper side in the gravity direction, and the other is positioned on the lower side in the gravity direction. Therefore, the tenth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to ninth embodiments. Further, in the tenth embodiment, the first connection portions 211a and 211b and the second connection portions 221a and 221b are provided at the four corners of the device temperature adjustment portion 10, respectively, so as to be able to correspond to the inclination in any one of the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle.

(eleventh embodiment)

An eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 19. The eleventh embodiment changes the number of equipment heat exchangers 11 and the like from the tenth embodiment.

In the eleventh embodiment, the facility temperature adjusting unit 10 is configured by three or more facility heat exchangers and the connecting passages 61 and 62. In the description of the eleventh embodiment, the equipment heat exchanger disposed at the forefront in the direction in which the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 are arranged is referred to as a first equipment heat exchanger 11, and the equipment heat exchanger disposed at the rearmost is referred to as a second equipment heat exchanger 12. The plurality of equipment heat exchangers disposed between the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are collectively referred to as a third equipment heat exchanger 13.

The first connecting passage 61 connects the right end portions of the upper header tanks 111, 121, 131 of the first to third equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 in the vehicle width direction. The second connecting passage 62 connects the left end portions of the upper header tanks 111, 121, 131 of the first to third equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 in the vehicle width direction to each other.

In the eleventh embodiment, the first gas phase passage 21 is also configured to include a first gas phase passage 21e on the right side in the vehicle width direction and a first gas phase passage 21f on the left side in the vehicle width direction.

The first gas-phase passage 21e on the vehicle-width-direction right side connects the first merging portion 31 and the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211a of the first gas phase passage 21e on the right side in the vehicle width direction is connected to a portion on the right side in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11.

The first gas-phase passage 21f on the left side in the vehicle width direction connects the second merging portion 32 and the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the front side of the vehicle. The first connection portion 211b of the first gas-phase passage 21f on the left side in the vehicle width direction is connected to a portion on the left side in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11.

The second gas phase passage 22 includes a second gas phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction and a second gas phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction.

The second gas-phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction connects the first merging portion 31 and the second heat exchanger for plant 12 disposed on the rear side of the vehicle. The second connection portion 211a of the second gas-phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction is connected to a portion on the right side in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

The second gas-phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction connects the second merging portion 32 and the first equipment heat exchanger 12 disposed on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221b of the second gas-phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the left side portion in the vehicle width direction in the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12. Therefore, the first connection portions 211a, 211b and the second connection portions 221a, 221b are provided at positions as far as possible in the vehicle front-rear direction in the direction in which the plurality of apparatus heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 are aligned.

The first gas-phase passage 21e and the second gas-phase passage 22e on the right side in the vehicle width direction merge at the first merging portion 31. The first gas-phase passage 21f and the second gas-phase passage 22f on the left side in the vehicle width direction merge at the second merging portion 32. The first merging portion 31 and the second merging portion 32 are connected by a first merging passage 41. The middle of the first merging passage 41 and the condenser are connected by a second merging passage 42.

The lower header tanks 112, 122, 132 of the first to third equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 are connected to each other at the right end in the vehicle width direction by the first lower connecting passage 71. The lower header tanks 112, 122, 132 of the first to third equipment heat exchangers 11, 12, 13 are connected to each other at the left end in the vehicle width direction by the second lower connecting passage 72. The liquid phase passage 55 branches at a middle portion thereof and is connected to the first lower connecting passage 71 and the second lower connecting passage 72.

The eleventh embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to tenth embodiments. Further, in the eleventh embodiment, the first and second connecting portions 211a, 211b, 211a, and 221b of the first and second gas- phase passages 21 and 22 are provided at the four corners of the device temperature adjusting portion 10, respectively, so as to be able to correspond to the inclination in any one of the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle.

(twelfth embodiment)

A twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 20. The twelfth embodiment is modified from the eighth embodiment and the like in the arrangement direction of the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11, 12 and the like.

In the twelfth embodiment, the plurality of facility heat exchangers 11 and 12 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the facility heat exchangers 11 and 12. The plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11 and 12 are arranged along the vehicle front-rear direction. The connecting passage 61 connects an end portion on the vehicle rear side in the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and an end portion on the vehicle front side in the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12.

In the twelfth embodiment, the first gas-phase passage 21 connects the joining portion 30 and the first equipment heat exchanger 11 disposed on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211 of the first gas phase passage 21 is provided at the end portion on the vehicle front side in the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11.

The second gas-phase passage 22 connects the merging portion 30 and the second equipment heat exchanger 12 disposed on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221 of the second gas-phase passage 22 is provided at the end portion on the vehicle rear side in the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12. Therefore, the first connection portion 211 and the second connection portion 221 are provided at positions as far as possible in the vehicle front-rear direction in the direction in which the plurality of equipment heat exchangers 11, 12 are aligned. Further, the third gas-phase passage 23 connects the end portion on the vehicle rear side in the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second gas-phase passage 22. The third gas phase passage 23 may be omitted.

The first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 merge at a merging portion 30. The merging passage 40 connects the merging portion 30 and the condenser.

The other end of the lower header tank 112 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and one end of the lower header tank 122 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 are connected by a lower connection passage 70. The liquid-phase passage 55 is connected to one end of the lower header tank 112 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11.

In the twelfth embodiment, when the equipment temperature adjustment unit 10 is inclined toward the first equipment heat exchanger 11 or the second equipment heat exchanger 12, one of the first connection unit 211 and the second connection unit 221 is also positioned on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other is positioned on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the twelfth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to eleventh embodiments.

