JP2010188940A - Refrigerator for transportation, and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately obtain an electric power amount necessary for operating a compressor in a vehicle including a refrigerator. <P>SOLUTION: A refrigerator 30 for transportation is installed on a vehicle body 20 including at least a motor generator 22 for traveling as a power source. The refrigerator 30 includes: a refrigeration cycle 31 in which the compressor 32 is driven by a motor for driving the compressor; a secondary battery 43 for storing electric power supplied to the motor of the compressor 32; and a controller 36 for controlling the refrigeration cycle 31 and the secondary battery 43. The controller 36 finds the electric power amount (P) necessary for operating the compressor 32 based on a delivery pressure (HP) and a suction pressure (LP) in the refrigeration cycle 31 during operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport refrigerator suitable for, for example, a hybrid vehicle using an engine and an electric motor as a driving source for driving, or an electric vehicle using only an electric motor as a driving source for driving.

Due to environmental problems, hybrid vehicles that improve fuel efficiency by mounting a drive source that combines an engine and an electric motor and controlling the driving of either the engine or the electric motor according to the running state of the vehicle are becoming widespread. The hybrid vehicle is equipped with a secondary battery that stores electric power generated by regenerative braking of the vehicle and supplies electric power to the electric motor when necessary.
Patent Document 1 discloses a control device capable of maintaining work performance in a work device mounted on a specially equipped vehicle when such a hybrid system is applied to the specially equipped vehicle.

  The specially equipped vehicle according to Patent Document 1 is equipped with a work auxiliary machine for a special application, a battery that stores electric power supplied to the work auxiliary machine and the motor generator, and an ECU that controls the specially equipped vehicle. The ECU is based on a detection circuit that detects the state of the engine and the battery, which is a power supply source, a power amount detection circuit that detects the amount of power required for the specially equipped vehicle, and the state of the supply source and the required power amount. And a determination circuit that prioritizes the supply of power to the work auxiliary machine over the supply of power to the motor generator and determines the supply destination of power from the supply source.

  According to Patent Document 1, the state of the engine and the state of charge of the battery detected by the detection circuit, and the amount of power required for the work auxiliary machine and the amount of power required for the motor generator detected by the power amount detection circuit are disclosed. Based on the battery, which is the power supply source, and the power supply destination from the engine are determined. At this time, the power supply to the work auxiliary machine is prioritized over the power supply to the motor generator. Thereby, power can be supplied from the supply source in preference to the work auxiliary machine mounted on the specially equipped vehicle. As a result, the work performance in the work auxiliary machine can be maintained.

JP 2004-135376 A

A typical example of a work auxiliary machine is a refrigerator. As this refrigerator, there is one that rotates a compressor with an electric motor mounted for the refrigerator. Since the power consumption of the refrigerator increases or decreases depending on the refrigeration load, even if the amount of power remaining in the battery that supplies power to the electric motor is detected as in Patent Document 1, the refrigerator can be operated continuously thereafter. It is difficult to obtain time accurately.
In order to obtain the time during which the refrigerator can be operated with higher accuracy, it is required to obtain with high accuracy the amount of power required for operation of the compressor that consumes a large amount of power in the refrigeration cycle. It is an object of the present invention to obtain the amount of electric power necessary for the operation of the compressor in a highly accurate vehicle.

The present invention is directed to a transport refrigerator provided in a vehicle body having at least a first electric motor as a driving source for traveling. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration cycle in which the compressor is driven by a second electric motor for the compressor, a battery that stores electric power supplied to the second electric motor, a refrigeration cycle, and a controller that controls the battery. This controller obtains the amount of electric power (Pn) necessary for the operation of the compressor based on the discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP) in the operating refrigeration cycle.
The electric energy (Pn) required by the present invention is highly accurate because it is based on the discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP) in the refrigeration cycle during operation.

  In the transport refrigerator of the present invention, the controller detects the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery, and configures the refrigeration cycle based on a comparison between the amount of power (Pn) and the amount of power (Pr). Reduce the capacity of the equipment to operate. This is to avoid a situation where the operation of the refrigerator is stopped due to power shortage.

