JP2019035572A - Equipment temperature adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable arranging an opening adjustment device by separating from an object equipment, and to adjust an opening of a liquid passage according to temperature of the object equipment so as to prevent excessive cooling of the object equipment.SOLUTION: A temperature sensitive part of an opening adjustment device 22 is arranged in a place where a valve body is exposed to a working fluid when closing a liquid passage 181 in a working fluid circuit 10. Therefore, even when the opening adjustment device 22 is arranged by separating from a battery pack BP, the working fluid evaporates by heat of the battery pack BP and the working fluid of gas phase is transmitted to around the temperature sensitive part, and the temperature sensitive part makes the valve body act so as to widen an opening of the liquid passage 181 as environmental temperature of the temperature sensitive part gets higher, by using a temperature sensitive object having physical property showing part showing physical change according to temperature. Therefore, an opening of the liquid passage 181 can be adjusted according to temperature of the battery pack BP so as to prevent excessive cooling of the battery pack BP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a device temperature control device that adjusts the temperature of a target device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device temperature control device that adjusts the temperature of a target device by a loop thermosyphon method is known. For example, this is the cooling device described in Patent Document 1.

  In Patent Document 1, the target device cooled by the cooling device is a communication device. The cooling device of Patent Document 1 has an on-off valve provided in a path of a liquid pipe that connects a lower part of an evaporator and a lower part of a condenser. This on-off valve detects the temperature of the air that has passed through the evaporator and performs an opening / closing operation to open and close the liquid pipe.

JP 2012-9646 A

  Certainly, according to the cooling device of Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent excessive cooling of the target device by operating the on-off valve.

  However, in a thermosiphon system temperature control device, the evaporation and condensation of the working fluid can occur without power supply, so the on-off valve is a valve that does not use power, specifically, the on-off operation is not performed based on temperature. It is desirable that the valve can be operated with electric power.

  Further, in the cooling device of Patent Document 1, the on-off valve is operated based on the temperature on the air path for cooling the evaporator. However, in this method, a blower is required and the cooling device is enlarged. On the other hand, since the on-off valve needs to operate according to the temperature of the target device, the temperature sensing part that senses the temperature of the on-off valve should be placed in a temperature atmosphere close to the temperature of the target device. Furthermore, in the device temperature control device, the temperature sensing unit may not be arranged close to the target device so that the temperature sensing unit can easily sense the temperature of the target device. As a result of detailed studies by the inventors, the above has been found.

  In view of the above points, the present invention targets the opening degree of the liquid passage so as to prevent excessive cooling of the target device even if the opening degree adjusting device corresponding to the above open / close valve is arranged away from the target device. It aims at providing the apparatus temperature control apparatus which can be adjusted according to the temperature of an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the device temperature control apparatus according to claim 1 is:
A device temperature control device comprising a working fluid circuit (10) through which a working fluid circulates, and adjusting the temperature of a target device (BP) by a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase of the working fluid,
A heat exchanger for equipment (12) included in the working fluid circuit and evaporating the working fluid by absorbing heat from the target equipment to the working fluid;
A condenser (15) included in the working fluid circuit, disposed above the equipment heat exchanger and condensing the working fluid by dissipating heat from the evaporated working fluid;
A gas passage part (16) in which a gas passage (161) that is included in the working fluid circuit and flows the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger from the equipment heat exchanger to the condenser;
A liquid passage portion (18) formed with a liquid passage (181) that is included in the working fluid circuit and flows the working fluid condensed in the condenser from the condenser to the equipment heat exchanger;
An opening degree increase / decrease unit (221) that is arranged in the liquid passage and increases or decreases the opening degree of the liquid passage, and when the opening degree increase / decrease part closes the liquid passage, it is exposed to the gas phase working fluid in the working fluid circuit. An opening degree adjusting device (22) having a temperature sensing part (225) arranged at a location,
The temperature sensing part has a temperature sensing object (223, 229) having a physical property showing a physical change according to the temperature, and the opening degree is increased as the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing part is higher using the temperature sensing object. The opening degree increase / decrease part is actuated to do so.

  As described above, when the opening degree increase / decrease unit closes the liquid passage, the temperature sensing unit is disposed at a position exposed to the gas phase working fluid in the working fluid circuit of the device temperature control device. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated by the heat of the target device is transmitted to the temperature sensing portion, and the working fluid is condensed in the temperature sensing portion, so that the heat is transmitted. At this time, since the temperature sensing unit is more susceptible to the temperature of the target device than the outside of the device temperature control device, for example, even when the temperature of the target device rises in a state where the temperature temperature of the device temperature control device is low, The temperature of the temperature sensitive part rises. In short, the temperature sensing unit is arranged in an environment where it is easily affected by the heat of the target device but is not easily affected by heat other than the target device. Therefore, even if the opening adjustment device is arranged away from the target device, the temperature of the target device can be appropriately sensed by the temperature sensing unit of the opening adjustment device.

  And the temperature sensing part that senses the temperature of the target device in this way has a temperature sensing material having a physical property showing a physical change according to the temperature, and the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing part is determined using the temperature sensing object. The opening degree increase / decrease part is operated so that the opening degree of the liquid passage is increased as the value is higher. At this time, since the temperature sensing unit is on the path through which the working fluid flows, the temperature of the temperature sensing unit also decreases when the temperature of the target device decreases. Therefore, the opening degree increase / decrease unit operates so as to suppress the liquid-phase working fluid from flowing from the condenser to the equipment heat exchanger as the temperature of the target equipment decreases. That is, the opening degree of the liquid passage can be adjusted according to the temperature of the target device so as to prevent excessive cooling of the target device.

  In addition, since a temperature-sensitive object having a physical property indicating a physical change according to temperature is used to operate the opening degree increase / decrease part, it is possible to operate the opening degree increase / decrease part with no power.

  Reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component and the like indicate an example of a correspondence relationship between the component and the like and specific components described in the embodiments described later.

It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 1st Embodiment, Comprising: It is the figure which showed the fully closed state of the liquid passage. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the II-II cross section of FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment, Comprising: It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of an evaporator, a heat conductive material, and an assembled battery. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a liquid passage portion and an opening degree adjusting device in the first embodiment, and is a view illustrating a fully closed state of the liquid passage. It is the schematic diagram which showed the liquid passage part and the opening degree adjusting device in cross section in the first embodiment, and shows the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the figure which showed the physical property of the temperature sensitive material which an opening degree adjusting device has in 1st Embodiment, Comprising: It is the figure which showed the relationship between the temperature of the temperature sensitive material, and a volume. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 1st Embodiment, Comprising: It is the figure which showed the state by which the fluid passage was made into the full open state, and the working fluid is circulating. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed schematic structure of the evaporator in 1st Embodiment. It is a graph for demonstrating the output characteristic of the assembled battery of FIG. It is a graph for demonstrating the input characteristic of the assembled battery of FIG. In the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus of 1st Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the path | route in which the working fluid evaporated with the evaporator arrives at the temperature sensing part of an opening degree adjustment apparatus. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure corresponded in FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 3rd Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG. It is the perspective view which extracted and showed typically the evaporator and the assembled battery in 3rd Embodiment. In the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the path | route in which the working fluid evaporated with the evaporator arrives at the temperature sensing part of an opening degree adjustment apparatus, FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 4th Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure corresponded in FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 5th Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure corresponded in FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the liquid passage portion and its periphery in the XVII portion of FIG. 16, corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the fully closed state of the liquid passage. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the liquid passage portion and its periphery in the XVII portion of FIG. 16, corresponding to FIG. 4 and showing the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 6th Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG. FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the liquid passage portion and its periphery in the XX portion of FIG. 19, corresponding to FIG. 3, and showing the fully closed state of the liquid passage. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the liquid passage portion and its periphery in a portion XX in FIG. 19, corresponding to FIG. 4 and showing a fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 7th Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure corresponded in FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 8th Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus temperature control apparatus in 9th Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure corresponded in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid passage portion and the opening adjustment device according to the tenth embodiment, and is a schematic view corresponding to FIG. 3, and the liquid-phase working fluid is blocked by the valve body when the liquid passage is fully closed. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid passage portion and an opening adjusting device according to the tenth embodiment, and is a schematic view corresponding to FIG. 4, and shows a state in which a liquid-phase working fluid flows in a fully opened state of the liquid passage. is there. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross section of a liquid passage portion and an opening degree adjusting device in a comparative example for explaining the effect of the tenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 25. In 11th Embodiment, it is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 26, and is a figure which showed a mode that the liquid-phase working fluid was flowing in the fully open state of a liquid channel | path, and it is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. is there. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid passage portion and the opening degree adjusting device in the twelfth embodiment, and is a schematic view corresponding to FIG. 28, showing a state in which the liquid-phase working fluid flows in a fully opened state of the liquid passage. is there. In 13th Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which shows a liquid channel | path part and an opening degree adjusting device, and is a schematic diagram equivalent to FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, Comprising: (a) represents the full open state of a liquid channel, and (b) It is a figure showing the fully closed state of the liquid passage. In 14th Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which shows a liquid channel | path part and an opening degree adjusting device, and is a schematic diagram corresponded in FIG. 30, Comprising: (a) represents the full open state of a liquid channel, and (b) It is a figure showing the fully closed state. In the fifteenth embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening adjustment device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 25, and the liquid-phase working fluid is blocked by the valve body in the fully closed state of the liquid passage. FIG. In 15th Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which shows a liquid channel | path part and an opening degree adjusting device, and is the schematic diagram corresponded in FIG. 26, Comprising: The figure which showed a mode that the working fluid of the liquid phase was flowing in the fully open state of a liquid channel | path. is there. It is the figure which showed the physical property of the temperature sensing spring which an opening degree adjusting device has in 15th Embodiment, Comprising: It is the figure which showed the relationship between the temperature of the temperature sensing spring, and thrust. In 16th Embodiment, it is the figure which showed schematic structure of the condenser which is an air cooling capacitor | condenser which incorporates the opening degree adjustment apparatus, Comprising: It is the fragmentary sectional view which illustrated the opening degree adjustment apparatus and its periphery. In 17th Embodiment, it is the fragmentary sectional view which showed schematic structure of the condenser which is an air-cooling capacitor | condenser which incorporates the opening degree adjustment apparatus, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG. In 18th Embodiment, it is the figure which showed schematic structure of the condenser which is a refrigerant | coolant capacitor | condenser which incorporates the opening degree adjustment apparatus. It is the figure showing XXXVIII part of FIG. 37, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which illustrated the opening degree adjusting device and its periphery. In 19th Embodiment, it is the figure which showed schematic structure of the condenser which is a water-cooled condenser which incorporated the opening degree adjusting device, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG. It is the figure showing XL part of FIG. 39, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which illustrated the opening degree adjusting device and its periphery. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a XXXV-XXXV cross section of FIG. 12 in a modification of the third embodiment. In the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the enclosure amount of the working fluid enclosed with the working fluid circuit, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG. In the first modification of the tenth embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening adjustment device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 25, and the liquid-phase working fluid is in the valve body when the liquid passage is fully closed. It is the figure which showed a mode that it was blocked | closed by. In the second modification of the tenth embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening degree adjusting device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 26, and the liquid-phase working fluid flows in the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the figure which showed a mode. In the first modification of the eleventh embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening adjustment device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 28, and the liquid-phase working fluid flows in the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the figure which showed a mode. In the second modification of the eleventh embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening adjusting device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 28, and the liquid-phase working fluid flows in the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the figure which showed a mode. In the first modification of the twelfth embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening adjustment device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 29, and the liquid-phase working fluid flows in the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the figure which showed a mode. In the second modification of the twelfth embodiment, the liquid passage portion and the opening adjustment device are cross-sectional views and are schematic views corresponding to FIG. 29, and the liquid-phase working fluid flows in the fully opened state of the liquid passage. It is the figure which showed a mode. In the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment, it is the schematic diagram which showed the 2nd confluence | merging part 182 of the liquid channel | path part 18, and its periphery.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
The apparatus temperature control apparatus 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 adjusts the battery temperature of the assembled battery BP by cooling the assembled battery BP mounted on the vehicle. In short, the device temperature control device 1 is a battery cooling device that cools the assembled battery BP as a temperature-controlled target device. As the vehicle on which the device temperature control device 1 is mounted, an electric vehicle that can be driven by an electric motor for travel (not shown) that uses the assembled battery BP as a power source, a hybrid vehicle, or the like is assumed. In FIG. 1, the assembled battery BP is illustrated by a two-dot chain line, and this also applies to FIGS. 11, 16, 19, 22 to 24, and 42 described later.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the assembled battery BP includes a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped battery cells BC. And assembled battery BP is comprised by the laminated body which laminated | stacked and arrange | positioned the some battery cell BC. Specifically, the plurality of battery cells BC are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction DRs. Therefore, the whole assembled battery BP also has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the present embodiment, a total of two assembled batteries BP are provided, one on each side across the evaporator 12 of the device temperature control device 1.