(thirteenth embodiment)

A thirteenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 21. The thirteenth embodiment is modified from the eighth embodiment and the like in the number, arrangement, and the like of the facility heat exchangers.

In the thirteenth embodiment, the facility temperature adjusting unit 10 is configured by four facility heat exchangers 11 to 14 and a connecting passage 61. In the description of the thirteenth embodiment, two of the plurality of equipment heat exchangers disposed on the vehicle front side will be referred to as a first equipment heat exchanger 11 and a second equipment heat exchanger 12. The two equipment heat exchangers disposed on the rear side of the vehicle are referred to as a third equipment heat exchanger 13 and a fourth equipment heat exchanger 14.

In the thirteenth embodiment, in the first gas-phase passage 21, a portion 21a extending from the merging portion 30 is branched into one first gas-phase passage 21c and the other first gas-phase passage 21d via a branching portion 21 b. The first connection portion 211a of the first gas phase passage 21c is connected to the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11. The first connection portion 211b of the other first gas-phase passage 21d is connected to the upper header tank 121 of the second heat exchanger for equipment 12.

The second gas-phase passage 22 branches from the merging portion 30 into one second gas-phase passage 22c and the other second gas-phase passage 22d via the branching portion 22 b. The second connection portion 221a of the one second gas-phase passage 22c is connected to the upper header tank 131 of the third equipment heat exchanger 13. The second connection portion 221b of the other second gas-phase passage 22d is connected to the upper header tank 141 of the fourth heat exchanger for plant 14.

The connecting passage 61 connects the branch portion 21b of the first gas phase passage 21 and the branch portion 22b of the second gas phase passage 22.

The liquid phase passage 55 is connected to the lower header tanks 112, 122, 132, and 142 of the first to fourth heat exchangers 11 to 14 for plant.

In the thirteenth embodiment, when the facility temperature adjustment unit 10 is inclined toward the first facility heat exchanger 11 or the third facility heat exchanger 13, one of the first connection portions 211a and 211b and the second connection portions 221a and 221b is positioned on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other is positioned on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the thirteenth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to twelfth embodiments.

(fourteenth embodiment)

A fourteenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 22. The fourteenth embodiment is modified from the thirteenth embodiment and the like in the direction in which the plurality of facility heat exchangers 11 to 14 are arranged.

In the fourteenth embodiment, the facility temperature adjusting unit 10 is also constituted by four facility heat exchangers 11 to 14. Each of the equipment heat exchangers 11 to 14 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the vehicle front-rear direction. In the description of the fourteenth embodiment, two of the plurality of equipment heat exchangers disposed on the vehicle front side will also be referred to as the first equipment heat exchanger 11 and the second equipment heat exchanger 12. The two equipment heat exchangers disposed on the rear side of the vehicle are referred to as a third equipment heat exchanger 13 and a fourth equipment heat exchanger 14.

In the fourteenth embodiment, the first gas-phase passage 21 connects the merging portion 30 and the portions of the first to fourth heat exchangers 11 to 14 on the vehicle front side. In the first gas-phase passage 21, a portion 21a extending from the merging portion 30 is branched into three first gas- phase passages 21c, 21d, 21e via a branching portion 21 b. The first connection portion 211a of one of the first gas-phase passages 21c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211b of the other first gas-phase passage 21d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle front side.

Further, the other first gas-phase passage 21e is branched into two first gas- phase passages 21g and 21h via a branching portion 21 f. The first connection portion 211c of one of the first gas-phase passages 21g is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the third equipment heat exchanger 13 on the vehicle front side. The first connection portion 211d of the other first gas-phase passage 21h is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 141 of the fourth equipment heat exchanger 14 on the vehicle front side.

The second gas-phase passage 21 connects the merging portion 30 and the portions of the first to fourth heat exchangers 11 to 14 on the vehicle rear side. In the second gas-phase passage 22, a portion 22a extending from the merging portion 30 is branched into three second gas- phase passages 22c, 22d, and 22e via a branching portion 22 b. The second connection portion 221a of one of the second gas-phase passages 22c is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 111 of the first equipment heat exchanger 11 on the vehicle rear side. The second connection portion 221b of the second gas-phase passage 22d is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 121 of the second equipment heat exchanger 12 on the vehicle rear side.

Further, the other second gas-phase passage 22e is branched into two second gas- phase passages 22g and 22h via a branching portion 22 f. The second connection portion 221c of one of the second gas-phase passages 22g is connected to a portion on the vehicle rear side in the upper header tank 131 of the third equipment heat exchanger 13. The second connection portion 221d of the second gas-phase passage 22h is connected to a portion of the upper header tank 141 of the fourth equipment heat exchanger 14 on the vehicle rear side.

The first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 are connected by a joining portion 30. The merging portion 30 and the condenser are connected by a merging passage 40.

The liquid phase passage 55 is connected to the lower header tanks 112, 122, 132, and 142 of the first to fourth heat exchangers 11 to 14 for plant.

In the fourteenth embodiment, in a case where the device temperature adjusting portion 10 is inclined in any one of the front, rear, left, and right directions, either the first connecting portion 211 or the second connecting portion 221 is located on the upper side in the gravity direction. Therefore, the fourteenth embodiment can also achieve the same operational effects as the first to thirteenth embodiments.

