JP2010268683A - Electric vehicle, and vehicle charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric vehicle which maintains running performance using an electromotor while ensuring comfort for occupants, and to provide a vehicle charging system. <P>SOLUTION: When a current flows to a battery 30a, resistance loss proportional to the square of current is generated by its internal resistance component INR. When the temperature of a thermal capacity element THC is raised, charging current is controlled such that a predetermined thermal energy is applied to the thermal capacity element THC by the resistance loss. Air is sucked into a power supply unit 30 through a cabin air exhaust duct 40b. Consequently, thermal energy stored in the thermal capacity element THC is moved to the air sucked into the power supply unit 30. The air to which thermal energy is applied from the thermal capacity element THC is blown off by a fan 42 toward the cabin space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for charging an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device configured to be chargeable / dischargeable by an external power source, and more particularly to a technique for storing thermal energy in addition to charging power in the vehicle. It is.

  A so-called electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a power storage device such as a secondary battery or a capacitor, and generates driving force from the electric power stored in the power storage device via the electric motor.

  A so-called plug-in method has been proposed in which a power storage device mounted on such an electric vehicle is charged by an external power source such as a system power source or a solar battery. In particular, in a hybrid vehicle, when the cost of the external power supply is low compared to the power generation cost of the internal combustion engine installed, the overall travel cost can be suppressed by charging the power storage device with the external power supply.

  By the way, the power storage device is often composed of a secondary battery using an electrochemical action, and its charge / discharge characteristics are greatly affected by temperature. Therefore, in an electric vehicle configured to be able to charge the power storage device with an external power supply, a configuration for suppressing a temperature decrease of the power storage device has been proposed.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-214414 (Patent Document 1), based on a discharge amount of a power storage device for an electric vehicle when charging is instructed, a detected power supply voltage value, and a predetermined charging current value. Charging period calculating means for calculating a required charging period and charging for calculating a charging start time for ending charging at a scheduled boarding time based on the commanded scheduled boarding time and the calculated required charging period An electric vehicle power storage device charge control device including a start time calculation means is disclosed. According to the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-214412 (Patent Document 1), the charging is completed at the scheduled boarding time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time for leaving after charging and to reduce the capacity decrease due to the temperature decrease. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-214414

  However, in an electric vehicle to be put into practical use, it is necessary to ensure not only a power storage device but also a passenger comfort. That is, it is necessary to air-condition (heat or cool) the passenger compartment space in winter or summer. Such vehicle interior air conditioning requires a relatively large power source. Therefore, the electric power that should be used for generating the vehicle driving force is used for air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and there is a possibility that the traveling performance of the power storage device is restricted. That is, among the amount of power stored in the power storage device, there is a possibility that the amount of power that can be secured for vehicle travel is reduced, and the travelable distance is shortened. In addition, among the electric power that can be discharged from the power storage device, there is a possibility that the electric power that can be secured for running the vehicle is reduced, and the driving force that can be generated is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle and a vehicle charging system capable of maintaining the traveling performance of the electric motor while ensuring the comfort for the occupant. That is.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric vehicle that includes a power storage device configured to be chargeable / dischargeable and configured to be able to charge the power storage device with an external power source. The electric vehicle according to the present invention is configured to be connectable to a connector portion for supplying an external power source during charging. The electric vehicle according to the present invention stores heat energy in the heat capacity element using the heat capacity element configured to be able to store heat energy and external energy supplied from the outside of the vehicle via the connector portion during charging. And an air conditioning mechanism for performing air conditioning of the passenger compartment space using the thermal energy accumulated in the heat capacity element in response to an air conditioning request.

  According to this aspect, the electric vehicle according to the present invention accumulates thermal energy by receiving energy from the outside when charging the power storage device to be mounted by the external power source. When the air conditioning request is received after the completion of charging, the passenger compartment space is air-conditioned using the stored thermal energy instead of the electric power stored in the power storage device. Thereby, in order to air-condition the passenger compartment space, it is not necessary to use the discharge power from the power storage device. Therefore, most of the electric power discharged from the power storage device can be secured for the electric motor, so that the traveling performance of the electric motor can be maintained while ensuring the comfort for the passenger.

Preferably, the heat capacity element is configured by at least a part of the constituent members of the power storage device.
More preferably, the heat storage mechanism includes charging current control means for controlling the charging current so that predetermined heat energy is given to the power storage device by resistive heat generation accompanying the charging current of the power storage device.

  Still more preferably, the electric vehicle according to the present invention is configured to accept an external heat medium having a predetermined thermal energy from the outside of the vehicle via a connector portion in addition to an external power source during charging, and the heat storage mechanism is a connector A heat medium path configured to cause heat exchange between the external heat medium supplied via the unit and the power storage device.

  More preferably, conditioned air in an air-conditioned building outside the vehicle is supplied as an external heat medium.

  Preferably, the electric vehicle according to the present invention is configured to communicate with the passenger compartment space, and is configured to take in the air in the passenger compartment space and exchange heat with the power storage device. An air path is further provided, and the air-conditioning mechanism is a direction in which air is taken in from the passenger compartment space in the passenger compartment air path so that air exchanged with the power storage device is blown out toward the passenger compartment space. It includes a reverse flow mechanism for creating an air flow in the reverse direction.

  Preferably, the electric vehicle according to the present invention includes a power conversion unit capable of generating a charging current for charging the power storage device from an external power source, and a radiator unit for cooling the power conversion unit via the first refrigerant. And a circulation mechanism for circulating the first refrigerant in the circulation path including the power conversion unit and the radiator, and a storage unit that is inserted in the circulation path and configured to store the first refrigerant. The heat capacity element includes a first refrigerant, and the power conversion unit includes a switching element. Furthermore, the heat storage mechanism suppresses the cooling capacity of the radiator unit during charging, and the predetermined heat energy is given to the first refrigerant due to heat loss caused by the switching operation generated in the power conversion unit. It further includes a power converter control means for controlling the power.

  Preferably, the electric vehicle according to the present invention further includes a rotating electrical machine having a star-connected phase coil, and the power conversion unit is configured to receive an external power supply via a neutral point of the rotating electrical machine, The circulation path is formed so as to further include a rotating electrical machine. The power conversion unit control means further controls the power conversion unit such that predetermined heat energy is given to the first refrigerant by the resistive heat generated by the phase coil of the rotating electrical machine.

  Preferably, the air-conditioning mechanism has a blow-out mechanism for blowing conditioned air into the passenger compartment space, a first refrigerant introduction path for guiding the first refrigerant to the blow-out mechanism, and a first refrigerant introduction path. It further includes a first heat exchanging unit for generating conditioned air by causing heat exchange with the first refrigerant to be guided.

  Preferably, the heat capacity element includes a cold storage agent stored in the cold storage tank, and the heat storage mechanism includes a refrigeration cycle mechanism that accumulates thermal energy in the cold storage material by receiving an external power source and executing a refrigeration cycle during charging. In addition.