  The assembled battery BP includes, as part of the surface of the assembled battery BP, a battery lower surface BPa that is a battery bottom surface BPa facing downward, and a battery side surface BPb that extends along the vehicle vertical direction DRg (that is, the gravity direction DRg). have. In the present embodiment, the stacking direction DRs of the battery cells BC is a direction intersecting the vehicle vertical direction DRg, strictly speaking, a direction orthogonal to the vehicle vertical direction DRg. In addition, the stacking direction DRs of the battery cells BC is referred to as a cell stacking direction DRs.

  The plurality of battery cells BC constituting the assembled battery BP are electrically connected in series. Each battery cell BC constituting the assembled battery BP is configured by a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery (for example, a lithium ion battery or a lead storage battery). The battery cell BC is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may have another shape such as a cylindrical shape. The assembled battery BP may include a battery cell BC electrically connected in parallel.

  The assembled battery BP is connected to a power converter and a motor generator (not shown). The power conversion device is a device that converts, for example, a direct current supplied from an assembled battery into an alternating current, and supplies (that is, discharges) the converted alternating current to various electric loads such as a traveling electric motor. The motor generator is a device that reversely converts the traveling energy of the vehicle into electric energy during regeneration of the vehicle and supplies the reversely converted electric energy as regenerative power to the assembled battery BP via an inverter or the like.

  The assembled battery BP self-heats when power is supplied while the vehicle is running. Therefore, if the assembled battery BP is not cooled, it is assumed that the assembled battery BP becomes excessively hot due to the self-heating. The When the assembled battery BP becomes excessively high in temperature, deterioration of the battery cell BC is promoted, so that the input / output of the assembled battery BP must be reduced in order to suppress the heat generation amount of the assembled battery BP. Therefore, a cooling device for maintaining the assembled battery BP below a predetermined temperature is required.

  In addition, the power storage device including the assembled battery BP is often disposed under the floor of the vehicle or under the trunk room, and the battery temperature of the assembled battery BP gradually increases not only when the vehicle is running but also during parking in summer. As a result, the battery temperature may become excessively high. If the battery pack BP is left in a high temperature environment, the battery life will be significantly reduced due to the progress of deterioration. Therefore, the battery temperature of the battery pack BP should be kept below a predetermined temperature even during parking of the vehicle. Is desired.

  Furthermore, the assembled battery BP is composed of a plurality of battery cells BC. If the temperature of each battery cell BC varies, the degree of progress of deterioration of each battery cell is biased, and the entire assembled battery BP Input / output characteristics will deteriorate. This is because the assembled battery BP includes a series connection body of the battery cells BC, and among the battery cells BC, the input / output characteristics of the entire assembled battery BP according to the battery characteristics of the battery cell BC that is most deteriorated. Because it is decided. For this reason, in order to make the assembled battery BP exhibit desired performance for a long period of time, it is important to equalize the temperature of the battery cells BC to reduce temperature variation.

  As a cooling device for cooling the assembled battery BP, an air-cooled cooler using a blower is generally used.

  However, since the air-cooled cooler using the blower only blows air or the like in the passenger compartment to the assembled battery BP, there may be a case where a cooling capacity sufficient to sufficiently cool the assembled battery BP may not be obtained. Therefore, in the device temperature control apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a thermosiphon system that cools the assembled battery BP by natural circulation accompanied by a phase change of the working fluid is employed.

  The apparatus temperature control device 1 includes a working fluid circuit 10 through which a working fluid circulates. As the working fluid circulating in the working fluid circuit 10, refrigerants (for example, R134a and R1234yf) used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle are employed.

  The working fluid circuit 10 is a heat pipe that performs heat transfer by evaporation and condensation of the working fluid, and is configured to be a thermosiphon type in which the working fluid naturally circulates by gravity. Further, the working fluid circuit 10 is configured to be a loop type in which a flow path through which a gas-phase working fluid flows and a flow path through which a liquid-phase working fluid flows are separated. That is, the working fluid circuit 10 constitutes a loop-type thermosiphon heat pipe. Since such a working fluid circuit 10 is employed, the device temperature control device 1 adjusts the battery temperature of the assembled battery BP by the phase change between the liquid phase and the gas phase of the working fluid.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the working fluid circuit 10 includes an evaporator 12, a condenser 15, a gas passage portion 16, a liquid passage portion 18, and a communication portion 20. Specifically, the working fluid circuit 10 is a closed fluid circuit, and is configured by connecting the evaporator 12, the gas passage portion 16, the condenser 15, and the liquid passage portion 18 in the order of a ring. . In addition, a predetermined amount of working fluid is sealed inside the working fluid circuit 10, and the inside of the working fluid circuit 10 is filled with the working fluid.

  The evaporator 12 is a heat exchanger for equipment that exchanges heat between the working fluid flowing through the evaporator 12 and the assembled battery BP. That is, the evaporator 12 absorbs heat from the assembled battery BP to the liquid-phase working fluid as the working fluid is circulated in the working fluid circuit 10, thereby evaporating the liquid-phase working fluid.

  The evaporator 12 is disposed below the condenser 15. Thereby, the liquid-phase working fluid is accumulated in the lower part of the working fluid circuit 10 including the evaporator 12 by gravity. The detailed structure of the evaporator 12 will be described later.

  The condenser 15 is a heat exchanger that condenses the vapor-phase working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12. In other words, the condenser 15 is a radiator that condenses the working fluid by dissipating heat from the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12.

  The condenser 15 radiates heat from the working fluid by exchanging heat between the outside air such as traveling wind and the working fluid.

  The gas passage 16 guides the vapor-phase working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12 to the condenser 15. The gas passage portion 16 is constituted by, for example, a piping member, and a gas passage 161 that is a flow passage through which a working fluid flows is formed inside the gas passage portion 16. The gas passage 161 allows the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12 to flow from the evaporator 12 to the condenser 15. Further, the lower end portion of the gas passage portion 16 is connected to the evaporator 12, and the upper end portion of the gas passage portion 16 is connected to the upper portion of the condenser 15.

  The liquid passage portion 18 guides the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the condenser 15 to the evaporator 12. The liquid passage portion 18 is constituted by, for example, a piping member, and a liquid passage 181 that is a flow passage through which a working fluid flows is formed inside the liquid passage portion 18. The liquid passage 181 allows the working fluid condensed in the condenser 15 to flow from the condenser 15 to the evaporator 12. Further, the lower end portion of the liquid passage portion 18 is connected to the evaporator 12, and the upper end portion of the liquid passage portion 18 is connected to the lower portion of the condenser 15.

  Moreover, the apparatus temperature control apparatus 1 is provided with the opening degree adjusting device 22 which increases / decreases the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 according to the sensed temperature. The opening degree adjusting device 22 is a temperature-sensitive valve that increases the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 as the detected temperature is higher. The opening degree of the liquid passage 181 is the degree of opening of the liquid passage 181, and the opening degree adjusting device 22 is between the minimum opening degree that is 0% opening degree and the maximum opening degree that is 100% opening degree. Then, the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 is adjusted. As the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 increases, the working fluid in the liquid passage 181 easily flows from the condenser 15 to the evaporator 12.

  If the opening adjusting device 22 blocks the liquid passage 181, for example, the working fluid condensed in the condenser 15 is accumulated in the condenser 15, and as the liquid-phase working fluid accumulated in the condenser 15 increases, the working pressure in the condenser 15 increases. The heat exchange becomes difficult. That is, the opening degree adjusting device 22 works to stop heat exchange in the condenser 15 by blocking the liquid passage 181.

  In the present embodiment, when the opening of the liquid passage 181 reaches the minimum opening, the liquid passage 181 is closed, and the flow of the working fluid from the condenser 15 to the evaporator 12 is prevented. When the opening of the liquid passage 181 reaches the maximum opening, the working fluid in the liquid passage 181 passes through the opening adjustment device 22 without being substantially throttled by the opening adjustment device 22.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening degree adjusting device 22 includes a valve body 221, a device body 222, a temperature sensitive object 223, and an operating pin 224. Further, the entire opening adjustment device 22 is disposed in the liquid passage 181. FIG. 3 shows a state where the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 is the minimum opening degree, that is, a fully closed state of the liquid passage 181. FIG. 4 shows a state where the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 reaches the maximum opening degree, that is, a state where the liquid passage 181 is fully opened.

  The valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 functions as an opening degree increasing / decreasing unit that increases or decreases the opening degree of the liquid passage 181. The valve body 221 is connected to the operation pin 224 so as not to move relative thereto. The valve body 221 moves in the axial direction of the operating pin 224 together with the operating pin 224, thereby increasing or decreasing the opening degree of the liquid passage 181.

  The apparatus main body 222 includes a temperature sensitive object accommodating part 222a for accommodating the temperature sensitive object 223, and a pin guide part 222b for guiding the operating pin 224 in its axial direction. In addition, the apparatus main body 222 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum alloy so that heat outside the temperature-sensitive object accommodating portion 222a is transmitted to the temperature-sensitive object 223 satisfactorily. The apparatus main body 222 is fixed to the liquid passage portion 18. The apparatus main body 222 and the temperature sensing object 223 are disposed in the liquid passage 181 on the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the valve body 221.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the portion of the liquid passage 181 where the opening degree adjusting device 22 is disposed is formed so as to extend in the vehicle vertical direction DRg, and the axial direction of the operating pin 224 is oriented along the vehicle vertical direction DRg. ing. The apparatus main body 222 and the temperature sensitive object 223 are disposed below the valve body 221.

  The temperature-sensitive material 223 has a physical property showing a physical change according to temperature. Although various physical properties can be assumed as the physical properties of the temperature-sensitive material 223, the physical properties of the temperature-sensitive material 223 in the present embodiment are physical properties that increase in volume as the temperature-sensitive material 223 itself increases in temperature. That is, the temperature sensing object 223 of the present embodiment is a thermal expansion body that increases in volume as the temperature sensing object 223 itself increases in temperature.

  For example, the temperature sensitive material 223 has physical properties as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the temperature-sensitive object 223 rapidly changes in volume at a certain temperature. The opening adjustment device 22 is configured such that the liquid passage 181 is fully opened when the temperature of the temperature-sensitive object 223 reaches a predetermined fully open temperature TP1.

  Moreover, the temperature sensing object 223 and the temperature sensing object accommodating part 222a comprise the temperature sensing part 225 which senses temperature and operates the valve body 221. And the volume of the temperature sensing object 223 becomes large, so that the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing part 225 is high.

  Specifically, the operating pin 224 is inserted into the pin guide portion 222b so as to be relatively movable, and one end of the operating pin 224 is connected to the temperature sensitive material 223, and the other end of the operating pin 224 is connected to the valve body 221. ing. And the volume change of the temperature sensing object 223 is transmitted to the valve body 221 via the operation pin 224. Therefore, the valve body 221 increases the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 as the volume of the temperature sensing object 223 increases. In other words, the temperature sensing unit 225 uses the temperature sensing object 223 to operate the valve body 221 so that the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 increases as the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 225 increases.

  For example, when the heat generation of the assembled battery BP stops or substantially stops, the temperature of the temperature sensing object 223 falls below the temperature threshold value slightly lower than the fully open temperature TP1 of FIG. 5, and as shown in FIG. The volume of the temperature sensitive object 223 is reduced, and the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181. In short, when the temperature sensing unit 225 cools below the temperature threshold value, the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181.

  On the contrary, when the heat generation of the assembled battery BP increases to some extent, the temperature of the temperature sensing object 223 becomes equal to or higher than the full open temperature TP1 in FIG. As a result, the volume of the temperature sensing object 223 increases as shown in FIG. 4, and the temperature sensing object 223 pushes up the operating pin 224 and the valve body 221, so that the valve body 221 opens the liquid passage 181. In short, the valve body 221 opens the liquid passage 181 when the temperature sensing part 225 is warmed to the full open temperature TP1 or more by the heat generation of the battery pack BP.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181, that is, when the liquid passage 181 is fully closed by the valve body 221, The upstream side of the working fluid flow from the body 221 is filled with the liquid-phase working fluid. On the other hand, in the liquid passage 181, the area around the temperature sensing unit 225 which is downstream of the working fluid flow with respect to the valve body 221 is filled with the gas phase working fluid. That is, the temperature sensing unit 225 is disposed in the working fluid circuit 10 at a location where the valve body 221 is exposed to a gas phase working fluid when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 20 guides the gas-phase working fluid in the gas passage 161 to the opening degree adjusting device 22 through the liquid passage 181. The communication part 20 is composed of, for example, a piping member, and a communication path 201 that is a flow path through which a working fluid flows is formed inside the communication part 20. The communication passage 201 communicates the gas passage 161 with the working fluid flow downstream side of the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 in the liquid passage 181. That is, one end of the communication path 201 is connected to the gas path 161. The other end of the communication passage 201 is connected to the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 in the liquid passage 181.

