JP2013184528A - Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature regulator capable of efficiently regulating temperatures of a battery and a cabin.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes electronic equipment mounted to the vehicle; a first temperature regulator for regulating a temperature in a chain by sending air whose temperature is regulated at a first heat exchanging part to the chain; and a second temperature regulator for selectively carrying out a first operation and a second operation where a temperature of the electronic equipment is regulated by driving a Peltiert element having first and second surfaces which are in thermal communication with each other in the first operation, and a first heat exchanging medium whose temperature is regulated by the driving of the Peltiert element is sent to the first heat exchanging part to assist a temperature regulating operation by the first temperature regulator in the second operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery using a Peltier element and a temperature adjustment technique in a passenger compartment.

  A hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and the like using a battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery as a power source are known. These batteries have a temperature range in which sufficient input / output performance can be obtained, and a temperature adjustment device for adjusting the battery to such a temperature range is used.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for cooling or warming up a battery by temperature control means for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment. When the vehicle includes a cooling device, when the temperature of the battery becomes higher than a predetermined temperature, cool air from the cooling device is introduced into the battery chamber to cool the battery. In addition, when the vehicle includes a heating device, when the temperature of the battery is lower than a predetermined temperature, warm air from the heating device is introduced into the battery chamber to warm up the battery. Furthermore, when the vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner that is also used for cooling and heating, when the battery is higher than a predetermined temperature, the vehicle is switched to cooling to introduce cool air into the battery chamber to cool the battery, and the battery is lower than the predetermined temperature. When the temperature is low, the system switches to heating and introduces warm air into the battery chamber to warm up the battery.

JP-A-5-262144

  However, when the temperature of the battery is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature in the vehicle interior, only the same temperature adjustment processing can be performed in the vehicle interior and the battery. Therefore, for example, even if an air conditioning apparatus that is also used for air conditioning is provided, the battery cannot be cooled with cold air while the vehicle interior is heated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle capable of efficiently adjusting the temperature of the electronic device and the passenger compartment.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle according to the present invention includes (1) an electronic device mounted on a vehicle and air that has been temperature-adjusted by the first heat exchange unit. A first temperature adjusting device for adjusting the temperature; a first operation for adjusting the temperature of the electronic device by driving a Peltier element having first and second surfaces that exchange heat with each other; and the Peltier element. The first heat exchange medium, the temperature of which has been adjusted by driving, is sent to the first heat exchange unit, thereby selecting the second operation that assists the temperature adjustment operation by the first temperature adjustment device And a second temperature control device that performs automatically.

  (2) In the configuration of the above (1), the electronic device is a battery that generates energy for running the vehicle, and the first temperature control device is configured to perform the first control with respect to the second temperature control device. 2 can output a request signal for requesting the operation of No. 2, and when the temperature of the battery is out of a predetermined temperature range, the second temperature adjustment device performs the first operation, and the battery temperature is When the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, the second operation can be performed based on the request signal. According to the configuration of (2), the temperature adjustment operation by the first temperature adjustment device can be assisted while maintaining the battery at an appropriate temperature.

  (3) In the configuration of the above (1) or (2), the second temperature adjustment device is configured such that when the first temperature adjustment device performs a cooling operation, the first surface is changed to the second surface. When the cooling assist operation for transferring heat is performed as the second operation, and the first temperature control device performs the heating operation, the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element is opposite to that during the cooling assist operation. Thus, the heating assist operation for transferring heat from the second surface to the first surface can be performed as the second operation. According to the configuration of (3), the refrigerant auxiliary operation and the heating auxiliary operation can be easily switched only by changing the direction of the current flowing in the Peltier element. Thereby, the structure of a temperature control system can be simplified.

(4) In the configurations of (1) to (3), a first circulation path that guides the first heat exchange medium to the first surface of the Peltier element, and a first temperature controller that adjusts the temperature of the electronic device. A second circulation path for circulating the second heat exchange medium, the first heat exchange medium flowing through the first circulation path, and the second heat exchange medium flowing through the second circulation path. A second heat exchanging part that allows heat exchange of the first heat exchanging part, an introduction pipe that sends the first heat exchanging medium to the first heat exchanging part, A first pipe connecting the first circulation path to the introduction pipe and the discharge pipe, and a second position not connecting the first circulation path to the introduction pipe and the discharge pipe. A switching valve that operates between the first position and the second position, the switching valve is positioned at the second position during the first operation, During work, it has a valve control unit which is positioned in the first position the switching valve. According to the configuration of (4), the first and second operations can be switched only by operating the switching valve. In addition, since the heat exchange medium sent to the first heat exchange unit for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment and the second heat exchange unit for adjusting the temperature of the electronic device are the same, the temperature adjustment system The configuration can be simplified.

