JP4233529B2 - Vehicle cooling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle cooling device, and more particularly to a hybrid vehicle cooling device in which an engine and an electric motor are mounted as drive sources.

  Conventionally, a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and an electric motor as a drive source includes an engine cooler for cooling engine cooling water (hereinafter referred to as engine cooling water) and a refrigerant for air conditioning such as an air conditioner (air conditioning refrigerant). ), And further, an electric system cooler for cooling cooling water for electric parts such as an electric motor (electric system cooling water).

As a conventional technology related to such a hybrid vehicle cooling system, there is known a cooling water path for each of an engine cooling system and a motor cooling system, and these paths communicate with each other by a bypass path depending on use conditions. (See Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3292080

  In the hybrid vehicle as described above, a structure in which an engine cooler, a condenser, and an electric system cooler, which are heat exchangers, are arranged in order with respect to the flow direction of the cooling air is used. However, in the structure in which the engine cooler, the condenser, and the electric system cooler are arranged in a line with respect to the cooling air, the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room (the volume in a collective arrangement state) becomes large. As described above, when the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room increases, it is difficult to meet the design requirements such as shortening the front portion of the vehicle, and for protecting passengers and pedestrians in the engine room. It becomes difficult to secure a crushable zone, and it is also difficult to reduce the size and weight of the vehicle.

  On the other hand, in the normal (driving) state, the temperature of the electric system cooling water flowing through the electric system cooler is about 60 ° C., and the temperature of the air-conditioning refrigerant flowing through the condenser is about 80 ° C. The air conditioning refrigerant of the condenser can be cooled by the passing cooling air. However, when the refrigerant cycle for air conditioning has a low load, there is almost no temperature difference between them, and even though the original heat exchange capability cannot be achieved, the compressor that circulates the air conditioning refrigerant in this state does the same job as the normal state. Since it is driven by the amount, the power loss is large.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle cooling device capable of reducing the volume of a heat exchanger in an engine room.

  Moreover, in addition to the said objective, it is providing the cooling device of the vehicle which can reduce the power loss at the time of low load.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle cooling apparatus including at least an engine and an electric motor as a driving source for traveling, and is provided between the engine cooling water and the cooling air for the engine. An engine cooler for exchanging heat, an electric cooler for exchanging heat between the electric cooling water and cooling air for the electric motor, and a cooling medium and cooling for air conditioning disposed in front of the engine cooler An air-cooled cooler that exchanges heat with the wind, and an air-conditioning system cooler that consists of a water-cooled cooler that exchanges heat between the cooling medium and the low-temperature fluid. The electrical cooling water is supplied to the water-cooled cooler as a low-temperature fluid that exchanges heat with the cooling medium for air conditioning.

  The invention of claim 2 provides the cooling for air conditioning according to claim 1, wherein the water cooling cooler is provided inside the electric system cooler, and the electric cooling water heat-exchanged with the cooling air by the electric system cooler is used. The water-cooled cooler is supplied as a low-temperature fluid to exchange heat with the medium.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides the electronic system cooler according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the electric system cooler includes a radiator section that exchanges heat between the electric system cooling water and cooling air, and cooling of the radiator section. A tank unit disposed on each of the water inlet side and the cooling water outlet side, the water cooling cooler is provided in the tank unit disposed on the cooling water outlet side, and heat is exchanged with the cooling air by the electric system cooler. Electric cooling water is supplied to the water-cooled cooler as a low-temperature fluid that exchanges heat with the cooling medium for air conditioning.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the engine cooler and the air-cooled cooler are integrated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the engine cooler and the electric system cooler are integrated.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the cooling medium flows from the water-cooled cooler to the air-cooled cooler, and the cooling medium bypasses the water-cooled cooler. And a flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium to one of the flow path of the cooling medium, the temperature of the electric cooling water is less than a predetermined value, and the cooling medium for the air conditioning. When the temperature is lower than the temperature, the flow switching means switches the flow of the cooling medium from the water-cooled cooler to the air-cooled cooler, and the temperature of the electric cooling water is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, or for the air conditioning. Control means for switching the cooling medium to a flow path that bypasses the water-cooled cooler and flows to the air-cooled cooler when the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium. To.

  In the first aspect of the invention, a part of the air conditioner cooler is constituted by a water-cooled cooler, and the electric cooling water exchanged with the cooling air by the electric cooler is supplied to the water-cooled condenser. The size of the cooler can be made large enough to supplement the heat exchange capacity of the water-cooled cooler, reducing the volume of the air-cooled cooler without reducing the heat exchange capacity required in normal conditions be able to. In addition, it is not necessary to arrange the water-cooled cooler together with the engine cooler and the electric system cooler in the flow direction of the cooling air, so that the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room can be reduced.