  As described above, since the communication path 201 is connected to each of the gas path 161 and the liquid path 181, the gas path portion 16 has a first joining portion 162 that is a joining portion of the gas passage 161 and the communication path 201. doing. The liquid passage portion 18 has a second joining portion 182 that is a joining portion of the liquid passage 181 and the communication passage 201. Since the communication path 201 is connected to the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 in the liquid passage 181, the second joining portion 182 is connected to the opening degree adjusting device in the liquid passage 181. It is located downstream of the 22 valve bodies 221 in the working fluid flow. Further, the second joining portion 182 is positioned below the valve body 221 from the installation direction of the opening degree adjusting device 22.

  The communication portion 20 is formed so that the communication passage 201 extends from the second joining portion 182 in the horizontal direction or upward from the horizontal. In the present embodiment, the communication path 201 extends from the second joining portion 182 in the horizontal direction.

  In addition, the gas-phase working fluid flowing from the evaporator 12 to the first confluence portion 162 has the first in the gas passage 161 rather than flowing into the communication passage 201 when the opening of the liquid passage 181 is the maximum opening. The communication path 201 is formed so that the working fluid flow with respect to the first joining portion 162 can easily flow downstream. In other words, the gas-phase working fluid that flows from the evaporator 12 to the first joining portion 162 flows to the gas passage 161 rather than to the communication passage 201 when the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 is the maximum opening degree. Of these, the communication passage 201 is formed so that it can easily flow to the condenser 15 through the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the first joining portion 162.

  For example, in this embodiment, the passage sectional area of the communication passage 201 is significantly smaller than the passage sectional area of the gas passage 161. As a result, the first path from the first merge section 162 through the gas path 161, the condenser 15, and the liquid path 181 to the second merge section 182 sequentially, and the first path from the first merge section 162 through the communication path 201 There is a difference in pressure loss between the second path leading to the second joining portion 182. More specifically, when the opening of the liquid passage 181 is the maximum opening, that is, when the liquid passage 181 is fully opened, the pressure loss when the gas-phase working fluid flows through the first path is: It is smaller than the pressure loss when the gas-phase working fluid flows through the second path. As a result, as described above, the vapor-phase working fluid flows through the gas passage 161 downstream of the first joining portion 162 rather than flowing from the first joining portion 162 to the communication passage 201. It is easy to flow up to 15.

  Subsequently, a basic operation of the device temperature control apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, illustration of the assembled battery BP is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. 6, and this is the same also in FIG. 10 mentioned later.

  In the device temperature control apparatus 1, when the battery temperature of the assembled battery BP rises due to self-heating during traveling of the vehicle, the heat of the assembled battery BP moves to the evaporator 12. In the evaporator 12, a part of the liquid-phase working fluid is evaporated by absorbing heat from the assembled battery BP. The assembled battery BP is cooled by the latent heat of vaporization of the working fluid existing inside the evaporator 12, and the temperature of the assembled battery BP is lowered.

  When the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening adjustment device 22 rises due to the evaporation of the working fluid, the opening adjustment device 22 opens the liquid passage 181, so that the liquid-phase working fluid in the condenser 15 is liquid. It becomes possible to flow to the evaporator 12 through the passage 181.

  When the liquid passage 181 is thus opened, the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12 rises as indicated by an arrow FLe in the evaporator 12 and flows out from the evaporator 12 to the gas passage 161. Then, the evaporated working fluid moves from the evaporator 12 to the condenser 15 via the gas passage 161 as indicated by an arrow FL1 in FIG.

  In the condenser 15, the gas phase working fluid dissipates heat, so that the gas phase working fluid is condensed. The condensed liquid-phase working fluid descends as indicated by an arrow FLc by gravity. As a result, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed in the condenser 15 flows out of the condenser 15 into the liquid passage 181 and moves to the evaporator 12 via the liquid passage 181 as indicated by an arrow FL2 in FIG. In the evaporator 12, part of the liquid-phase working fluid that has flowed in is evaporated by absorbing heat from the assembled battery BP.

  Thus, in the apparatus temperature control apparatus 1, when the working fluid of the evaporator 12 is heated by the assembled battery BP and the opening degree adjusting device 22 opens the liquid passage 181, the working fluid is between the evaporator 12 and the condenser 15. Therefore, the cooling of the assembled battery BP is started. When the working fluid circulates in such a manner, heat is transported from the evaporator 12 to the condenser 15 while the working fluid changes between a gas state and a liquid state, thereby cooling the assembled battery BP.

  When the assembled battery BP stops generating heat and the opening degree adjusting device 22 blocks the liquid passage 181, the circulation of the working fluid between the evaporator 12 and the condenser 15 is stopped, so that the assembled battery BP is also cooled. Stop.

  The apparatus temperature control device 1 is configured such that the working fluid naturally circulates inside the working fluid circuit 10 even without the driving force required for the circulation of the working fluid by a compressor or the like. For this reason, the apparatus temperature control apparatus 1 can implement | achieve efficient cooling of the assembled battery BP which suppressed both power consumption and noise.

  Next, the structure of the evaporator 12 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the evaporator 12 includes a heat exchanging unit 40, a liquid supply unit 42 coupled to the lower end of the heat exchanging unit 40, and a fluid outflow coupled to the upper end of the heat exchanging unit 40. Part 44. The fluid outflow portion 44 is disposed above the liquid supply portion 42 and the heat exchange portion 40, and the liquid supply portion 42 is disposed below the fluid outflow portion 44 and the heat exchange portion 40.

  The heat exchanging unit 40 is connected to the battery side surface BPb of the assembled battery BP so as to be able to conduct heat. In other words, the heat exchange part 40 is thermally connected to the assembled battery BP. In detail, the heat exchange part 40 is connected with the assembled battery BP so that heat conduction is possible by contacting the heat conductive material 38 interposed between the heat exchange part 40 and the assembled battery BP. For example, in order to increase the thermal conductivity between the heat exchange unit 40 and the assembled battery BP, the heat exchange unit 40 is held in a state of being pressed against the assembled battery BP.

  The heat conducting material 38 has electrical insulation and high heat conductivity, and is sandwiched between the heat exchanging unit 40 and the assembled battery BP in order to increase the thermal conductivity between the heat exchanging unit 40 and the assembled battery BP. Yes. For example, as the heat conducting material 38, grease or a sheet-like material is employed. In addition, if the electrical insulation and thermal conductivity between the heat exchange unit 40 and the assembled battery BP are sufficiently ensured, the heat exchange material 40 is not provided and the heat exchange unit 40 is not provided with the assembled battery BP. There is no problem even if it is in direct contact.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a plurality of evaporation channels 401 extending in the vehicle vertical direction DRg are formed inside the heat exchange unit 40. In other words, each of the plurality of evaporation channels 401 extends from below to above along the battery side surface BPb.

  And the heat exchange part 40 evaporates the working fluid which flows through the some evaporation flow path 401 with the heat | fever of assembled battery BP. That is, the liquid-phase working fluid that flows into the evaporation channel 401 evaporates in the evaporation channel 401 while flowing through the evaporation channel 401. In FIG. 7, the battery cell BC is illustrated by a two-dot chain line for easy viewing, and the thermal conductive material 38 and a part of the plurality of battery cells BC included in the assembled battery BP are illustrated. Is omitted. The same applies to FIG. 13 described later.

  A supply channel 421 extending in the cell stacking direction DRs is formed inside the liquid supply unit 42. In addition, an outflow channel 441 extending in the cell stacking direction DRs is formed inside the fluid outflow portion 44.

  If attention is paid to the constituent members of the evaporator 12, the heat exchanging section 40 is composed of a plurality of multi-hole tubes 50 arranged side by side in the cell stacking direction DRs. And the liquid supply part 42 and the fluid outflow part 44 are each comprised by the tubular member extended to the cell lamination direction DRs. The liquid supply part 42, the fluid outflow part 44, and the plurality of multi-hole pipes 50 are made of metal such as an aluminum alloy, for example, and are joined to each other by brazing or the like.

  The multi-hole tube 50 is a flat multi-hole tube formed by extrusion molding or the like. The multi-hole tube 50 is formed so as to extend in a plane shape in the vehicle vertical direction DRg and the cell stacking direction DRs, and has one end 50a as a lower end and the other end 50b as an upper end. A plurality of communication holes are formed in the multi-hole tube 50 and are arranged in the cell stacking direction DRs while being separated from each other. The plurality of communication holes are provided as a plurality of evaporation channels 401.

  Each of the communicating holes as the evaporation channel 401 penetrates from one end 50a to the other end 50b of the multi-hole tube 50, and is opened at each of the one end 50a and the other end 50b. In short, the evaporation channel 401 is formed as a through hole extending from one end 50a of the multi-hole tube 50 to the other end 50b.

  An internal space of the tubular member constituting the liquid supply part 42 is a supply flow path 421. Further, the internal space of the tubular member constituting the fluid outflow portion 44 is an outflow channel 441.

  One end 50a of the plurality of multi-hole pipes 50 is joined to the liquid supply unit 42, and thereby the plurality of evaporation channels 401 communicate with the supply channel 421, respectively. Further, the other end 50 b of the plurality of multi-hole pipes 50 is joined to the fluid outflow portion 44, whereby the plurality of evaporation channels 401 communicate with the outflow channels 441, respectively.

  Further, the liquid supply part 42 has a fluid inlet part 422 as a lower connection part to which the liquid passage 181 is connected at one end in the cell stacking direction DRs. The liquid passage 181 communicates with the supply channel 421 through the fluid inlet 422, and the working fluid in the liquid passage 181 enters the supply channel 421 through the fluid inlet 422 as indicated by an arrow Fi in FIG. Flowing. In the liquid supply unit 42, the other end in the cell stacking direction DRs is closed.

  Further, the fluid outflow portion 44 has a fluid outlet portion 442 as an upper connection portion to which the gas passage 161 is connected at one end in the cell stacking direction DRs. The gas passage 161 communicates with the outflow passage 441 through the fluid outlet portion 442, and the working fluid in the outflow passage 441 enters the gas passage 161 through the fluid outlet portion 442 as indicated by an arrow Fo in FIG. Flowing. In the fluid outflow portion 44, the other end in the cell stacking direction DRs is closed.

  Further, since the liquid supply part 42 is provided below the heat exchange part 40 and the fluid outflow part 44 is provided above the heat exchange part 40, the fluid inlet part 422 is disposed below the fluid outlet part 442. Has been.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, that is, a fully closed state of the liquid passage 181. As shown in FIG. 1, the amount of the working fluid sealed in the working fluid circuit 10 is such that the liquid phase working fluid is assembled even when the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181. It is a predetermined amount that can receive heat from BP. Specifically, when the valve element 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, a sufficient amount of the working fluid is present in the working fluid circuit 10 so that the liquid-phase working fluid exists in the heat exchanging unit 40. Is enclosed.

  For example, in the present embodiment, in the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181, the amount of working fluid sealed is set so that the liquid level SF of the working fluid is located in the middle of the range where the heat exchanging unit 40 occupies the vehicle vertical direction DRg. ing. In the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181, the working fluid condensed by the condenser 15 is blocked by the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22, so that, for example, from the position of the valve body 221, the condenser 15 The upper end is filled with a liquid-phase working fluid.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the first joining portion 162 and the second joining portion 182 provided at both ends of the communication portion 20 are provided when the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181. It is disposed above the liquid level SF of the working fluid generated in the working fluid circuit 10.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is configured such that the valve body 221 blocks the liquid passage 181 in the working fluid circuit 10. In this case, it is disposed at a place where it is exposed to a working fluid in a gas phase. Therefore, when the working fluid evaporates due to the heat of the assembled battery BP, the gas-phase working fluid is transmitted to the periphery of the temperature sensing unit 225. Therefore, even if the opening degree adjusting device 22 is arranged away from the assembled battery BP, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 can appropriately sense the temperature of the assembled battery BP.