(fifteenth embodiment)

A fifteenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 23. In the fifteenth embodiment, an example of a method of installing the battery 2 to the equipment heat exchanger 11 will be described. In the fifteenth embodiment, the battery 2 is disposed such that the surface 5 provided with the terminal 4 faces the gravity direction upper side. In the battery 2, a surface perpendicular to the surface 5 provided with the terminal 4 is provided in the heat exchanging portion 113 via the heat conductive sheet 114. In this manner, the installation method of the battery 2 can be arbitrarily set.

(sixteenth embodiment)

A sixteenth embodiment is explained with reference to fig. 24. In the sixteenth embodiment, an example of a method of installing the heat exchanger 11 for a device and the battery 2 will be described. In the sixteenth embodiment, a plurality of the heat exchangers 11 for devices are provided so as to sandwich both sides of the battery 2. Therefore, the area of the battery 2 in thermal contact with the heat exchanging portion 113 via the thermally conductive sheet 114 is increased. Therefore, according to the heat exchanger 11 for equipment and the method of installing the battery 2 of the sixteenth embodiment, the cooling capacity of the battery 2 can be improved.

(seventeenth embodiment)

A seventeenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 25 and 26. In the seventeenth embodiment, an example of the arrangement of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 will be described. The second gas phase passage 22 extends along the upper header tank 111 in a state of abutting on or being adjacent to the upper header tank 111, and further extends along the first gas phase passage 21 in a state of abutting on or being adjacent to the first gas phase passage 21. A part of the first gas-phase passage 21 and at least a part of the second gas-phase passage 22 constitute a parallel portion 25 extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other. The upper header tank 111 and a part of the second gas-phase passage 22 also constitute a parallel portion 251 extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other. Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 becomes small. Further, the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 may be assembled together in a vehicle or the like. For example, the gas pipe constituting the first gas-phase passage 21 and the gas pipe constituting the second gas-phase passage 22 can be assembled to the vehicle body using common assembly metal parts. Alternatively, two flow paths may be formed in one pipe, and one of the flow paths may be the first gas phase passage 21 and the other flow path may be the second gas phase passage 22. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

(eighteenth embodiment)

An eighteenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 27 to 29. In the eighteenth embodiment, an example of the arrangement of the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 will be described. The pipe constituting the second gas phase passage 22 is provided inside the upper header tank 111, and further, inside the pipe constituting the first gas phase passage 21. A part of the first gas-phase passage 21 and at least a part of the second gas-phase passage 22 form a double pipe structure 26 in which the other pipe is provided inside one pipe. The upper header tank 111 and a part of the second gas phase passage 22 also form a double pipe structure 261 in which the second gas phase passage 22 is provided inside the upper header tank 111. Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 becomes small. The first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22, which form the double piping structure 26, can be assembled together in a vehicle or the like. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

(nineteenth embodiment)

A nineteenth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 30 and 31. In the nineteenth embodiment, the gas-phase passage is provided with a flow area adjustment valve 80. The flow path area adjustment valve 80 is a member that restricts the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connecting portion side of the gas-phase passage to the joining portion 30 side. In the nineteenth embodiment, the flow area adjustment valve 80 is provided in the first gas phase passage 21. The flow path area adjustment valve 80 restricts the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the first connection portion 211 side of the first gas-phase passage 21 to the joining portion 30 side.

Further, when the flow area adjustment valve 80 is provided in the second gas-phase passage 22, the flow area adjustment valve 80 restricts the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the second connection portion 221 side to the joining portion 30 side.

The flow path area adjustment valve 80 according to the nineteenth embodiment is an electromagnetic valve that is driven by a drive signal transmitted from the control device 81. When the inclination of the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is detected by the inclination sensor 82 that detects the inclination of the device temperature adjusting unit 10, the control device 81 transmits a drive signal to the flow path area adjusting valve 80. Specifically, as shown in fig. 31, when the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 is inclined such that the first connection portion 211 becomes lower than the second connection portion 221, the control device 81 transmits a drive signal to the flow area adjustment valve 80. When the drive signal is transmitted to the flow area adjustment valve 80, the flow area adjustment valve 80 restricts the flow of the working fluid in the liquid phase from the first connection portion 211 side of the first gas phase passage 21 to the condenser 50 side. In fig. 31, when the flow surface area adjustment valve 80 is operated, a region of the apparatus temperature adjustment device 1 filled with the liquid-phase working fluid is hatched. As shown in fig. 31, the flow of the working fluid in the liquid phase is restricted by the flow path area adjustment valve 80, thereby preventing the confluence section 30 from being submerged. Therefore, the flow of the working fluid in the gas phase from the second gas-phase passage 22 to the merging passage 40 via the merging portion 30 is ensured. Therefore, the facility temperature control device 1 can improve mountability to a vehicle or the like by lowering the position of the joining portion 30.

When the facility temperature control device 1 is inclined, the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid is restricted by the flow path area adjustment valve 80, and the amount of the liquid-phase working fluid flowing out from the facility heat exchanger 11 to the first gas-phase passage 21 decreases. In the case where the facility temperature adjustment device 1 is inclined, the decrease of the working fluid in the liquid phase inside the facility heat exchanger 11 is suppressed. Therefore, the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 can improve the cooling performance of the battery 2 and suppress the temperature distribution of the battery cells 3 from becoming large.

Further, the flow path area adjustment valve 80 according to the nineteenth embodiment is configured to operate in response to a control signal from the control device 81 when the inclination of the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 is detected by the inclination sensor 82. Therefore, the flow path area adjustment valve 80 reliably operates according to the inclination of the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1. Therefore, the flow path area adjustment valve 80 can reliably restrict the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connecting portion side of the gas-phase passage to the merging portion 30 side.

