JP4311272B2 - Cooling medium circulation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling medium circulation device mounted on an automobile or the like equipped with a thermoelectric power generation unit that generates power using heat of exhaust gas discharged from an engine.

An automobile or the like in which high-temperature exhaust gas is discharged from an engine may include a thermoelectric power generation unit that converts thermal energy of the exhaust gas into electric energy and recovers it. Such a thermoelectric power generation unit has, for example, a cooling side member disposed outside an exhaust pipe through which exhaust gas flows, and a thermoelectric conversion module disposed between the exhaust pipe and the cooling side member. It is comprised so that cooling water may be supplied (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP 2000-286469 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, if the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit is to be configured independently, a device such as a water pump or a radiator for circulating the cooling water is required in addition to the engine cooling system. In this case, there is a problem that the cooling medium circulation device mounted on the automobile or the like becomes complicated and large, and the efficiency of the entire device is lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling medium circulation device that can simplify the configuration by sharing a cooling system of a thermoelectric power generation unit with an engine cooling system.

The cooling medium circulation device of the present invention includes a first cooling medium path for returning the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via the radiator, and the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine. A second cooling medium path for bypassing the radiator and returning it to the pump; a flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the second cooling medium path; the cooling medium supplied to, be configured to via the flow path switching means causes merge into the second cooling medium passage, cooling the thermoelectric power generation unit for generating electric power by utilizing the heat of exhaust gas discharged from the engine And a third cooling medium path for supplying the medium.

  In such a cooling medium circulation device, the cooling medium circulates through the second cooling medium path until the engine reaches a high load / high temperature. It circulates through the cooling medium path. In a state in which the cooling medium circulates through the second cooling medium path, the cooling medium circulates through the third cooling medium path connected to the second cooling medium path, so that the cooling medium is supplied to the thermoelectric generator unit. The thermoelectric power generation is performed by the thermoelectric power generation unit. On the other hand, in the state in which the cooling medium circulates through the first cooling medium path, the cooling medium does not circulate through the third cooling medium path, so that the cooling medium does not flow through the thermoelectric power generation unit, Heat from the power generation unit does not enter the cooling medium and is transferred to the engine. For this reason, engine overheating can be suppressed. As described above, the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit can be shared with the cooling system of the engine without affecting the engine, so that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated pump, radiator, or the like as the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit. As a result, the configuration of the cooling medium circulation device can be simplified.

  The cooling medium circulation device of the present invention includes a first cooling medium path for returning the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via the radiator, and the cooling supplied from the pump into the engine. A second cooling medium path for returning the medium to the pump by bypassing the radiator, and a first flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the second cooling medium path; A thermoelectric power generation unit that returns the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via a device to be heated that is heated by the cooling medium, and that generates power using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine A third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium, a bypass passage connected to the third cooling medium path so as to bypass the thermoelectric generation unit, and a third cooling medium It is characterized in further comprising a second flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the road and the bypass passage.

  In such a cooling medium circulation device, the cooling medium circulates through the second cooling medium path and the cooling medium passes through the thermoelectric power generation unit until the engine reaches a high load / high temperature. When the engine reaches a high load / high temperature, the cooling medium circulates through the first cooling medium path and the cooling medium passes through the third cooling medium path and the bypass passage. It shall circulate. In a state where the cooling medium circulates through the thermoelectric power generation unit, thermoelectric power generation is performed by the thermoelectric power generation unit. On the other hand, in a state where the cooling medium circulates through the bypass passage, the cooling medium does not flow through the thermoelectric power generation unit, so that the heat from the thermoelectric power generation unit does not enter the cooling medium and be transferred to the engine. For this reason, engine overheating can be suppressed. As described above, the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit can be shared with the cooling system of the engine without affecting the engine, so that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated pump, radiator, or the like as the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit. As a result, the configuration of the cooling medium circulation device can be simplified.