  More specifically, the vapor-phase working fluid obtained by evaporating with the heat of the battery pack BP is condensed by the temperature sensing unit 225, and the temperature sensing unit 225 rises in temperature with the condensation. It is possible to appropriately sense the temperature of the assembled battery BP.

  And the temperature sensing part 225 which senses the temperature of the assembled battery BP in this way has a temperature sensing object 223 having physical properties showing a physical change according to the temperature, and using the temperature sensing object 223, the temperature sensing part 225 The valve body 221 is operated so that the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 is increased as the ambient temperature of 225 is higher. In other words, the temperature sensing unit 225 increases the opening of the liquid passage 181 as the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 225 increases by applying a physical change corresponding to the temperature of the temperature sensing object 223 to the valve body 221. Thus, the valve body 221 is operated. Therefore, the valve body 221 operates so as to suppress the liquid-phase working fluid from flowing from the condenser 15 to the evaporator 12 as the temperature of the assembled battery BP decreases. That is, the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 can be adjusted according to the temperature of the assembled battery BP so as to prevent excessive cooling of the assembled battery BP.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the assembled battery BP becomes lower than a predetermined optimum temperature range, the internal resistance of the assembled battery BP increases, and the output characteristics and input characteristics of the assembled battery BP Both decrease. In addition, when the assembled battery BP becomes higher than a predetermined optimum temperature range, the deterioration of the assembled battery BP is easily promoted. Therefore, the input / output of the assembled battery BP must be reduced to suppress the heat generation amount of the assembled battery BP. No longer get. As can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9, in the present embodiment, the opening degree adjusting device 22 prevents excessive cooling of the assembled battery BP, thereby ensuring appropriate output characteristics and input characteristics of the assembled battery BP. Is possible.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the opening degree adjusting device 22, the temperature-sensitive object 223 having physical properties indicating a physical change according to the temperature operates the valve body 221. Since it is used, it is possible to operate the valve body 221 with no electric power. Thereby, it is possible to avoid power consumption by the opening degree adjusting device 22. Further, even in a situation where the device temperature control device 1 cannot receive power supply, such as during parking, the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 can be operated according to the temperature of the assembled battery BP. In addition, since no electric power is consumed to operate the valve body 221, it is possible to contribute to power saving of the vehicle.

  For example, as a situation where the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 operates so as to open the liquid passage 181 from the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181, the temperature of the assembled battery BP is used when the assembled battery BP is used in winter. And the assembled battery BP needs to be cooled.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the working fluid circuit 10 includes the communication portion 20, and the communication portion 20 is formed with the communication passage 201 through which the working fluid flows. Yes. The communication passage 201 communicates the gas passage 161 with the working fluid flow downstream side of the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 in the liquid passage 181. The joining portion 162 of the gas passage 161 and the communication passage 201 and the joining portion 182 of the liquid passage 181 and the communication passage 201 are the working fluid when the valve body 221 of the opening adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181. The working fluid generated in the circuit 10 is disposed above the liquid level SF.

  Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12 due to the heat of the battery pack BP passes through the communication path 201 and bypasses the condenser 15 as indicated by an arrow Ah in FIG. It is possible to send up to. That is, the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12 (specifically, the gas-phase working fluid corresponding to the battery temperature) is not obstructed by the liquid-phase working fluid in the condenser 15, and the opening degree adjusting device 22 It is possible to reach the temperature sensing unit 225. Therefore, when the liquid passage 181 is transitioned from the fully closed state to the fully open state, the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 can be operated so as to open the liquid passage 181 with good response to the battery temperature. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 is the maximum opening degree of the gas phase working fluid flowing from the evaporator 12 to the first joining portion 162, The communication passage 201 is formed so as to be easier to flow to the condenser 15 through the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the first joining portion 162 in the gas passage 161 than when flowing to the communication passage 201.

  Therefore, in the normal cooling operation in which the liquid passage 181 opens and the working fluid circulates between the condenser 15 and the evaporator 12, the flow rate of the gas-phase working fluid that flows to the communication passage 201 and bypasses the condenser 15 is suppressed. be able to. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling capacity due to the flow of the working fluid that bypasses the condenser 15.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication path 201 is extended in the horizontal direction from the joining portion 182 between the liquid path 181 and the communication path 201. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the extending direction of the communication path 201 from the merging portion 182 is lower than the horizontal direction, the liquid-phase working fluid flowing down the liquid passage 181 is liquid at the merging portion 182. It is possible to suppress the flow from the passage 181 and flowing into the communication passage 201.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is arranged in the liquid passage 181 on the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the valve body 221. The Therefore, it is possible to arrange the temperature sensor 225 in the working fluid circuit 10 at a location exposed to the gas-phase working fluid with a simple configuration of the opening degree adjusting device 22.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the evaporator 12 is connected to the assembled battery BP so as to be able to conduct heat, and the heat exchanging unit 40 evaporates the working fluid with the heat of the assembled battery BP. have. When the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, a sufficient amount of the working fluid is contained in the working fluid circuit 10 so that the liquid-phase working fluid is present in the heat exchange unit 40. Has been. In short, when the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, a liquid-phase working fluid is present in the heat exchange unit 40. Therefore, when the liquid passage 181 is closed by the valve body 221, it is possible to improve the follow-up performance of the operation in which the valve body 221 opens the liquid passage 181 in accordance with the temperature rise of the assembled battery BP.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the temperature-sensitive object 223 of the opening adjustment device 22 is a thermal expansion body having a physical property that increases in volume as the temperature increases. The volume of the temperature sensing object 223 increases as the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 225 increases, and the valve body 221 increases the opening of the liquid passage 181 as the volume of the temperature sensing object 223 increases. Therefore, it is easy to connect the volume change which is the physical change of the temperature sensing object 223 to the operation of the valve body 221. Therefore, it is easy to make the opening degree adjusting device 22 have a simple structure.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the evaporator 12 includes a fluid outlet portion 442 to which the gas passage 161 is connected and a fluid inlet portion 422 to which the liquid passage 181 is connected. Have. The fluid inlet portion 422 is disposed below the fluid outlet portion 442. Therefore, when the liquid passage 181 is fully closed, the vapor-phase working fluid that has received heat from the assembled battery BP in the evaporator 12 flows out from the fluid outlet 442 exclusively. Therefore, the gas-phase working fluid received from the assembled battery BP easily reaches the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 via the communication path 201. For this reason, when the liquid passage 181 is transitioned from the fully closed state to the fully open state, the valve element 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is operated so as to open the liquid passage 181 with good responsiveness to the battery temperature. Is possible.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the target apparatus which the apparatus temperature control apparatus 1 cools is the assembled battery BP for vehicle mounting. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the deterioration of the input / output characteristics of the assembled battery BP due to the excessive cooling of the assembled battery BP.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Further, the same or equivalent parts as those of the above-described embodiment will be described by omitting or simplifying them. The same applies to the description of the embodiments described later.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the working fluid circuit 10 of this embodiment does not have the communication part 20 of FIG. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is exposed to a gas phase working fluid when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181 in the working fluid circuit 10. It is arranged at the place to be. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment, the response to the rise in battery temperature is poor because the communication unit 20 is not provided, but in this embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 225 can sense the rise in battery temperature. Is possible.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the evaporator 12 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type equipment heat exchange in which the positions of the fluid inlet portion 422 and the fluid outlet portion 442 in the vehicle vertical direction DRg are substantially the same. It is a vessel. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the fully open state of the liquid passage 181.

  Specifically, the evaporator 12 of the present embodiment has a flat cross-sectional shape in which the vehicle vertical direction DRg is a short direction, and includes the heat exchange unit 40, but the liquid supply unit 42 and the fluid outflow unit of FIG. 44 is not provided. Therefore, the fluid inlet portion 422 is provided at one end of the heat exchanging portion 40 in the cell stacking direction DRs, and the fluid outlet portion 442 is provided at the other end of the heat exchanging portion 40 in the cell stacking direction DRs. Yes.

  Moreover, the heat exchange part 40 of the evaporator 12 is arrange | positioned below with respect to the assembled battery BP, and is connected with respect to battery lower surface BPa among assembled batteries BP so that heat conduction is possible. For example, the heat exchanging unit 40 is connected to the assembled battery BP with the heat conducting material 38 interposed between the heat exchanging unit 40 and the battery lower surface BPa.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the opening degree adjusting device 22 opens the liquid passage 181, the working fluid is accompanied by evaporation in the evaporator 12 and condensation in the condenser 15. Thus, the working fluid circuit 10 is circulated as indicated by arrows FLe, FL1, and FLc.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening adjustment device 22 includes a gas-phase working fluid when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181 in the working fluid circuit 10. It is arranged in the place exposed to. Therefore, the working fluid evaporated in the evaporator 12 by the heat of the assembled battery BP can reach the temperature sensing part 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 from the liquid passage 181 as indicated by an arrow A1h in FIG. At the same time, since the communication portion 20 is provided in this embodiment, the evaporated working fluid flows from the gas passage 161 through the communication passage 201 and bypasses the condenser 15 as shown by an arrow A2h in FIG. It can also reach the temperature sensing part 225.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the third embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the working fluid circuit 10 of this embodiment does not have the communication part 20 of FIG. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment. FIG. 15 shows the fully opened state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  In this embodiment as well, as in the third embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is exposed to a gas phase working fluid when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181 in the working fluid circuit 10. It is arranged at the place to be. Therefore, compared to the third embodiment, the response to the rise in battery temperature is poor because the communication unit 20 is not provided, but in this embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 225 can sense the rise in battery temperature. Is possible.

  Except as described above, this embodiment is the same as the third embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the same structure as above-mentioned 3rd Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 3rd Embodiment.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 16-18, in this embodiment, arrangement | positioning of the opening degree adjusting device 22 differs from 1st Embodiment. FIG. 16 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  Specifically, the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is provided in the liquid passage 181 as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the valve body 221 opens and closes in the liquid passage 181.

  On the other hand, the apparatus main body 222 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is disposed across the liquid passage 181 and the communication passage 201. Thereby, the temperature sensing unit 225 is disposed not in the liquid passage 181 but in the communication passage 201.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  In addition, although this embodiment is a modification based on 1st Embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with the above-mentioned 3rd Embodiment.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 19-21, in this embodiment, arrangement | positioning of the opening degree adjustment apparatus 22 differs from 1st Embodiment. FIG. 19 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  Specifically, the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is provided in the liquid passage 181 as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the valve element 221 opens and closes in the liquid passage 181.

  On the other hand, the device main body 222 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is disposed across the liquid passage 181 and the gas passage 161. Thereby, the temperature sensing part 225 is arranged not in the liquid passage 181 but in the gas passage 161. In addition, the arrangement of the temperature sensing unit 225 eliminates the need to guide the gas-phase working fluid to the temperature sensing unit 225 using the communication unit 20 in FIG. 1, and therefore, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in communication. The part 20 is not provided.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  In addition, although this embodiment is a modification based on 1st Embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with the above-mentioned 4th Embodiment.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the apparatus temperature control apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with the heat-transfer member 23, and this embodiment differs from 1st Embodiment in this point. Further, the amount of working fluid enclosed in the working fluid circuit 10 is different from that of the first embodiment. FIG. 22 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  The heat transfer member 23 in FIG. 22 is made of a highly heat conductive material such as an aluminum alloy. The heat transfer member 23 transfers the heat of the assembled battery BP to locations other than the evaporator 12 in the working fluid circuit 10. The part other than the evaporator 12 in the working fluid circuit 10 is, for example, the heat transfer target part 183 that is a part of the liquid passage part 18. The heat transfer target part 183 is a liquid reservoir part that is located in the lower part of the liquid passage part 18 and in which the liquid-phase working fluid is accumulated when the circulation of the working fluid in the working fluid circuit 10 is stopped.

  In order to transmit the heat of the assembled battery BP to the heat transfer target part 183, for example, the heat transfer member 23 is joined to the assembled battery BP in a part of the heat transfer member 23 and joined to the heat transfer target part 183 in the other part. Has been.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the valve element 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, the amount of the working fluid that is sufficient for the liquid phase working fluid to be present in the heat transfer target portion 183 is the working fluid. The circuit 10 is sealed. In short, when the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, a liquid-phase working fluid exists in the heat transfer target portion 183. Even in this case, when the liquid passage 181 is closed by the valve body 221, the liquid-phase working fluid in the working fluid circuit 10 receives heat from the assembled battery BP, thereby evaporating the liquid-phase working fluid. Because it is possible to make it.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  In addition, although this embodiment is a modification based on 1st Embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with either of the above-mentioned 2nd-4th embodiment.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the device temperature control apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus 24 that is configured by a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and in which refrigerant circulates. The working fluid circuit 10 includes a second condenser 244 in addition to the condenser 15 as the first condenser. In these respects, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment. FIG. 23 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  The second condenser 244 in FIG. 23 is included in both the working fluid circuit 10 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 24. The second condenser 244 is provided in the communication path 201 in the working fluid circuit 10. Further, the second condenser 244 is arranged above the evaporator 12, similarly to the first condenser 15.