(twentieth embodiment)

A twentieth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 32 and 33. The twentieth embodiment is a modification of the flow passage area adjustment valve described in the nineteenth embodiment.

The flow area adjustment valve 83 of the twentieth embodiment includes a valve seat 84 and a valve body 85. The valve seat 84 is provided on the inner wall of the gas phase passage 21. The valve body 85 is a ball valve disposed in the flow path on the connection portion side of the valve seat 84. When the connection portion 211 of the gas phase passage 21 is located on the gravity direction lower side of the valve seat 84, the ball valve is unseated from the valve seat 84. As shown in fig. 33, when the connection portion 211 of the gas phase passage 21 is located on the upper side of the valve seat 84 in the gravity direction, the ball valve is seated on the valve seat 84 by its own weight. According to this configuration, even when the flow path area adjustment valve 83 is lower on the side of the joining section 30 than on the side of the connection section of the gas-phase passage, the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connection section of the gas-phase passage to the joining section 30 can be restricted. Therefore, in the twentieth embodiment, the structure of the flow passage area adjustment valve 83 can be simplified.

(twenty-first embodiment)

A twenty-first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 34 and 35. The twenty-first embodiment is also a modification of the flow passage area adjustment valve described in the nineteenth embodiment.

The flow area adjustment valve 86 of the twenty-first embodiment also has a valve seat 87 and a valve body 88. The valve seat 87 is provided on the inner wall of the gas phase passage. The spool 88 is a float valve formed of a material having a smaller mass than the liquid-phase working fluid. As shown in fig. 34, when the working fluid in the gas phase flows to the gas phase passage 21, the float valve is unseated from the valve seat 87 by its own weight. As shown in fig. 35, when the liquid-phase working fluid flows into the gas-phase passage 21, the float valve is seated on the valve seat 87 by buoyancy. In fig. 35, a region filled with the liquid-phase working fluid is hatched with a broken line. With this configuration, the flow path area adjustment valve 86 can also restrict the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connection portion 211 side of the gas-phase passage 21 to the merging portion 30 side. Therefore, in the twenty-first embodiment, the structure of the flow path area adjustment valve 86 can be simplified.

(twenty-second embodiment)

A twenty-second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 36 to 38. The twenty-second embodiment is a combination of the eighth embodiment and the seventeenth embodiment.

In the twenty-second embodiment, the first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 extend in an abutting or adjacent state. Further, the connection passage 61 and the second gas-phase passage 22 also extend in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other.

The first gas-phase passage 21 and the second gas-phase passage 22 constitute a parallel portion 25 extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other. The connection passage 61 and the second gas-phase passage 22 also constitute a parallel portion 251 extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other. Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas-phase passage 21, the second gas-phase passage 22, and the connecting passage 61 becomes small. Further, the first gas-phase passage 21, the second gas-phase passage 22, and the connecting passage 61 may be assembled together in a vehicle or the like.

In addition, two flow paths may be formed in one piping member, and one of the flow paths may be the first gas phase passage 21 or the connection passage 61, and the other flow path may be the second gas phase passage 22. This improves mountability and assemblability of the device temperature control apparatus 1 on a vehicle or the like.

(twenty-third embodiment)

A twenty-third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 39 to 41. The twenty-third embodiment is a combination of the eighth embodiment and the eighteenth embodiment.

In the twenty-third embodiment, the pipe constituting the second gas phase passage 22 is provided inside the pipe constituting the first gas phase passage 21 and the connection passage 61. The first gas-phase passage 21, the connecting passage 61, and the second gas-phase passage 22 constitute a double pipe structure 26 in which one pipe is provided with the other pipe inside the other pipe. Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas-phase passage 21, the connecting passage 61, and the second gas-phase passage 22 becomes small. The first gas-phase passage 21, the connecting passage 61, and the second gas-phase passage 22, which form the double pipe structure 26, can be assembled together in a vehicle or the like. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate. The above embodiments are not independent of each other, and can be combined as appropriate except when the combination is obviously impossible. It is needless to say that in each of the above embodiments, elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential except for cases where they are specifically indicated as essential and cases where they are apparently considered essential in principle. In the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, amount, and range of the constituent elements of the embodiments are mentioned, the number is not limited to a specific number except for a case where the numerical values are specifically and explicitly indicated as essential and a case where the numerical values are obviously limited to a specific number in principle. In the above embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, and the like of the constituent elements and the like, the shape, positional relationship, and the like are not limited to those unless specifically indicated or limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, and the like in principle.

(1) In the above embodiments, the battery 2 is described as an example of the device to be temperature-controlled by the device temperature control apparatus 1. In contrast, in the other embodiments, the target device whose temperature is adjusted by the device temperature adjustment apparatus 1 may be another device that needs to be cooled or warmed up, such as a motor, an inverter, or a charger.

