JP2003090218A - Vehicular regenerative tank device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently develop the capability of a regenerative tank device, independently of the travelling condition of a vehicle. SOLUTION: A required time for steering a vehicle from a current site to a destination is estimated by a navigator ECU, and when the estimated required time t1 is a predetermined time to or shorter, a second pump is operated for a predetermined time T2 irrespective of the temperature of a cooling water for circulating the cooling water in a regenerative tank. Thus, if the vehicle (an engine) is stopped before the temperature of the cooling water reaches the second predetermined temperature Tw2, the cooling water having a higher temperature than at least an outside temperature is supplied to the regenerative tank 6. As a result, a hot water (the cooling water having a higher temperature than at least the outside temperature) stored retaining its heat in the regenerative tank 6 is supplied to the engine at next stating the engine, and so the capability of the regenerative tank device is sufficiently developed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle heat storage tank device having a heat storage tank for keeping cooling water warm.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a heat storage tank device for a vehicle, for example, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-183324, when the temperature of cooling water of a running engine (internal combustion engine) exceeds a predetermined temperature, By introducing the outflowing cooling water into the heat storage tank to store the high temperature cooling water in the heat storage tank while keeping it warm, and supplying the engine with the high temperature cooling water kept warm in the heat storage tank at the next engine start, Efforts are being made to promote warm-up operation and reduce emissions at cold start.

[0003]

However, in the invention described in the above publication, when the temperature of the cooling water becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the cooling water flowing out from the engine is introduced into the heat storage tank. (Engine operating time) is short,
If the vehicle (engine) is stopped before the cooling water temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, hot water (cooling water heated by the engine) cannot be stored in the heat storage tank.

Therefore, the hot water (at least the cooling water having a temperature higher than the outside air temperature) kept warm in the heat storage tank cannot be supplied to the engine at the next engine start, so that the heat storage tank device has a sufficient capacity. I can't show it.

In view of the above points, the present invention has an object to make full use of the capability of the heat storage tank device regardless of the running state of the vehicle.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a water-cooled internal combustion engine (1) and cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine (1) according to the first aspect of the invention. Storage tank (6) for keeping heat storage and cooling water control means (7, 14) for controlling cooling water supplied to the heat storage tank (6)
And a required time estimating means (17) for estimating a required time required to reach the destination from the present location, and the cooling water control means (7, 14) is estimated by the required time estimating means (17). It is characterized by having a control mode in which the cooling water flowing out from the internal combustion engine (1) is supplied to the heat storage tank (6) when the required time is a predetermined time or less.

As a result, even if the vehicle (internal combustion engine) stops before the temperature of the cooling water reaches the predetermined temperature, at least the cooling water at a temperature higher than the outside air temperature can be supplied to the heat storage tank (6). .

Therefore, the hot water (at least the cooling water having a temperature higher than the outside air temperature) kept warm in the heat storage tank (6) can be supplied to the internal combustion engine (1) when the internal combustion engine is started next time. The capacity of the heat storage tank device for use can be fully exerted.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the water-cooled internal combustion engine (1), the heat storage tank (6) for keeping the cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine (1) warm, and the heat storage tank (6) are supplied. Cooling water control means (7, 14) for controlling the cooling water for
A running state estimating means (17) for estimating a running state of the vehicle, and the cooling water control means (7, 14) includes a running state estimating means (17) when the vehicle starts and stops for a predetermined frequency or more.
Is estimated, the control mode for supplying the cooling water flowing out from the internal combustion engine (1) to the heat storage tank (6) is provided.

Thus, even if the vehicle (internal combustion engine) stops before the temperature of the cooling water reaches the predetermined temperature, the cooling water having a temperature higher than at least the outside air temperature can be supplied to the heat storage tank (6). .

Therefore, even if the time required to reach the destination from the present location cannot be estimated, the warm water (at least, the warm water stored in the heat storage tank (6) when the internal combustion engine is started next time (at least, Since cooling water having a temperature higher than the outside air temperature) can be supplied to the internal combustion engine (1), the capacity of the vehicle heat storage tank device can be fully exerted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating means (18) for heating the cooling water in the heat storage tank (6),
The heating means (18) is operated when the control mode is being executed or after the control mode is completed.

As a result, the high temperature cooling water can be stored warm in the heat storage tank (6) while suppressing the energy consumption of the heating means (18).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided heating means (18) for heating the cooling water flowing into the heat storage tank (6), and the heating means (1) is provided when the control mode is being executed.
8) is activated.

As a result, the high-temperature cooling water can be stored warm in the heat storage tank (6) while suppressing the energy consumption of the heating means (18).