  The refrigeration cycle apparatus 24 includes a compressor 241, a refrigerant radiator 242, and an expansion valve 243 in addition to the second condenser 244. In the refrigeration cycle device 24, the compressor 241 compresses the sucked refrigerant and discharges it. Then, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 241 flows in the order of the refrigerant radiator 242, the expansion valve 243, and the second condenser 244, and is sucked into the compressor 241 from the second condenser 244.

  The refrigerant radiator 242 radiates heat from the refrigerant to, for example, air, thereby condensing the refrigerant. The expansion valve 243 expands the condensed refrigerant under reduced pressure.

  The second condenser 244 exchanges heat between the working fluid evaporated in the heat exchanging unit 40 of the evaporator 12 and flowing through the communication passage 201 and the refrigerant from the expansion valve 243, and radiates heat from the working fluid to the refrigerant. Thereby, the second condenser 244 condenses the working fluid passing through the second condenser 244 in the communication path 201 and evaporates the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant flows from the second condenser 244 to the compressor 241. Further, the liquid-phase working fluid condensed by the second condenser 244 flows to the liquid supply unit 42 of the evaporator 12 through the liquid passage 181.

  Further, when the compressor 241 is stopped, the refrigerant does not circulate in the refrigeration cycle device 24, and heat exchange in the second condenser 244 is not performed. Therefore, for example, when a gas-phase working fluid flows through the communication path 201 while the compressor 241 is stopped, it flows out of the communication path 201 in the gas phase and reaches the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22. can do.

  Note that the compressor 241 of the refrigeration cycle device 24 does not operate when the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 closes the liquid passage 181. In order to realize such an operation of the compressor 241, for example, a battery temperature is detected by a temperature sensor or the like. Then, the compressor 241 is operated when the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature determination value set higher than the full-open temperature TP1 in FIG. 5, and when the battery temperature becomes equal to or lower than the temperature determination value. Is stopped.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the device temperature adjustment device 1 includes the second condenser 244 in addition to the first condenser 15. The second condenser 244 is provided in the communication path 201. Therefore, the communication path 201 can be used as a flow path for guiding the gaseous working fluid to the second condenser 244. That is, when the second condenser 244 is provided as in the present embodiment, the working fluid circuit 10 can be simplified.

  Although this embodiment is a modification based on the first embodiment, it is possible to combine this embodiment with any of the third, fifth, and seventh embodiments described above.

(Ninth embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the above-described eighth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the apparatus temperature control apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with a coolant circulation device 25 in place of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 24 of FIG. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the eighth embodiment. FIG. 24 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 as in FIG.

  The coolant circulates in the coolant circulation device 25 in FIG. 24, and includes a fluid pump 251, a coolant radiator 252, and a second condenser 244. In the coolant circulation device 25, when the liquid pump 251 is operated, the liquid pump 251 flows in the order of the second condenser 244 and the coolant radiator 252, and returns from the coolant radiator 252 to the liquid pump 251.

  The coolant radiator 252 radiates heat from the coolant to, for example, air.

  The second condenser 244 of the present embodiment exchanges heat between the working fluid evaporated in the heat exchanging unit 40 of the evaporator 12 and flowing through the communication passage 201 and the coolant from the liquid pump 251, and from the working fluid to the coolant Dissipate heat. Thereby, the second condenser 244 condenses the working fluid passing through the second condenser 244 in the communication path 201.

  In addition, when the liquid pump 251 is stopped, the cooling liquid is not circulated by the cooling liquid circulation device 25, and heat exchange is not performed by the second condenser 244. Therefore, for example, when a gas-phase working fluid flows through the communication path 201 while the liquid pump 251 is stopped, it flows out of the communication path 201 in the gas phase and reaches the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22. can do.

  The liquid pump 251 of the coolant circulation device 25 does not operate when the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 closes the liquid passage 181. In order to realize the operation of the liquid pump 251, for example, the battery temperature is detected by a temperature sensor or the like. Then, the liquid pump 251 is operated when the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature determination value set higher than the full-open temperature TP1 of FIG. 5, and when the battery temperature becomes equal to or lower than the temperature determination value. Is stopped.

  Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the eighth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 8th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 8th Embodiment.

(10th Embodiment)
Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the opening degree adjusting device 22 has a temperature sensing part cover 226 that covers the temperature sensing part 225. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment.

  The temperature sensing unit cover 226 of the present embodiment is connected to the apparatus main body 222 so as not to move relative thereto. When the liquid passage 181 is opened by the valve body 221 and the liquid-phase working fluid flows from the upstream side of the working fluid flow to the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the temperature sensing unit 225, the temperature sensing unit cover 226 The temperature sensing unit 225 is prevented from covering the flowing liquid phase working fluid.

  Therefore, the temperature sensing part cover 226 has an umbrella part 226a and a side cover part 226b. The umbrella part 226a is provided between the valve body 221 and the temperature sensing part 225, and prevents the temperature sensing part 225 from receiving the liquid phase working fluid from the upstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage 181. A through-hole through which the operating pin 224 is inserted is formed in the umbrella part 226a, and the operating pin 224 is movable relative to the umbrella part 226a.

  The side cover part 226b of the temperature sensing part cover 226 is connected to the umbrella part 226a. Specifically, the side cover 226b is formed to have a cylindrical shape extending from the outer peripheral edge of the umbrella 226a to the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage 181. And the temperature sensing part 225 is arrange | positioned inside the cylinder shape.

  Also, the side of the cylindrical side cover 226b opposite to the umbrella 226a side, that is, the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage 181 (for example, the lower side of the vehicle vertical direction DRg in FIG. 25) is opened. Yes. Therefore, the end portion of the side cover portion 226b on the downstream side of the working fluid flow is an open portion 226c that is partially opened to the outside of the temperature sensing portion cover 226. The open portion 226c includes a downstream open portion 226d that opens toward the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage 181.

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the opening degree adjusting device 22 has the temperature sensing part cover 226 that covers the temperature sensing part 225. And the temperature sensing part cover 226 suppresses the temperature sensing part 225 from covering the liquid phase working fluid flowing from the working fluid flow upstream side to the temperature sensing part 225 from the working fluid flow downstream side. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensing unit 225 from being cooled excessively due to the temperature sensing unit 225 directly receiving the liquid-phase working fluid cooled by the condenser 15. Then, it is possible to prevent the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181 from being unnecessarily generated due to excessive cooling of the temperature sensing unit 225.

  Here, for example, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 27, in the configuration in which the opening 226 c is not provided and the temperature sensing part cover 226 completely covers the temperature sensing part 225, the gas phase is transferred from the communication path 201 to the temperature sensing part 225. The working fluid cannot reach and heat from the assembled battery BP is hardly transmitted to the temperature sensing unit 225. The arrow A3h represents the flow of the vapor-phase working fluid that has received heat from the battery pack BP and evaporated in the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181.

  In contrast to the comparative example shown in FIG. 27, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the temperature sensing part cover 226 is an opening part that is partially opened outside the temperature sensing part cover 226. 226c. Therefore, it is possible to provide the temperature sensing part cover 226 with a simple structure so that the temperature sensing part 225 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 does not prevent the battery temperature from being sensed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the opening 226 c of the temperature sensing unit cover 226 includes the downstream opening portion 226 d that is opened toward the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage 181. Here, in the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181, the vapor-phase working fluid that has received heat from the assembled battery BP and evaporated is the temperature sensing portion 225 from the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the temperature sensing portion 225 as indicated by an arrow A 3 h in FIG. To reach. Therefore, the temperature sensing part cover 226 can be configured so as not to prevent the temperature sensing part 225 from sensing the battery temperature as compared with the case where the opening part 226c is not included in the downstream opening part 226d. . The case where the open portion 226c does not include the downstream open portion 226d is, for example, a case where the temperature sensing unit cover 226 is not opened facing the downstream side of the working fluid flow.

  In addition, although this embodiment is a modification based on 1st Embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with either of the above-mentioned 2nd-9 embodiment.

(Eleventh embodiment)
Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the tenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the portion of the liquid passage 181 where the opening degree adjusting device 22 is arranged is formed to extend in the horizontal direction, and the axial direction of the operating pin 224 is oriented along the horizontal direction. ing. Except for this point, the present embodiment is the same as the tenth embodiment.

  And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 10th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 10th Embodiment. FIG. 28 shows a fully opened state of the liquid passage 181, and the flow of the liquid phase working fluid around the opening degree adjusting device 22 is indicated by an arrow.

(Twelfth embodiment)
Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the above-described eleventh embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the portion of the liquid passage 181 where the opening degree adjusting device 22 is disposed is formed to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the vehicle vertical direction DRg, not in the horizontal direction. However, the direction of the liquid passage 181 is such that the liquid-phase working fluid flowing from the condenser 15 to the liquid supply part 42 of the evaporator 12 flows obliquely downward. The axial direction of the operating pin 224 is oriented along the direction in which the portion of the liquid passage 181 extends. Except for this point, the present embodiment is the same as the eleventh embodiment.

  And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 11th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 11th Embodiment. FIG. 29 shows a fully opened state of the liquid passage 181, and the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid around the opening degree adjusting device 22 is indicated by an arrow.

(13th Embodiment)
Next, a thirteenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the tenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the temperature sensing unit cover 226 of the present embodiment is fixed to the operating pin 224 instead of the apparatus main body 222, and can be moved relative to the apparatus main body 222. The opening adjustment device 22 has a coil spring 227. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the tenth embodiment. 30A shows the fully open state of the liquid passage 181, and FIG. 30B shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181. 30 represents the amount of displacement of the valve body 221 when the liquid passage 181 transitions from the fully closed state to the fully open state.

  In the present embodiment, the valve body 221, the operation pin 224, and the temperature sensing unit cover 226 are integrally moved in the axial direction of the operation pin 224 along the vehicle vertical direction DRg. The coil spring 227 is a biasing member that biases the temperature sensing unit cover 226 downward.

  Accordingly, the coil spring 227 biases the valve body 221 toward the side where the valve body 221 reduces the opening of the liquid passage 181. Then, the temperature sensing object 223 expands as the temperature of the temperature sensing object 223 increases, whereby the valve element 221 is biased by the coil spring 227 toward the side where the valve element 221 increases the opening of the liquid passage 181. Move against.

  Except for what has been described above, the present embodiment is the same as the tenth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 10th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 10th Embodiment.

  Although this embodiment is a modification based on the tenth embodiment, this embodiment can be combined with the above-described eleventh or twelfth embodiment.

(14th Embodiment)
Next, a fourteenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the thirteenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 31, in the present embodiment, in the portion of the liquid passage 181 where the opening degree adjusting device 22 is disposed, the upper side of the vehicle vertical direction DRg is the upstream side of the working fluid flow, and the lower side is the working fluid. It is on the downstream side of the flow. This is the same as in the thirteenth embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the thirteenth embodiment, the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 decreases as the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 moves upward. 31A shows the fully open state of the liquid passage 181, and FIG. 31B shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181. 31 represents the amount of displacement of the valve body 221 when the liquid passage 181 transitions from the fully closed state to the fully open state.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the device main body 222 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 is not fixed to the liquid passage portion 18. The valve body 221 and the temperature sensor cover 226 of the opening adjustment device 22 are fixed to the device main body 222.

  The operation pin 224 is inserted through the pin guide portion 222b of the apparatus main body 222 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Therefore, the apparatus main body 222, the valve body 221 and the temperature sensing part cover 226 are integrally movable in the axial direction of the operating pin 224, that is, the vehicle vertical direction DRg.

  The operating pin 224 is not fixed to the valve body 221, the upper end of the operating pin 224 is fixed to the liquid passage portion 18, and the lower end of the operating pin 224 is connected to the temperature sensitive object 223 in the apparatus main body 222. It is connected.

  The coil spring 227 is disposed on the radially outer side with respect to the side cover portion 226b of the temperature-sensitive portion cover 226. The coil spring 227 is a biasing member that biases the temperature sensing unit cover 226 upward.

