阅读说明：本技术 电池温度管理装置 (Battery temperature management device ) 是由 桥本笃德 吉田正文 于 2020-11-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及电池温度管理装置。在混合动力车中即使在发动机停止的状态下,也构成能够进行电池的温度控制的装置。具备具有多个电池单元的多个模块而构成电池(B)。具备分别计测多个电池单元的温度的多个温度传感器、和向多个模块的多个电池单元供给热介质流体的热交换流路(10)。热交换流路(10)具备输送热介质流体的电动泵(11)、将热介质流体加热的加热部(13)、对热介质流体的热进行散热的冷却器部(12)以及切换热介质流体的流动方向的切换阀(14),具备基于由多个温度传感器检测的温度信息,控制电动泵(11)、加热部(13)、冷却器部(12)及切换阀(14)的温度控制单元。(The present invention relates to a battery temperature management device. In a hybrid vehicle, a device capable of controlling the temperature of a battery is configured even in a state where an engine is stopped. A battery (B) is configured by having a plurality of modules having a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack is provided with a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells, and a heat exchange channel (10) for supplying a heat medium fluid to the plurality of battery cells of the plurality of modules. The heat exchange flow path (10) is provided with an electric pump (11) for conveying a heat medium fluid, a heating unit (13) for heating the heat medium fluid, a cooler unit (12) for dissipating heat of the heat medium fluid, and a switching valve (14) for switching the flow direction of the heat medium fluid, and is provided with a temperature control unit for controlling the electric pump (11), the heating unit (13), the cooler unit (12), and the switching valve (14) on the basis of temperature information detected by a plurality of temperature sensors.)

1. A battery temperature management device is characterized by comprising:

a battery including a plurality of modules each including a plurality of battery cells as one module, and supplying a current;

a plurality of temperature sensors that measure the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells, respectively;

a heat exchange flow path for supplying a heat medium fluid to the plurality of battery cells of the plurality of modules, with the plurality of modules as cooling units; and

a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the heat medium fluid,

the heat exchange flow path includes:

an electric pump that sends the heat medium fluid;

a heating unit that heats the heat medium fluid flowing through the heat exchange flow path;

a cooler unit configured to dissipate heat of the heat medium fluid flowing through the heat exchange flow path; and

a switching valve for switching a flow direction of the heat medium fluid flowing through the heat exchange flow path,

the temperature control means controls the electric pump, the heating unit, the cooler unit, and the switching valve based on temperature information detected by the plurality of temperature sensors.

2. The battery temperature management apparatus according to claim 1,

the heat exchange flow path includes: a main flow path in which the electric pump, the cooler unit, and the heater unit are arranged in series; and a temperature control flow path for flowing the heat medium fluid to the plurality of battery cells constituting the module in a predetermined order,

the switching valve is configured to be switchable between a forward flow state in which the heat medium fluid flows through the temperature control flow path in a forward direction and a reverse flow state in which the heat medium fluid flows through the temperature control flow path in a direction opposite to the forward direction.

3. The battery temperature management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the temperature control means controls the switching valve to switch the flow direction of the heat medium fluid when a difference between a maximum temperature value and a minimum temperature value among the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds a preset value.

4. The battery temperature management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the temperature control unit switches the flow direction of the heat medium fluid when a difference between a maximum temperature value and a minimum temperature value among temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature sensors that respectively detect temperatures of the plurality of battery cells constituting one module exceeds a preset set value.

5. The battery temperature management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the temperature control means operates the electric pump and heats the heat medium fluid by the heating unit when temperature information detected by at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is less than a low-temperature set value, and operates the electric pump and cools the heat medium fluid by the cooler unit when temperature information detected by at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds a high-temperature set value.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a battery temperature management device provided in a vehicle.

Background

As a technique related to the battery temperature management device having the above-described configuration, patent document 1 describes a technique in which a refrigerant flow passage through which a refrigerant circulates, a pump, and a refrigerant heating device capable of heating the refrigerant during operation of the internal combustion engine are provided, and in the warm-up mode, the refrigerant is heated by the refrigerant heating device to raise the temperature of the battery.

In addition, patent document 1 is configured such that a radiator, a refrigerant heating device, and a pump are provided in series in a refrigerant flow path for circulating a refrigerant in a battery, and in the warm-up mode, the refrigerant is heated by the refrigerant heating device, and when cooling of the refrigerant is required, traveling wind accompanying traveling of the vehicle can be supplied to the radiator.