Incidentally, the reference numerals in parentheses of the above-mentioned respective means are examples showing the correspondence with the concrete means described in the embodiments described later.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a vehicle air conditioner according to the present embodiment and a water-cooled internal combustion engine (hereinafter
Call it an engine. 3) is a schematic view showing a cooling water circuit of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an engine for running a vehicle, and 2 is a first engine for obtaining a driving force from the engine 1 to circulate cooling water in the engine 1 and a cooling water circuit 3 through which the cooling water flows.
It is a water pump (hereinafter abbreviated as a first pump).

Reference numeral 4 is a radiator for cooling the cooling water by exchanging heat between the cooling water and the outside air, and 3a is a cooling water inflow side of the engine 1 (first pump) by bypassing the radiator 4 for the cooling water flowing out from the engine. 2 is a bypass circuit, and 5 is a thermostat that controls the temperature of the engine 1 by adjusting the amount of cooling water flowing through the bypass circuit 3a and the amount of cooling water flowing through the radiator 4.

Reference numeral 6 is a heat storage tank for storing cooling water,
This heat storage tank 6 cools the inlet 6a for taking in the cooling water from the cooling water circuit 3, the tank portion 6b having a double tank structure for keeping the taken-in cooling water warm, and the cooling water stored in the tank portion 6b. The water circuit 3) includes a discharge port 6c for discharging, and is connected to the cooling water circuit 3 so that the cooling water flows in parallel to the engine 1 and a heater core 8 described later.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an electrically driven second water pump (hereinafter abbreviated as a second pump) for circulating cooling water in the heat storage tank 6, and this second pump (discharging water amount control means) 7
The amount of cooling water discharged from the heat storage tank 6 is adjusted by controlling the voltage applied to the heat storage tank 6.

Reference numeral 8 is a heater core that heats the air blown out into the room by using the cooling water (warm water) flowing through the cooling water circuit 3 as a heat source, and 9 is an air conditioner which houses the heater core 8 and constitutes a passage for the air blown out into the room. It is a casing.

A blower 10 for blowing air into the room is provided on the upstream side of the air-conditioning casing 9 in the air flow. A cooling heat exchanger 11 for cooling the blown air (air blown into the room) is provided.

In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 1 for cooling is used.
As the first example, a well-known refrigerant evaporator of a vapor compression refrigerator is adopted.

Reference numeral 12 denotes the amount of air passing through the heater core 8 (air amount) and the heater core 8 to bypass the indoor side (downstream side).
An air mix door (passing air amount adjusting means) that adjusts the temperature of the air blown into the room by adjusting the amount of air (scenery) flowing to the heater, and 13 is a flow path switching that controls the water flow to the heater core 8. A valve (hereinafter abbreviated as a switching valve).

Then, the switching valve 13 and the air mix door 1
As shown in FIG. 2, the second and second pumps 7 are controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 14, and cooling water control means for controlling the cooling water supplied to the heat storage tank 6 by the ECU 14 and the second pump 7. Is configured.

Further, the ECU 14 includes a water temperature sensor 15 for detecting the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the engine 1 (the temperature of the cooling water immediately after flowing out of the engine 1) Tw.
A signal from a door switch 16 indicating an open / close state of a driver's entry / exit door (not shown) and an output signal from a navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as a navigation ECU) 17 are input, and the ECU 14 controls these signals. The switching valve 13, the air mix door 12, the second pump 7 and the like are controlled based on the input signal.

Incidentally, the navigation ECU 16 according to the present embodiment.
Is GPS (Global Positioning)
System) type navigation system,
This system detects the position of oneself by using the radio waves emitted from a plurality of artificial satellites placed in outer space at an altitude of about 20,000 km, and detects this position and the CD (compact disc) or DVD (digital versatile disc). ), Etc., and the road information to the occupant by means of information display means such as a display and voice from map information recorded in a large-capacity storage medium.

Next, the characteristic operation of the vehicle air conditioner according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

A signal from the door switch 16 determines whether the door is open (ON) or closed (OFF) (S10). If the door is open, the driver gets in the vehicle. Assuming to drive the vehicle at
The output signals of the air conditioning sensors 15 to 18 are read (S
20).

Next, the cooling water temperature Tw is the first predetermined temperature Tw.
It is determined whether or not it is 1 (about 40 ° C. in the present embodiment) or less (S30), and the cooling water temperature Tw is the first predetermined temperature Tw1.
In the case of the following, it is considered that it is necessary to perform the warm-up operation of the engine 1, and the engine 1 is stopped (OFF) or is operating (O) based on the rotation speed of the engine 1.
N) is determined (S40).

When the engine 1 is stopped, during the predetermined time T1, the switching valve 13 is operated so as to close the cooling water circuit 3b (see FIG. 1) on the heater core 8 side, and the second Operate the pump 7 (S50 to S8)
0). Here, the predetermined time T1 is a time required to discharge all the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the cooling water circulates in the order of the heat storage tank 6 → the engine 1 → the heat storage tank 6, so that the engine 1 is heated by the high temperature cooling water kept warm in the heat storage tank 6. Therefore, the warm-up time of the engine 1 can be shortened. Therefore, the operation from S30 to S80 is called a preheat mode.