  (5) In the configurations of (1) to (4) above, an internal combustion engine that generates energy for running the vehicle is included, and the first heat exchange medium is the same medium as the cooling medium of the internal combustion engine can do. According to the configuration of (5), it is possible to configure a system that assists the temperature adjustment in the passenger compartment without greatly changing the configuration of the first heat exchange unit.

  (6) In the configurations of (1) to (5) above, a pipe for supplying air for heat exchange to the second surface can be provided.

  According to the present invention, the temperature of the electronic device and the passenger compartment can be adjusted efficiently.

It is a block diagram of the vehicle carrying the adjustment system which adjusts the temperature of a battery. It is a figure which shows the battery temperature control path | route which is a path | route through which the temperature control water flows. It is a figure which shows the air-conditioning assistance path | route which is a path | route through which the temperature control water flows. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the temperature adjustment process in a temperature adjustment apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a part of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. The vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment selectively performs a first operation for adjusting the temperature of the battery 100 and a second operation for assisting the temperature adjustment operation of the air conditioner unit 200 by driving the Peltier element 2. A possible temperature control device (corresponding to a second temperature control device). Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the vehicle 1 will be described in detail.

  The vehicle 1 includes a Peltier element 2, a temperature adjustment heat exchanger (corresponding to a second heat exchange unit) 4, a temperature adjustment water circulation path (corresponding to a first circulation path) 6, a water pump 8, , A battery (corresponding to an electronic device) 100, a battery temperature adjusting path (corresponding to a second circulation path) 100A, a battery temperature adjusting blower 114, a switching valve 10, and an air conditioning auxiliary water introducing pipe (introducing pipe) 12a, an air conditioning auxiliary water discharge pipe (corresponding to a discharge pipe) 12b, an air conditioner unit (corresponding to the first temperature control device) 200, and an intake / exhaust heat duct (corresponding to a pipe line) 14 , An intake / exhaust heat blower 16 and an ECU (corresponding to a valve control unit) 18.

  The battery 100 stores electric power supplied to a vehicle driving motor. The vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle including a motor driven by the electric power of battery 100 and an engine (internal combustion engine). The hybrid vehicle includes a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can charge the battery 100 by a power source external to the vehicle.

  The battery 100 includes a plurality of single cells 102, a case 104 that houses a battery pack configured by connecting the plurality of single cells 102 in series, an introduction duct 110, a discharge duct 112, and a battery temperature control blower 114. And a battery temperature sensor 116. The case 104, the introduction duct 110, and the discharge duct 112 form a battery temperature adjustment path 100A.

  The unit cell 102 may be a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, or a capacitor. A plurality of unit cells 102 are connected in series by a bus bar (not shown) to form one assembled battery. In this embodiment, the battery 100 is configured by connecting four assembled batteries in series, but the number of assembled batteries can be changed as appropriate. A gap through which air for cooling or heating is conducted is formed between adjacent unit cells 102.

  Case 104 accommodates a plurality of unit cells 102 (assembled batteries). The case 104 is a highly airtight case and has a sealed structure so that outside air, water, and the like do not enter the case 104. The case 104 includes a pair of lower case and upper case, and these lower case and upper case are fixed to each other using a fastening member (not shown).

  The introduction duct 110 introduces air for cooling or heating the unit cell 102 into the case 104. The introduction duct 110 introduces air, which is blown from the battery temperature adjustment blower 114 and heat-exchanged by the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4, into the case 104.

  The discharge duct 112 is introduced into the case 104 and discharges air used for cooling or heating each unit cell 102.

  The battery temperature control blower 114 operates to circulate air inside the battery temperature control path 100A. The battery temperature control blower 114 can be disposed between the discharge duct 112 and the temperature control heat exchanger 4. The battery temperature control blower 114 may be a sirocco fan, a crossflow fan, a propeller fan, or a blower with a higher compression ratio.