In the transport refrigerator of the present invention, the controller detects the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery, and based on the comparison between the amount of power (Pn) and the amount of power (Pr), power is supplied to the battery by charging. Can be requested to add. This is to avoid a situation where the operation of the refrigerator is stopped due to power shortage.
The controller preferably reduces the capabilities of the devices that make up the refrigeration cycle so that the refrigeration cycle can be operated until the battery is charged.

The additional power request made by the controller includes several forms.
That is, the controller can make a request for adding power to the generator included in the vehicle main body. In this case, since the generator of the vehicle body automatically generates power in response to a request from the controller, the power shortage can be solved.
Further, the controller can display a request for adding power on the display device. A driver or an assistant (hereinafter collectively referred to as a driver) causes the generator of the vehicle body to start power generation in accordance with the additional request. When the generator of the vehicle body cannot be used, the driver can charge the battery by operating the vehicle body so that the generator can be used.
Further, the controller can make an additional request for electric power by specifying a charging station that can be charged with respect to the car navigation system provided in the vehicle main body. Using the car navigation system, the nearest charging station can be specified, so charging can be started in the shortest time.

The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a transport refrigerator provided in a vehicle body having at least a first electric motor as a driving source for traveling. This control method is performed for a refrigerator that includes a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor is driven by a second electric motor for the compressor, and a battery that stores electric power supplied to the second electric motor. This control method detects the discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP) in the operating refrigeration cycle, and operates the compressor based on the detected discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP). The step of obtaining the amount of electric power (Pn) required for.
The electric energy (Pn) required by the control method of the present invention is highly accurate because it is based on the discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP) in the refrigeration cycle during operation.

  In the control method of the present invention, the capability of the equipment constituting the refrigeration cycle based on the step of detecting the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery and the comparison between the amount of power (Pn) and the amount of power (Pr). Can be provided with a step of reducing the operation. This is to avoid a situation where the operation of the refrigerator stops due to power shortage.

In the control method of the present invention, power is added to the battery by charging based on the step of detecting the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery and the comparison between the amount of power (Pn) and the amount of power (Pr). A requesting step can be provided. This is to avoid a situation where the operation of the refrigerator is stopped due to power shortage.
In the control method of the present invention, it is preferable to reduce the capacity of the devices constituting the refrigeration cycle so that the refrigeration cycle can be operated until the battery is charged.

The step of requesting additional power includes several forms.
That is, it is possible to make a request for adding power to the generator included in the vehicle main body. In this case, since the generator of the vehicle body automatically generates power in response to a request from the controller, the power shortage can be solved.
In addition, a power addition request can be displayed on the display device. The driver causes the generator of the vehicle body to start power generation according to the additional request. When the generator of the vehicle body cannot be used, the driver can charge the battery by operating the vehicle body so that the generator can be used.
Furthermore, it is possible to make an additional request for electric power by specifying a charging station that can be charged with respect to the car navigation system provided in the vehicle main body. Using the car navigation system, the nearest charging station can be specified, so charging can be started in the shortest time.

  According to the present invention, since it is based on the discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP) in the refrigeration cycle during operation, the required amount of power (Pn) required for the operation of the compressor is high.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle provided with the refrigerator for transport which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle provided with the refrigerator for transport which concerns on this other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the transport refrigerator which concerns on this Embodiment. The procedure of the part A of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is shown. The other procedure of the A part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is shown. Still another procedure in the portion A of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The example which combined the procedure of FIGS. 4-6 is shown. The element controlled when carrying out save operation of refrigerator power is shown.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a hybrid type vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle main body 20 and a refrigerator (transport refrigerator) 30.
The vehicle body 20 uses an engine 21 and a motor / generator 22 as a driving source for traveling.
The vehicle main body 20 includes a controller 24 that controls operations of the engine 21, the motor / generator 22, and the secondary battery 23.

The engine 21 is an internal combustion engine that is driven by gasoline, light oil or the like as fuel, which transmits power to drive wheels (both not shown) via a transmission.
The motor / generator 22 serves as a load on the engine 21 to generate electric power when the vehicle body 20 is regeneratively braked. The generated electric power is stored in the secondary battery 23. For example, when the driving torque of the engine 21 is insufficient with respect to the traveling state of the vehicle body 20, electric power is supplied from the secondary battery 23 to the motor / generator 22, and the motor / generator 22 functions as a motor. To assist the engine 21. The vehicle to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the above. When the motor / generator 22 functions as a motor, the driving wheel may be moved only by this driving force, or the motor It can also be applied to an electric vehicle that moves a driving wheel with only a driving force.