In the preheat mode, the cooling water flows in the engine in the opposite direction of the cooling water flow when the engine is operating, so the preheat mode cannot be performed when the engine is operating.

Then, when the preheat mode ends, or when the cooling water temperature Tw is higher than the first predetermined temperature Tw1 and it is not necessary to perform the preheat mode, or because the engine 1 is operating, the preheat mode can be performed. If not possible, the cooling water circuit 3 on the heater core 8 side
The switching valve 13 is operated to open b, and
The pump 7 is stopped (S90).

Therefore, when the engine 1 is started in this state (including the case where the engine 1 is already operating), the cooling water is circulated to the radiator 4 side and the heater core 8 side by the first pump 2 as shown in FIG. To be made. That is, in the state of S90 after execution of the preheat mode (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the normal operation mode), the low temperature cooling water remaining in the engine 1 is retained in the heat storage tank 6 and the engine 1 Cooling water circulates between the heater core 8 and the heater core 8 and between the engine 1 and the radiator 4 (including the bypass circuit 3a).

Next, the cooling water temperature Tw is the second predetermined temperature Tw.
It is determined whether or not 2 (≧ Tw1) or more (S10
0) When the cooling water temperature Tw is equal to or higher than the second predetermined temperature Tw2, the second pump 7 is operated for the predetermined time T2 to circulate the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6 (S110 to S13).
0). The predetermined time T2 is a time required to replace all the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6.

As a result, the low-temperature cooling water held in the preheat mode is cooled by the cooling water circuit 3 as shown in FIG.
Simultaneously with flowing into the (cooling water circuit 3b on the heater core 8 side), the relatively high temperature cooling water flowing out from the heater core 8 flows into the heat storage tank 6, so that the high temperature cooling water is stored in the heat storage tank 6.

On the other hand, in S100, the cooling water temperature Tw is the second value.
When it is determined that the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature Tw2, the navigation ECU 17 estimates (calculates) the required time required to reach the destination from the current position (S140), and the estimated (calculated) estimated required time t1. Is less than the predetermined time to, the second pump 7 is operated for the predetermined time T2 to circulate the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6 (S110 to S130).
Therefore, S100 → S140 → S150 → S110 to S
The operation of 130 is called a second heat storage mode (control mode).

Here, the predetermined time to is determined based on the time required to raise the temperature of the cooling water to the second predetermined temperature Tw2. In this embodiment,
Although the predetermined time to is a fixed value, the time required to raise the temperature of the cooling water to the second predetermined temperature Tw2 changes depending on the outside air temperature and the engine load (running state). The state may be appropriately selected (changed) based on traffic information such as map information (congestion information).

Next, the features (effects) of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the navigation ECU 17 estimates the time required to reach the destination from the current position, and when the estimated time required t1 is less than the predetermined time to, the second pump 7 is operated. Since the cooling water is circulated in the heat storage tank 6 by operating for a predetermined time T2, even if the vehicle (engine) is stopped before the cooling water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature Tw2, at least the cooling water having a temperature higher than the outside air temperature. Can be supplied to the heat storage tank 6.

Therefore, the hot water (at least the cooling water having a temperature higher than the outside air temperature) kept warm in the heat storage tank 6 can be supplied to the engine at the next engine start, so that the capacity of the heat storage tank device can be sufficiently obtained. Can be demonstrated.

Incidentally, FIG. 8 is a graph showing a change in the engine cooling water temperature from the time when the engine 1 is started and a change in the cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank 6 when the estimated required time t1 is longer than the predetermined time to. FIG. 9 is a graph showing changes in the engine cooling water temperature from the time the engine 1 is started and changes in the cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank 6 when the estimated required time t1 is equal to or less than the predetermined time to. FIG. 10 shows a change in engine cooling water temperature from the time when the engine 1 is started and a change in cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank 6 when S140 and S150 are not provided (the heat storage tank device according to the related art). It is a graph.

Then, as is clear from FIGS.
In the heat storage tank device according to the related art, when the vehicle (engine) is stopped before the cooling water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature Tw2, the low temperature cooling water held in the preheat mode remains in the heat storage tank 6. In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, although high hot water of the second predetermined temperature Tw2 or higher cannot be stored in the heat storage tank 6, at least the outside air temperature (the low temperature cooling water held in the preheat mode) High temperature cooling water can be stored warm.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the navigation ECU 17 estimates the time required to reach the destination from the present position, and when the estimated time required t1 is less than the predetermined time to, Operated the second pump 7 for a predetermined time T2 to circulate the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6,
If the destination is not entered in the navigation ECU 17,
The estimated required time t1 cannot be estimated (calculated).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when it is estimated from the road information or the like that the vehicle starts and stops more than a predetermined frequency, the second pump 7 is operated for a predetermined time T2 to store heat. Third circulation of cooling water in the tank 6
Execute the heat storage mode (control mode).