  Preferably, the thermoelectric power generation unit is disposed on the upstream side of the device to be heated in the third cooling medium path. Since the thermoelectric generation unit recovers the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine, the temperature of the cooling medium flowing through the third cooling medium path is quickly raised by the heat from the thermoelectric generation unit. Therefore, by arranging the thermoelectric power generation unit upstream of the heated device, the heated device is quickly warmed. Thus, the heat of the exhaust gas recovered by the thermoelectric power generation unit can be effectively used as a heat source of the heated device.

  Furthermore, the cooling medium circulation device of the present invention includes a first cooling medium path for returning the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via the radiator, and cooling supplied from the pump into the engine. A second cooling medium path for returning the medium to the pump by bypassing the radiator, and a first flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the second cooling medium path; The cooling medium is connected to the outlet side of the radiator in the first cooling medium path so as to bypass the first flow path switching means, and generates heat using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine. A third cooling medium path for supply; and a second flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the third cooling medium path. It is intended to.

  In such a cooling medium circulation device, the cooling medium circulates through the second cooling medium path and the cooling medium is a part of the first cooling medium path (until the engine reaches a high load / high temperature). The part from the engine to the outlet side of the radiator) and the third cooling medium path, and when the engine reaches a high load and high temperature, the cooling medium circulates through the entire first cooling medium path. To do. In a state where the cooling medium circulates through a part of the first cooling medium path and the third cooling medium path, the cooling medium flows through the thermoelectric power generation unit, so that thermoelectric power generation is performed by the thermoelectric power generation unit. At this time, since the cooling medium is taken out from the outlet side of the radiator where the temperature is lowest in the engine cooling system and sent to the thermoelectric power generation unit, the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the cooling medium increases in the thermoelectric power generation unit. Increases efficiency. On the other hand, in a state where the cooling medium circulates through the entire first cooling medium path, the cooling medium does not circulate through the third cooling medium path, so that the cooling medium does not flow through the thermoelectric power generation unit. The heat from the thermoelectric generator unit does not enter the cooling medium and is transferred to the engine. For this reason, engine overheating can be suppressed. As described above, the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit can be shared with the cooling system of the engine without affecting the engine, so that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated pump, radiator, or the like as the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit. As a result, the configuration of the cooling medium circulation device can be simplified.

  Preferably, the second flow path switching means controls the opening / closing valve provided in the third cooling medium path, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling medium, and the opening / closing valve in accordance with a detection value of the temperature sensor. Means. Thereby, the flow path of a cooling medium can be switched easily and reliably according to the temperature of a cooling medium.

  According to the present invention, the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit and the cooling system of the engine can be shared without causing problems such as overheating of the engine. As a result, the configuration of the cooling medium circulation device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a cooling medium circulation device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a cooling medium circulation device according to the present invention. In the figure, a cooling medium circulation device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle provided with a thermoelectric power generation unit 2. The thermoelectric power generation unit 2 is a device that recovers the heat of exhaust gas discharged from the engine 3 and generates power.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules 6 attached to the outer surface of an exhaust pipe 5 connected to the engine 3 via an exhaust manifold 4, and a thermoelectric module 6 on each thermoelectric module 6. A plurality of attached cooling cases 7 are provided. In such a thermoelectric power generation unit 2, the high temperature exhaust heat of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust pipe 5 is transmitted to the high temperature side end surface of each thermoelectric module 6, and each thermoelectric power is supplied by the cooling water supplied in each cooling case 7. The low temperature side end face of the module 6 is cooled. And according to the temperature difference which arises between the high temperature side end surface of each thermoelectric module 6 and a low temperature side end surface, the electromotive force by Seebeck effect generate | occur | produces.

  The cooling medium circulation device 1 is a device that cools the engine 3 and supplies cooling water into each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 to cool the low-temperature side end face of each thermoelectric module 6. The cooling medium circulation device 1 has a water pump 8 for circulating cooling water. The cooling water discharged from the water pump 8 is supplied into the cylinder block 3a and the cylinder head 3b of the engine 3.

