JP2007153054A - Cooling device of electric equipment mounted on vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently cool down electric equipment mounted on a vehicle by an air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: When the air conditioner is in an inside air circulation state (YES in S100), an inside-cabin temperature TH(A) is within a predetermined range from a set temperature (YES in S500), and a secondary battery cooling air temperature TH(AB) is higher than the target value (1) (NO in S600), or the secondary battery cooling air temperature TH(AB) is the target value (1) or less (YES in S600), but the secondary battery temperature is higher than the target value (2) (NO in S700), an ECU actuates an inside/outside air switching damper to an outside air introduction side (S800). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device for electrical equipment (such as a power storage mechanism and a power conversion semiconductor element) mounted on a vehicle, and more particularly, a cooling device that efficiently cools electrical equipment mounted on a vehicle equipped with an air conditioner. About.

  A vehicle equipped with a power train called a hybrid system combining an internal combustion engine (for example, a known engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine) and an electric motor has been developed and put into practical use. Such a vehicle is equipped with a power storage mechanism such as a secondary battery or a capacitor for driving an electric motor for traveling, and an electric device such as an inverter or a DC / DC converter. This secondary battery is discharged or charged by a chemical reaction, and this chemical reaction generates heat, so it needs to be cooled. Further, the inverter and the DC / DC converter also need to be cooled because the power element generates heat. Generally, in an electric device, when current flows through a power line, Joule heat is generated, and thus it is necessary to cool it.

  Such an electric device may be disposed between a vehicle rear seat and a luggage room, for example. This electrical device is disposed in a duct-shaped casing that forms an air passage, and is located upstream of the electrical device in the casing and between the electrical device and the rear seat. A cooling fan that generates wind is arranged. Since the upstream end portion of the casing communicates with the vehicle interior (specifically, the rear package tray is opened), the electric device is cooled by the air in the vehicle interior.

  Further, the inverter and the DC / DC converter may be integrated as an electric device called a PCU (Power Control Unit) and mounted on the vehicle. This PCU may also be disposed as an electrical device between the rear seat of the vehicle and the luggage room. In a hybrid vehicle, such an electric device must be mounted in addition to the engine.

  Further, the vehicle is usually provided with an air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner) that adjusts the temperature in the passenger compartment, and the temperature in the passenger compartment is high according to the set temperature (or according to the passenger's operation). Sometimes it is cooled, and when the temperature in the passenger compartment is low, it is heated. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-40088 (Patent Document 1) discloses an air conditioner for an electric vehicle. An air conditioner for an electric vehicle disclosed in this publication includes a blower, an intake door that can be switched between outside air and inside air, and a cooling unit that can cool the air blown by the blower. And a sub-capacitor capable of heating the air that has passed through the cooling unit, an indoor duct that guides the air that has passed through the sub-capacitor into the room, and the air that has passed through the sub-capacitor is guided to a battery frame with a battery inside. A battery duct branched from the indoor duct, a battery door capable of switching air to the indoor duct side or the battery duct side and adjusting the switching opening at the branching position between the indoor duct and the battery duct, and a blower Rotation of the intake door and battery door and the cooling unit. Freely control the necessity of air heating and a air conditioner control unit.

According to this air conditioner for an electric vehicle, when the air blower is driven, outside air, air in the passenger compartment, or a mixed air thereof is drawn from the intake door and cooled in the cooling unit. Then, after passing through the sub-capacitor unit, it is switched to the indoor duct or the battery duct by switching the battery door, or is appropriately distributed. At this time, the air conditioner control unit controls the rotational speed of the blower, the opening degree of the intake door and the battery door, and the necessity of heating the air by the sub condenser. Therefore, the air conditioning in the vehicle compartment and the air conditioning in the battery frame in which the battery is installed can be performed using a common air conditioner. Therefore, the configuration of the air conditioner can be simplified, and the overall weight can be reduced. Further, the battery can be cooled and heated, the battery can be maintained in a predetermined temperature range, and the life of the battery can be extended.
JP-A-8-40088