  More preferably, the air conditioning mechanism is formed so as to cause heat exchange between the blowing mechanism for blowing conditioned air into the passenger compartment space, and the second refrigerant and the cold storage material, and the second after the heat exchange. Second for generating heat-conditioned air by causing heat exchange between the second refrigerant introduction path for introducing the refrigerant to the blowing mechanism and the second refrigerant introduced through the second refrigerant introduction path. And a heat exchange part.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, vehicle charging including an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device configured to be chargeable / dischargeable, and a vehicle charging device for charging the power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle with an external power source. System. The vehicle charging device is connected to an electric vehicle at the time of charging and includes a connector portion for supplying an external power source to the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle uses a heat capacity element configured to be able to store heat energy, and a heat storage mechanism for storing heat energy in the heat capacity element using external energy supplied from the outside of the vehicle via the connector portion during charging. And an air-conditioning mechanism for air-conditioning the passenger compartment space using the thermal energy accumulated in the heat capacity element in response to the air-conditioning request. Further, the heat capacity element is configured by at least a part of the constituent members of the power storage device, and the vehicle charging device uses an external heat medium having a predetermined heat energy from the outside of the vehicle via the connector portion in addition to the external power source during charging. The heat storage mechanism is configured to supply, and includes a heat medium path configured to cause heat exchange between the external heat medium supplied via the connector unit and the power storage device.

According to this aspect, engagement Ru car both the charging system in this invention, when charging power storage device mounted by the external power source, for storing thermal energy by receiving energy from the outside. When the air conditioning request is received after the completion of charging, the passenger compartment space is air-conditioned using the stored thermal energy instead of the electric power stored in the power storage device. Thereby, in order to air-condition the passenger compartment space, it is not necessary to use the discharge power from the power storage device. Therefore, most of the electric power discharged from the power storage device can be secured for the electric motor, so that the traveling performance of the electric motor can be maintained while ensuring the comfort for the passenger.

  Preferably, the vehicle charging device supplies conditioned air in an air-conditioned building outside the vehicle to the electric vehicle as an external heat medium.

  Preferably, the electric vehicle further includes a passenger compartment air path configured to communicate with the passenger compartment space and configured to take in air in the passenger compartment space and exchange heat with the power storage device. The air conditioning mechanism includes air in a direction opposite to a direction in which the air is taken in from the passenger compartment space in the passenger compartment air path so that the air exchanged with the power storage device is blown out toward the passenger compartment space. A reverse flow mechanism for forming the flow of

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electric vehicle and a vehicle charging system capable of maintaining the traveling performance of the power storage device while ensuring comfort for passengers.

1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle charging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the electric vehicle shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the conditioned air supplied to an electric vehicle. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the air of a power supply unit. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control structure of the vehicle charging system according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change when heating up a heat capacity element in preparation for a heating request. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the principal part which concerns on charge of a battery in the electric vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the zero phase equivalent circuit of an inverter apparatus and an electric motor in the case of producing | generating a zero voltage vector. It is a schematic diagram which concerns on the vehicle interior air conditioning in the electric vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which concerns on the heating of vehicle interior space. It is a figure which shows the time waveform of the external current and external voltage which are shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a vector diagram showing a phase relationship between the external current and the external voltage shown in FIG. 11. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which concerns on the cooling of vehicle interior space.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle charging system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle charging system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an electric vehicle 1 and a vehicle charging device 2.

  The electric vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle as an example, and includes a power supply unit 30. The power supply unit 30 is mainly for supplying electric power to an electric motor (not shown) that generates driving force of the electric vehicle 1, and includes a power storage device configured to be chargeable / dischargeable. The power storage device may be not only a secondary battery but also a fuel cell, a capacitor, or the like. Further, when the power storage device is a secondary battery, it may be any of a lead storage battery, a lithium ion battery, and a nickel metal hydride battery, or a different type of battery. As long as the power supply unit 30 is mounted, the electric vehicle 1 may be an electric vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle.

  In the following description, a case where the power storage device is a secondary battery (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “battery”) and includes a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules will be described.

  The electric vehicle 1 can travel using both the driving force of the engine (not shown) and the driving force of the electric motor, and collects the kinetic energy of the electric vehicle 1 in the battery during braking. In particular, the electric vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment travels only by the driving force from the electric motor in addition to the “normal traveling mode” in which the engine and the electric motor are used in combination, and the “EV (Electrical Vehicle: electric vehicle) traveling mode” Have In the following description, operations at the time of charging and in the “EV traveling mode” will be mainly described.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the constituent members of the battery is configured as a heat capacity element, and the electric vehicle 1 accumulates heat energy in the heat capacity element (battery) using external energy supplied from outside the vehicle during charging. To do. Specifically, components having relatively large specific heat, such as electrolytes and separators included in a plurality of battery modules constituting the battery, function as a heat capacity element. In this specification, “thermal energy” means a state where there is a temperature difference compared to the ambient temperature, a state where the temperature is higher than the ambient temperature, and a temperature lower than the ambient temperature. Includes any of the states. In the electric vehicle 1, the cabin space of the electric vehicle 1 is air-conditioned using the thermal energy accumulated in the heat capacity in response to an air conditioning request from an occupant or the like.

  The vehicle charging device 2 includes a charging station 3, a connector unit 4, a power supply line 8, and an external heat medium conduit 6.

  The connector unit 4 is configured to be connectable to the electric vehicle 1 and is connected to the charging station 3 through the power supply line 8 and the external heat medium conduit 6. The connector unit 4 supplies an external power source to the electric vehicle 1 during charging and supplies an external heat medium having a predetermined thermal energy to the electric vehicle 1.

  The power supply line 8 is a power line that supplies an external power source for charging a battery mounted on the electric vehicle 1. One end of the power supply line 8 is connected to the electric vehicle 1 via the connector portion 4, and the other end is power. It is electrically connected to the system 10. That is, the power supply line 8 electrically connects the system power source supplied via the power system 10 and the electric vehicle 1. Instead of the system power supply, the electric vehicle 1 may be supplied with electric power generated by a solar panel installed on the roof of the building 70 or the like. Or the electric power supply line 8 is comprised with the cabtire cable etc. which have flexibility so that the connector part 4 can be managed freely.

  The external heat medium conduit 6 includes an outside air-conditioned air supply conduit 6a and an outside air-conditioned air discharge conduit 6b, and is configured by a flexible rubber tube or the like. One end of the outside air-conditioned air supply conduit 6 a is connected to the connector portion 4, and the other end is inserted into the building 70. An air conditioner 72 or the like is installed in the building 70 and air-conditioned to a predetermined comfortable temperature (for example, 18 ° C. to 25 ° C.). Therefore, the air-conditioned air in the building 70 (hereinafter simply referred to as “air-conditioned air outside the vehicle”) can be supplied to the electric vehicle 1 as an external heat medium via the vehicle air-conditioned air supply conduit 6a. One end of the outside air-conditioned air discharge conduit 6 b is connected to the connector portion 4, and the other end is disposed in the atmosphere outside the building 70. Therefore, the outside air-conditioned air transported via the outside air-conditioned air discharge conduit 6 b in the electric vehicle 1 is released outside the building 70.