  Accordingly, the coil spring 227 biases the valve body 221 toward the side where the valve body 221 reduces the opening of the liquid passage 181. The temperature sensing object 223 expands as the temperature of the temperature sensing object 223 increases, whereby the valve element 221 moves toward the side where the valve element 221 increases the opening of the liquid passage 181 (that is, the lower side). Is moved against the urging force of the coil spring 227. The urging force of the coil spring 227 that urges the temperature sensing unit cover 226 upward is transmitted to the above-described operating pin 224 via the temperature sensing object 223. Then, the operating pin receiving portion 220 that does not move relative to the liquid passage portion 18 receives the biasing force. Thereby, the operating pin 224 has a mechanism in which the upper end of the operating pin 224 is fixed to the liquid passage portion 18.

  Therefore, in this embodiment as well as the thirteenth embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the opening adjustment device 22 uses the temperature sensing object 223, and the opening of the liquid passage 181 increases as the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing unit 225 increases. The valve body 221 is actuated so as to increase.

  Except for what has been described above, the present embodiment is the same as the thirteenth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the same structure as above-mentioned 13th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 13th Embodiment.

(Fifteenth embodiment)
Next, a fifteenth embodiment is described. In the present embodiment, differences from the tenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, in the present embodiment, in the portion of the liquid passage 181 where the opening degree adjusting device 22 is disposed, the upper side of the vehicle vertical direction DRg is the upstream side of the working fluid flow, and the lower side The side is the working fluid flow downstream side. This is the same as in the tenth embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the tenth embodiment, the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 decreases as the valve body 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 moves upward. Further, the opening degree adjusting device 22 does not have the device main body 222, and the configuration of the temperature sensing unit 225 is different from that of the tenth embodiment. 32 shows the fully closed state of the liquid passage 181, and FIG. 33 shows the fully opened state of the liquid passage 181. In FIG. 33, the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid around the opening degree adjusting device 22 is represented by arrows.

  Specifically, the opening degree adjusting device 22 has a disk portion 228 that expands in a disk shape in the radial direction of the operating pin 224. The disk portion 228 has a plurality of through holes 228a through which the working fluid flows in the vehicle vertical direction DRg.

  The upper end of the operating pin 224 is fixed to the valve body 221, and the lower end of the operating pin 224 is fixed to the disk portion 228. The valve body 221, the operating pin 224, and the disk portion 228 are integrally movable in the axial direction of the operating pin 224, that is, the vehicle vertical direction DRg.

  In addition, the temperature sensing unit 225 of the present embodiment includes a temperature sensing spring 229 instead of a thermal expansion body as a temperature sensing material having a physical property indicating a physical change according to temperature. More specifically, the temperature sensing part 225 does not have anything other than the temperature sensing spring 229, and is composed of the temperature sensing spring 229.

  This temperature-sensitive spring 229 is, for example, a compression coil spring. The temperature-sensitive spring 229 is a biasing member that biases the disk portion 228 downward. Specifically, the temperature-sensitive spring 229 is attached in a compressed state, and the valve body 221 moves downward as the temperature-sensitive spring 229 extends, and the opening degree of the liquid passage 181 increases.

  The temperature sensitive spring 229 is disposed on the radially outer side with respect to the valve body 221. As a result, the temperature-sensitive spring 229 is disposed in the working fluid circuit 10 at a location exposed to the gas-phase working fluid when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181 in the same manner as in the tenth embodiment.

  In addition, the coil spring 227 is disposed on the opposite side to the temperature-sensitive spring 229 with respect to the disc portion 228, that is, on the lower side. The coil spring 227 biases the disk portion 228 upward against the temperature-sensitive spring 229.

  The spring constant of the temperature-sensitive spring 229 increases as the temperature of the temperature-sensitive spring 229 increases. In the process of increasing the temperature, the spring constant increases rapidly with a certain temperature as a boundary. Therefore, for example, when the valve body 221 is at a predetermined position in the vehicle vertical direction DRg, the thrust of the temperature sensing spring 229, that is, the urging force, changes as shown in FIG. 34 with respect to the temperature of the temperature sensing spring 229.

  Therefore, when the temperature of the temperature sensing spring 229 reaches a predetermined fully open temperature TP1, the urging force of the temperature sensing spring 229 overcomes the urging force of the coil spring 227, and the temperature sensing spring 229 moves the valve body 221 downward to liquid. The passage 181 is fully opened. That is, in this embodiment as well as the tenth embodiment, the temperature sensing part 225 having the temperature sensing spring 229 uses the temperature sensing spring 229, and the higher the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing part 225, the higher the opening of the liquid passage 181. The valve body 221 is actuated so as to increase.

  Conversely, when the temperature of the temperature-sensitive spring 229 falls below a temperature threshold slightly lower than the fully-open temperature TP1 in FIG. 34 and the urging force of the temperature-sensitive spring 229 is less than the urging force of the coil spring 227, the coil spring 227 The liquid passage 181 is fully closed by moving it upward.

  As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the temperature sensing part cover 226 does not have the umbrella part 226a of FIG. 25, but has a side cover part 226b. The side cover portion 226 b has a cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle vertical direction DRg, and is fixed to the liquid passage portion 18. The side cover portion 226 b is disposed on the radially inner side of the temperature-sensitive spring 229 and on the radially outer side of the valve body 221.

  Except for what has been described above, the present embodiment is the same as the tenth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 10th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 10th Embodiment.

  Although this embodiment is a modification based on the tenth embodiment, this embodiment can be combined with the above-described eleventh or twelfth embodiment.

(Sixteenth embodiment)
Next, a sixteenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 35, the condenser 15 of the present embodiment is an air-cooled condenser that condenses the working fluid by dissipating heat from the working fluid by exchanging heat between the air and the working fluid. The condenser 15 includes an upper header tank 52, a lower header tank 53, a plurality of tubes 54, and a plurality of outer fins 55. Further, the opening degree adjusting device 22 is built in the working fluid outlet portion of the lower header tank 53. In these points, the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment.

  Specifically, in the condenser 15 of this embodiment, the upper header tank 52 is disposed above the lower header tank 53. A plurality of tubes 54 and a plurality of outer fins 55 are provided between the upper header tank 52 and the lower header tank 53 in the vehicle vertical direction DRg, and the plurality of tubes 54 and the plurality of outer fins 55 are In addition, they are alternately stacked in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vehicle vertical direction DRg.

  Each of the plurality of tubes 54 extends in the vehicle vertical direction DRg, and is connected to the upper header tank 52 at the upper end of the tube 54 and is connected to the lower header tank 53 at the lower end of the tube 54. The plurality of tubes 54 and the plurality of outer fins 55 as a whole constitute a core portion 56 that exchanges heat between the working fluid flowing in the tube 54 and the air passing between the tubes 54. In FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 described later, the central portion of the core portion 56 is not shown.

  A gas piping member 165 is connected to the upper header tank 52 via an upper joint 164. The gas piping member 165 is connected to the fluid outflow portion 44 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 at a connection end opposite to the upper header tank 52 side.

  Therefore, the gas piping member 165 is included in the gas passage portion 16, and the upper header tank 52 is included in both the gas passage portion 16 and the condenser 15.

  A liquid piping member 185 is connected to the lower header tank 53 via a lower joint 184. The liquid piping member 185 is connected to the liquid supply part 42 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 at a connection end opposite to the lower header tank 53 side.

  Therefore, the liquid piping member 185 is included in the liquid passage portion 18, and the lower header tank 53 is included in both the liquid passage portion 18 and the condenser 15.

  Further, the opening degree adjusting device 22 of the present embodiment is built in a working fluid outlet portion connected to the lower joint 184 in the lower header tank 53. For example, the opening adjustment device 22 is configured as a cartridge-type thermo valve, and is inserted into the working fluid outlet portion of the lower header tank 53 thereof.

  When the opening adjustment device 22 is a cartridge-type thermo valve, after inserting the thermo valve into the working fluid outlet portion of the lower header tank 53, the lower joint 184 is fastened to the working fluid outlet portion. The position of the thermo valve can be fixed. Further, the periphery of the thermo valve is sealed with a cylindrical seal or a thrust seal.

  In the condenser 15 configured as described above, the working fluid from the fluid outflow portion 44 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 passes through the gas piping member 165 and the upper joint 164 in the order of description, and the upper header tank 52. Into the interior space as indicated by the arrow FA1. The inflowing working fluid is distributed from the internal space of the upper header tank 52 into the plurality of tubes 54. In the plurality of tubes 54, the working fluid is condensed by heat exchange with air while flowing from above to below.

  The condensed working fluid flows into the inner space of the lower header tank 53 from the plurality of tubes 54. The inflowing working fluid passes from the internal space of the lower header tank 53 through the opening degree adjusting device 22, the lower joint 184, and the liquid piping member 185 in the order of description, and as shown by the arrow FA2, in the evaporator 12. To the liquid supply section 42 (see FIG. 11).

  Except as described above, the present embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 2nd Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 2nd Embodiment.

(17th Embodiment)
Next, a seventeenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the above-described sixteenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the working fluid circuit 10 of the present embodiment has a communication part 20. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the sixteenth embodiment.

  Specifically, the communication portion 20 of the present embodiment is configured by a pipe member that allows the upper joint 164 and the lower joint 184 to communicate with each other. That is, the communication part 20 is connected to the upper joint 164 at one end of the communication part 20 and is connected to the lower joint 184 at the other end of the communication part 20. As a result, the communication portion 20 connects the internal space of the upper joint 164 that forms part of the gas passage 161 and the internal space of the lower joint 184 that forms part of the liquid passage 181 to the communication passage 201 of the communication portion 20. (Refer to FIG. 1).

  Except for what has been described above, the present embodiment is the same as the sixteenth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 16th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 16th Embodiment.

  In addition, since the working fluid circuit 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the communication portion 20, the circuit configuration of the working fluid circuit 10 of the present embodiment is the same as the circuit configuration of the working fluid circuit 10 of the first embodiment. is there. Therefore, in this embodiment, the effect produced from the configuration common to the first embodiment described above can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

(Eighteenth embodiment)
Next, an eighteenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the above-described sixteenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the condenser 15 of the present embodiment is a refrigerant condenser that condenses the working fluid by dissipating heat from the working fluid by exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle apparatus and the working fluid. That is, in the condenser 15 of this embodiment, the heat receiving medium that receives heat from the working fluid is the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle apparatus. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the sixteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the refrigeration cycle apparatus in which the refrigerant that exchanges heat with the working fluid in the condenser 15 circulates is the same as the refrigeration cycle apparatus 24 shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 37, the condenser 15 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of working fluid tubes 60 through which a working fluid flows and a plurality of heat receiving medium tubes 61 through which a refrigerant as a heat receiving medium flows. doing. Each of these tubes 60 and 61 has a flat shape. The working fluid tube 60 and the heat receiving medium tube 61 are alternately stacked in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vehicle vertical direction DRg, and the adjacent tubes 60 and 61 are joined to each other so as to be able to transfer heat.

  Further, the upper end portion of the working fluid tube 60 and the heat receiving medium tube 61 constitutes an upper header portion 62, and the lower end portion constitutes a lower header portion 63. The portions of the upper header portion 62 belonging to the working fluid tube 60 communicate with each other to form the upper working fluid header portion 621, and the portions belonging to the heat receiving medium tube 61 communicate with each other to communicate with the upper heat receiving portion. A medium header portion 622 is configured. That is, the upper header part 62 has an upper working fluid header part 621 and an upper heat receiving medium header part 622. Further, the upper working fluid header 621 and the upper heat receiving medium header 622 are not in communication with each other.

  The structure of the lower header part 63 is the same as the structure of the upper header part 62 described above. Specifically, the portions belonging to the working fluid tube 60 in the lower header portion 63 communicate with each other to form the lower working fluid header portion 631, and the portions belonging to the heat receiving medium tube 61 are mutually connected. The lower heat receiving medium header portion 632 is configured to communicate. That is, the lower header part 63 has a lower working fluid header part 631 and a lower heat receiving medium header part 632. Further, the lower working fluid header 631 and the lower heat receiving medium header 632 are not in communication with each other.

  A gas piping member is connected to the upper working fluid header portion 621 through an upper joint 164. This gas piping member is connected to the fluid outflow portion 44 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 at a connection end opposite to the upper working fluid header portion 621 side.

  Therefore, the gas piping member is included in the gas passage portion 16, and the upper working fluid header portion 621 is included in both the gas passage portion 16 and the condenser 15.

  In addition, a refrigerant inlet side of a compressor included in the refrigeration cycle apparatus is connected to the upper heat receiving medium header portion 622 via a heat receiving medium outlet pipe 64. Accordingly, the refrigerant that has flowed out of the upper heat receiving medium header 622 passes through the heat receiving medium outlet pipe 64 and is sucked into the compressor.