  However, even if the air conditioning airflow is increased to ensure the cooling airflow to the battery that is the object to be cooled, the cooling air required by the battery cannot be secured if the airconditioner is in the outside air introduction state and the outside air temperature is high. . In addition, when the air conditioner is in a state where outside air is introduced and the outside air temperature is high, if the air conditioner is operated to supply the cooling air required by the battery, the load on the air conditioner will be excessive, and the noise of the blower and thus the fuel efficiency will deteriorate. Invite. Further, in this case, since a large amount of air is introduced from the outside air, fine dust and odor may enter the vehicle interior.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device for an electrical device excellent in cooling efficiency, which is preferably applied to a vehicle equipped with the electrical device. is there.

  A cooling device according to a first aspect cools an electric device mounted on a vehicle. The cooling device includes a cooling air intake port provided in the vehicle interior, supply means for supplying cooling air from the cooling air intake port to the electrical equipment, and air circulation in the vehicle interior while circulating the air in the vehicle interior. An adjusting means for adjusting the temperature, and when the temperature of the air in the vehicle interior adjusted by the adjusting means is within a predetermined range from the set temperature, Control means for controlling.

  According to the first invention, the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment is adjusted by the adjusting means while circulating the air in the passenger compartment (without introducing outside air). When the adjusted temperature of the air in the passenger compartment is within a predetermined range from the set temperature, the blowout flow rate into the passenger compartment is controlled and increased. At this time, since the temperature in the passenger compartment is not excessively high and the inside air is circulated, the load on the adjusting means is not excessive, and air is not introduced from the outside air, so that problems such as fine dust and odor do not occur. As a result, it is possible to provide a cooling device for an electric device that is preferably applied to a vehicle equipped with the electric device and has excellent cooling efficiency.

  The cooling device according to the second aspect of the invention further includes detection means for detecting a cooling request for the electrical equipment in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention. The control means includes means for controlling the adjusting means so that the blowing flow rate is increased when the cooling request is detected.

  According to the second invention, when the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment is adjusted while circulating the air in the passenger compartment, and the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment is within a predetermined range from the set temperature, When there is a cooling request, the flow rate of blowout from the adjusting means is increased. Since the increased cooling air is supplied to the electrical equipment from the cooling air inlet, the electrical equipment can be appropriately cooled.

  In the cooling device according to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, the adjusting means includes switching means for switching between a state of circulating the air in the vehicle interior and a state of introducing air outside the vehicle. . The control means includes means for controlling the switching means so that the blowing flow rate changes.

  According to the third invention, since the outside air can be introduced from the inside air circulation state by using the switching means and the blowout flow rate can be changed, an appropriate amount of cooling air can be supplied from the cooling air inlet to the electrical equipment. it can.

  In the cooling device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the invention, the control means includes means for controlling the switching means so as to introduce air from outside the vehicle compartment when the cooling request is detected. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the cooling air supplied from the cooling air intake port to the electrical equipment by introducing the outside air (only a little) from the inside air circulation state and increasing the blow-off flow rate. .

  In the cooling device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, the adjusting means includes a blower that blows out the temperature-adjusted air into the vehicle interior. The control means includes means for controlling the blower such that the blowout flow rate changes.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, for example, the blower flow rate can be changed by controlling the number of rotations of the blower operated by the electric motor, so that an appropriate amount of cooling air can be supplied from the cooling air intake port to the electrical equipment. it can.

  In the cooling device according to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the invention, the control means includes means for controlling the blowing flow rate to increase when the cooling request is detected.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the flow rate of the cooling air supplied from the cooling air intake port to the electric device can be increased by increasing the blower rotation speed and increasing the blowout flow rate.

  In the cooling device according to the seventh invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to sixth inventions, the adjusting means is an air conditioner.

  According to the seventh invention, it is possible to increase the amount of air blown from the air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment, and to blow out sufficient air-conditioner cooling air toward the cooling air inlet.