  Cooling water that has flowed through the engine 3 and has become hot is sent from the cylinder head 3b to the radiator 10 through the engine cooling water passage 9. The cooling water sent to the radiator 10 is cooled by the wind of the vehicle running or the wind of the electric fan 11, and passes through the engine cooling water passage 12, the thermostat 13 with the bottom bypass valve, and the engine cooling water passage 14. To the water pump 8. Further, the cooling water flowing out from the engine 3 is sent to the thermostat 13 through the engine cooling water bypass passage 15.

  The thermostat 13 automatically adjusts the temperature of the cooling water to a desired temperature. When the temperature of the cooling water is lower than the predetermined temperature, the flow path on the radiator 10 side is closed, and the temperature of the cooling water reaches the predetermined temperature. Then, the flow path on the side of the radiator 10 is opened.

  The cooling water that has flowed out of the engine 3 is sent to the thermostat 13 through the heating cooling water passage 16. Connected to the cooling water passage 16 for heating is a throttle body 17 that is heated by cooling water that has flowed through the engine 3 and has become hot. The cooling water flowing out from the engine 3 is further sent to the water pump 8 through the heating cooling water passage 18. Similarly to the throttle body 17, a heater core 19 that is heated by the heat of the cooling water is connected to the heating coolant passage 18.

  Further, the cooling medium circulation device 1 has a thermoelectric cooling water passage 20 for supplying cooling water into each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 described above. The thermoelectric coolant passage 20 is formed so as to connect the coolant outlet portion of the cylinder head 3 b and the engine coolant bypass passage 15 via the respective cooling cases 7. Thus, the cooling water flowing out from the engine 3 is supplied into each cooling case 7 via the thermoelectric cooling water passage 20 and further sent to the engine cooling water bypass passage 15 via the thermoelectric cooling water passage 20. .

  Here, the engine coolant passages 9, 12, and 14 constitute a first coolant path for returning the coolant supplied from the pump 8 into the engine 3 to the pump 8 via the radiator 10. The engine coolant bypass passage 15 and the engine coolant passage 14 constitute a second coolant path for bypassing the coolant supplied from the pump 8 into the engine 3 and returning it to the pump 8 by bypassing the radiator 10. The thermostat 13 constitutes a flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium paths 9, 12, 14 and the second cooling medium paths 15, 14. The thermoelectric cooling water passage 20 is configured to join the cooling medium supplied from the pump 8 into the engine 3 to the second cooling medium paths 15 and 14, and uses the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 3. Thus, a third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium to the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 that generates power is configured.

  In the cooling medium circulation device 1 configured as described above, when the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the engine 3 is low, the thermostat 13 closes the flow path on the radiator 10 side and the flow path on the engine cooling water bypass path 15 side. Opened. In this case, a part of the cooling water circulates so as to flow through the engine cooling water bypass passage 15, the thermostat 13 and the engine cooling water passage 14. Further, in this state, a part of the cooling water circulates so as to flow also into each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 through the thermoelectric cooling water passage 20. Thereby, the low temperature side end surface of each thermoelectric module 6 is cooled, and thermoelectric power generation is performed.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle travels uphill and the like, a high load is applied to the engine 3 and the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the engine 3 becomes high, the thermostat 13 opens the flow path on the radiator 10 side, and the engine cooling water bypass. The flow path on the side of the passage 15 is closed. In this case, a part of the cooling water circulates so as to flow through the engine cooling water passage 9, the radiator 10, the engine cooling water passage 12, the thermostat 13 and the engine cooling water passage 14. Thereby, since the cooling water is cooled by the radiator 10, the engine 3 is cooled.