  A liquid piping member is connected to the lower working fluid header 631 through a lower joint 184. This liquid piping member is connected to the liquid supply section 42 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 at a connection end opposite to the lower working fluid header section 631 side.

  Therefore, the liquid piping member is included in the liquid passage portion 18, and the lower working fluid header portion 631 is included in both the liquid passage portion 18 and the condenser 15.

  In addition, a refrigerant outlet side of an expansion valve included in the refrigeration cycle apparatus is connected to the lower heat receiving medium header portion 632 via a heat receiving medium inlet pipe 65. Accordingly, the refrigerant decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve flows into the lower heat receiving medium header portion 632.

  As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the opening degree adjusting device 22 of this embodiment is built in a working fluid outlet portion connected to the lower joint 184 in the lower working fluid header portion 631. The opening adjusting device 22 of the present embodiment is configured as a cartridge-type thermo valve, for example, as in the sixteenth embodiment, and is inserted into the working fluid outlet portion of the lower working fluid header 631.

  In the condenser 15 configured in this way, the working fluid from the fluid outlet 44 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 passes through the upper joint 164 and into the upper working fluid header 621 as indicated by the arrow FB1. Inflow. The inflowing working fluid is distributed to each working fluid tube 60, and flows in the working fluid tube 60 from above to below as indicated by an arrow FB2.

  In addition, the refrigerant flows into the lower heat receiving medium header 632 from the expansion valve of the refrigeration cycle apparatus as indicated by an arrow FC1. The refrigerant that has flowed in is distributed to each heat receiving medium tube 61 and flows through the heat receiving medium tube 61 from below to above as indicated by an arrow FC2.

  At this time, the working fluid flowing in the working fluid tube 60 as indicated by the arrow FB2 and the refrigerant flowing in the heat receiving medium tube 61 as indicated by the arrow FC2 mutually exchange heat. The heat exchanged working fluid is condensed and flows into the lower working fluid header 631, and the heat exchanged refrigerant evaporates and flows into the upper heat receiving medium header 622.

  The working fluid that has flowed into the lower working fluid header 631 passes from the lower working fluid header 631 through the opening degree adjusting device 22 and the lower joint 184 in the order of description, and as shown by the arrow FB3 in the evaporator 12. To the liquid supply section 42 (see FIG. 11).

  Then, the refrigerant flowing into the upper heat receiving medium header 622 flows from the upper heat receiving medium header 622 to the compressor of the refrigeration cycle apparatus as indicated by an arrow FC3.

  Except for what has been described above, the present embodiment is the same as the sixteenth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 16th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 16th Embodiment.

(Nineteenth embodiment)
Next, a nineteenth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, differences from the above-described eighteenth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the condenser 15 of this embodiment is a water-cooled condenser that condenses the working fluid by dissipating heat from the working fluid by exchanging heat between the cooling water and the working fluid. That is, in the condenser 15 of this embodiment, the heat receiving medium that receives heat from the working fluid is cooling water. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the eighteenth embodiment.

  Further, in the condenser 15 of the present embodiment, unlike the eighteenth embodiment, the lower heat receiving medium header section 632 includes a first heat receiving medium header section 632a and a second heat receiving medium header section 632b. The first heat receiving medium header portion 632a is disposed on one side in the horizontal direction with respect to the second heat receiving medium header portion 632b. Further, the first heat receiving medium header 632a communicates with the second heat receiving medium header 632b via the upper heat receiving medium header 622, but directly communicates with the second heat receiving medium header 632b. Not. More specifically, in the coolant flow path, the first heat receiving medium header 632a is provided upstream of the upper heat receiving medium header 622, and the second heat receiving medium header 632b is connected to the upper heat receiving medium header 622. It is provided on the downstream side.

  In the present embodiment, the heat receiving medium tube 61 having the lower end belonging to the first heat receiving medium header 632a is referred to as a first heat receiving medium tube 61a. The heat receiving medium tube 61 having the lower end part belonging to the second heat receiving medium header part 632b is referred to as a second heat receiving medium tube 61b. Further, when the first heat receiving medium tube 61a and the second heat receiving medium tube 61b are collectively referred to without distinction, they are simply referred to as the heat receiving medium tube 61 or the heat receiving medium tubes 61a and 61b.

  In the present embodiment, the heat receiving medium inlet pipe 65 is connected to the first heat receiving medium header section 632a of the lower heat receiving medium header section 632, and the heat receiving medium outlet pipe 64 is connected to the second heat receiving medium header section 632b. Yes. Further, neither the heat receiving medium outlet pipe 64 nor the heat receiving medium inlet pipe 65 is connected to the upper heat receiving medium header section 622.

  As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the opening degree adjusting device 22 of the present embodiment is an operation connected to the lower joint 184 in the lower working fluid header 631 as in the eighteenth embodiment. Built in the fluid outlet. The opening adjusting device 22 of the present embodiment is configured as a cartridge-type thermo valve, for example, as in the eighteenth embodiment, and is inserted into the working fluid outlet portion of the lower working fluid header 631.

  In the condenser 15 configured as described above, the working fluid from the fluid outlet 44 (see FIG. 11) of the evaporator 12 passes through the upper joint 164 and into the upper working fluid header 621 as indicated by an arrow FD1. Inflow. The inflowing working fluid is distributed to each working fluid tube 60, and flows through the working fluid tube 60 from the upper side to the lower side as indicated by an arrow FD2.

  Cooling water flows into the first heat receiving medium header 632a from the outside of the condenser 15 through the heat receiving medium inlet pipe 65 as indicated by an arrow FE1. The inflowing cooling water is distributed to each first heat receiving medium tube 61a, and flows through the first heat receiving medium tube 61a from below to above as indicated by an arrow FE2. Further, the cooling water flows from each first heat receiving medium tube 61a into the upper heat receiving medium header 622 and is distributed to each second heat receiving medium tube 61b while flowing in the upper heat receiving medium header 622 as indicated by arrow FE3. The The cooling water distributed to each second heat receiving medium tube 61b flows from the upper side to the lower side in the second heat receiving medium tube 61b as indicated by an arrow FE4.

  At this time, the working fluid flowing in the working fluid tube 60 and the cooling water flowing in the heat receiving medium tubes 61a and 61b exchange heat with each other. The heat-exchanged working fluid is condensed and flows into the lower working fluid header 631.

  The working fluid that has flowed into the lower working fluid header 631 passes from the lower working fluid header 631 through the opening degree adjusting device 22 and the lower joint 184 in the order of description, and as shown by the arrow FD3 in the evaporator 12. To the liquid supply section 42 (see FIG. 11).

  And the cooling water which flowed in in the 2nd heat receiving medium header part 632b is discharged | emitted from the 2nd heat receiving medium header part 632b to the exterior of the condenser 15 like arrow FE5.

  Except for what has been described above, the present embodiment is the same as the eighteenth embodiment. And in this embodiment, the effect show | played from the structure common to the above-mentioned 18th Embodiment can be acquired similarly to 18th Embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the third embodiment described above, the heat exchanging unit 40 of the evaporator 12 is connected to the assembled battery BP with the heat conducting material 38 interposed between the heat exchanging unit 40 and the assembled battery BP, for example. This is an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 41, the heat conducting material 38 is provided not only between the heat exchanging unit 40 and the assembled battery BP but also wound around the entire circumference of the heat exchanging unit 40. It may be. In this way, when the valve element 221 of the opening degree adjusting device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, the heat of the assembled battery BP is easily transmitted to the liquid-phase working fluid accumulated in the lower part of the heat exchange unit 40. Become.

  Even if the thermal conductivity of the heat exchanging unit 40 is increased by increasing the thickness of the plate material constituting the heat exchanging unit 40, the liquid-phase working fluid accumulated in the lower part of the heat exchanging unit 40 can be obtained as described above. Heat of the assembled battery BP is easily transmitted.

  (2) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 1, when the valve element 221 of the opening adjustment device 22 closes the liquid passage 181, there is a liquid-phase working fluid in the heat exchange unit 40. A sufficient amount of the working fluid is enclosed in the working fluid circuit 10, but this is an example.

  Not limited to this, it is only necessary that the working fluid circuit 10 has a sufficient amount of working fluid sealed so that the liquid phase working fluid exists in the evaporator 12 when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181. It can also be considered. Even if it does in this way, although it is indirectly, it is because the liquid-phase working fluid can receive heat from assembled battery BP, and is evaporated by the heat reception. For example, when the amount of sealing is determined as described above, as shown in FIG. 42, when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181, the liquid-phase working fluid is contained in the liquid supply unit 42 of the evaporator 12. It may be present but not present in the heat exchange unit 40. In this case, by increasing the plate thickness of the multi-hole tube 50 constituting the heat exchanging unit 40, heat from the assembled battery BP can be easily transferred to the portion of the evaporator 12 where the liquid-phase working fluid is accumulated. Good.

  In short, when the valve body 221 closes the liquid passage 181, it is preferable that the liquid-phase working fluid exists in the heat exchange unit 40, but otherwise, the evaporator 12 that can exchange heat with the assembled battery BP. It suffices if a liquid-phase working fluid exists in the inner portion. A part in the evaporator 12 that can exchange heat with the assembled battery BP, in other words, a part of the evaporator 12 that can exchange heat with the assembled battery BP includes, for example, the heat exchanging unit 40 or the liquid of the evaporator 12. The supply unit 42 and the like are applicable.

  (3) In the tenth embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 25, the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage 181 in the side cover 226 b of the temperature sensing part cover 226 is opened, and the temperature sensing part cover 226 does not cover the working fluid flow downstream of the temperature sensing unit 225 at all. However, this is an example, and as shown in FIG. 43, the temperature sensing unit cover 226 may partially cover the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the temperature sensing unit 225.

  (4) In the tenth embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 25, the temperature sensing unit cover 226 has a side cover 226b, but this is only an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 44, it is conceivable that the temperature-sensitive part cover 226 does not have the side cover part 226b. In this case, since there is no side cover portion 226b, the outer peripheral edge portion of the umbrella portion 226a is an open portion 226c. FIG. 44 shows a fully opened state of the liquid passage 181, and the flow of the liquid-phase working fluid around the opening degree adjusting device 22 is indicated by an arrow.

  (5) In the eleventh embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 28, the temperature sensing unit cover 226 does not cover the working fluid flow downstream side with respect to the temperature sensing unit 225 at all, but this is an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 45, the temperature sensing unit cover 226 may have a downstream side covering portion 226 e that partially covers the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the temperature sensing unit 225. The downstream cover portion 226e is connected to the side cover portion 226b, and covers the temperature sensitive portion 225 while being biased downward in the range where the temperature sensitive portion 225 occupies the vehicle vertical direction DRg. This is because when the liquid-phase working fluid flows around the temperature sensing portion 225, the liquid-phase working fluid is biased downward in the liquid passage 181 and flows as indicated by an arrow AL1.

  Then, the downstream side cover 226e shown in FIG. 45 can prevent the liquid-phase working fluid from being applied to the temperature sensing part 225 as indicated by the arrow AL2 from the flow indicated by the arrow AL1.

  In the example of FIG. 45, the side cover 226b of the temperature sensing part cover 226 has a cylindrical shape so as to cover the entire circumference of the temperature sensing part 225, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 46, the side cover 226 b may be opened without partially covering the temperature sensing part 225 on the upper side with respect to the temperature sensing part 225.

  What has been described with reference to FIGS. 45 and 46 is the same as in the twelfth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 47 corresponding to FIG. 45 and FIG. 48 corresponding to FIG.

  (6) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication path 201 extends in the horizontal direction from the second joining portion 182, but this is an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 49, the communication path 201 may be extended from the second joining portion 182 in a direction upward from the horizontal direction, for example, in an obliquely upward direction. This is the same in the embodiments other than the first embodiment as long as the communication unit 20 is provided.

(7) In each embodiment described above, the working fluid filled in the working fluid circuit 10 is, for example, a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant, but the working fluid in the working fluid circuit 10 is not limited to the chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant. For example, as the working fluid filled in the working fluid circuit 10, other refrigerants such as propane or CO ₂ and other media that change phase may be used.

  (8) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the target device whose temperature is adjusted by the device temperature control apparatus 1 is the assembled battery BP, but the target device may not be the assembled battery BP.

  (9) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, when the opening of the liquid passage 181 reaches the minimum opening, the liquid passage 181 is blocked by the valve body 221 of the opening adjustment device 22. It is an example. For example, the valve body 221 does not completely close the liquid passage 181 at the minimum opening of the liquid passage 181, and may allow the working fluid to flow slightly.