  In the cooling device according to the eighth invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to seventh inventions, the electric device is a power storage mechanism.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to efficiently cool the secondary battery or capacitor that is a power storage mechanism mounted on the vehicle.

  In the cooling device according to the ninth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the electrical device is a power conversion semiconductor element.

  According to the ninth aspect, the power conversion semiconductor element such as an inverter or a DC / DC converter mounted on the vehicle can be efficiently cooled.

  In the cooling device according to the tenth invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to ninth inventions, the vehicle is a vehicle equipped with two types of power sources.

  According to the tenth invention, it is possible to provide a cooling device suitably used for a hybrid vehicle equipped with two types of power sources.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. In the following description, a vehicular cooling device that cools a secondary battery that is an example of a power storage mechanism as an electric device will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The power storage mechanism may be a capacitor instead of the secondary battery, and the electric device may be a PCU including an inverter and a DC / DC converter instead of the power storage mechanism (secondary battery or capacitor). In the following description, the vehicle is assumed to be a hybrid vehicle using an engine and a motor as drive sources, but may be an electric vehicle (EV) (EV power supply is not limited).

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle cooling device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle cooling device is disposed in a trunk room (a space other than the boarding space) on the vehicle rear side from the vehicle interior space (boarding space). In addition, the vehicle cooling device is installed at a substantially central portion in the vehicle width direction so as to avoid tire houses on both sides in the vehicle width direction.

  The vehicle cooling device includes a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery (nickel metal hydride battery or lithium ion battery) 100 that is a drive source of the vehicle, and an electric cooling fan 200 of the secondary battery 100.

  In the secondary battery 100, for example, six square battery cells (usually an output voltage of about 1.2V) are connected in series to form one battery module, and a large number (20 to 30) of battery modules. Are connected in series to form a battery pack. In addition, the physique of this secondary battery 100 is a dimension which fits inside the rear side member of a vehicle width direction as an example.

  The vehicular cooling device cools the secondary battery 100 by supplying the air in the vehicle interior space to the secondary battery 100 by being sucked by the electric cooling fan 200 from the cooling air inlet 210 through the duct. .

  The cooling air inlet 210 is open to a rear package tray (usually a member on which an audio speaker or the like is installed) located at a lower part of the rear glass. That is, the duct connected to the cooling air inlet 210 is arranged so as to extend downward from above as shown in FIG. 1, so that the vehicle interior air flows from above to below as shown by the arrows in FIG. The vehicle interior air is sucked toward the secondary battery 100 by the electric cooling fan 200 (flows between the battery modules), and then the air that has cooled the secondary battery 100 is connected to the rear of the secondary battery 100. It is discharged out of the vehicle through the duct 500.

  The air conditioner 300 includes an inside / outside air switching damper 400 for switching between an outside air introduction state (outside air introduction mode) in which air is taken from outside the vehicle and an inside air circulation state (inside air circulation mode) in which air in the vehicle interior is circulated. The inside / outside air switching damper 400 is in the inside air circulation mode when it is on the upper side of the sheet of FIG. The inside / outside air switching damper 400 is operated by an electric motor or an air actuator, and the operation of these devices (motor, actuator) is controlled based on a command signal from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 1000. Further, the ECU 1000 includes a temperature sensor provided in the passenger compartment to a vehicle interior temperature TH (A), a temperature sensor provided in the vicinity of the cooling air inlet 210 to a secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB), and a secondary battery. Secondary battery temperature TH (B) is input from a temperature sensor provided at 100. ECU 1000 controls air conditioner 300 based on temperature information and the like input from each sensor.

  A control structure of a program executed by ECU 1000 that controls the cooling device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S) 100, ECU 1000 determines whether or not inside / outside air switching damper 400 of air conditioner 300 is in the inside air circulation state. If it is the inside air circulation state (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S200. Otherwise (NO in S100), this process ends.

  In S200, ECU 1000 detects vehicle interior temperature TH (A). In S300, ECU 1000 detects secondary battery temperature TH (B). In S400, ECU 1000 detects secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB).