(2) In the above embodiments, the configuration in which the device temperature control apparatus 1 has a function of cooling the target device has been described. In contrast, in another embodiment, the device temperature control apparatus 1 may have a function of warming up the target device. In this case, the heating means for heating the working fluid may be provided in the middle of the gas-phase passage and the liquid-phase passage connecting the inflow portion and the outflow portion of the heat exchanger for a plant. The working fluid heated and evaporated by the heating means flows into the heat exchanger for equipment from the outflow portion through the gas-phase passage. The working fluid after heat dissipation and condensation to the battery 2 in the heat exchanger for the apparatus passes through the liquid phase passage from the inflow portion and flows into the heating mechanism due to the head difference. By such circulation of the working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus 1 can warm up the target device.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a freon refrigerant is used as the working fluid has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Other fluids such as propane and carbon dioxide may also be used as the working fluid.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of gas- phase passages 21 and 22 are connected by the merging portion 30, and the merging portion 30 and the condenser 50 are connected by the merging passage 40. In contrast, in another embodiment, the merging section 30 and the merging passage 40 are not provided, and the facility temperature adjusting section 10 and the condenser 50 may be connected by the plurality of gas- phase passages 21 and 22.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located in the middle of the equipment heat exchanger 11 when the equipment temperature adjusting unit 10 is in the horizontal state. In contrast, in another embodiment, the enclosed amount of the working fluid may be adjusted so that the liquid surface FL of the working fluid is located in the middle of the gas phase passage when the device temperature adjusting unit 10 is in the horizontal state.

(conclusion)

According to a first aspect shown in part or all of the above embodiments, an apparatus temperature control device that controls a temperature of a target apparatus by a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid includes an apparatus temperature control unit, a condenser, a liquid phase passage, and a plurality of gas phase passages. The equipment temperature adjustment unit includes one or more equipment heat exchangers configured to allow heat exchange between the target equipment and the working fluid so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled. The condenser dissipates heat from the working fluid in a gas phase, and discharges the working fluid in a liquid phase after condensation. The liquid-phase passage flows the liquid-phase working fluid between the condenser and the device temperature adjustment portion. The plurality of gas-phase passages flow the working fluid in a gas phase between the device temperature adjustment portion and the condenser. A first connection portion, to which a first gas phase passage of the plurality of gas phase passages is connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment portion, and a second connection portion, to which a second gas phase passage is connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment portion, are located at positions separated in the horizontal direction.

According to a second aspect, the device temperature adjustment apparatus is mounted on a vehicle, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are located at positions separated in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Thus, the device temperature adjusting apparatus corresponds to the inclination in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. It is easy to maintain the inclination of the vehicle in the front-rear direction for a long time as it is during the climbing of the slope. In addition, it is easy to maintain the state in which the vehicle longitudinal direction inertial force acts for a long time, as in the case of acceleration or deceleration. The device thermostat can continue to operate in such a scenario and continue to perform cooling of the battery.

According to the third aspect, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted such that, when the equipment temperature adjusting unit is in the horizontal state, the liquid surface of the working fluid is located at a position halfway in the height direction of the equipment heat exchanger, and the first connection unit and the second connection unit are located above the liquid surface of the working fluid in the equipment temperature adjusting unit.

This improves the gas releasing property of the first connection portion or the second connection portion. That is, the pressure loss of the working fluid in the gas phase flowing from the equipment heat exchanger to the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage through the first connection portion or the second connection portion is reduced. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve the cooling performance of the target device by improving the circulation of the working fluid in the thermosiphon circuit.

From a fourth aspect, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted such that, when the device temperature adjustment unit is inclined at a predetermined angle, the liquid surface of the working fluid is located above one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit and below the other of the first connection unit and the second connection unit.

Thus, when the equipment temperature adjustment unit is inclined, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger flows from the first connection unit or the second connection unit located above the liquid surface to the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve the cooling performance of the target device by improving the circulation of the working fluid in the thermosiphon circuit.

From a fifth viewpoint, the gas-phase passage is configured to include a merging portion and a merging passage. The merging section merges the working fluid flowing in the first gas-phase passage with the working fluid flowing in the second gas-phase passage. The merging passage allows the working fluid in the gas phase to flow between the merging portion and the condenser. The joining portion is provided on the upper side in the gravity direction than the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

Thus, the facility temperature control device is configured to connect the junction portion and the condenser through the junction passage, and thus the number of pipes can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the facility heat exchanger and the condenser are all connected through a plurality of gas-phase passages.

Further, by providing the joining portion on the upper side in the gravity direction than the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, it is possible to suppress the joining portion from being submerged when the device temperature adjusting portion is inclined. If the merging portion is submerged, the working fluid in the gas phase flowing through the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage may be difficult to pass through the merging portion when the facility temperature adjustment portion is inclined. In contrast, if the merging portion is not submerged when the facility temperature adjustment unit is inclined, the working fluid in the gas phase flowing through the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage easily passes through the merging portion and flows into the condenser. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve the cooling performance of the target device by improving the circulation of the working fluid in the thermosiphon circuit.

According to the sixth aspect, the enclosed amount of the working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface of the working fluid is located below the joining portion when the device temperature adjusting portion is inclined at the predetermined angle.

This can suppress the confluence section from being submerged when the facility temperature adjustment section is inclined.

According to a seventh aspect, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided at positions separated in the horizontal direction in one heat exchanger for equipment.

Thus, when the equipment heat exchanger is inclined, the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger flows through the first or second connection portion located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, through the first or second gas-phase passage, and flows into the condenser. Therefore, even when the device temperature adjusting unit is inclined, the device temperature adjusting apparatus can cool the target device.

According to an eighth aspect, the heat exchanger for equipment has a shape having a long side direction and a short side direction as viewed from a gravitational direction, and has a heat exchange portion that is in direct contact with the target equipment or indirectly thermally contact with the target equipment via a heat conductive member. The first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger for equipment than the heat exchange portion.