  The charging station 3 is installed so as to be close to both the parking space of the electric vehicle 1 and the building 70, and a winding mechanism for the power supply line 8 and the external heat medium conduit 6 and a storage mechanism for the connector portion 4 (both are (Not shown). Furthermore, the charging station 3 may be provided with a security mechanism, a charging mechanism, and the like for the user.

FIG. 2 is a top view of electric vehicle 1 shown in FIG.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, power supply unit 30 is disposed further rearward of rear seat 36 disposed in the passenger compartment space of electric vehicle 1 and above the luggage room floor. The electric vehicle 1 is connected to the connector portion 4 and is charged by an external power source. The outside air for supplying outside air-conditioned air supplied through the outside air-conditioned air supply conduit 6 a to the power supply unit 30 is connected to the electric vehicle 1. An intake duct 32a is disposed.

  And in the power supply unit 30, a battery is arrange | positioned so that heat exchange may be performed between the derived | led-out conditioned air outside. Therefore, the thermal energy that the outside air-conditioned air has moves to the battery and is stored in the heat capacity element of the battery. Further, the electric vehicle 1 is provided with an outside air exhaust duct 32b for guiding outside air-conditioned air after the thermal energy has moved to the outside air-conditioned air discharge conduit 6b.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the heat energy is stored in the heat capacity element of the battery by the external heat medium supplied from the outside of the vehicle (that is, the outside air-conditioned air from inside the building 70), and the charging current of the battery An example in which a configuration in which thermal energy is accumulated by accompanying resistive heat generation is used together will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of conditioned air supplied to the electric vehicle 1.
Referring to FIG. 3, connector portion 4 is connected to connector insertion portion 5 formed in electric vehicle 1 during charging. The outside air intake duct 32a and the outside air exhaust duct 32b are positioned by the connector insertion portion 5 so as to communicate with the outside air conditioned air supply conduit 6a and the outside air conditioned air exhaust conduit 6b, respectively.

  The connector unit 4 is provided with a blower fan 12 for circulating outside-vehicle conditioned air supplied through the outside-vehicle conditioned air supply conduit 6 a inside the electric vehicle 1. The blower fan 12 is inserted in the outside air-conditioned air supply conduit 6a and pumps outside air-conditioned air at a predetermined discharge pressure. By this blower fan 12, the outside air-conditioned air supplied via the outside air-conditioned air supply conduit 6a flows in the order of the outside air intake duct 32a, the power supply unit 30, the outside air exhaust duct 32b, and the outside air-conditioned air discharge conduit 6b. Instead of or in addition to the configuration in which the blower fan 12 is inserted in the outside air-conditioned air supply conduit 6a, a suction fan may be inserted in the outside air exhaust duct 32b.

  In the power supply unit 30, a battery 30a in which a part of the constituent members functions as a heat capacity element is arranged, and outside air-conditioned air supplied through the outside air intake duct 32a is in contact with the surface of the battery 30a. Arranged to flow. That is, the battery 30a is configured to exchange heat with the outside air-conditioned air, and the heat energy of the outside air-conditioned air moves between the battery 30a.

  Further, the power supply unit 30 is a vehicle for taking in the air in the vehicle compartment space (hereinafter also simply referred to as “vehicle compartment air”) and exchanging heat with the battery 30a mainly in the “normal travel mode”. A room air intake duct 40a is provided. The vehicle interior space means a space where passengers mainly exist. The passenger compartment air intake duct 40a is provided to use the passenger compartment air for temperature management of the battery 30a in the "normal traveling mode" in which heating using engine exhaust heat or cooling using the driving force of the engine is possible. It is what Specifically, the passenger compartment air intake duct 40a communicates with the passenger compartment space via an intake hole 38 disposed on a side portion of the rear seat 36 of the electric vehicle 1 (a region not in contact with the back or shoulder of the occupant). The fan 42 is inserted in the intermediate part.

  Further, the power supply unit 30 is provided with a passenger compartment air exhaust duct 40b for discharging the passenger compartment air after being used for temperature management of the battery 30a to the luggage room.

  The fan 42 is a reversible fan, and can attract the passenger compartment air from the passenger compartment space and guide the passenger compartment air to the power source unit 30, and can send air from the power source unit 30 toward the passenger compartment space. Composed. In addition, the vehicle compartment air intake duct 40a includes an induction fan for attracting the vehicle compartment space from the vehicle compartment space toward the power supply unit 30 and a delivery fan for sending air from the power supply unit 30 toward the vehicle compartment space. May be arranged in parallel.

  Furthermore, the power supply unit 30 is provided with switching dampers 44a and 44b. The switching damper 44a operates so as to communicate either the outside air intake duct 32a or the cabin air intake duct 40a with the power supply unit 30. Similarly, switching damper 44b operates to communicate power source unit 30 with either one of vehicle exterior air exhaust duct 32b and vehicle interior air exhaust duct 40b.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the air flow of the power supply unit 30.
FIG. 4A shows the case of the “normal travel mode”.

FIG. 4B shows a case where thermal energy is accumulated (during charging).
FIG. 4C shows the case of the “EV traveling mode”.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4A, in “normal traveling mode”, charging / discharging current according to the traveling state of electric vehicle 1 is performed in battery 30a. In this “normal travel mode”, air conditioning (heating or cooling) is performed mainly using the driving force of the engine. Therefore, the fan 42 operates so that the passenger compartment air from the passenger compartment space is attracted toward the power supply unit 30. At this time, the switching damper 44a is switched so that the passenger compartment air intake duct 40a and the power supply unit 30 communicate with each other. Further, the switching damper 44b is switched so as to communicate the power supply unit 30 and the passenger compartment air exhaust duct 40b.

  Then, the passenger compartment air attracted by the fan 42 causes heat exchange with the battery 30 a in the power supply unit 30. Therefore, the battery 30a is maintained at a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the passenger compartment space. Further, the passenger compartment air after heat exchange with the battery 30a is discharged to the luggage room via the passenger compartment air exhaust duct 40b.

  With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B, thermal energy is accumulated in the heat capacity element THC included in the battery 30a when the battery 30a is charged by the external power source. Specifically, the heat capacity element THC is heated or cooled in accordance with an air conditioning request (heating request or cooling request) predicted to be given by the passenger. The air conditioning request predicted to be given by the occupant can be determined based on a measured value from a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the ambient temperature outside the vehicle. Alternatively, it is also possible to make a determination based on the air conditioning request given during the previous run or the current date and time (season).

  Then, according to the thermal energy to be stored in the heat capacity element THC, at least one of the charging current given to the battery 30a and the temperature and air volume of the outside air-conditioned air given to the battery 30a is adjusted. That is, an external power source and outside air-conditioned air are used as external energy for accumulating heat energy in the heat capacity element THC.

  The switching damper 44a is switched so that the outside air intake duct 32a communicates with the power supply unit 30. The switching damper 44b is switched so as to communicate the power supply unit 30 and the outside air exhaust duct 32b.