  In S500, ECU 1000 determines whether or not vehicle interior temperature TH (A) is largely deviated from the set temperature of air conditioner 300. For example, if α and β are positive values and {(set temperature−α) <vehicle interior temperature TH (A) <(set temperature + β)} (YES in S500), the process proceeds to S600. If not (NO in S500), the process proceeds to S900.

  In S600, ECU 1000 determines whether secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB) is equal to or lower than target value (1). If secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB) is equal to or lower than target value (1) (YES in S600), the process proceeds to S700. If not (NO in S600), the process proceeds to S800.

  In S700, ECU 1000 determines whether secondary battery temperature TH (B) is equal to or lower than target value (2). For example, when secondary battery temperature TH (B) is equal to or lower than target value (2) (YES in S700), the process proceeds to S900. If not (NO in S700), the process proceeds to S800.

  In S800, ECU 1000 operates inside / outside air switching damper 400 to the outside air introduction side by about 10%. In S900, ECU 1000 stops the control for operating inside / outside air switching damper 400 (becomes an inside air circulation state).

  The operation of the vehicle cooling device according to the present embodiment based on the above structure will be described.

  For example, when the vehicle enters the READY-ON state, an operation command signal is output to the motor that drives the electric cooling fan 200, and the electric cooling fan 200 starts operating. The vehicle interior temperature TH (A), the secondary battery temperature TH (B), and the secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB) are detected.

[Air conditioner satisfies air conditioning performance, but secondary battery cooling air temperature is high]
When the passenger compartment temperature TH (A) is in an appropriate range with respect to the set temperature and the air conditioning performance is satisfied (YES in S500), the secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB) is the target value. If it is higher than (1) (NO in S600), the inside / outside air switching damper 400 is switched from the inside air circulation side to the outside air introduction side (S800).

  In this way, when the temperature in the passenger compartment is appropriately reduced, and the temperature of the cooling air (TH (AB)) for cooling the secondary battery 100 is high, the inside / outside air damper 400 introduces outside air. About 10%, the amount of outside air introduced can be increased, and the amount of air flowing from the outlet of the air conditioner 300 to the cooling air inlet 210 can be increased.

[When the air conditioning performance is satisfied by the air conditioner and the secondary battery cooling air temperature is low, but the secondary battery temperature is high]
When the passenger compartment temperature TH (A) is in an appropriate range with respect to the set temperature and the air conditioning performance is satisfied (YES in S500), the secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB) is the target value. (1) Although below (YES in S600), if secondary battery temperature TH (B) is higher than target value (2) (NO in S700), outside / inside air switching damper 400 is connected to outside air from the inside air circulation side. Switching to the introduction side (S800).

  In this case, the temperature in the passenger compartment is appropriately reduced, while the temperature of the cooling air (TH (AB)) for cooling the secondary battery 100 is low, but the temperature of the secondary battery 100 is high. When the inside / outside air damper 400 is switched to the outside air introduction side by about 10%, the outside air introduction amount can be increased and the amount of air flowing from the outlet of the air conditioner 300 toward the cooling air inlet 210 can be increased.

[When the air conditioning performance is satisfied by the air conditioner, the secondary battery cooling air temperature is low, and the secondary battery temperature is low]
When the passenger compartment temperature TH (A) is in an appropriate range with respect to the set temperature and the air conditioning performance is satisfied (YES in S500), the secondary battery cooling air temperature TH (AB) is the target value. If (1) or less (YES in S600) and secondary battery temperature TH (B) is equal to or less than target value (2) (YES in S700), inside / outside air switching damper 400 remains on the inside air circulation side. (S900).

  In this case, the temperature in the passenger compartment is appropriately reduced, the temperature of the cooling air (TH (AB)) for cooling the secondary battery 100 is low, and the temperature of the secondary battery 100 is also low. It is determined that the flow rate from 300 to the cooling air inlet 210 is sufficient, and the inside / outside air damper 400 is maintained in the inside air circulation without being switched.