Thus, in one heat exchanger for equipment, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided at positions separated far apart in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even when the equipment heat exchanger is inclined largely, the working fluid in the gas phase evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger can be discharged from the first connection portion or the second connection portion to the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage.

According to a ninth aspect, the first connection portion is provided on the vehicle front side of the heat exchange portion in the equipment heat exchanger. The second connection portion is provided on the vehicle rear side of the heat exchange portion in the equipment heat exchanger. The first gas phase passage has a portion extending upward or forward of the vehicle from the first connection portion, and the second gas phase passage has a portion extending upward or rearward of the vehicle from the second connection portion.

Thus, when the portion of the first gas-phase passage extending upward or forward of the vehicle is inclined so as to be located upward from the first connection portion, the first gas-phase passage does not relatively descend with respect to the heat exchange portion of the equipment heat exchanger. Therefore, at such an inclination, the gas-phase refrigerant evaporated at the heat exchange portion of the equipment heat exchanger is easily guided to the first gas-phase passage.

In addition, when the second gas-phase passage is inclined so that a portion of the second gas-phase passage extending upward or forward of the vehicle from the second connection portion is positioned upward, the second gas-phase passage does not relatively descend with respect to the heat exchange portion of the equipment heat exchanger. Therefore, at such an inclination, the gas-phase refrigerant evaporated in the heat exchange portion of the equipment heat exchanger is easily guided to the second gas-phase passage.

According to a tenth aspect, the device temperature adjustment unit includes: a plurality of equipment heat exchangers provided at positions separated in a vehicle front-rear direction; and a connection passage that connects the first connection unit and the second connection unit provided in any one of the plurality of equipment heat exchangers.

Thus, when the plurality of equipment heat exchangers included in the equipment temperature adjustment unit are inclined, one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is positioned on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is positioned on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the plurality of equipment heat exchangers flows through the connecting passage from the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion located on the upper side in the direction of gravity in the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage, and flows into the condenser. Therefore, even when the plurality of facility heat exchangers are inclined, the facility temperature control device can cool the target facility.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect, the first connection portion is provided in a predetermined equipment heat exchanger disposed on the vehicle front side among the plurality of equipment heat exchangers. The second connection portion is provided in another equipment heat exchanger disposed on the vehicle rear side among the plurality of equipment heat exchangers. The first gas passage has a portion extending upward or forward of the vehicle from the first connection portion. The second gas-phase passage has a portion extending upward or rearward of the vehicle from the second connection portion.

In this way, the eleventh aspect can also achieve the same operational effects as those described in the ninth aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, at least a part of the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage and the connecting passage constitute a parallel portion extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other.

Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage and the linking passage becomes small. Further, the first gas-phase passage, the second gas-phase passage, and the connecting passage may be incorporated in a vehicle or the like. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

According to a thirteenth aspect, at least a part of the first gas-phase passage and at least a part of the second gas-phase passage constitute parallel portions extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other.

Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas-phase passage and the second gas-phase passage becomes small. Further, the first gas-phase passage and the second gas-phase passage may be incorporated in a vehicle or the like. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

According to a fourteenth aspect, at least a part of the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage and the connection passage are a double pipe structure in which the other pipe is provided inside one pipe.

Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage and the linking passage becomes small. Further, the first gas phase passage or the second gas phase passage, which is the double pipe structure, can be assembled to a vehicle or the like together with the connecting passage. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

According to a fifteenth aspect, at least a part of the first gas-phase passage and at least a part of the second gas-phase passage are a double-piping structure in which the other pipe is provided inside one pipe.

Thereby, the area occupied by the first gas-phase passage and the second gas-phase passage becomes small. Further, the first gas-phase passage and the second gas-phase passage having the double pipe structure can be incorporated in a vehicle or the like. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve mountability and assemblability to a vehicle and the like.

According to a sixteenth aspect, the device temperature adjusting apparatus includes a flow area adjusting valve that is provided in the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage and restricts a flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connecting portion side of the gas-phase passage to the merging portion side.

Thus, in the case where the apparatus temperature adjustment portion is inclined, the flow of the working fluid in the liquid phase from the connection portion side on the lower side in the direction of gravity of the first connection portion and the second connection portion to the merging portion side is restricted, thereby preventing the merging portion from being submerged. Therefore, the flow of the working fluid in the gas phase from the connection portion side located on the upper side in the direction of gravity of the first connection portion and the second connection portion toward the merging passage via the merging portion is ensured. Therefore, the facility temperature control device can improve mountability to a vehicle or the like by lowering the position of the joining portion.

In addition, in the case where the device temperature adjustment portion is inclined, the flow of the working fluid in the liquid phase flowing from the connection portion located on the lower side in the direction of gravity among the first connection portion and the second connection portion to the gas phase passage is restricted by the flow path area adjustment valve. Therefore, when the equipment temperature adjustment unit is inclined, the amount of the liquid-phase working fluid flowing from the equipment heat exchanger to the gas-phase passage can be reduced. Therefore, the device temperature control apparatus can improve the cooling performance of the target device because the decrease of the liquid-phase working fluid of the device heat exchanger is suppressed.

According to a seventeenth aspect, the device temperature adjustment apparatus further includes an inclination sensor that detects an inclination of the device temperature adjustment unit. When the inclination of the device temperature adjusting portion is detected by the inclination sensor, the flow path area adjusting valve restricts the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connecting portion side of the gas-phase passage to the condenser side.

Thus, the flow path area adjustment valve operates in accordance with the inclination of the device temperature adjustment unit, and therefore the flow path area adjustment valve can reliably restrict the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid from the connection portion side of the gas-phase passage to the merging portion side.