  The refrigerator 30 includes a compressor 32 that includes an electric motor (not shown) that is driven to rotate by the electric power supplied from the secondary battery device 43. The secondary battery 43 includes a DC / DC converter circuit, an inverter circuit, and the like that convert low-voltage DC power supplied from the secondary battery into high-voltage AC power. The secondary battery 43 can receive power from the secondary battery 23 of the vehicle body 20, but the secondary battery 23 can also serve as the secondary battery 43.

  In the refrigeration cycle 31 of the refrigerator 30, a compressor 32, a condenser 33, an electronic expansion valve 34, and an evaporator 35 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe. Each of the condenser 33 and the evaporator 35 is provided with a fan (not shown). In the refrigeration cycle 31, the superheated steam drawn into the compressor 32 is adiabatically compressed along the isentropic entropy line to become a high-pressure gas having a high degree of superheat and flows to the condenser 33. The high-pressure gas entering the condenser 33 is cooled and becomes a saturated liquid by latent heat of condensation while maintaining an equal pressure, and further, sensible heat is released to become a supercooled liquid. The supercooled liquid is throttled and expanded by the electronic expansion valve 34 where heat does not flow in and out, the specific enthalpy does not change, the pressure and temperature decrease, and the refrigerant liquid (wet steam) goes to the evaporator 35 as a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant liquid (wet steam) receives heat from the outside in the evaporator 35 and becomes dry steam with constant pressure by the latent heat of evaporation. Then, it becomes superheated steam by sensible heat and is sucked into the compressor 32. In the refrigeration cycle 31, the evaporator 35 sucks and cools the heat in the freezer, and the condenser 33 exhausts the heat to the outside. As described above, in the refrigeration cycle 31, the refrigerant continuously repeats the state changes of compression, condensation, throttle expansion, and evaporation.

  On the refrigeration cycle 31, an intake pressure sensor 38, a discharge pressure sensor 39, and a discharge gas temperature sensor 40 are provided. The suction pressure sensor 38 detects the pressure (LP) of the refrigerant (low pressure gas) sucked into the compressor 32 on the downstream side of the compressor 32. The discharge pressure sensor 39 detects the pressure (HP) of the refrigerant (high pressure gas) discharged from the compressor 32 on the upstream side of the compressor 32. The discharge gas temperature sensor 40 detects the temperature (Td) of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 32 on the upstream side of the compressor 32. The detected pressure (LP, HP) and temperature (Td) are sent to the controller 36. Note that the suction pressure sensor 38, the discharge pressure sensor 39, and the discharge gas temperature sensor 40 are shown separated from the refrigeration cycle 31 because of the space in FIG. 1.

  The refrigerator 30 includes a touch panel type operation panel 41. A driver of the vehicle 10 inputs operating conditions of the refrigerator 30 to the operation panel 41. The operating conditions input to the operation panel 41 are transmitted to the controller 36. The operation panel 41 is provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal display. In addition to displaying operating conditions, the display device displays various displays according to instructions from the controller 36.

  The controller 36 receives the operating condition input to the operation panel 41 and controls the refrigeration cycle 31 so as to be operated according to this condition. The controller 36 gives the refrigeration cycle 31 command values relating to the rotational speed of the compressor 32, the rotational speeds of the fans attached to the condenser 33 and the evaporator 35, and the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 34.

Further, the controller 36 calculates the required power of the compressor 32 and calculates the amount of electric power (Pn) necessary for continuing the operation of the refrigeration cycle 31. The controller 36 performs characteristic power control for the refrigerator 30 based on the electric energy (Pn).
In order to calculate the required power of the compressor 32, the controller 36 detects the refrigerant gas suction pressure (HP) detected by the suction pressure sensor 38 and the refrigerant gas discharge detected by the discharge pressure sensor 39 while the refrigeration cycle 31 is in operation. Acquire pressure (LP).
Further, the controller 36 acquires data related to the compressor 32 stored in the data storage unit 37 in order to calculate the required power of the compressor 32. This data is for the compressor 32 and refrigerant and includes:
Compressor 32: volumetric efficiency (ηv), compression efficiency (ηad)
Refrigerant: Enthalpy (ph diagram), density (ρ)