  Thus, since the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room can be reduced, it is possible to easily meet vehicle design requirements and pedestrian protection measures. In addition, since the size and weight of the air-cooled cooler can be made smaller than those of the conventional configuration, the vehicle can be reduced in size and weight even with a configuration in which a water-cooled cooler is added thereto.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a water-cooled cooler is arranged inside the electric system cooler, and low-temperature electric system cooling water heat-exchanged with the cooling air by the electric system cooler is supplied to the water-cooled cooler. Therefore, the air-conditioning refrigerant can be efficiently cooled by the electric cooling water having a temperature lower than that of the engine cooling water.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the installation space for the water-cooled cooler is secured in the engine room, and pipes and joints for connecting between the electric system cooler and the water-cooled cooler become unnecessary. The space inside can be used more effectively. In addition, it can be applied to a vehicle type having a different layout in the engine room without any design change, and further, the water-cooled cooler can be protected against external load and impact.

  According to the invention of claim 4, by integrating the engine cooler and the air-cooled cooler, the volume of the heat exchanger is reduced as compared with a structure in which the engine cooler and the air-cooled cooler are separated. The cooling performance of each heat exchanger can be improved. Further, the number of assembling steps for the vehicle can be reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 5, by integrating the engine cooler and the electric system cooler, the volume of the heat exchanger can be reduced as compared with the engine cooler and the electric system cooler separated from each other. It can be made smaller and the number of assembly steps to the vehicle can be reduced.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the refrigerant cycle for air conditioning has a low load, there is no temperature difference between the air conditioning refrigerant and the electric cooling water, so that the wasteful power loss of the compressor is avoided by bypassing the water cooling cooler. Can be reduced. Further, when the temperature of the electric cooling water rises due to an increase in load or the like, the electric cooling water can be prevented from absorbing heat by the water cooling cooler by bypassing the water cooling cooler. In this case, although the cooling performance of the air conditioner is reduced, it is possible to preferentially cool an electric component such as an electric motor, so that the traveling performance of the vehicle necessary for traveling can be maintained.

  Embodiments of a vehicle cooling apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. The cooling device shown in the present embodiment is mounted on a hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor as a driving source for traveling. Moreover, the arrows (solid line, broken line, etc.) shown in each figure schematically show piping for circulating cooling water and refrigerant and the flow direction thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the cooling device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the control system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an engine cooler 11, an electric system cooler 12, an air-cooled condenser 13, and a water-cooled condenser 14.

  The engine cooler 11 is a heat exchanger that cools the engine cooling water 101 by exchanging heat between the engine cooling water 101 and the cooling air 100. The engine cooler 11 includes a radiator section that exchanges heat between the engine cooling water 101 and the cooling air 100, and tank sections respectively disposed on the cooling water inlet side and the cooling water outlet side of the radiator section. (The symbol is omitted).

  The electric system cooler 12 is a heat exchanger that cools the electric system cooling water 102 by exchanging heat between the electric system cooling water 102 that cools electric components such as an electric motor, an inverter, and a converter (not shown) and the cooling air 100. is there. The electric system cooler 12 includes a radiator section 12a that exchanges heat between the electric system cooling water 102 and the cooling air 100, and tank sections that are arranged on the cooling water inlet side and the cooling water outlet side of the radiator section 12a, respectively. 12b, 12c.

  In this embodiment, the electric system cooler 12 and the engine cooler 11 are stacked in the vertical direction, and the engine cooling water 101 and the electric system cooling water 102 are supplied from the flow paths of different systems, respectively.

  An air-cooled condenser (air-cooled cooler) 13 and a water-cooled condenser (water-cooled cooler) 14 are air conditioner coolers for cooling an air conditioner refrigerant 103 of an air conditioner (not shown).

  The air-cooled condenser 13 includes a heat exchanger core portion 13a that exchanges heat between the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 and the cooling air 100, and tanks disposed on the refrigerant inlet side and the refrigerant outlet side of the heat exchanger core portion 13a, respectively. Parts 13b and 13c. The air-cooled condenser 13 is disposed in front of the engine cooler 11 when viewed from the flow direction of the cooling air 100.