From an eighteenth aspect, the flow path area adjustment valve has a valve seat and a valve body. The valve seat is provided on an inner wall of the gas phase passage. When the connection portion of the gas phase passage is located on the upper side of the valve seat in the direction of gravity, the valve element is seated on the valve seat by its own weight, and when the connection portion of the gas phase passage is located on the lower side of the valve seat in the direction of gravity, the valve element is unseated from the valve seat. This can simplify the structure of the flow path area adjustment valve.

From a nineteenth viewpoint, the flow path area adjustment valve has a valve seat and a valve body. The valve seat is provided on an inner wall of the gas phase passage. When the liquid-phase working fluid flows into the gas-phase passage, the valve element is seated on the valve seat by the buoyancy, and when the gas-phase working fluid flows into the gas-phase passage, the valve element is unseated from the valve seat. This can simplify the structure of the flow path area adjustment valve.

According to a twentieth aspect, the device temperature adjustment apparatus for adjusting the temperature of the target device by phase transition between the liquid phase and the gas phase of the working fluid includes a device temperature adjustment unit, a condenser, a liquid phase passage, a plurality of gas phase passages, and a connection passage. The equipment temperature adjusting unit includes a plurality of equipment heat exchangers and a connection passage. The plurality of equipment heat exchangers are configured to be capable of exchanging heat between the target equipment and the working fluid so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled. The connection passage connects the heat exchangers for the plurality of devices. The condenser dissipates heat from the working fluid in a gas phase, and discharges the working fluid in a liquid phase after condensation. The liquid-phase passage allows a liquid-phase working fluid to flow between the plurality of equipment heat exchangers and the condenser. The plurality of gas-phase passages allow the working fluid in the gas phase to flow between the plurality of equipment heat exchangers and the condenser. A first connection portion, to which a first gas phase passage of the plurality of gas phase passages is connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment portion, and a second connection portion, to which a second gas phase passage is connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment portion, are located at positions separated in the horizontal direction. The first connection unit and the second connection unit are provided in different heat exchangers for equipment or in the same heat exchanger for equipment.

Thus, when the device temperature adjustment unit is inclined, one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the other of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is located on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the plurality of equipment heat exchangers flows from the first connection portion or the second connection portion located on the upper side in the direction of gravity in at least one of the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage, and flows into the condenser. The working fluid condensed by the condenser flows through the liquid-phase passage and flows into the plurality of equipment heat exchangers. By such circulation of the working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus can cool the target device even when the device temperature control unit is inclined.

Claims (17)

1. A device temperature control apparatus that controls the temperature of a target device (2) by phase transition between a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus comprising:

an equipment temperature adjustment unit (10) that has a plurality of equipment heat exchangers (11-14) that are configured so that the target equipment and a working fluid can exchange heat so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled;

a condenser (50) that dissipates heat from the working fluid in the gas phase and that discharges the condensed working fluid in the liquid phase;

a liquid-phase passage (55) through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows between the condenser and the device temperature adjustment unit; and

a plurality of gas-phase passages that flow a gas-phase working fluid between the apparatus temperature adjustment portion and the condenser,

a first connection part (211) of a first gas phase passage (21) among the plurality of gas phase passages connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part and a second connection part (221) of a second gas phase passage (22) connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part are located at positions separated in a horizontal direction,

the device temperature adjustment unit includes: a plurality of the equipment heat exchangers provided at positions separated in a vehicle front-rear direction; and a connection passage (61, 62) that connects the first connection unit and the second connection unit of any one of the plurality of equipment heat exchangers.

2. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 1,

the first connection portion is provided to the equipment heat exchanger arranged on the vehicle front side among the plurality of equipment heat exchangers,

the second connection portion is provided to another equipment heat exchanger disposed on the vehicle rear side among the plurality of equipment heat exchangers,

the first gas passage has a portion (21a) extending upward or forward of the vehicle from the first connection portion,

the second gas-phase passage has a portion (22a) extending upward or rearward of the vehicle from the second connection portion.

3. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 1,

at least a part of the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage and the connecting passage constitute a parallel portion (251) extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other.

4. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 1,

at least a part of the first gas-phase passage and at least a part of the second gas-phase passage constitute a parallel portion (25) extending in a state of abutting or being adjacent to each other.

5. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 1,

the connection passage and at least a part of the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage form a double piping structure (26) in which the other pipe is provided inside the one pipe.

6. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 1,

at least a part of the first gas phase passage and at least a part of the second gas phase passage are formed into a double piping structure (26) in which the other piping is provided inside one piping.

7. The apparatus temperature adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the device temperature adjustment apparatus is mounted on a vehicle,

the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located at positions separated in the vehicle front-rear direction.

8. The apparatus temperature adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted such that, when the device temperature adjustment unit is in a horizontal state, a liquid surface (FL) of the working fluid is located at a position in the height direction of the device heat exchanger, and the first connection unit and the second connection unit are located above the liquid surface of the working fluid in the device temperature adjustment unit.

9. The apparatus temperature adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that, when the device temperature adjustment unit is tilted at a predetermined angle, the liquid surface of the working fluid is located above one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit and below the other of the first connection unit and the second connection unit.