  At this time, since the flow of the cooling water in the engine cooling water bypass passage 15 is interrupted, the cooling water does not circulate through the thermoelectric cooling water passage 20, and in each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2. Cooling water does not flow. Accordingly, since the heat of the exhaust gas does not enter the cooling water from the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 and is transmitted to the engine 3, overheating of the engine 3 is prevented.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the cooling system of the engine 3 and the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 can be shared without affecting the engine 3 even if the existing radiator 10 or the like is used. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated water pump, radiator or the like as a cooling system for the thermoelectric generator unit 2 or to provide a large capacity radiator or the like for sharing with the cooling system of the engine 3. The complexity and scale of the apparatus can be avoided and the cost can be reduced.

  2 and 3 show the exhaust system of the engine 3. In each figure, the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 is as described above. The exhaust pipe 5 has an exhaust gas bypass passage 21 formed at the center thereof, and a power generation exhaust gas passage 22 arranged around the exhaust gas bypass passage 21. Heat exchange fins 23 are provided in the power generation exhaust gas passage 22. The thermoelectric power generation unit 2 described above is provided at the site where the heat exchange fins 23 are provided. On the downstream side of the exhaust pipe 5, a catalytic converter 24 in which a catalyst is filled in a container is disposed.

  The exhaust pipe 5 is provided with an exhaust gas flow path switching valve 25. The exhaust gas flow path switching valve 25 is controlled by a controller 26. The controller 26 controls the exhaust gas flow path switching valve 25 based on the temperature of the cooling water, the throttle opening degree, and the like, for example.

  During normal driving of the vehicle, the exhaust gas flow path switching valve 25 is controlled so that the exhaust gas from the engine 3 flows through the exhaust gas passage 22 for power generation. In this state, exhaust heat of the exhaust gas is transmitted to the high temperature side end face of each thermoelectric module 6 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2, which contributes to thermoelectric power generation by the thermoelectric power generation unit 2.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle is cold started, the exhaust gas flow path switching valve 25 is controlled so that the exhaust gas flows through the exhaust gas bypass passage 21. In this state, the exhaust gas passage 22 for power generation becomes a heat insulating layer of the air layer, so that the exhaust heat of the exhaust gas hardly escapes to the thermoelectric module 6 side. Therefore, it contributes to an early temperature increase of the catalyst of the catalytic converter 24.

  Further, the exhaust gas flow path switching valve 25 is controlled so that the exhaust gas flows through the exhaust gas bypass passage 21 even when the engine 3 becomes a high load / high temperature due to the vehicle traveling uphill. In this state, similarly to the above, the heat of the exhaust gas is not easily escaped to the thermoelectric module 6 side by the power generation exhaust gas passage 22, so that the heat of the exhaust gas is prevented from entering the cooling water supplied into the cooling case 7. . Thereby, combined with the cooling system structure of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 described above, it is possible to more reliably avoid overheating of the engine 3. In addition, sufficient engine output is required when the vehicle is traveling uphill, but exhaust gas passes through the exhaust gas bypass passage 21 and the exhaust pressure of the engine 3 is reduced, so that necessary power performance can be ensured. .

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the exhaust system of the engine 3 is applied to an EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system. In a general EGR system, a part of exhaust gas (EGR gas) is taken out from a cylinder head or an exhaust manifold of an engine, and the EGR gas is cooled by an EGR cooler and introduced into an intake system of the engine. In addition, an EGR cooler cools EGR gas using the cooling water mentioned above.