(1) Temperature rise of heat capacity element THC (heating requirement)
When the temperature of the heat capacity element THC is increased, the charging current is controlled so that the resistive heat generation accompanying the charging current of the battery 30a is increased. When a current flows through the battery 30a, a resistance loss proportional to the square of the current is generated by the internal resistance component INR. This resistance loss is converted into thermal energy. Therefore, the charging current is controlled by the resistance loss so that predetermined heat energy is given to the heat capacity element THC. As described above, since the resistance loss occurs in proportion to the square of the charging current, it is more efficient that the charging current is as large as possible. On the other hand, a chargeable current corresponding to the SOC (State Of Charge) is determined for the battery 30a. This chargeable current indicates the maximum value of the charging current allowed at each time point. Therefore, the value of the charging current for the battery 30a is controlled so as to match the chargeable current at each time point.

  Furthermore, you may make it give the thermal energy which external vehicle conditioned air has to the heat capacity element THC. When the outside air-conditioned air has predetermined heat energy, that is, when outside air-conditioned air having a predetermined temperature or higher can be supplied, the blower fan 12 (FIG. 3) is used to increase the contact amount between the battery 30a and the outside air-conditioned air. ) Is set relatively large.

  When the temperature of the outside air-conditioned air supplied is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the blowing by the blower fan 12 (FIG. 3) is stopped in order to suppress the heat energy (heat energy loss) radiated from the heat capacity element THC. May be.

(2) Cooling of the heat capacity element THC (cooling request)
When the heat capacity element THC is cooled, the amount of air blown by the blower fan 12 (FIG. 3) is controlled so that the heat energy of the outside air-conditioned air is given to the heat capacity element THC. As described above, in the present embodiment, conditioned air outside the vehicle is supplied from inside the building 70 (FIG. 1) outside the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to secure an external heat medium having a relatively low temperature. And in order to increase the contact amount of battery 30a and conditioned air outside a vehicle, and to accelerate | stimulate heat absorption from battery 30a, the ventilation volume by the ventilation fan 12 (FIG. 3) is set comparatively large.

  On the other hand, the resistive heat generation accompanying the charging current of the battery 30a inhibits the cooling of the heat capacity element THC. Therefore, when cooling the heat capacity element THC, the charging current of the battery 30a is controlled to be as small as possible. Specifically, the allowable maximum charging time of battery 30a is determined based on a preset scheduled start time of electric vehicle 1 set in advance. The minimum charging current value is determined from the relationship between the determined maximum charging time and the amount of charge required for the battery 30a.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4C, when charging of battery 30a is completed and electric vehicle 1 travels in the “EV travel mode”, the thermal energy stored in heat capacity element THC is stored in the passenger compartment space. Used for air conditioning.

  Specifically, the fan 42 operates to send air from the power supply unit 30 toward the passenger compartment space. That is, the fan 42 forms an air flow in the direction opposite to the direction in which the passenger compartment air is taken in the passenger compartment air intake duct 40a. The switching damper 44a is switched so as to communicate between the passenger compartment air intake duct 40a and the power supply unit 30. Further, the switching damper 44b is switched so as to communicate the power supply unit 30 and the passenger compartment air exhaust duct 40b.

  As a result of such an operation, the air drawn into the power supply unit 30 through the passenger compartment air exhaust duct 40b causes heat exchange with the battery 30a. That is, the thermal energy stored in the heat capacity element THC moves to the air attracted in the power supply unit 30. Then, air given thermal energy from the heat capacity element THC is blown out by the fan 42 toward the passenger compartment space. Thus, the air blown toward the passenger compartment space becomes the passenger compartment conditioned air 50 (FIG. 3) in the “EV traveling mode”.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a control structure of vehicle charging system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 5, connector unit 4 of vehicle charging device 2 further includes a connector control unit 14 and an outside air-conditioned air temperature sensor 16. Electric vehicle 1 further includes a PCU (Power Control Unit) 46, a vehicle control unit 34, and an operation display unit 48.

  The power supply line 8 is electrically connected to the PCU 46 via the connector portion 4 and the connector insertion portion 5. The PCU 46 is a power conversion unit, generates a charging current (DC current) for charging the battery 30a from an external power supply (AC power supply) supplied via the power supply line 8, and supplies the charging current (DC current) to the battery 30a. Then, the PCU 46 controls the magnitude of the charging current supplied to the battery 30a in accordance with the current setting value from the vehicle control unit 34.

  The operation display unit 48 is incorporated in an instrument panel unit in front of the driver's seat, a car navigation system, or the like, and is configured to be able to receive an operation command from an occupant and to be able to display the status of each device.

  The connector control unit 14 and the vehicle control unit 34 are configured to be capable of bidirectional communication via the connector unit 4 and the connector insertion unit 5. The connector control unit 14 and the vehicle control unit 34 control the accumulation of heat energy in the heat capacity element THC as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the vehicle control unit 34 includes a scheduler 34a. The scheduler 34a receives a scheduled start time of travel set by an occupant or the like via the operation display unit 48. Then, the scheduler 34a determines an air conditioning request that is predicted to be given from the occupant, acquires the SOC of the battery 30a, and determines the charging start time. Furthermore, the scheduler 34a also determines the magnitude of the charging current for the battery 30a during charging. On the other hand, the connector control unit 14 acquires the temperature of the outside conditioned air supplied from the outside conditioned air temperature sensor 16 to the outside conditioned air supply conduit 6 a and transmits the temperature to the vehicle control unit 34. Then, when the charging start time determined by the scheduler 34 a arrives, the vehicle control unit 34 gives a switching command to the switching dampers 44 a and 44 b and transmits a blowing amount command for the blowing fan 12 to the connector control unit 14. In response to the blower amount command, the connector control unit 14 gives a corresponding rotation speed command to the blower fan 12.

  Through such a procedure, thermal energy is accumulated in the heat capacity element THC when the battery 30a is charged.

  After the charging of the battery 30a is completed and the connector unit 4 is disconnected from the electric vehicle 1, the vehicle control unit 34 that receives an air conditioning request from an occupant or the like uses the thermal energy accumulated in the heat capacity element THC. Air-condition the space. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 34 gives a switching command to the switching dampers 44a and 44b, and gives a rotational speed command corresponding to the air conditioning request to the fan 42.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a temporal change when the heat capacity element THC is heated in preparation for a heating request.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, scheduler 34 a of vehicle control unit 34 determines a charging start time and a charging completion time based on a scheduled traveling start time given by an occupant or the like. In this example, the charging completion time is determined to coincide with the scheduled travel start time.

  When the charging start time arrives, the vehicle control unit 34 gives a current command to the PCU 46 and starts supplying the charging current to the battery 30a. With the supply of the charging current, the SOC of the battery 30a starts to increase.

And charging operation and parallel rows in the battery 30a, the thermal energy is given to the heat capacity element THC by resistive heating due to the charging current. Further, the thermal energy of the outside air-conditioned air moves to the heat capacity element THC. The battery temperature Tb of the battery 30a rises due to the supply of this thermal energy.