Next, with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4, the procedure of the electric power control of the refrigerator 30 implement | achieved by the controller 36 is demonstrated.
The controller 36 acquires suction pressure data (LP) detected by the suction pressure sensor 38 and discharge pressure data (HP) detected by the discharge pressure sensor 39. Note that the controller 36 holds the rotation speed data (Nc) of the compressor instructed to the compressor 32 (S101 in FIG. 3).
Further, the controller 36 acquires volumetric efficiency data (ηv) and compression efficiency data (ηad) from the data storage unit 37 (S101 in FIG. 3).

The controller 36 calculates the power (Q) necessary for the operation of the compressor 32 (S105 in FIG. 3).
Here, the required power (Q) can be obtained by the following equation (1) from the refrigerant flow rate (Gr) and the enthalpy difference (Δh) in the compressor. The refrigerant flow rate (Gr) is obtained as a function of the refrigerant density (ρ) obtained from the suction pressure (LP), the volume efficiency (ηv) of the compressor 32, and the rotational speed (Nc) of the compressor 32. The compressor enthalpy difference (Δh) is obtained as a function of the discharge pressure (HP), the suction pressure (LP), and the compression (adiabatic) efficiency (ηad) of the compressor 32. Therefore, the controller 36 calculates the refrigerant flow rate (Gr) and the compressor enthalpy difference (Δh) based on the following formulas (2) and (3) (S103 in FIG. 3), and then calculates the required power (Q). (FIG. 3, S105).
Required power (Q) = refrigerant flow rate (Gr) × compressor enthalpy difference (Δh) (1)
Gr = f (ρ, ηv, Nc) (2)
Δh = f (HP, LP, ηad) (3)

Here, since the compression efficiency (ηad) can be obtained from the intersection of the line segment and the isotherm in the compressor of the ph diagram, the compressor enthalpy difference (Δh) is determined by the compression efficiency ( It can also be obtained by the following equation (3 ′) in which ηad) is replaced with the discharge gas temperature (Td). In this case, the controller 36 acquires the discharge gas temperature (Td) detected by the discharge gas temperature sensor 40. The data storage unit 37 does not need to store the compression efficiency (ηad). Further, since the characteristics of the compressor 32 may change over time, when the compressor enthalpy difference (Δh) is obtained using the detected discharge gas temperature (Td), the required power (Q) in accordance with the current situation. Can be requested.
Δh = f (HP, LP, Td) (3 ′)

The controller 36 calculates the required power amount (Pn) by the following equation (4), which is obtained by multiplying the required power (Q) calculated in S105 by the preset required operating time (T) of the refrigerator 30 (S107 in FIG. 3). ). The required operation time (T) is set based on the input from the operation panel by the occupant, the calculation from the past operation state, the time until the chargeable time described later, and the like.
Required power (Pn) = Required power (Q) × Required operation time (T) (4)

The required power (Pn) may be calculated using the required power (Q) as it is, but it may be calculated using the average value (Qa) or the rate of change (Qd) in the immediately preceding fixed time. In this case, the controller 36 stores the required power (Q) over time in the data storage unit 37 over a certain period, and based on the stored data, the average value (Qa) or the rate of change (Qd) Can be obtained by, for example, the following equations (5) and (6). When the average value (Qa) is obtained, the required power (Q) in equation (4) is replaced with the average value (Qa). Further, when the calculated rate of change (Qd) is replaced by the required power (Q) of the change rate (Qd) × _{Q 0} of formula (4).

Average value (Qa) = (Q ₀ + Q _−t + Q _−2t ) / 3 (5)
Q ₀ : Required power calculated at time T ₀
Q _−t : Required power calculated t time before time T ₀
Q _-2t: required power, which is calculated prior to the 2t time time _{T 0}

Rate of change (Qd) = | Q ₀ −Q _−2t | / | T ₀ −T _−2t | (6)
Q ₀ : Required power calculated at time T ₀
Q _-2t: required power, which is calculated prior to the 2t time time _{T 0}

  Next, the controller 36 detects the remaining electric energy (Pr) of the secondary battery 43 held by the refrigerator 30 (S109 in FIG. 3). With respect to this remaining power amount (Pr), the remaining power amount of the secondary battery 23 held by the vehicle body 20 can be added. This is because power can be supplied from the secondary battery 23 held by the vehicle body 20 to the secondary battery 43 held by the refrigerator 30.