  The battery temperature sensor 116 acquires information related to the temperature of the battery 100. The battery temperature sensor 116 may measure the temperature of each unit cell 102 or may measure the temperature of a plurality of unit cells 102. The battery temperature sensor 116 outputs the acquired temperature information of the battery 100 to the ECU 18. The ECU 18 executes the first and second operations described above based on the temperature information acquired from the battery temperature sensor 116, and details will be described later.

  The Peltier element 2 is a semiconductor element having a structure in which two metal plates are bonded to each other. When a current is passed through the joint between the two metal plates, one metal plate absorbs heat and the other metal plate generates heat. To do. Thereby, heat can be moved from one metal plate to the other metal plate. By reversing the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2, the heat absorption surface and the heat generation surface are interchanged. The temperature control unit 21 (corresponding to the first surface) which is one surface of the Peltier element 2 is connected to the temperature control water circulation path 6, and the intake / exhaust heat unit 22 (the other surface of the Peltier element 2) (Corresponding to the second surface) is connected to the intake / exhaust heat duct 14. In addition, the temperature control part 21 and the intake / exhaust heat part 22 may have a heat sink that promotes heat exchange. In this case, the heat sink of the temperature control unit 21 can be disposed inside the temperature control water circulation path 6. Further, the heat sink of the intake / exhaust heat part 22 can be disposed inside the intake / exhaust heat duct 14. Note that the Peltier element 2 may be a Peltier module having a plurality of Peltier elements.

  The temperature adjustment water circulation path 6 is further connected to the switching valve 10 and the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4. When the water pump 8 operates, the water stored in the temperature adjustment water circulation path 6 (corresponding to the first heat exchange medium, hereinafter referred to as “temperature adjustment water”) is the temperature adjustment unit 21 of the Peltier element 2. And when passing through the heat exchanger 4 for temperature control, the temperature is adjusted.

  The temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4 corresponds to the temperature adjustment water flowing inside the temperature adjustment water circulation path 6 and the air flowing inside the battery temperature adjustment path 100A (corresponding to the second heat exchange medium. ”) Is allowed. The temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4 may have any configuration as long as heat exchange between the temperature adjustment water and the temperature adjustment air is performed efficiently. For example, a tube through which the temperature adjustment water flows, and the temperature adjustment air and the heat exchange are exchanged. The structure containing the fin to perform may be sufficient. The water pump 8 applies pressure to the temperature adjustment water, and circulates the temperature adjustment water in the temperature adjustment water circulation path 6.

  The switching valve 10 operates between a first position where the path through which the temperature adjustment water circulates is set as the air conditioning auxiliary path and a second position which is set as the battery temperature adjustment path. Here, the battery temperature adjustment path is a path for circulating the temperature adjustment water in the order of the temperature adjustment unit 21, the water pump 8, the switching valve 10, the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4, and the temperature adjustment unit 21, as shown in FIG. That is. As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioning auxiliary path refers to the temperature adjustment unit 21, the water pump 8, the switching valve 10, the heater core 206, the switching valve 10, the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4, and the temperature adjustment unit 21 in this order. It is a route to circulate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioning auxiliary water introduction pipe 12 a assists the air conditioning processing of the air conditioner unit 200 by supplying the temperature adjusting water whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjusting unit 21 to the air conditioner unit 200. Here, the air conditioner unit 200 includes an air conditioner unit blower 202, an evaporator 204, a heater core (corresponding to a first heat exchange unit) 206, and an air conditioner ECU 208. The air conditioner unit blower 202 takes air into the air conditioner unit 200 and supplies the air to the evaporator 204 and the heater core 206.

  The heater core 206 heats the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 when the air conditioner unit blower 202 operates. Here, when the air conditioner unit 200 performs a normal heating operation, the cooling water heated by cooling the engine is taken into the heater core 206. When the air conditioner unit 200 performs a heating operation in cooperation with the Peltier element 2, the cooling water heated by cooling the engine and the water for temperature adjustment heated by the Peltier element 2 are taken into the heater core 206.

  The evaporator 204 cools the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 when the air conditioner unit blower 202 operates. Here, when the air conditioner unit 200 performs a cooling operation in cooperation with the Peltier element 2, the temperature adjustment water cooled by the Peltier element 2 is taken into the heater core 206. The temperature control water and the engine cooling water may be water.