  At the charging completion time, the SOC of the battery 30a reaches a predetermined value, predetermined heat energy is accumulated in the heat capacity element THC, and the battery temperature Tb of the battery 30a also reaches a predetermined value.

  After that, when the connector unit 4 is disconnected and the electric vehicle 1 starts traveling in the “EV traveling mode”, the electric power stored in the battery 30a is mainly consumed for generating driving force from the electric motor. Further, the thermal energy stored in the heat capacity element THC of the battery 30a is used for air conditioning in the passenger compartment. If the movement is a short distance, the battery 30a often reaches the destination before the SOC and the battery temperature Tb reach the lower limit values allowed in the “EV traveling mode”. In other words, in a relatively short distance use such as pick-up and shopping, it is not necessary to operate the engine while ensuring comfort for the passenger. Therefore, an electric vehicle in consideration of the environment can be realized.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the configuration in which the thermal energy is accumulated by the resistive heat generation accompanying the charging current of the battery 30a and the configuration in which the thermal energy is accumulated by the outside air-conditioned air are exemplified. However, the operation of the present invention can be achieved with only one of the configurations. In other words, in a cold district where only heating is required, it is sufficient if the temperature of the heat capacity element THC can be raised, and only a configuration for accumulating thermal energy due to resistive heat generation associated with the charging current of the battery 30a may be provided.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the outside air intake duct 32a and the outside air exhaust duct 32b correspond to the “heat medium path”, the inside air intake duct 40a corresponds to the “inside air path”, and the fan 42 Corresponds to the “backflow mechanism”. And the vehicle control part 34 implement | achieves a "charging current control means."

  According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, electric vehicle 1 accumulates thermal energy by receiving external power supply and conditioned air outside the vehicle when battery 30a to be mounted is charged by the external power supply. When an air conditioning request is received from a passenger or the like after completion of charging, the passenger compartment space is air-conditioned not using the electric power stored in the battery 30a but using the thermal energy stored in the heat capacity element of the battery 30a. Thereby, in order to air-condition the passenger compartment space, it is not necessary to use the discharge power from the battery 30a. Therefore, most of the discharged power from the battery 30a can be secured for the electric motor, so that the traveling performance in the “EV traveling mode” can be maintained while ensuring the comfort for the passenger.

  Further, as a result of maintaining the traveling performance in the “EV traveling mode”, it is not necessary to operate the engine, and it is possible to realize a reduction in engine exhaust gas amount and a reduction in noise.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since a battery mounted in a conventional hybrid vehicle is used as a heat capacity element, it is not necessary to mount a special heat capacity element in order to store heat energy. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented relatively inexpensively.

[Embodiment 2]
In the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, the aspect in which a part of the battery is configured as the heat capacity element is illustrated, but other heat capacity elements may be configured. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a configuration using a cooling path such as a PCU as a heat capacity element is illustrated.

  Since the overall configuration of the vehicle charging system in the present embodiment is the same as that of vehicle charging system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, detailed description will not be repeated. In the present embodiment, it is not always necessary to supply the outside air-conditioned air from the outside of the vehicle. That is, in the present embodiment, only an external power source is used as external energy for storing thermal energy in the heat capacity element.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part related to charging of battery 30a in electrically powered vehicle 1 # according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 7, electrically powered vehicle 1 # according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a hybrid vehicle, similarly to electrically powered vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Electric vehicle 1 # includes connector insertion portion 5, positive side receiving line 9a and negative side receiving line 9b, electric motors MG1 and MG2, engine 60, power split mechanism 64, power transmission mechanism 62, PCU 46, battery 30a, compressor (COMP) 108, and control unit 34 # are included.

  The connector insertion portion 5 is connected to the connector portion 4 during charging, and receives an external power supply via the power supply line 8. The external power source is a single-phase AC or a two-phase AC including two phase voltages, and the power supply line 8 includes a positive supply line 8a and a negative supply line 8b.

  One end of each of positive side receiving line 9a and negative side receiving line 9b is electrically connected to a neutral point of electric motors MG1 and MG2. The other ends of the positive-side receiving line 9a and the negative-side receiving line 9b are electrically connected to the positive-side supply line 8a and the negative-side supply line 8b through the connector insertion portion 5 and the connector portion 4, respectively. .

  The electric motors MG1 and MG2 are, for example, three-phase AC rotating electric machines including a rotor in which permanent magnets are embedded. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, electric motors MG1 and MG2 include a stator including phase coils for three phases, and one end of each phase coil is electrically connected to each other. That is, electric motors MG1 and MG2 include phase coils for three phases that are Y-connected (star-connected), and nodes at which the phase coils are electrically connected to each other correspond to neutral points N1 and N2, respectively.

  Output shafts of electric motors MG1 and MG2 are mechanically connected to engine 60 through power split mechanism 64. In the “normal traveling mode”, the engine 60 is intermittently operated according to the traveling state, and the driving force is transmitted to the wheels (not shown) via the power transmission mechanism 62. A part of the driving force is given to one of the electric motors MG1 and MG2 and used for power generation. In the “EV traveling mode”, at least one of the electric motors MG1 and MG2 receives a discharge power from the battery 30a to generate a driving force, and the generated driving force is transmitted to the wheels (illustrated) via the power transmission mechanism 62. Not transmitted).

  Since battery 30a is similar to that of the first embodiment of the present invention described above, detailed description will not be repeated.

  PCU 46 is configured to receive drive power from battery 30a and generate drive power for driving motors MG1 and MG2. PCU 46 is configured to be able to convert regenerative power generated by electric motors MG1 and MG2 functioning as a generator into a battery 30a during braking of electric vehicle 1 #.

  Further, the PCU 46 is configured to generate a charging current (DC current) for charging the battery 30a from an external power supply (AC power supply) supplied from the outside of the vehicle and supply the battery 30a to the battery 30a. That is, PCU 46 is configured to receive an external power supply via neutral points N1 and N2 of electric motors MG1 and MG2, respectively, and charges battery 30a with the received external power supply.

  More specifically, PCU 46 includes inverter devices INV1 and INV2, a smoothing capacitor C, a DC / DC converter CONV, a positive bus MPL, and a negative bus MNL.

  Inverter device INV1, inverter device INV2, and DC / DC converter CONV are electrically connected to each other via positive bus MPL and negative bus MNL. Further, a smoothing capacitor C is connected between the positive bus MPL and the negative bus MNL. Smoothing capacitor C stabilizes the line voltage between positive bus MPL and negative bus MNL.

  Inverter devices INV1 and INV2 are electrically connected to electric motors MG1 and MG2, respectively. The DC / DC converter CONV is electrically connected to the battery 30a. The inverter devices INV1 and INV2 and the DC / DC converter CONV are configured to include switching elements such as IGBTs (Insulated Gated Bipolar Transistors).