The controller 36 compares the required power amount (Pn) calculated in S107 with the remaining power amount (Pr) detected in S109, so that only the remaining power amount (Pr) is used for T time (required operation time). It is determined whether or not the compressor 32 can be continuously operated (S111 in FIG. 3). Specifically, it is as follows.
If the required electric energy (Pn) <the remaining electric energy (Pr) (Yes in S111 in FIG. 3), the controller 36 continues the operation of the refrigerator 30 (S113 in FIG. 3).
On the other hand, if the required power amount (Pn)> the remaining power amount (Pr) (No in S111 in FIG. 3), the controller 36 issues a power addition request (S115 in FIG. 3).

The processing performed in FIG. 3A for the power addition request is shown in FIG. 4 (A1). That is, the controller 36 requests the controller 24 of the vehicle main body 20 to generate power with the motor / generator 22 (S131 in FIG. 4). FIG. 4 shows the procedure before and after A1 just in case.
In response to this request, the controller 24 of the vehicle body 20 instructs the motor / generator 22 to generate power. However, when there is a request from the controller 36, if the motor / generator 22 functions as a motor, it may not be possible to immediately start power generation. Therefore, the controller 24 of the vehicle main body 20 generates power and generates secondary power. The time until charging of the battery 43 (23) is started (charging start time (Tg)) is returned to the controller 36.

The controller 36 determines whether power generation by the motor / generator 22 is started within the continuous operation possible time by comparing the continuous operation possible time (Tc) and the charge start time (Tg). Specifically, it is as follows. The continuous operation possible time (Tc) can be obtained based on the remaining power amount (Pr) of the secondary battery 43 and the compressor power (Q). However, it is necessary to obtain the continuous operation possible time (Tc) in consideration of not only the compressor 32 being used for the refrigerator 30 in the secondary battery 43.
If continuous operation possible time (Tc)> power generation start time (Tg) (Yes in S132 in FIG. 4), the operation of the refrigerator 30 is continued as it is (S113 in FIG. 3).
On the other hand, if continuous operation possible time (Tc) ≦ power generation start time (Tg) (No in S132 in FIG. 4), the amount of power that can be consumed (Pc) until power generation is started is expressed by the following equation (7).
Consumable electric energy (Pc) = Remaining electric energy (Pr) (7)

  When the consumable power amount (Pc) is obtained, the controller 36 can operate the refrigerator 30 within the consumable power amount (Pc) range, that is, until the secondary battery 43 is charged. In addition, the apparatus of the refrigerator 30 is instructed to operate with reduced power consumption by reducing the capacity (power saving) (S121 in FIG. 3). The elements of the refrigerator save operation are shown in FIG. 8. For example, it is conceivable to reduce the number of operating units when the number of compressors 32 is provided by lowering the rotational speed of the compressor 32. Similarly, it is conceivable to reduce the rotational speed of the fans attached to the condenser 33 and the evaporator 35 or to reduce the number of operating fans. Further, the power consumption can be reduced by adjusting the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 34.

  The above procedures and processes are repeated until an operation stop command for the refrigerator 30 is input from the operation panel 41 (FIG. 3, S123, S125).

  According to the present embodiment, since the required power (Q) is obtained using the discharge pressure (HP), suction pressure (LP), and rotation speed (Nc) of the compressor 32 during operation, the secondary battery 43 ( It can be judged more accurately whether or not the refrigerator 30 can be continuously operated by the remaining electric energy (Pr) of 23). Further, since the power saving operation is performed when it is determined that the refrigerator 30 cannot be continuously operated based on the remaining electric energy (Pr) of the secondary batteries 43 and 23, the worst situation that the refrigerator 30 stops can be avoided. .