  The heater core 206 may have any configuration as long as it can efficiently exchange heat between air and water. For example, the heater core 206 may include a tube through which water flows and a fin for performing heat exchange with air. . The tube through which the cooling water supplied from the engine flows and the tube through which the temperature adjustment water supplied from the air conditioning auxiliary water introduction pipe 12a may be the same or different. When these tubes are the same, the water supplied from the engine and the air conditioning auxiliary water introduction pipe 12a is mixed in the tubes and exchanges heat with air. When these tubes are different, the cooling water supplied from the engine and the temperature adjustment water supplied from the air conditioning auxiliary water introduction pipe 12a exchange heat with air at different positions. The temperature adjusting water introduced into the heater core 206 from the air conditioning auxiliary water introduction pipe 12a is discharged to the air conditioning auxiliary water discharge pipe 12b after the temperature of the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 is adjusted.

  In the intake / exhaust heat duct 14, air that exchanges heat with the intake / exhaust heat portion 22 of the Peltier element 2 flows. The intake / exhaust heat duct 14 is provided with an intake / exhaust heat blower 16. When the intake / exhaust heat blower 16 operates, air outside the vehicle (or inside the vehicle) is taken in from one end of the intake / exhaust heat duct 14. The air taken into the intake / exhaust heat duct 14 is exchanged by the intake / exhaust heat section 22 and then discharged from the other end of the intake / exhaust heat duct 14. The intake / exhaust heat blower 16 may be a sirocco fan, a cross flow fan, a propeller fan, or a blower with a higher compression ratio.

  The ECU 18 performs various processes. The ECU 18 performs a process for heating or cooling the temperature adjustment water by supplying electric power to the Peltier element 2 from a power supply unit (not shown). The ECU 18 controls the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2. As described above, when the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 changes, the heat generating surface and the heat absorbing surface of the Peltier element 2 are switched. The ECU 18 selectively executes a first operation for adjusting the temperature of the battery 100 using the Peltier element 2 and a second operation for assisting the temperature adjustment operation of the air conditioner unit 200 using the Peltier element 2. For this purpose, the operation of the battery temperature control blower 114, the intake / exhaust heat blower 16, the water pump 8 and the switching valve 10 is controlled together with the Peltier element 2.

  The ECU 18 includes a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a memory. The processor executes the program stored in the memory, thereby realizing the function of performing the various processes described above. The processor may include an ASIC circuit, and the ASIC circuit may perform part or all of the processing performed by the ECU 18. Note that the ECU 18 and the air conditioner ECU 208 may be integrated.

  In the first operation, when the battery 100 is cooled, the ECU 18 controls the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the suction / exhaust heat unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat absorption side and the heat generation side, respectively. At the same time, the battery temperature control blower 114, the intake / exhaust heat blower 16 and the water pump 8 are driven in a state where the switching valve 10 is switched to the battery temperature adjustment path side (this process is hereinafter referred to as a battery cooling process). In this case, the temperature adjustment unit 21 cools the temperature adjustment water by transferring the heat absorbed from the temperature adjustment water flowing inside the battery temperature adjustment path to the absorption / exhaust heat unit 22. The cooled temperature adjustment water flows into the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4 by operating the water pump 8, and the temperature adjustment air inside the battery temperature adjustment path 100A is cooled. The cooled temperature-controlled air circulates inside the battery temperature adjustment path 100A by the operation of the battery temperature adjustment blower 114, and the battery 100 is cooled.

  On the other hand, in the first operation, when the battery 100 is heated, the ECU 18 determines the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature control unit 21 and the suction / exhaust heat unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 become the heat generation side and the heat absorption side, respectively. And the battery temperature adjusting blower 114, the intake / exhaust heat blower 16 and the water pump 8 are driven in a state where the switching valve 10 is switched to the battery temperature adjusting path side (this process is hereinafter referred to as a battery heating process). In this case, the endothermic heat unit 22 heats the temperature adjustment water by transferring heat received from the air flowing inside the absorption / exhaust heat duct 14 to the temperature adjustment unit 21. The heated temperature adjustment water flows into the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4 by operating the water pump 8, and the temperature adjustment air inside the battery temperature adjustment path 100A is heated. The heated temperature control air circulates inside the battery temperature control path 100A by the operation of the battery temperature control blower 114, and the battery 100 is heated.