  (10) In the sixteenth embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 35, the opening degree adjusting device 22 is configured as, for example, a cartridge-type thermo valve, and is built in the working fluid outlet portion of the lower header tank 53. This is an example. For example, the opening degree adjusting device 22 is not built in the lower header tank 53 but is disposed between the lower header tank 53 and the lower joint 184, and is connected to the lower header tank 53 and the lower joint 184. There is no problem even if they are connected and fixed in series. The same applies to the seventeenth to nineteenth embodiments.

  (11) In the eighteenth and nineteenth embodiments described above, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 39, the working fluid circuit 10 does not have the communication portion 20, but the upper joint 164 is similar to the seventeenth embodiment. It may be possible to have the communication portion 20 that connects the lower joint 184 and the lower joint 184.

  (12) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. Further, the above embodiments are not irrelevant to each other, and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. In each of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated as essential and clearly considered essential in principle. Yes.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. The number is not limited to the specific number except for the case. In each of the above embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc., unless otherwise specified, or in principle limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. The material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are not limited.

(Summary)
According to the 1st viewpoint shown by one part or all part of said each embodiment, an opening degree adjustment apparatus has an opening degree increase / decrease part which is arrange | positioned at the liquid passage and increases / decreases the opening degree of the liquid passage. In addition, the opening degree adjusting device has a temperature sensing part arranged at a location exposed to the gas phase working fluid in the working fluid circuit when the opening degree increasing / decreasing unit closes the liquid passage. The temperature-sensitive part has a temperature-sensitive material having a physical property that shows a physical change according to the temperature, and the temperature-sensitive part is opened so that the opening degree increases as the ambient temperature of the temperature-sensitive part increases. Activate the degree increase / decrease part.

  Further, according to the second aspect, the communication portion is included in the working fluid circuit, and the communication portion communicates with the gas passage on the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the opening degree increase / decrease portion of the liquid passage. Is formed. And the confluence | merging part of a gas passage and a communicating path, and the confluence | merging part of a liquid passage and a communicating path are rather than the liquid level of the working fluid produced in a working fluid circuit, when an opening degree increase / decrease part obstruct | occludes a liquid passage. Arranged above. Therefore, it is possible to send the working fluid evaporated in the heat exchanger for equipment due to the heat of the target equipment to the temperature sensing part of the opening adjustment device via the communication path and bypassing the condenser. That is, it is possible to send the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger to the temperature sensing part of the opening adjustment device without being obstructed by the liquid-phase working fluid in the condenser.

  Moreover, according to the 3rd viewpoint, in addition to the said condenser as a 1st condenser, an apparatus temperature control apparatus is provided with a 2nd condenser. The second condenser is included in the working fluid circuit, is disposed above the equipment heat exchanger, condenses the working fluid by dissipating heat from the evaporated working fluid, and is provided in the communication path. Therefore, it is possible to use the communication path as a flow path for guiding the gaseous working fluid to the second condenser. That is, when the second condenser is provided, the working fluid circuit can be simplified.

  Further, according to the fourth aspect, the gas phase working fluid that flows from the equipment heat exchanger to the joining portion of the gas passage and the communication passage is connected in the case where the opening degree of the liquid passage is the maximum opening degree. The communication passage is formed so as to be easier to flow downstream of the working fluid flow with respect to the merging portion of the gas passage than to flow to the passage. Therefore, in the normal cooling operation in which the liquid passage opens and the working fluid circulates between the condenser and the equipment heat exchanger, the flow rate of the gas-phase working fluid that flows to the communication passage and bypasses the condenser can be suppressed. it can. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling capacity due to the flow of the working fluid that bypasses the condenser.

  Moreover, according to the 5th viewpoint, a communicating path is extended in the direction which becomes upward from a horizontal direction or a horizontal direction from the junction part of a liquid path and a communicating path. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid-phase working fluid flowing down the liquid passage due to gravity from flowing out of the liquid passage at the joining portion of the liquid passage and the communication passage.

  Moreover, according to the 6th viewpoint, a temperature sensing part is arrange | positioned in a working fluid flow downstream rather than an opening degree increase / decrease part among liquid passages. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the temperature-sensing part at a location exposed to the gas-phase working fluid with a simple configuration of the opening adjustment device.

  Moreover, according to the 7th viewpoint, the opening degree adjustment apparatus has a temperature sensing part cover which covers a temperature sensing part. The temperature sensing unit cover suppresses the temperature sensing unit from covering the liquid phase working fluid flowing from the upstream side of the working fluid flow to the downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the temperature sensing unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensing part from being excessively cooled due to the temperature sensing part directly receiving the liquid-phase working fluid cooled by the condenser.

  Moreover, according to the 8th viewpoint, the temperature sensing part cover has the open part partially opened outside the temperature sensing part cover. Therefore, it is possible to provide the temperature sensing part cover with a simple structure so as not to prevent the temperature sensing part of the opening adjustment device from sensing the temperature of the target device.

  According to the ninth aspect, the open portion includes a portion opened toward the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage. Therefore, the temperature sensing part cover can be configured so that the temperature sensing part of the opening adjustment device does not further hinder the sensing of the temperature of the target device as compared with the case where the opening part is not included. .

  Further, according to the tenth aspect, when the opening degree increase / decrease section closes the liquid passage, there is a liquid-phase working fluid in a portion in the equipment heat exchanger that can exchange heat with the target equipment. Therefore, when the liquid passage is blocked by the opening degree increase / decrease unit, the liquid phase working fluid in the working fluid circuit can receive heat from the target device, and thereby the liquid phase working fluid can be evaporated. .

  Moreover, according to the 11th viewpoint, the heat exchanger for apparatuses has a heat exchange part connected with respect to object apparatus so that heat conduction is possible, and evaporating a working fluid with the heat of object apparatus. When the opening degree increase / decrease part closes the liquid passage, a liquid-phase working fluid exists in the heat exchange part. Therefore, when the liquid passage is blocked by the opening degree increase / decrease part, it is possible to improve the followability of the operation in which the opening degree increase / decrease part opens the liquid passage according to the temperature rise of the target device.

  According to the twelfth aspect, the heat transfer member transfers the heat of the target device to a location other than the device heat exchanger in the working fluid circuit. When the opening degree increase / decrease section closes the liquid passage, the liquid phase working fluid exists in the above-mentioned places other than the equipment heat exchanger. Therefore, when the liquid passage is blocked by the opening degree increase / decrease unit, the liquid phase working fluid in the working fluid circuit can receive heat from the target device, and thereby the liquid phase working fluid can be evaporated. .

  According to the thirteenth aspect, the temperature-sensitive material is a thermal expansion body having physical properties that increase in volume as the temperature increases. And the volume of a thermal expansion body becomes large, so that the ambient temperature of a temperature sensing part is high, and an opening degree increase / decrease part enlarges the said opening degree, so that the volume of the thermal expansion body becomes large. Therefore, it is easy to connect the volume change, which is a physical change of the temperature sensing object, to the operation of the opening degree increase / decrease unit. Therefore, it is easy to make the opening adjustment device have a simple structure.

  According to the fourteenth aspect, the equipment heat exchanger has an upper connection portion to which the gas passage is connected and a lower connection portion to which the liquid passage is connected. The lower connection portion is disposed below the upper connection portion.

  According to the fifteenth aspect, the target device is an assembled battery for vehicle use. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the deterioration of the input / output characteristics of the assembled battery due to the excessive cooling of the assembled battery.

1 Equipment Temperature Control Device 10 Working Fluid Circuit 12 Evaporator (Equipment Heat Exchanger)
15 Condenser (first condenser)
22 Opening adjustment device 161 Gas passage 181 Liquid passage 221 Valve body (opening / reducing portion)
223 Temperature sensing element 225 Temperature sensing part

Claims (15)

A device temperature control device comprising a working fluid circuit (10) through which a working fluid circulates, and adjusting the temperature of a target device (BP) by a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase of the working fluid,
A heat exchanger for equipment (12) included in the working fluid circuit and evaporating the working fluid by absorbing heat from the target equipment to the working fluid;
A condenser (15) included in the working fluid circuit, disposed above the heat exchanger for equipment, and condensing the working fluid by dissipating heat from the evaporated working fluid;
A gas passage portion (16) formed with a gas passage (161) that is included in the working fluid circuit and flows the working fluid evaporated in the equipment heat exchanger from the equipment heat exchanger to the condenser; ,
A liquid passage part (18) in which a liquid passage (181) that is included in the working fluid circuit and flows the working fluid condensed in the condenser from the condenser to the equipment heat exchanger;
An opening degree increasing / decreasing unit (221) arranged in the liquid passage and increasing / decreasing the opening degree of the liquid passage, and the operation of the gas phase in the working fluid circuit when the opening degree increasing / closing part closes the liquid passage An opening degree adjusting device (22) having a temperature sensing portion (225) disposed at a location exposed to the fluid,
The temperature-sensitive part has a temperature-sensitive material (223, 229) having a physical property showing a physical change according to temperature, and the opening degree is increased as the ambient temperature of the temperature-sensitive part is higher. An apparatus temperature control device that operates the opening degree increase / decrease unit so as to increase the value. A communication portion (20), which is included in the working fluid circuit, and in which a communication passage (201) is formed to connect the gas passage with a downstream side of the working fluid flow with respect to the opening degree increase / decrease portion of the liquid passage;
The joining portion (162) of the gas passage and the communication passage, and the joining portion (182) of the liquid passage and the communication passage, the working fluid when the opening degree increase / decrease portion closes the liquid passage. The apparatus temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the device temperature control device is disposed above a liquid level (SF) of the working fluid generated in the circuit. In addition to the condenser as the first condenser, a second condenser (244) is provided,
The second condenser is included in the working fluid circuit, is disposed above the heat exchanger for equipment, and condenses the working fluid by dissipating heat from the evaporated working fluid, and is provided in the communication path. The apparatus temperature control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein   The gas-phase working fluid flowing from the equipment heat exchanger to the joining portion of the gas passage and the communication passage flows to the communication passage when the opening degree of the liquid passage is a maximum opening degree. 4. The apparatus temperature control device according to claim 2, wherein the communication passage is formed so as to be easier to flow downstream of the working fluid flow with respect to the merging portion of the gas passage.   The communication path according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the communication path extends from the joining portion of the liquid path and the communication path in a horizontal direction or a direction upward from the horizontal direction. Equipment temperature control device.   The apparatus temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature sensing unit is disposed downstream of the opening increase / decrease unit in the fluid passage with respect to the working fluid flow. The opening adjustment device has a temperature sensing part cover (226) that covers the temperature sensing part,
The device according to claim 6, wherein the temperature sensing unit cover prevents the temperature sensing unit from covering the liquid phase working fluid flowing from the working fluid flow upstream side to the working fluid flow downstream side with respect to the temperature sensing unit. Temperature control device.   The said temperature sensing part cover is an apparatus temperature control apparatus of Claim 7 which has the open part (226c) opened partially outside this temperature sensing part cover.   The apparatus temperature control device according to claim 8, wherein the opening includes a portion (226d) opened toward the downstream side of the working fluid flow in the liquid passage.   10. The liquid-phase working fluid is present in a portion of the device heat exchanger that can exchange heat with the target device when the opening degree increase / decrease section closes the liquid passage. The apparatus temperature control apparatus as described in any one. The equipment heat exchanger has a heat exchange section (40) connected to the target equipment so as to be capable of conducting heat and evaporating the working fluid with heat of the target equipment.
The apparatus temperature control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the opening degree increase / decrease section closes the liquid passage, the liquid-phase working fluid exists in the heat exchange section. A heat transfer member (23) for transferring heat of the target device to a portion (183) other than the device heat exchanger in the working fluid circuit,
The said working fluid of a liquid phase exists in the said location other than the said heat exchanger for apparatuses when the said opening degree increase / decrease part obstruct | occludes the said liquid channel | path, The any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9 Equipment temperature control device. The temperature-sensitive material (223) is a thermal expansion body having the physical properties that increase in volume as the temperature increases,
The higher the ambient temperature of the temperature sensing part, the larger the volume of the thermal expansion body,
The apparatus temperature control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening degree increase / decrease unit increases the opening degree as the volume of the thermal expansion body increases. The equipment heat exchanger has an upper connection part (442) to which the gas passage is connected and a lower connection part (422) to which the liquid passage is connected,
The apparatus temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lower connection portion is disposed below the upper connection portion.   The device temperature control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target device is an assembled battery for vehicle use.

Images