  The water-cooled condenser 14 circulates the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 and the electric cooling water 102 through a plurality of different flow paths formed therein to perform heat exchange, thereby cooling the air-conditioning refrigerant 103. It is an exchanger.

  A control valve (flow path switching means) 15 is connected to the flow path connecting the air-cooled condenser 13 and the water-cooled condenser 14. As shown in FIG. 2, this control valve 15 is a flow path for circulating the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 from the water-cooled condenser 14 to the air-cooled condenser 13 in accordance with a switching signal from the controller 16. 14 is switched to either one of the flow paths that bypass the air-cooled condenser 13 and bypass it.

  The controller (control means) 16 is constituted by a microcomputer (a CPU, a memory, a timer, an input / output interface, etc., not shown) that executes various arithmetic processes necessary for controlling the cooling system. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the coolant temperature detected by the temperature sensor 17 provided in the electric system cooler 12 and the refrigerant temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18 provided in the air-cooled condenser 13 are input. At the same time, the microcomputer executes arithmetic processing according to the control program based on these detected values, and outputs a switching signal for switching the flow path of the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 to the control valve 15.

  In the controller 16 in the present embodiment, when the temperature of the electric cooling water 102 detected by the temperature sensor 17 is less than 65 ° C. and less than the temperature of the air-conditioning refrigerant 103, the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 is removed from the water-cooled condenser 14. A process of outputting a switching signal for switching to a flow path (hereinafter referred to as flow path A as appropriate) to flow through the air-cooled condenser 13 to the control valve 15 is performed, and the temperature of the electric cooling water 102 is 65 ° C. or higher, or When the temperature of the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 is equal to or higher than the temperature, the control signal is switched to a switching signal for switching the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 to a flow path (hereinafter referred to as flow path B as appropriate) that bypasses the water-cooled condenser 14 and flows to the air-cooled condenser 13. 15 is executed.

  Note that the temperature of the electric cooling water 102 and the temperature of the air conditioning refrigerant 103, which serve as a reference when determining the switching of the flow path, are not limited to the numerical examples of the present embodiment, and can be set as appropriate. You may make it give.

  Next, the flow path switching control procedure by the controller 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The controller 16 determines whether or not the temperature Tr of the electrical cooling water 102 detected by the temperature sensor 17 of the electrical cooler 12 is less than 65 ° C. (Step S101). If the temperature Tr of the electric cooling water 102 is 65 ° C. or lower (step S101: NO), it is subsequently determined whether or not the temperature Tr of the electric cooling water 102 is lower than the temperature Tc of the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 (step S101). S102). Here, if the temperature Tr of the electric cooling water 102 is lower than the temperature Tc of the air-conditioning refrigerant 103, it is determined as a normal state (step S102: NO), and the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 is changed from the water-cooled condenser 14 to the air-cooled condenser 13. A switching signal for switching to the flow path A to be circulated is output to the control valve 15 (step S103).

  On the other hand, when the temperature Tr of the electric cooling water 102 is 65 ° C. or higher in step S101 (step S101: YES), it is determined that the temperature of the electric cooling water 102 has increased due to an increase in load or the like. A switching signal for switching the refrigerant 103 to the flow path B that bypasses the water-cooled condenser 14 and flows to the air-cooled condenser 13 is output to the control valve 15 (step S104).

  In step S102, when the temperature Tr of the electric cooling water 102 is equal to or higher than the temperature Tc of the air conditioning refrigerant 103 (step S102: YES), it is determined that the air conditioning refrigerant cycle has a low load, A switching signal for switching the refrigerant 103 to the flow path B that flows through the air-cooled condenser 13 by bypassing the water-cooled condenser 14 is output to the control valve 15 (step S104).

  In the cooling device 10 according to the present embodiment, an air-cooled condenser 13 and a water-cooled condenser 14 are provided as air-conditioning coolers, and the air-cooled condenser 13 performs heat exchange between the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 and the cooling air 100, Since the electric cooling water 102 heat-exchanged with the cooling air 100 by the electric cooler 12 is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 14 to cool the air-conditioning refrigerant 103, the size of the air-cooled condenser 13 is changed to the size of the water-cooled condenser. Therefore, the capacity of the air-cooled condenser 13 can be reduced without reducing the heat exchange capacity required in the normal state.

  Here, the volume of the heat exchanger in the present embodiment will be described in comparison with the conventional configuration. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration when the heat exchangers are sequentially arranged along the flow direction of the cooling air (corresponding to the current cooling device). As shown in FIG. 4, in the structure in which the electric system cooler 22, the air-cooled condenser 23, and the engine cooler 21 are arranged in this order in the flow direction of the cooling air 100, the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room is large. Become.