  In the second operation, when assisting the cooling operation of the air conditioner unit 200, the ECU 18 causes the current flowing in the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the heat sink / exhaust unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat absorption side and the heat generation side, respectively. The intake / exhaust heat blower 16 and the water pump 8 are driven in a state where the switching valve 10 is switched to the air conditioning auxiliary path side (hereinafter, this process is referred to as a cooling auxiliary process). In this case, the temperature adjustment unit 21 cools the temperature adjustment water by transferring heat absorbed from the temperature adjustment water flowing in the air conditioning auxiliary path to the heat absorption / exhaust heat unit 22. The cooled temperature adjusting water flows into the heater core 206 when the water pump 8 is operated, and the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 is cooled by the heat exchange action of the heater core 206. As a result, the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 is cooled by the elements of both the evaporator 204 and the heater core 206, so that the passenger compartment can be cooled more efficiently.

  In the second operation, when assisting the heating operation of the air conditioner unit 200, the ECU 18 causes the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the suction / exhaust heat unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat generation side and the heat absorption side, respectively. The intake / exhaust heat blower 16 and the water pump 8 are driven in a state where the switching valve 10 is switched to the air conditioning auxiliary path side (hereinafter, this process is referred to as a heating auxiliary process). In this case, the intake / exhaust heat unit 22 heats the temperature adjustment water by transferring the heat received from the air flowing through the intake / exhaust heat duct 14 to the temperature adjustment unit 21. The heated water for temperature adjustment flows into the heater core 206 when the water pump 8 operates, and the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 is heated by the heat exchange action of the heater core 206. As a result, the air taken into the air conditioner unit 200 is heated by both the temperature adjusting water and the engine cooling water that have flowed into the heater core 206, so that the vehicle interior can be warmed more efficiently.

  The air conditioner ECU 208 controls the operation of the air conditioner unit 200. When the air conditioner unit 200 performs a cooling operation, the air conditioner ECU 208 operates the air conditioner unit blower 202 and the evaporator 204. Further, the air conditioner ECU 208 determines whether or not a cooling assist operation using the Peltier element 2 is necessary, and when determining that the cooling assist operation is necessary, requests the ECU 18 to perform the cooling assist operation. Outputs a request signal. When the air conditioner unit 200 performs a heating operation, the air conditioner ECU 208 operates the air conditioner unit blower 202 and performs an intake process for taking in cooling water from the engine into the heater core 206. Further, the air conditioner ECU 208 determines whether or not the heating assist operation using the Peltier element 2 is necessary, and when determining that the heating assist operation is necessary, the air conditioner ECU 208 requests the ECU 18 to perform the heating assist operation. Outputs a request signal.

  Next, processing performed by the ECU 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 101, the ECU 18 acquires information related to the temperature (Tb) of the battery 100 from the battery temperature sensor 116, and determines whether or not the temperature of the battery 100 is within the range of the appropriate temperature. Here, the appropriate temperature is a temperature range necessary for the battery 100 to obtain sufficient input / output performance. In FIG. 4, the suitable temperature is set to 5 ° C. or more and 40 ° C. or less as an example. The appropriate temperature can be appropriately changed according to the type of the battery 100 and the like. Note that the temperature of the battery 100 is not limited to being acquired from the battery temperature sensor 116, and may be acquired from, for example, an intake air temperature sensor. Here, the intake air temperature sensor acquires the temperature of the air taken into the battery 100.

  If the ECU 18 determines that the temperature of the battery 100 is not within the appropriate temperature range (No in step 101), the ECU 18 executes the first operation, that is, the processing shown in steps 102 to 104 below. In step 102, the ECU 18 determines whether or not the temperature of the battery 100 is less than 5 ° C.

  When it is determined that the temperature of the battery 100 is not less than 5 ° C. (No in step 102), that is, when the temperature of the battery 100 is higher than 40 ° C., in step 103, the ECU 18 performs the first operation as the battery 100. The process for cooling is performed. That is, as a battery cooling process, the ECU 18 controls the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the heat sink / exhaust unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat absorption side and the heat generation side, respectively, and the switching valve 10. Is switched to the battery temperature adjustment path side, the battery temperature adjustment blower 114, the intake / exhaust heat blower 16, and the water pump 8 are driven.