10. The apparatus temperature adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the gas-phase passage includes a confluence section (30-32) for making the working fluid flowing through the first gas-phase passage and the working fluid flowing through the second gas-phase passage merge together, and a confluence passage (40-42) for making the working fluid in a gas phase flow between the confluence section and the condenser,

the joining portion is provided on the upper side in the direction of gravity than the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

11. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 10,

the amount of the enclosed working fluid is adjusted so that the liquid surface of the working fluid is located below the merging portion when the device temperature adjusting portion is inclined at a predetermined angle.

12. The apparatus temperature adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided at positions separated in a horizontal direction in one heat exchanger for equipment.

13. The apparatus temperature adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the heat exchanger for equipment has a shape having a long side direction and a short side direction when viewed from a gravity direction, and has a heat exchange portion (113) which is in direct contact with the target equipment or in indirect thermal contact with the target equipment via a heat-conducting member,

the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger for equipment than the heat exchange portion.

14. The apparatus temperature regulating device according to claim 13,

the first connection portion is provided at a position on a vehicle front side of the heat exchange portion in the equipment heat exchanger,

the second connection portion is provided on a vehicle rear side of the heat exchange portion in the equipment heat exchanger,

the first gas passage has a portion (21a) extending upward or forward of the vehicle from the first connection portion,

the second gas-phase passage has a portion (22a) extending upward or rearward of the vehicle from the second connection portion.

15. A device temperature control apparatus that controls the temperature of a target device (2) by phase transition between a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus comprising:

an equipment temperature adjustment unit (10) that has a plurality of equipment heat exchangers (11-14) that are configured so that the target equipment and a working fluid can exchange heat so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled;

a condenser (50) that dissipates heat from the working fluid in the gas phase and that discharges the condensed working fluid in the liquid phase;

a liquid-phase passage (55) through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows between the condenser and the device temperature adjustment unit; and

a plurality of gas-phase passages that flow a gas-phase working fluid between the apparatus temperature adjustment portion and the condenser,

a first connection part (211) of a first gas phase passage (21) among the plurality of gas phase passages connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part and a second connection part (221) of a second gas phase passage (22) connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part are located at positions separated in a horizontal direction,

the device temperature adjustment apparatus further includes: a flow area adjustment valve (80, 83, 86) that is provided in the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage and that restricts a flow of a liquid-phase working fluid from the first connection portion side or the second connection portion side of the gas-phase passage to the condenser side, and

a tilt sensor (82) that detects a tilt of the device temperature adjustment section,

the flow path area adjustment valve restricts a flow of the working fluid in a liquid phase from the first connection portion side or the second connection portion side of the gas phase passage to the condenser side when the inclination of the device temperature adjustment portion is detected by the inclination sensor.

16. A device temperature control apparatus that controls the temperature of a target device (2) by phase transition between a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus comprising:

an equipment temperature adjustment unit (10) that has a plurality of equipment heat exchangers (11-14) that are configured so that the target equipment and a working fluid can exchange heat so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled;

a condenser (50) that dissipates heat from the working fluid in the gas phase and that discharges the condensed working fluid in the liquid phase;

a liquid-phase passage (55) through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows between the condenser and the device temperature adjustment unit; and

a plurality of gas-phase passages that flow a gas-phase working fluid between the apparatus temperature adjustment portion and the condenser,

a first connection part (211) of a first gas phase passage (21) among the plurality of gas phase passages connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part and a second connection part (221) of a second gas phase passage (22) connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part are located at positions separated in a horizontal direction,

the device temperature control apparatus further includes a flow area control valve (80, 83, 86) that is provided in the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage and that restricts a flow of a liquid-phase working fluid from the first connection portion side or the second connection portion side of the gas-phase passage to the condenser side,

the flow path area adjustment valve (83) comprises:

a valve seat (84) provided on an inner wall of the gas phase passage; and

and a valve element (85) that is seated on the valve seat by its own weight when the first connection portion or the second connection portion of the gas phase passage is positioned on the upper side of the valve seat in the direction of gravity, and that is unseated from the valve seat when the first connection portion or the second connection portion of the gas phase passage is positioned on the lower side of the valve seat in the direction of gravity.

17. A device temperature control apparatus that controls the temperature of a target device (2) by phase transition between a liquid phase and a gas phase of a working fluid, the device temperature control apparatus comprising:

an equipment temperature adjustment unit (10) that has a plurality of equipment heat exchangers (11-14) that are configured so that the target equipment and a working fluid can exchange heat so that the working fluid evaporates when the target equipment is cooled;

a condenser (50) that dissipates heat from the working fluid in the gas phase and that discharges the condensed working fluid in the liquid phase;

a liquid-phase passage (55) through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows between the condenser and the device temperature adjustment unit; and

a plurality of gas-phase passages that flow a gas-phase working fluid between the apparatus temperature adjustment portion and the condenser,

a first connection part (211) of a first gas phase passage (21) among the plurality of gas phase passages connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part and a second connection part (221) of a second gas phase passage (22) connected to the apparatus temperature adjustment part are located at positions separated in a horizontal direction,

the device temperature control apparatus further includes a flow area control valve (80, 83, 86) that is provided in the first gas-phase passage or the second gas-phase passage and that restricts a flow of a liquid-phase working fluid from the first connection portion side or the second connection portion side of the gas-phase passage to the condenser side,

the flow path area adjustment valve (86) comprises:

a valve seat (87) provided on an inner wall of the gas phase passage; and

and a valve element (88) that is seated on the valve seat due to buoyancy when the liquid-phase working fluid flows into the gas-phase passage, and that is unseated from the valve seat when the gas-phase working fluid flows into the gas-phase passage.

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