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the power control is advanced in the procedure indicated by A2 in FIG. The parts other than A2 are the same as in the first embodiment.
After making the power addition request (S115 in FIGS. 3 and 5), the controller 36 requests the display area of the operation panel 41 to display that charging is required (S141 in FIG. 5). In response to this request, characters such as “Please start charging immediately” are displayed on the operation panel 41 to alert the driver. You may call attention not only by letters but also by voice.

A button such as “OK” is displayed on the operation panel 41 together with alerting, and the controller 36 monitors whether or not the driver has operated the “OK” button (S143 in FIG. 5).
If the controller 36 detects that the “OK” button has been operated (Yes in S143 in FIG. 5), it continues the operation of the refrigerator 30 (S113 in FIGS. 3 and 5).
If the controller 36 does not detect that the “OK” button has been operated (No in S143 in FIG. 5), the refrigerator 30 is put into a save operation by executing the procedure from S119 in FIG. 3 (FIG. 3). , FIG. 5 S119, S121).

  This embodiment also has the same effect as the first embodiment, and alerts the driver that charging is necessary, so that continuous operation of the refrigerator 30 is ensured.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is provided with a communication device 42 in the refrigerator 30. The vehicle 10 includes a car navigation system 50 in addition to the vehicle main body 20 and the refrigerator (transport refrigerator) 30. The third embodiment is based on the assumption that the charging site 60 exists. The charging site 60 is a site on the Internet that is operated based on information from a stand (charging station) that can charge the secondary batteries 23 and 43. The charging station 60 is based on information from the charging station. Provides information on whether can be charged at this time. The charging site 60 has information on charging stations that can be charged by the empty stand monitor 62, and provides information on charging stations that can be charged in response to requests sent from the empty stand answering system 61 via the Internet. In addition to being provided in response to the request, the car navigation system 50 may receive information that is continuously distributed through ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems).

The car navigation system 50 has charging station information 52 in addition to the map information 53 and the GPS (Global Positioning System) 54 that the car navigation system 50 normally has. The charging station information 52 stores a charging station and an address in association with each other.
In the car navigation system 50, the computing device 51 searches the information on the charging station closest to the current position of the vehicle 10 by collating the current position map information 53 and the charging station information 52 of the vehicle 10 specified by the GPS 54. Extract. This information is extracted in response to a request from the controller 36 of the refrigerator 30.

In the third embodiment, the power control is advanced in the procedure indicated by A3 in FIG. The parts other than A3 are the same as in the first embodiment.
After making the power addition request (FIG. 3, 6 S115), the controller 36 requests the car navigation system 50 to search for and extract information about the nearest charging station (FIG. 6, S151). In response to this request, the car navigation system 50 searches and extracts information on the nearest charging station, and sends the information (charging station candidate information) to the controller 36.
If the controller 36 acquires the charging station candidate information, the controller 36 transmits the charging station candidate information to the charging site 60 via the communication device 42, and inquires whether or not the charging stunt is empty (S153 in FIG. 6). .

  If the answer of the charging site 60 to this inquiry is “vacant” (Yes in S155 in FIG. 6), the controller 36 performs the next process of S157. If it is not “free” (No in S155 in FIG. 6), the controller 36 requests the car navigation system 50 again to search for and extract information on the next closest charging station (return to S151 in FIG. 6). . In this way, the controller 36 identifies the closest “empty” charging station.

  Next, the controller 36 determines whether or not the specified charging station can be reached within the continuous operation possible time (Tc) (S157 in FIG. 6). On the other hand, the required travel time (Tr) until reaching the specified charging station is obtained. The required travel time (Tr) can be obtained from the address of the specified charging station and the travel speed of the vehicle 10 in the car navigation system 50.

If the continuous operation possible time (Tc)> the required travel time (Tr) (Yes in FIG. 6 S157), the controller 36 continues the operation of the refrigerator 30 as it is (FIG. 3, FIG. 6 S113).
Further, the controller 36 executes the procedure after S119 of FIG. 3 so that the refrigerator 30 is operated for saving if the continuous operation possible time (Tc) ≦ the required travel time (Tr) (FIG. 3, FIG. 3). 6 S119 to S121).

  This embodiment also has the same effect as the first embodiment, and it is easy to ensure continuous operation of the refrigerator 30 because the presence or absence of the save operation is determined in consideration of the charging station.