  In particular, inverter devices INV1 and INV2 are configured by a bridge circuit including switching elements for three phases. That is, each of inverter devices INV1 and INV2 includes three switching elements on the upper arm side (positive side) and three switching elements on the lower arm side (negative side). When driving the electric motor, each of the inverter devices INV1 and INV2 is switched on in time by switching one of the switching elements on the upper arm side and one of the switching elements on the lower arm side. To generate a three-phase alternating current.

  On the other hand, when charging the battery 30a, on the other hand, on each of the upper arm side and the lower arm side, the three switching elements are collectively turned on / off to generate a direct current (charging current). .

  In such an operation mode, the three switching elements on the upper arm side can be regarded as the same switching state (all on or all off), and the three switching elements on the lower arm side are also They can be regarded as the same switching state. Therefore, since the phase voltages are equal to each other, a zero voltage vector based on the neutral point can be defined.

  FIG. 8 is a zero-phase equivalent circuit of inverter devices INV1 and INV2 and electric motors MG1 and MG2 when generating a zero voltage vector.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when inverter devices INV1 and INV2 are driven in an operation mode that generates a zero voltage vector as described above, three switching elements TR on the upper arm side of inverter device INV1 are: It is shown collectively as an upper arm ARM1p. Further, the three switching elements TR on the lower arm side of the inverter device INV1 are collectively shown as a lower arm ARM1n. Similarly, the three switching elements TR on the upper arm side and the lower arm side of the inverter device INV2 are collectively shown as an upper arm ARM2p and a lower arm ARM2n, respectively.

  The zero-phase equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 8 converts the DC power supplied through the positive bus MPL and the negative bus MNL into single-phase AC power, and outputs it through the positive receiving line 9a and the negative receiving line 9b. It can be regarded as a single-phase inverter device that can be used. This single-phase inverter device can also perform forward conversion (converter) operation, and can rectify single-phase AC power received via neutral points N1 and N2 of electric motors MG1 and MG2 to generate DC power. Furthermore, this single-phase inverter device can supply the generated DC power to battery 30a via positive bus MPL and negative bus MNL.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, compressor 108 is a power source for operating a refrigeration cycle mechanism, which will be described later, and is operated by an external power supply provided through positive side receiving line 9a and negative side receiving line 9b.

  Control unit 34 # gives a control command (switching commands PWC, PWM1, PWM2) to PCU 46 when battery 30a is charged. Furthermore, control unit 34 # adjusts a control command for PCU 46 or activates compressor 108 during charging in accordance with an air conditioning request that is predicted to be given by the occupant. Further, control unit 34 # gives a command to each device so that the vehicle interior space is air-conditioned in response to an air conditioning request from the occupant during traveling of electric powered vehicle 1 after completion of charging.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram relating to vehicle interior air conditioning in electrically powered vehicle 1 # according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the electric vehicle 1 # has an air outlet 86 disposed on the front side of the passenger compartment space. And the blower outlet 86 blows off the conditioned air 120 produced | generated in the conditioned air production | generation duct 122 connected with the blower outlet 86 to vehicle interior space. In the conditioned air generation duct 122, a blower fan 90 for sending outside air or inside air, a heating heat exchanger 88 for generating conditioned air for heating, and cooling for generating conditioned air for cooling. A heat exchanging unit 112 is arranged.

  Heating heat exchanging unit 88 exchanges heat between the heat energy (hot heat) of the first refrigerant flowing in first refrigerant circulation path 96 including PCU 46 and electric motors MG1 and MG2 and the air sent by blower fan 90. Do. That is, the first refrigerant is introduced into the heating heat exchanger 88 via the first refrigerant introduction path 94a branched from the first refrigerant circulation path 96. In addition, as a 1st refrigerant | coolant, liquid substances, such as LLC (Long Life Coolant), are used as an example.

  And the 1st refrigerant | coolant after heat exchange in the heating heat exchange part 88 is returned to the 1st refrigerant | coolant circulation path 96 via the 1st refrigerant | coolant return path 94b. Further, switching valves 92a and 92b are provided at branch points of the first refrigerant circulation path 96, the first refrigerant introduction path 94a, and the first refrigerant return path 94b, respectively. As will be described later, the switching valves 92a and 92b are switched depending on whether or not the first refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circulation path 96 needs to be guided to the heating heat exchange unit 88.

  The first refrigerant circulation path 96 further includes a radiator unit 80, a circulation pump 124, and a heat storage tank 84. Radiator unit 80 is disposed in front of electric vehicle 1 #, and releases the thermal energy of the first refrigerant to the outside of the vehicle to cool the first refrigerant. That is, radiator unit 80 cools PCU 46 and electric motors MG1 and MG2 through the first refrigerant. Further, a radiator cooling fan 82 is provided in the vicinity of the radiator unit 80. The radiator cooling fan 82 increases the contact amount between the radiator 80 and the air outside the vehicle, and improves the cooling capacity of the first refrigerant.

  The first refrigerant circulation path 96 is formed in the vicinity of the switching element included in the PCU 46, the stator coils of the electric motors MG1 and MG2, and the like, and is configured to absorb heat released from each part into the first refrigerant.

  The circulation pump 124 sends out the first refrigerant at a predetermined discharge pressure in order to circulate the first refrigerant in the first refrigerant circulation path 96.

  The heat storage tank 84 is inserted in the first refrigerant circulation path 96 and configured to store a predetermined amount of the first refrigerant. The heat storage tank 84 has a heat insulating structure in which the periphery thereof is insulated, and can store the thermal energy of the first refrigerant.

  Originally, the main purpose of the first refrigerant circulation path 96 is to cool the PCU 46 and the electric motors MG1 and MG2, but in the present embodiment, the first refrigerant is used as a heat capacity element. That is, since external current flows through PCU 46 and motors MG1 and MG2 during charging, thermal energy is stored in the first refrigerant by using resistive heat generation associated with the external current. At this time, the cooling capacity in the radiator unit 80 is suppressed, and the dissipation of the heat energy stored in the first refrigerant is reduced. And according to the heating request | requirement after completion of charge, heating of vehicle interior space is performed using the thermal energy stored in the 1st refrigerant | coolant.

  On the other hand, the cooling heat exchange unit 112 exchanges heat between the thermal energy (cold heat) of the second refrigerant (for example, chlorofluorocarbons) flowing through the second refrigerant circulation path 116 and the air sent by the blower fan 90. Do. A circulation pump 114 for circulating the second refrigerant is inserted in the second refrigerant circulation path 116, and heat exchange occurs between the second refrigerant circulating and the cold storage agent stored in the cold storage tank 106. A heat exchanging portion 118 is formed. Therefore, the thermal energy of the cool storage agent stored in the cool storage tank 106 is given to the second refrigerant circulating in the second refrigerant circulation path 116 and is carried to the cooling heat exchange unit 112.

  The cool storage tank 106 has a heat retaining structure around it, and insulates the cool storage agent stored therein from the surroundings. A cold storage agent is a substance that accumulates thermal energy as its state change (phase transition), such as water (or ice). As an example, a cold storage agent absorbs thermal energy (heat of solidification) and changes its state from liquid to solid, while absorbing its thermal energy (heat of fusion) in the process of changing its state from solid to liquid. .