  On the other hand, in the configuration in which the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 is provided in the exhaust system of the engine 3 as shown in FIG. 4, the heat of the exhaust gas is recovered by the thermoelectric power generation unit 2, and thus the temperature of the exhaust gas is greatly reduced. Therefore, a low-temperature EGR gas is taken out by forming an EGR return path 28 via an EGR valve 27 between the downstream side of the location where the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 is disposed in the exhaust pipe 5 and the intake system of the engine 3. To return to the intake system of the engine 3. Thereby, an EGR cooler can be reduced in size or abolished. Further, since the heat transmitted from the EGR cooler to the cooling water is also reduced, there is an advantage that the radiator 10 can be downsized for the cooling system of the engine 3 described above.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the cooling medium circulating apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the same or equivalent members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, the cooling medium circulation device 30 of the present embodiment has a thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 instead of the heating cooling water passages 16 and 18 and the thermoelectric cooling water passage 20 in the first embodiment. is doing. The thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 is a cooling water passage for supplying the cooling water into each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 and heating the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19 with the heat of the cooling water. The thermoelectric / heating cooling water passage 31 is formed so as to connect the cooling water outlet of the cylinder head 3 b and the water pump 8 via the cooling cases 7, the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19. The thermoelectric generator unit 2 is disposed upstream of the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19 in the thermoelectric / heating cooling water passage 20.

  A cooling water bypass passage 32 for bypassing the cooling water passage to the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 is connected to the thermoelectric / heating cooling water passage 31. The downstream connection portion between the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 and the cooling water bypass passage 32 includes a passage portion 31 a passing through the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 in the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 and the cooling water bypass passage 32. An open / close valve 33 is provided for switching the flow path through which the cooling water flows. The on-off valve 33 is controlled by the controller 34. A detection value of a temperature sensor 35 that detects the coolant temperature is input to the controller 34. The temperature sensor 35 is most preferably arranged in the engine coolant passage 9 as shown in the drawing in order to detect the coolant temperature immediately after flowing out of the engine 3.

  When the coolant temperature detected by the temperature sensor 35 is lower than a predetermined value, the controller 34 controls the open / close valve 33 so that the coolant flows and circulates through the passage portion 31a, so that the coolant temperature is predetermined. When the value exceeds the value, the open / close valve 33 is controlled so that the cooling water flows and circulates through the cooling water bypass passage 32.

  Here, the thermostat 13 constitutes a first flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium paths 9, 12, 14 and the second cooling medium paths 15, 14. The thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 returns the cooling medium supplied from the pump 8 into the engine 3 to the pump 8 via the heated devices 17 and 19 heated by the cooling medium, and from the engine 3. A third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium to the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 that generates power using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged is configured. The cooling water bypass passage 32 constitutes a bypass passage connected to the third cooling medium passage 31 so as to bypass the thermoelectric power generation unit 2. The on-off valve 33, the controller 34, and the temperature sensor 35 constitute second flow path switching means that switches the flow path of the cooling medium in the third cooling medium path 31 and the bypass path 32.

  In such a cooling medium circulation device 30, when the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the engine 3 is low, a part of the cooling water flows and circulates through the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 including the passage portion 31a. In this state, the cooling water flows into each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2, so that the low temperature side end face of each thermoelectric module 6 is cooled and thermoelectric power generation is performed. Further, the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19 are heated by the heat of the cooling water flowing through the thermoelectric / heating cooling water passage 31.

  At this time, since the thermoelectric generation unit 2 recovers the heat of the exhaust gas, when the cooling water passes through the thermoelectric generation unit 2, the temperature of the cooling water rises. Therefore, the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19 disposed on the downstream side of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 in the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 are quickly warmed by the heat of the cooling water. That is, the heat of the exhaust gas recovered by the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 is not only radiated by the radiator 10 but also effectively used as a heat source for the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19. Further, since the heat of the exhaust gas is dissipated by the throttle body 17 and the heater core 19, the temperature of the cooling water sent into the engine 3 is lowered. For this reason, overheating of the engine 3 can be suppressed, the operation frequency of the electric fan 11 due to a rise in water temperature can be suppressed, work of an alternator (not shown) can be reduced, and fuel efficiency of the vehicle can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle travels uphill or the like, a high load is applied to the engine 3 and when the temperature of the cooling water in the engine 3 increases, the controller 34 switches the on-off valve 33. It flows from the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31 to the cooling water bypass passage 32 and circulates. In this case, since the cooling water does not flow in each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2, the heat of the exhaust gas does not enter the cooling water from the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 and is transmitted to the engine 3. Thereby, overheating of the engine 3 is prevented.