In the first to third embodiments, the procedure shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after calculating the required power amount (S <b> 107 in FIG. 3), It is also possible to calculate the amount of power that can be consumed without executing the procedure after S109 (S119 in FIG. 3), and to cause the refrigerator 30 to perform a power saving operation.
Other than this, as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated, the configuration described in the above embodiment can be selected or changed to another configuration as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, A1 shown in FIG. 4, A2 shown in FIG. 5, and A3 shown in FIG. 6 may be combined. Although the vehicle 10 is a hybrid type vehicle, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to a vehicle driven only by a motor. Furthermore, a fuel cell can be used instead of the secondary battery.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle 20 ... Vehicle main body 21 ... Engine, 22 ... Motor and generator, 23 ... Secondary battery, 24 ... Controller 30 ... Refrigerator (transport refrigerator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Refrigeration cycle, 32 ... Compressor, 33 ... Condenser, 34 ... Electronic expansion valve, 35 ... Evaporator 36 ... Controller, 37 ... Data storage part, 38 ... Suction pressure sensor, 39 ... Discharge pressure sensor 40 ... Discharge gas Temperature sensor 41 ... Operation panel (display unit) 42 ... Communication device 50 ... Car navigation system 51 ... Computing device 52 ... Charging stand information 53 ... Map information 60 ... Charging site 61 ... Empty stand answer system 62 ... Empty Stand monitor

Claims (14)

A transport refrigerator provided in a vehicle body having at least a first electric motor as a driving source for traveling,
The refrigerator is a refrigeration cycle in which the compressor is driven by a second electric motor for the compressor;
A battery for storing electric power to be supplied to the second electric motor;
A controller for controlling the refrigeration cycle and the battery,
The controller obtains an electric energy (Pn) necessary for operating the compressor based on a discharge pressure (HP) and a suction pressure (LP) in the refrigeration cycle during operation. . The controller detects the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery,
The transport refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operated while reducing the capacity of equipment constituting the refrigeration cycle based on a comparison between the electric energy (Pn) and the electric energy (Pr). . The controller detects the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery,
The transport refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a request is made to add electric power to the battery by charging based on a comparison between the electric energy (Pn) and the electric energy (Pr).   The transport refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the controller makes an additional request for electric power by instructing the generator included in the vehicle main body to generate electric power.   The transport refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the controller displays a request for adding power on a display device.   The said controller performs the additional request | requirement of electric power by specifying the charging stand which can be charged with respect to the car navigation system with which the said vehicle main body is equipped. Transport refrigerator.   The transport refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the controller reduces the capacity of the devices constituting the refrigeration cycle so that the refrigeration cycle can be operated until the battery is charged. A refrigeration cycle provided in a vehicle body having at least a first electric motor as a driving source for traveling and driven by a second electric motor for driving the compressor; a battery for storing electric power supplied to the second electric motor; A method for controlling a transport refrigerator comprising:
Detecting discharge pressure (HP) and suction pressure (LP) in the refrigeration cycle during operation;
Obtaining an amount of electric power (Pn) required for operation of the compressor based on the detected discharge pressure (HP) and the suction pressure (LP);
A control method for a transport refrigerator. Detecting the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery;
Based on a comparison between the amount of power (Pn) required for operation of the compressor and the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery, and reducing the capacity of the devices constituting the refrigeration cycle. The method for controlling a transport refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising: Detecting the amount of power (Pr) remaining in the battery;
Requesting to add power to the battery by charging, based on a comparison between the amount of power required to operate the compressor (Pn) and the amount of power remaining in the battery (Pr);
The control method of the transport refrigerator as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized by comprising: The step of requesting addition of the power includes:
The method for controlling a transport refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein an electric power addition request is made by instructing a power generator included in the vehicle main body to generate power.   The method for controlling a transport refrigerator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the step of requesting addition of power causes the display device to display a request for addition of power. The step of requesting addition of the power includes:
The control of the transport refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the car navigation system included in the vehicle body is required to specify a charging station capable of being charged. Method. The step of reducing the capacity of the equipment constituting the refrigeration cycle and operating is as follows.
The transport refrigerator according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the capacity of devices constituting the refrigeration cycle is reduced so that the refrigeration cycle can be operated until the battery is charged.

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