As a result, the cooling water temperature becomes the second predetermined temperature T.
Even if the vehicle (engine) stops before reaching w2, at least the cooling water having a temperature higher than the outside air temperature is stored in the heat storage tank 6
Can be supplied to.

In this embodiment, the navigation state estimating means for estimating the traveling state of the vehicle (frequency of starting and stopping of the vehicle) by the navigation ECU 17 is constructed, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and actually When the start stop frequency (number of times) reaches a predetermined value, it is estimated that the start stop of the vehicle occurs at a predetermined frequency or more, and the second pump 7 may be operated for a predetermined time T2.

That is, in the present embodiment, at least one of the case where the vehicle start / stop does not actually reach the predetermined frequency and the case where the vehicle start / stop actually reaches the predetermined frequency are established. In this case, it is assumed that the vehicle starts and stops more than a predetermined frequency and the second pump 7 is operated for a predetermined time T2 to circulate the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6.

(Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, an electric heater (heating means) 18 for heating the cooling water in the heat storage tank 6 is provided, and as shown in FIG. The electric heater 18 is energized when the two heat storage mode is being executed.

As a result, the high-temperature cooling water can be stored in the heat storage tank 6 while keeping the power consumption of the electric heater 18 from increasing.

Although the electric heater 18 is energized while the second heat storage mode is being executed in FIG. 13, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the electric heater 18 is provided after the end of the second heat storage mode. May be energized.

Further, although the electric heater 18 is provided inside the heat storage tank 6 in this embodiment, it may be provided outside the heat storage tank 6 on the cooling water inflow side. However, in this case, it is necessary to energize the electric heater 18 while executing the second heat storage mode.

Further, instead of the second heat storage mode, the electric heater 18 may be energized in conjunction with the operation of the third heat storage mode.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to what is shown in the above-mentioned embodiments, and at least two of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle heat storage tank device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the vehicle heat storage tank device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the vehicle heat storage tank device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the vehicle heat storage tank device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a preheat mode of the vehicle heat storage tank device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a normal operation mode of the vehicle heat storage tank device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a heat storage mode of the heat storage tank device for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a change in engine cooling water temperature and a change in cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank since the engine was started when the estimated required time is longer than a predetermined time.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the estimated required time is a predetermined time or less,
6 is a graph showing a change in engine cooling water temperature and a change in cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank 6 since the engine was started.

FIG. 10 shows a heat storage tank device according to a conventional technique,
6 is a graph showing a change in engine cooling water temperature and a change in cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank 6 since the engine was started.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing changes in engine cooling water temperature and changes in cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank since the engine was started in the heat storage tank device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle heat storage tank device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a change in engine cooling water temperature and a change in cooling water temperature in the heat storage tank since the engine was started, in the heat storage tank device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Engine, 6 ... Heat storage tank, 8 ... Heater core, 12
… Air mix door.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kei Toyoshima             1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya city, Aichi stock market             Inside the company DENSO

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water-cooled internal combustion engine (1), a heat storage tank (6) for keeping heat and cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine (1), and cooling water supplied to the heat storage tank (6). The cooling water control means (7, 14) and the required time estimation means (17) for estimating the required time to reach the destination from the current location, and the cooling water control means (7, 14) When the estimated required time estimated by the required time estimation means (17) is a predetermined time or less, the control mode is provided to supply the cooling water flowing out from the internal combustion engine (1) to the heat storage tank (6). A heat storage tank device for a vehicle characterized by the above. 2. A water-cooled internal combustion engine (1), a heat storage tank (6) for keeping heat and cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine (1), and cooling water supplied to the heat storage tank (6). Cooling water control means (7, 14) and a running state estimation means (17) for estimating the running state of the vehicle, wherein the cooling water control means (7, 14) starts or stops the vehicle at a predetermined frequency or more. When it occurs, the running state estimating means (17)
The heat storage tank device for a vehicle, which has a control mode for supplying the cooling water flowing out from the internal combustion engine (1) to the heat storage tank (6) when estimated. 3. A heating means (18) for heating the cooling water in the heat storage tank (6), comprising the heating means (18) when the control mode is being executed or after the control mode has ended. The heat storage tank device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, which is operated. 4. A heating means (18) for heating the cooling water flowing into the heat storage tank (6) is provided, and the heating means (1) is provided when the control mode is executed.
8) The heat storage tank device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat storage tank device is activated.