  An evaporator (evaporator) 104 is further arranged in the cold storage tank 106. The evaporator 104, the compressor 108, and the condenser (condenser) 102 constitute a refrigeration cycle mechanism 110. The refrigeration cycle mechanism 110 absorbs thermal energy (hot heat) from the cold storage agent in the cold storage tank 106 via the evaporator 104.

  In the refrigeration cycle mechanism 110, for example, a third refrigerant made of chlorofluorocarbons circulates while changing its state. Specifically, the third refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 108 to become a high temperature and a high pressure, and then is cooled by the condenser 102 and changes to a liquid state. Further, the third refrigerant in a liquid state is rapidly vaporized by the evaporator 104. Since the predetermined heat energy (vaporization heat) is required along with the vaporization of the third refrigerant, the evaporator 104 absorbs the heat energy (vaporization heat) necessary for the vaporization from the cold storage agent in the cold storage tank 106. Then, thermal energy (cold heat) is accumulated in the cold storage agent.

  Here, the compressor 108 is configured to be operated by an external power source supplied at the time of charging. That is, the refrigeration cycle mechanism 110 operates when the battery 30a is charged, and accumulates energy for air conditioning (cooling) in the passenger compartment.

(Heating operation in the cabin space)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation related to heating of the passenger compartment space.

FIG. 10A shows a heat energy accumulation operation during charging.
FIG. 10B shows the heating operation of the passenger compartment space in the “EV traveling mode”.

  Referring to FIG. 10A, at the time of charging, switching valves 92a and 92b are switched so that the first refrigerant circulates through first refrigerant circulation path 96. That is, the first refrigerant is not guided to the heating heat exchange unit 88. And the radiator cooling fan 82 is stopped and the cooling capacity in the radiator part 80 is suppressed.

  Then, as the battery 30a is charged, the PCU 46 and the electric motors MG1 and MG2 generate heat, and predetermined heat energy due to the generated heat is given to the first refrigerant. Specifically, in the PCU 46, heat loss generated in the switching element accompanying the switching operation is given to the first refrigerant. In order to generate more thermal energy, control unit 34 # (FIG. 7) gives higher frequency switching commands PWC, PWM1, PWM2 to PCU 46.

  Further, in electric motors MG1 and MG2, thermal energy due to resistive heat generation accompanying external current flowing through each phase coil is given to the first refrigerant. In order to generate more heat energy, the control unit 34 # controls the PCU 46 so that more external current flows.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing time waveforms of the external current Iin and the external voltage Vin shown in FIG.
FIG. 11A shows a time waveform during normal charging that does not require generation of thermal energy.

FIG.11 (b) shows the time waveform at the time of the thermal storage charge in which generation | occurrence | production of a thermal energy is required.
FIG. 12 is a vector diagram showing a phase relationship between the external current Iin and the external voltage Vin shown in FIG.

FIG. 12A is a vector diagram in FIG.
FIG. 12B is a vector diagram in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 11 (a) and 12 (a), at the time of normal charging, control unit 34 # allows the phase difference between external current Iin and external voltage Vin to be substantially zero (in phase). A switching command is given to the PCU 46. As described above, when the external current Iin and the external voltage Vin are in phase, the external power Pin = external voltage Vin × external current Iin, and the external current Iin can be minimized. That is, it is possible to minimize the resistive heat generated by the electric motors MG1 and MG2.

  Referring to FIGS. 11B and 12B, at the time of heat storage charging, control unit 34 # provides a switching command to PCU 46 so as to generate a predetermined phase difference between external current Iin and external voltage Vin. give. Thus, when there is a phase difference θ between the external current Iin and the external voltage Vin, the external power Pin = external voltage Vin × external current Iin × cos θ. Therefore, in order to receive the same external power Pin as that during normal charging, it is necessary to set external current # Iin = external current Iin / cos θ. That is, by generating a phase difference θ between the external current Iin and the external voltage Vin, the external current Iin can be increased to the original (1 / cos θ) times while the external power is kept constant.

  In this manner, control unit 34 # controls PCU 46 so that thermal energy due to more resistive loss is generated in the phase coils of electric motors MG1 and MG2.

  Referring to FIG. 10B, when charging of battery 30a is completed and electric vehicle 1 travels in the “EV travel mode”, the heat energy stored in the first refrigerant is used for air conditioning (heating) ).

  Specifically, the switching valves 92 a and 92 b are switched so that the first refrigerant is guided to the heating heat exchange unit 88. Then, in the heating heat exchanging unit 88, heat exchange is performed between the first refrigerant and the air sent out by the blower fan 90 (FIG. 9), and the resulting warm air blows out from the air outlet 86 into the passenger compartment space. Is done. In particular, since the first refrigerant stored in the heat storage tank 84 can maintain its thermal energy without being dissipated, more thermal energy can be secured. Therefore, the heating capacity with respect to the passenger compartment space can be optimized by appropriately designing the storage capacity of the heat storage tank 84.

(Cooling operation of the passenger compartment space)
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation related to cooling of the passenger compartment space.

FIG. 13A shows a heat energy accumulation operation during charging.
FIG. 13B shows the heating operation of the passenger compartment space in the “EV traveling mode”.

  Referring to FIG. 13A, at the time of charging, the compressor 108 is operated by an external power source, and the refrigeration cycle mechanism 110 accumulates thermal energy (cold heat) for the cold storage agent.

  Referring to FIG. 13 (b), when charging of battery 30a is completed and electric vehicle 1 travels in the “EV travel mode”, the heat energy (cold heat) stored in the cool storage agent is used for air conditioning in the passenger compartment space. Used for (cooling).

  Specifically, the circulation pump 114 operates so that the second refrigerant is guided to the cooling heat exchange unit 112. Then, in the cooling heat exchange unit 112, heat exchange is performed between the second refrigerant and the air sent out by the blower fan 90 (FIG. 9), and the resulting cool air is blown out from the outlet 86 to the vehicle interior space. The At this time, by appropriately designing the amount of the cool storage agent stored in the cool storage tank 106, the cooling capacity for the passenger compartment space can be optimized.

  In the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, an example in which both the configuration for heating the cabin space and the configuration for cooling are illustrated, but the operation of the present invention can be achieved with only one of the configurations. Can play. That is, in a cold district where only heating is required, a configuration including only a portion related to the first refrigerant circulation path 96 may be employed.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the PCU 46 corresponds to the “power converter”, the radiator 80 corresponds to the “radiator”, and the first refrigerant circulation path 96 and the circulation pump 124 correspond to the “circulation mechanism”. The heat storage tank 84 corresponds to a “storage unit”. The control unit 34 # implements “power conversion unit control means”. Further, the electric motors MG1 and MG2 correspond to the “rotary electric machine”, and the air outlet 86 and the blower fan 90 correspond to the “blowout mechanism”. Also, the first refrigerant introduction path 94a corresponds to the “first refrigerant introduction path”, the heating heat exchange unit 88 corresponds to the “first heat exchange unit”, and the refrigeration cycle mechanism 110 becomes the “refrigeration cycle mechanism”. Correspondingly, the second refrigerant circulation path 116 corresponds to a “second refrigerant introduction path”, and the cooling heat exchange unit 112 corresponds to a “second heat exchange part”.