[When the air conditioning performance is not satisfied by the air conditioner]
When vehicle interior temperature TH (A) is not within the appropriate range for the set temperature (NO in S500), inside / outside air switching damper 400 remains on the inside air circulation side (S900).

  In this case, since the temperature in the passenger compartment is not properly reduced, the temperature of the passenger compartment is quickly reduced by operating the air conditioner 300 with the inside air circulation (without introducing outside air).

  As described above, according to the vehicular cooling device according to the present embodiment, when the temperature of the vehicle interior is within an appropriate range by the air conditioner, the secondary battery cooling air temperature is high or the secondary battery temperature is high. In addition, by introducing outside air and increasing the amount of air blown from the air conditioner, a large amount of air conditioner cooling air from the air conditioner can reach the vicinity of the intake port, and the air temperature near the intake port can be lowered. .

<Second Embodiment>
A vehicle cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The same description as in the first embodiment will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. Only different points will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, ECU 1000 controls not the inside / outside air switching damper 400 of the air conditioner 300 but the blower fan 410 of the air conditioner 300. ECU 1000 controls the air volume of blower fan 410 by changing the rotational speed of the electric motor, for example, by changing the power supplied to the electric motor that operates blower fan 410.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the program executed by ECU 1000 includes a process of S1100 instead of the process of S100 in FIG. 1, a process of S1800 instead of the process of S800 in FIG. 1, and a process of S900 in FIG. In addition, the processing of S1900 is executed.

  In S1100, ECU 1000 determines whether air conditioner 300 is not at a full flow rate. If blower fan 410 of air conditioner 300 is not yet at a full flow rate (YES in S1100), the process proceeds to S200. Otherwise (NO in S1100), this process ends.

  In S1800, ECU 1000 increases the blowing flow rate of air conditioner 300, for example, by increasing the rotational speed of the electric motor that operates blower fan 410. In S1900, ECU 1000 stops the flow rate increase control.

  In the vehicular cooling device according to the present embodiment based on the structure as described above, the blower fan 410 of the air conditioner 300 is desired when the secondary battery 100 is to be cooled, as in the first embodiment. By increasing the flow rate of the air-conditioner cooling air blown out by the secondary battery 100, the secondary battery 100 can be appropriately cooled.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a control block diagram of the cooling device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed with ECU of FIG. It is a control block diagram of the cooling device for vehicles concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed with ECU of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Secondary battery, 200 Electric cooling fan, 210 Cooling air inlet, 300 Air conditioner, 310 Outlet, 320 Inlet, 400 Inside / outside air switching damper, 410 Air conditioner blower, 500 Exhaust duct, 1000 ECU

Claims (10)

A cooling device for electric equipment mounted on a vehicle,
A cooling air inlet provided in the passenger compartment;
Supply means for supplying cooling air from the cooling air inlet to the electrical device;
Adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment while circulating the air in the passenger compartment;
Control means for controlling the flow rate of air flow from the adjusting means into the vehicle interior when the temperature of the air in the passenger compartment adjusted by the adjusting means is within a predetermined range from the set temperature; A cooling device for an electric device mounted on a vehicle. The cooling device further includes a detecting means for detecting a cooling request of the electrical equipment,
The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes means for controlling the adjusting means so that the blowing flow rate changes according to the cooling request. The adjusting means includes switching means for switching between a state of circulating air in the vehicle interior and a state of introducing air outside the vehicle,
The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the control means includes means for controlling the switching means so that the blowout flow rate changes.   The cooling device according to claim 3, wherein the control means includes means for controlling the switching means so as to introduce air from outside the passenger compartment when the cooling request is detected. The adjusting means includes a blower that blows out the temperature-adjusted air into the vehicle interior,
The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the control means includes means for controlling the blower so that the blowout flow rate changes.   The cooling device according to claim 5, wherein the control means includes means for controlling the blower such that the blowing flow rate increases when the cooling request is detected.   The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is an air conditioner.   The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical device is a power storage mechanism.   The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical device is a power conversion semiconductor element.   The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a vehicle equipped with two types of power sources.

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