  When it is determined that the temperature of the battery 100 is lower than 5 ° C. (Yes in step 102), in step S104, the ECU 18 performs a process for heating the battery 100 as a first operation. That is, as the battery heating process, the ECU 18 controls the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the heat sink / exhaust unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat generation side and the heat absorption side, respectively. Is switched to the battery temperature adjustment path side, the battery temperature adjustment blower 114, the intake / exhaust heat blower 16, and the water pump 8 are driven.

  When the ECU 18 determines that the temperature of the battery 100 is within the appropriate temperature range (Yes in step 101), the ECU 18 performs the second operation, that is, the processing shown in steps S105 to S108 below. In step 105, the ECU 18 determines whether or not a request signal for requesting the second operation is output from the air conditioner ECU 208.

  When it is determined that a request signal for requesting the second operation has been output (Yes in Step 105), in Step S106, the ECU 18 determines whether or not it is a request for assistance in the cooling operation (Step 106). .

  If it is determined that the operation request is a request for assistance in cooling operation (Yes in step 106), in step S107, the ECU 18 performs processing for assisting the cooling operation of the air conditioner unit 200. That is, as a cooling assist process, the ECU 18 controls the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the heat absorption / exhaust heat unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat absorption side and the heat generation side, respectively. Is switched to the air conditioning auxiliary path side, and the suction / exhaust heat blower 16 and the water pump 8 are driven.

  When the operation request does not request assistance for the cooling operation, that is, when the operation request requires the heating operation (No in Step 106), in Step S108, the ECU 18 assists the heating operation of the air conditioner unit 200. Process to do. That is, as a heating assist process, the ECU 18 controls the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 2 so that the temperature adjusting unit 21 and the heat sink / exhaust heat unit 22 of the Peltier element 2 are on the heat generation side and the heat absorption side, respectively, and the switching valve 10. Is switched to the air conditioning auxiliary path side, and the suction / exhaust heat blower 16 and the water pump 8 are driven.

  When the process proceeds to step 103, step 104, step 107, and step 108, the process returns to step 101 again, and the same determination process is repeated.

  According to the present embodiment described above, air conditioning of the air conditioner unit 200 that performs air conditioning of the vehicle interior can be assisted using the Peltier element 2 for adjusting the temperature of the battery 100. Therefore, when it is not necessary to adjust the temperature of the battery 100, the operation of the air conditioner unit 200 is assisted, so that the air conditioning of the vehicle interior can be performed more efficiently.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the adjustment process for adjusting the temperature of the battery 100 is performed with priority over the process for assisting the air conditioning of the air conditioner unit 200, and thus the temperature adjustment of the battery 100 can be appropriately performed. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment water that performs heat exchange in the temperature adjustment unit 21 of the Peltier element 2 is the same medium as the engine cooling water, so that the air conditioner unit 200 originally has a tube of the heater core 206. The temperature control water can be poured as it is. Therefore, the air conditioning of the air conditioner unit 200 can be assisted while utilizing the configuration of the conventional air conditioner unit 200.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the battery is exemplified as the electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an inverter and a converter mounted on the vehicle may be used as the electronic device. Here, the converter steps down the voltage when boosting the voltage supplied from the battery 100 to a load (for example, a running motor) or storing the regenerative energy obtained by the generator. The inverter converts electric power supplied from the battery 100 from direct current to three-phase alternating current, and supplies it to a load (for example, a traveling motor). In this case, air conditioning of the air conditioner unit 200 can be assisted using the Peltier element 2 used for temperature adjustment of other electronic devices such as an inverter.

(Modification 2)
In the above-described embodiment, the ECU 18 selects one of the first and second operations based on the request signal output from the air conditioner ECU 208, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant may select the first and second actions. In this case, the selection unit for selecting the first and second operations and the ECU 18 that executes the operation selected by operating the selection unit cooperate with each other. One of the operations is performed. Further, for example, when the temperature of the battery 100 does not need to be adjusted and the air conditioner unit 200 is performing an air conditioning operation, the second operation may be always performed.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment, the heat exchange medium supplied to the heater core 206 via the air conditioning auxiliary path and the engine coolant are configured by the same medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heat exchange medium supplied to the heater core 206 via the air conditioning auxiliary path may be a gas such as air. In this case, the heater core 206 is separately provided with a tube through which the engine coolant flows and a tube through which the gas flowing from the air conditioning auxiliary path conducts.