  However, in this embodiment, since a part of the air-conditioning cooler is the water-cooled condenser 14, the water-cooled condenser 14 is placed in the flow direction of the cooling air 100 together with the engine cooler 11 and the electric system cooler 12. In addition, since the air-cooled condenser 13 can be reduced in size as described above, the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room can be reduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, by arranging the water-cooled condenser 14 behind and below the engine cooler 11 and the electric system cooler 12, the proportion of the heat exchanger in the engine room is reduced. Can do.

  Thus, since the volume of the heat exchanger in the engine room can be reduced, it is possible to easily meet vehicle design requirements and pedestrian protection measures. In addition, since the size and weight of the air-cooled condenser 13 can be made smaller than that of the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 4, even when the water-cooled condenser 14 is added thereto, the vehicle can be reduced in size and weight. (Effect of claim 1)

  Further, in this embodiment, when the refrigerant cycle for air conditioning has a low load or when the temperature of the electric cooling water 102 rises due to an increase in load or the like, the air conditioning refrigerant 103 is air-cooled by bypassing the water-cooled condenser 14. The flow path is switched to the flow path for the condenser 13. As a result, when the refrigerant cycle for air conditioning has a low load, the temperature difference between the air conditioning refrigerant 103 and the electric cooling water 102 is eliminated, so that the wasteful power loss of the compressor is reduced by bypassing the water-cooled condenser 14. be able to. Further, when the temperature of the electric cooling water 102 rises due to an increase in load or the like, the electric cooling water 102 can be prevented from absorbing heat by the water cooling condenser 14 by bypassing the water cooling condenser 14. In this case, although the cooling performance of the air conditioner is reduced, it is possible to preferentially cool an electric component such as an electric motor, so that the running performance of the vehicle required during running can be maintained. ).

  In the first embodiment, a heat exchanger having a structure in which the engine cooler 11 and the electric system cooler 12 are integrated may be used. When such an integrated heat exchanger is used, the volume of the heat exchanger can be reduced as compared with a structure in which the engine cooler 11 and the electric system cooler 12 are separated. Assembling man-hours can be reduced (effect of claim 5).

  Further, in the first embodiment, a heat exchanger in which the engine cooler 11 and the air-cooled condenser 13 are integrated may be used. When such an integrated heat exchanger is used, the volume of the heat exchanger can be reduced as compared with a structure in which the engine cooler 11 and the air-cooled condenser 13 are separated from each other. The cooling performance of the vessel can be improved. Furthermore, the number of assembling steps to the vehicle can be reduced (effect of claim 4).

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the cooling apparatus according to the second embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the cooling device 20 according to the second embodiment, the water-cooled condenser 14 is disposed in the tank portion 12 c of the electric system cooler 12. The water-cooled condenser 14 in the present embodiment may be a stacked heat exchanger that internally exchanges heat between the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 and the electric cooling water 102 as in the first embodiment, or the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 is circulated therein. It is also possible to use a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the main body surface and the electric cooling water 102 flowing through the tank 12c (the latter structure is shown in FIG. 5). The water-cooled condenser 14 is disposed in the tank portion 12c on the refrigerant outlet side in order to cool with the electric cooling water 102 having a low temperature.

  The cooling device 20 according to the present embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a water-cooled condenser 14 is disposed inside the electric system cooler 12, and low-temperature electric system cooling water 102 heat-exchanged with the cooling air 100 by the electric system cooler 12 is supplied to the entire water-cooled condenser 14. Thus, the air-conditioning refrigerant 103 can be efficiently cooled by the electric cooling water 102 that is lower in temperature than the engine cooling water 101 (the effect of claim 2).

  Further, since the water-cooled condenser 14 is disposed in the tank portion 12 c of the electric system cooler 12, an installation place of the water-cooled condenser 14 is secured in the engine room, or between the electric system cooler 12 and the water-cooled condenser 14. Since piping and joints for connecting the engine are not necessary, the space in the engine room can be used more effectively. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle model having a different layout in the engine room without changing the design, and further, the water-cooled condenser 14 can be protected from external load and impact (effect of claim 3). .

  In the second embodiment, a heat exchanger having a structure in which the engine cooler 11 and the electric cooler 12 are integrated may be used. When such an integrated heat exchanger is used, the volume of the heat exchanger can be reduced as compared with a structure in which the engine cooler 11 and the electric system cooler 12 are separated. Assembling man-hours can be reduced (effect of claim 5).