  Thus, also in this embodiment, the cooling system of the engine 3 and the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 can be shared without affecting the engine 3. Therefore, the configuration of the cooling medium circulation device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric generation unit 2 is arranged upstream of the throttle body 17 and the like in the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31, but the thermoelectric generation unit 2 is arranged in the thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage 31. You may arrange | position in the downstream of throttle body 17 grade | etc.,. Even in this case, it is possible to realize common use of the cooling system of the engine 3 and the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 without causing overheating at the time of high load and high temperature of the engine 3.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the cooling medium circulating apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the same or equivalent members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, a cooling medium circulation device 40 of the present embodiment has a thermoelectric cooling water passage 41 instead of the thermoelectric cooling water passage 20 in the first embodiment. The thermoelectric cooling water passage 41 is formed so as to connect the engine cooling water passage 12 provided on the outlet side of the radiator 10 and the heating cooling water passage 18 via each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2. Yes. That is, the thermoelectric cooling water passage 41 is formed so that the cooling water flowing out from the radiator 10 is sent to the water pump 8 by bypassing the thermostat 13.

  On the downstream side of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 in the thermoelectric cooling water passage 41, an opening / closing valve 42 for switching the flow path of the cooling water between the engine cooling water passage 12 and the thermoelectric cooling water passage 41 is provided. The on-off valve 42 is controlled by the controller 43. The controller 43 receives a detection value of a temperature sensor 44 that detects the coolant temperature. As with the temperature sensor 35 in the second embodiment, the temperature sensor 44 is desirably disposed in the engine coolant passage 9.

  When the coolant temperature detected by the temperature sensor 44 is lower than the predetermined value, the controller 43 controls the open / close valve 42 so that the coolant flows and circulates through the thermoelectric coolant passage 41, and the coolant When the water temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the on-off valve 42 is controlled so that the cooling water flows through the engine cooling water passage 12 and circulates. When a flow rate adjusting valve is used as the opening / closing valve 42, the flow rate of the opening / closing valve 42 is controlled so as to maintain an optimum cooling water circulation state.

  Here, the thermoelectric cooling water passage 41 and the heating cooling water passage 18 are connected to the outlet side of the radiator 10 in the first cooling medium passages 9, 12, and 14 so as to bypass the first flow path switching means 13. Thus, a third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium to the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 that generates power using the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine 3 is configured. The on-off valve 42, the controller 43, and the temperature sensor 44 constitute second flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium paths 9, 12, 14 and the third cooling medium paths 41, 18. To do.

  In such a cooling medium circulation device 40, when the temperature of the cooling water in the engine 3 is low, as described in the first embodiment, a part of the cooling water is part of the engine cooling water bypass passage 15, the thermostat 13, and It flows through the engine coolant passage 14 and circulates.

  At this time, since the opening / closing valve 42 is open, the cooling water flowing through the radiator 10 passes through the thermoelectric cooling water passage 41 even when the flow path on the radiator 10 side of the thermostat 13 is closed. To the water pump 8. Thereby, since a cooling water flows in each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2, the low temperature side end surface of each thermoelectric module 6 is cooled, and thermoelectric power generation is performed. At this time, since the cooling water is supplied into the cooling case 7 from the outlet side of the radiator 10 having the lowest water temperature in the cooling system of the engine 3, the low temperature side end face of the thermoelectric module 6 is sufficiently cooled. Therefore, the temperature difference between the high temperature side end surface and the low temperature side end surface of the thermoelectric module 6 is increased, so that the amount of power generation is increased and the power generation efficiency is increased.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle travels uphill and the like, a heavy load is applied to the engine 3 and the temperature of the cooling water in the engine 3 increases, the flow path on the radiator 10 side of the thermostat 13 opens and the on-off valve 42 closes. It becomes the state. For this reason, the cooling water discharged from the radiator 10 flows and circulates through the engine cooling water passage 12, the thermostat 13 and the engine cooling water passage 14. That is, since the cooling water does not flow in each cooling case 7 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2, the heat of the exhaust gas does not enter the cooling water from the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 and is transmitted to the engine 3. Thereby, overheating of the engine 3 is prevented.