  According to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, when electric vehicle 1 charges battery 30a to be mounted with an external power supply, it receives the external power supply and accumulates thermal energy. When an air conditioning request is received from a passenger or the like after completion of charging, the vehicle interior space is heated or cooled not using the electric power stored in the battery 30a but using the thermal energy stored in the first refrigerant or the cold storage agent. Thereby, in order to air-condition the passenger compartment space, it is not necessary to use the discharge power from the battery 30a. Therefore, most of the discharged power from the battery 30a can be secured for the electric motor, so that the traveling performance in the “EV traveling mode” can be maintained while ensuring the comfort for the passenger.

  Further, as a result of maintaining the traveling performance in the “EV traveling mode”, it is not necessary to operate the engine, and it is possible to realize a reduction in engine exhaust gas amount and a reduction in noise.

  Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the “normal traveling mode”, the first refrigerant in the first refrigerant circulation path 96 used for cooling the PCU 46 and the electric motors MG1 and MG2 is heated in the passenger compartment space. To use. Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a special heat capacity element for storing thermal energy, and the present invention can be implemented at a relatively low cost.

  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.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric vehicle, 2 vehicle charging device, 3 charging station, 4 connector part, 5 connector insertion part, 6 external heat-medium conduit | pipe, 6a exterior air-conditioning air supply conduit, 6b exterior air-conditioning air discharge conduit, 8 power supply line, 8a positive Side supply line, 8b Negative side supply line, 9a Positive side reception line, 9b Negative side reception line, 10 Power system, 12 Blower fan, 14 Connector control unit, 16 Outside air conditioning air temperature sensor, 30 Power supply unit, 30a Battery, 32a Outside air intake duct, 32b Outside air exhaust duct, 34 Vehicle control unit, 34a Scheduler, 34 # control unit, 36 Rear seat, 38 Air intake hole, 40a Car room air intake duct, 40b Car room air exhaust duct, 42 Fan, 44a, 44b switching damper, 48 operation display section, 50 passenger compartment conditioned air, 60 engine, 62 power transmission Structure, 64 power split mechanism, 70 building, 72 air conditioner, 80 radiator section, 82 radiator cooling fan, 84 heat storage tank, 86 outlet, 88 heating heat exchange section, 90 blower fan, 92a, 92b switching valve, 94a first refrigerant Introduction path, 94b First refrigerant return path, 96 First refrigerant circulation path, 100 Vehicle charging system, 102 Condenser, 104 Evaporator, 106 Cold storage tank, 108 Compressor, 110 Refrigeration cycle mechanism, 112 Cooling heat exchange section, 114 Circulation pump, 116 Second refrigerant circulation path, 118 heat exchange section, 120 conditioned air, 122 conditioned air generation duct, 124 circulation pump, C smoothing condenser, CONV DC / DC converter, INR internal resistance component, INV1, INV2 inverter device, MG1, MG2 Electric motor, MNL Negative bus, MPL positive bus, N1, N2 neutral point, THC heat capacity element, TR switching element.

Claims (6)

An electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device configured to be chargeable / dischargeable and configured to be able to charge the power storage device with an external power source,
The electric vehicle is configured to be connectable with a connector portion for supplying the external power source during charging,
The electric vehicle is
A power converter capable of generating a charging current for charging the power storage device from the external power source;
A radiator for cooling the power conversion unit via a first refrigerant;
A circulation mechanism for circulating the first refrigerant in a circulation path including the power conversion unit and the radiator unit;
A storage unit interposed in the circulation path and configured to store the first refrigerant;
A heat capacity element including the first refrigerant configured to be capable of storing thermal energy;
A heat storage mechanism for storing thermal energy in the heat capacity element, using external energy supplied from outside the vehicle through the connector portion during charging;
An air-conditioning mechanism for air-conditioning the passenger compartment space using heat energy stored in the heat capacity element according to an air-conditioning request;
The power conversion unit includes a switching element,
The heat storage mechanism suppresses the cooling capacity of the radiator unit during charging, and gives predetermined heat energy to the first refrigerant due to heat loss caused by a switching operation generated in the power conversion unit. An electric vehicle including power conversion unit control means for controlling the power conversion unit. The electric vehicle further includes a rotating electrical machine having a star-connected phase coil,
The power conversion unit is configured to receive the external power supply through a neutral point of the rotating electrical machine,
The circulation path is formed to further include the rotating electric machine,
The power conversion unit control means further controls the power conversion unit so that predetermined heat energy is given to the first refrigerant by resistive heat generated in the phase coil of the rotating electrical machine. The electric vehicle according to 1. The air conditioning mechanism is
A blowing mechanism for blowing conditioned air into the passenger compartment space;
A first refrigerant introduction path for guiding the first refrigerant to the blowing mechanism;
The first heat exchange part for producing heat exchange between the first refrigerant guided through the first refrigerant introduction path and generating the conditioned air is further included. 2. The electric vehicle according to 2. The heat capacity element includes a cold storage agent stored in a cold storage tank,
4. The heat storage mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigeration cycle mechanism that accumulates thermal energy in the cold storage material by executing the refrigeration cycle by receiving the external power source during charging. 5. Electric vehicle. The air conditioning mechanism is
A blowing mechanism for blowing conditioned air into the passenger compartment space;
A second refrigerant introduction path that is formed so as to cause heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the cold storage material and that guides the second refrigerant after heat exchange to the blowing mechanism;
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: a second heat exchange unit for generating heat conditioned air by causing heat exchange with the second refrigerant guided through the second refrigerant introduction path. The electric vehicle described. An electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device configured to be chargeable / dischargeable;
A vehicle charging device for charging the power storage device mounted on the electric vehicle with an external power source;
The vehicle charging device includes a connector unit that is connected to the electric vehicle during charging and supplies the external power to the electric vehicle;
The electric vehicle is
A power converter capable of generating a charging current for charging the power storage device from the external power source;
A radiator for cooling the power conversion unit via a first refrigerant;
A circulation mechanism for circulating the first refrigerant in a circulation path including the power conversion unit and the radiator unit;
A storage unit interposed in the circulation path and configured to store the first refrigerant;
A heat capacity element including the first refrigerant configured to be capable of storing thermal energy;
A heat storage mechanism for storing thermal energy in the heat capacity element, using external energy supplied from outside the vehicle through the connector portion during charging;
An air-conditioning mechanism for air-conditioning the passenger compartment space using heat energy stored in the heat capacity element according to an air-conditioning request;
The power conversion unit includes a switching element,
The heat storage mechanism suppresses the cooling capacity of the radiator unit during charging, and gives predetermined heat energy to the first refrigerant due to heat loss caused by a switching operation generated in the power conversion unit. A vehicle charging system including a power conversion unit control means for controlling the power conversion unit.

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