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the cooling device according to the third embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the cooling device 30 according to the third embodiment, the water-cooled condenser 14 is disposed in the tank portion 12 c of the electric system cooler 12, and the integrated heat exchanger 19 in which the engine cooler 11 and the air-cooled condenser 13 are integrated. It is configured with. In the integrated heat exchanger 19 shown in FIG. 6, the near side is an air-cooled condenser (13), and the far side is an engine cooler (11).

  The cooling device 30 according to the present embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, since the integrated heat exchanger 19 is provided, the volume of the heat exchanger can be reduced as compared with the structure in which the air-cooled condenser 13 and the engine cooler 11 are separated. The cooling performance of the exchanger can be improved. Furthermore, the number of assembling steps to the vehicle can be reduced (effect of claim 4).

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a cooling device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of a control system. The flowchart which shows the control procedure of the flow-path switching by a controller. The perspective view which shows the whole structure when each heat exchanger is arrange | positioned in order along the flow direction of cooling air (equivalent to the present cooling device). FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a cooling device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the overall configuration of a cooling device according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,20,30 ... Cooling device 11 ... Engine cooler 12 ... Electric system cooler 12a ... Radiator part 12b, 12c ... Tank part 13 ... Air cooling condenser 13a ... Heat exchanger core part 13b, 13c ... Tank part 14 ... Water cooling Condenser 15 ... Control valve 16 ... Controller 17,18 ... Temperature sensor 19 ... Integrated heat exchanger 100 ... Cooling air 101 ... Engine cooling water 102 ... Electric cooling water 103 ... Air conditioning refrigerant

Claims (6)

A cooling device for a vehicle including at least an engine and an electric motor as a driving source for traveling, and an engine cooler that exchanges heat between engine cooling water (101) for the engine and cooling air (100) 11), an electric system cooler (12) for exchanging heat between the electric system cooling water (102) for the electric motor and the cooling air (100), and a front surface of the engine cooler (11). An air-cooled cooler (13) for exchanging heat between the cooling medium (103) for air conditioning and the cooling air (100) and a water-cooled cooler (14) for exchanging heat between the cooling medium (103) and the low-temperature fluid. An air conditioning system cooler consisting of
The water-cooled cooler as a low-temperature fluid for exchanging heat between the electric cooling water (102) heat-exchanged with the cooling air (100) in the electric cooler (12) with the cooling medium (103) for air conditioning. (14) A cooling device for a vehicle, characterized by being supplied to (14).   The water cooling cooler (14) is provided inside the electric system cooler (12), and the electric cooling water (102) heat-exchanged with the cooling air (100) by the electric system cooler (12) is supplied to the air conditioner. 2. The vehicle cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the water cooling cooler is supplied as a low-temperature fluid that exchanges heat with a cooling medium for cooling. The electric system cooler (12) includes a radiator section (12a) for exchanging heat between the electric system cooling water (102) and the cooling air (100), and a cooling water inlet side of the radiator section (12a). Tank portions (12b, 12c) arranged on the cooling water outlet side,
The water cooling cooler (14) is provided in the tank part (12c) arranged on the cooling water outlet side, and the electric system cooling water (102) exchanged heat with the cooling air (100) by the electric system cooler (12). ) Is supplied to the water-cooled cooler (14) as a low-temperature fluid that exchanges heat with the air-conditioning cooling medium (103). Cooling system.   The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engine cooler (11) and the air-cooled cooler (13) are integrated.   The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engine cooler (11) and the electric system cooler (12) are integrated. A flow path for circulating the cooling medium (103) from the water-cooled cooler (14) to the air-cooled cooler (13);
A flow path through which the cooling medium (103) flows to the air-cooled cooler (13), bypassing the water-cooled cooler (14),
A flow path switching means (15) for switching the flow path of the cooling medium (103) to one of the two;
When the temperature of the electric cooling water (102) is lower than a predetermined value and lower than the temperature of the cooling medium (103) for air conditioning, the cooling medium (103) is cooled by the flow path switching means (15). Switching from a cooler (14) to a flow path that circulates to the air-cooled cooler (13), the temperature of the electric cooling water (102) is not less than a predetermined value or not less than the temperature of the cooling medium (103) for air conditioning. Sometimes, the control means (16) for switching the cooling medium (103) to the flow path for bypassing the water-cooled cooler (14) and flowing to the air-cooled cooler (13) by the flow path switching means (15),
The vehicle cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

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