  Thus, also in this embodiment, the cooling system of the engine 3 and the cooling system of the thermoelectric power generation unit 2 can be shared without affecting the engine 3. Therefore, the configuration of the cooling medium circulation device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a cooling medium circulation device is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile provided with a thermoelectric power generation unit. However, the cooling medium circulation device according to the present invention includes devices other than vehicles, such as an engine and a radiator. The present invention can also be applied to a power generator provided.

It is a lineblock diagram showing a 1st embodiment of a cooling medium circulation device concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows the exhaust system of the engine shown in FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the exhaust system of the engine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the cooling-medium circulation apparatus concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the cooling-medium circulation apparatus concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cooling medium circulation device, 2 ... Thermoelectric power generation unit, 3 ... Engine, 7 ... Cooling case, 8 ... Water pump, 9 ... Engine cooling water path (1st cooling medium path), 10 ... Radiator, 12 ... Engine cooling Water passage (first cooling medium path), 13 ... Thermostat (flow path switching means, first flow path switching means), 14 ... Engine cooling water path (first cooling medium path, second cooling medium path) , 15 ... engine coolant bypass passage (second coolant path), 17 ... throttle body (device to be heated), 19 ... heater core (device to be heated), 20 ... thermoelectric coolant passage (third coolant route) ), 30 ... Cooling medium circulation device, 31 ... Thermoelectric / heating combined cooling water passage (third cooling medium passage), 32 ... Cooling water bypass passage, 33 ... Opening / closing valve (second flow path switching means), 34 ... controller 2nd flow path switching means), 35 ... temperature sensor (second flow path switching means), 40 ... cooling medium circulation device, 41 ... thermoelectric cooling water passage (third cooling medium path), 42 ... open / close valve (Second flow path switching means), 43... Controller (second flow path switching means), 44... Temperature sensor (second flow path switching means).

Claims (5)

A first coolant path for returning coolant supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via the radiator;
A second cooling medium path for bypassing the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine and returning it to the pump;
Flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the second cooling medium path;
The cooling medium supplied into the engine from the pump, is configured to via the flow path switching means causes merge into the second cooling medium passage, utilizing the heat of exhaust gas discharged from the engine And a third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium to a thermoelectric power generation unit that generates electric power. A first coolant path for returning coolant supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via the radiator;
A second cooling medium path for bypassing the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine and returning it to the pump;
First flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the second cooling medium path;
The cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine is returned to the pump via a heated apparatus heated by the cooling medium, and power is generated using heat of exhaust gas discharged from the engine. A third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium to the thermoelectric generation unit to be performed;
A bypass passage connected to the third coolant path so as to bypass the thermoelectric generator unit;
And a second flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the third cooling medium path and the bypass path.   The cooling medium circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric power generation unit is arranged on the upstream side of the heated device in the third cooling medium path. A first coolant path for returning coolant supplied from the pump into the engine to the pump via the radiator;
A second cooling medium path for bypassing the cooling medium supplied from the pump into the engine and returning it to the pump;
First flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the second cooling medium path;
A thermoelectric power generation unit that is connected to an outlet side of the radiator in the first cooling medium path so as to bypass the first flow path switching unit, and that generates power using heat of exhaust gas discharged from the engine. A third cooling medium path for supplying the cooling medium;
A cooling medium circulation device comprising: a second flow path switching means for switching the flow path of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium path and the third cooling medium path.   The second flow path switching means includes an opening / closing valve provided in the third cooling medium path, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling medium, and the opening / closing valve according to a detection value of the temperature sensor. The cooling medium circulation device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit.

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