  Further, when the heat exchange medium supplied to the heater core 206 via the air conditioning auxiliary path is a gas, the gas whose temperature is adjusted in the temperature adjustment unit 21 is directly blown to the battery 100 without passing through the temperature adjustment heat exchanger 4. It may be a configuration. In this case, the battery temperature adjustment path and the air conditioning auxiliary path may not be a circulation path. That is, a path for directly blowing the gas exhausted from the temperature control unit 21 to the battery 100 and a path for introducing the gas into the heater core 206 of the air conditioner unit 200 are provided, and the gas used for temperature adjustment is exhausted outside the vehicle without being collected. It may be configured to.

  Further, the piezoelectric element may be disposed between the temperature adjustment unit 21 and the battery 100 and the gas whose temperature is adjusted in the temperature adjustment unit 21 may be supplied to the air conditioner unit 200. Here, when performing a 1st operation | movement, the heat exchange between the temperature control part 21 and the battery 100 is performed via a piezoelectric element. When performing the second operation, the piezoelectric element is separated from the temperature control unit 21 (or the battery 100) by applying a voltage, and heat exchange between the temperature control unit 21 and the battery 100 is suppressed, and the air conditioner unit 200 is controlled. By supplying the temperature-controlled gas, the temperature adjustment operation of the air conditioner unit 200 can be assisted.

(Modification 4)
Although the hybrid vehicle has been described in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other vehicles (for example, electric vehicles) having the battery 100 and the air conditioner unit 200. For example, in an electric vehicle equipped with an air conditioner unit that adjusts the temperature in the passenger compartment by introducing water heated by an electric heater instead of an engine into the heater core, water is sent to the heater core in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Thus, the temperature adjustment operation of the air conditioner unit can be assisted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Temperature control device 2 Peltier element 21 Temperature control part 22 Intake / exhaust heat part 6 Temperature control water circuit 8 Water pump 10 Switching valve
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Air conditioning auxiliary water circulation path 14 Absorption / exhaust heat duct 16 Absorption / exhaust heat blower 18 ECU 100 Battery 102 Single cell 104 Case 200 Air conditioner unit 202 Air conditioner unit blower
204 Evaporator 206 Heater core 208 Air conditioner ECU

Claims (6)

Electronic devices mounted on the vehicle;
A first temperature control device for adjusting the temperature in the vehicle interior by sending air temperature-adjusted in the first heat exchange section into the vehicle interior;
A first operation for adjusting the temperature of the electronic device by driving a Peltier element having first and second surfaces that exchange heat with each other, and a first operation for adjusting the temperature by driving the Peltier element. A second temperature adjustment device that selectively performs a second operation for assisting a temperature adjustment operation by the first temperature adjustment device by sending a heat exchange medium to the first heat exchange unit;
Vehicle with. The electronic device is a battery that generates energy for running the vehicle,
The first temperature control device can output a request signal for requesting the second operation to the second temperature control device;
The second temperature adjustment device performs the first operation when the temperature of the battery is out of a predetermined temperature range, and the request when the temperature of the battery is within the predetermined temperature range. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second operation is performed based on a signal.   When the first temperature control device performs a cooling operation, the second temperature control device performs a cooling assist operation for transferring heat from the first surface to the second surface as the second operation. When the first temperature control device performs a heating operation, heat is applied from the second surface to the first surface by changing the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element to a direction opposite to that during the cooling assist operation. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a heating assist operation for moving the vehicle is performed as the second operation. A first circulation path for guiding the first heat exchange medium to the first surface of the Peltier element;
A second circulation path for circulating a second heat exchange medium for adjusting the temperature of the electronic device;
A second heat exchanging section that allows heat exchange between the first heat exchange medium flowing through the first circulation path and the second heat exchange medium flowing through the second circulation path;
An introduction pipe for sending the first heat exchange medium to the first heat exchange section;
A discharge pipe for discharging the first heat exchange medium from the second heat exchange section;
It operates between a first position where the first circulation path is connected to the introduction pipe and the discharge pipe and a second position where the first circulation path is not connected to the introduction pipe and the discharge pipe. A switching valve;
A valve control unit for positioning the switching valve in the second position during the first operation and for positioning the switching valve in the first position during the second operation;
The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a vehicle. An internal combustion engine that generates energy for running the vehicle;
The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first heat exchange medium is the same medium as a cooling medium of the internal combustion engine.   The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a pipe for supplying air for heat exchange to the second surface.

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