Patent document 1 describes a technique of suppressing a temperature difference between a plurality of battery cells constituting a battery by supplying a refrigerant in a warm-up mode, reversing a pump after the temperature of the battery reaches a predetermined temperature, and flowing the refrigerant in the opposite direction.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-55649

Considering a vehicle configured to be able to run on the electric power of a battery, such as the hybrid vehicle described in patent document 1, the charge/discharge characteristics of the battery change depending on the temperature, and temperature management of the battery is important to obtain good charge/discharge characteristics.

Batteries used in Hybrid Vehicles (HV), Electric Vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV), and the like are configured as modules having a structure in which a plurality of battery cells, each of which is a minimum unit, are stacked. Therefore, when managing the temperature of the battery, it is necessary to individually supply and discharge the refrigerant to and from the plurality of modules.

In addition, in patent document 1, the refrigerant is heated in the refrigerant heating device by heat generated during operation of the internal combustion engine or heat from the electric heater generated during operation by electric power generation, and therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant cannot be raised in a state where the internal combustion engine is stopped.

For this reason, a device capable of controlling the temperature of the battery even in a state where the engine is stopped in the hybrid vehicle is required.

Disclosure of Invention

The characteristic structure of the battery temperature management device of the present invention is that it includes: a battery including a plurality of modules each including a plurality of battery cells as one module, and supplying a current; a plurality of temperature sensors that measure the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells, respectively; a heat exchange flow path for supplying a heat medium fluid to the plurality of battery cells of the plurality of modules, with the plurality of modules as cooling units; and a temperature control unit that controls a temperature of the heat medium fluid, wherein the heat exchange flow path includes: an electric pump that sends the heat medium fluid; a heating unit that heats the heat medium fluid flowing through the heat exchange flow path; a cooler unit configured to dissipate heat of the heat medium fluid flowing through the heat exchange flow path; and a switching valve that switches a flow direction of the heat medium fluid flowing through the heat exchange flow path, wherein the temperature control means controls the electric pump, the heating unit, the cooler unit, and the switching valve based on temperature information detected by the plurality of temperature sensors.

According to this feature, when the temperature of the battery is increased based on the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, the temperature control unit drives the electric pump to increase the temperature of the heat medium fluid by the heating unit, thereby increasing the temperature of the battery. In addition, when the temperature of the battery is reduced, the temperature control unit drives the electric pump to reduce the temperature of the heat medium fluid by the cooler portion, and as a result, heat dissipation from the battery is achieved. In particular, since the heat exchange circuit supplies the heat medium fluid to the plurality of battery cells constituting the module of the battery, the temperature of the plurality of battery cells is adjusted. Since the electric pump is used to supply the heat medium fluid to the battery cell, the heat medium fluid can be supplied even when the engine is stopped.

Therefore, a device is configured which can control the temperature of the battery in the hybrid vehicle even in a state where the engine is stopped.

As a configuration other than the above configuration, the heat exchange flow path may include: a main flow path in which the electric pump, the cooler unit, and the heater unit are arranged in series; and a temperature control flow path for causing the heat medium fluid to flow to the plurality of battery cells constituting the module in a predetermined order, wherein the switching valve may be configured to be switchable between a forward flow state in which the heat medium fluid flows through the temperature control flow path in a forward direction and a reverse flow state in which the heat medium fluid flows through the temperature control flow path in a direction opposite to the forward direction.

In a state where the electric pump of the main flow path is driven, the temperature of the heat medium fluid is set by the cooler portion and the heating portion, and the heat medium fluid is supplied in a downstream state (forward direction), whereby the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells can be managed. Further, in the case where the heat medium fluid is continuously supplied in the forward flow state, the temperature difference may be increased between the upstream side and the downstream side in the flow direction of the heat medium fluid in the plurality of battery cells, and when the temperature difference is increased, the heat medium fluid may be supplied in the reverse flow state by operating the switching valve so as to flow in the opposite direction, and the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells constituting the module may be made uniform.

In addition to the above configuration, the temperature control means may control the switching valve to switch the flow direction of the heat medium fluid when a difference between a maximum temperature value and a minimum temperature value among the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds a preset value.

In this way, the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is switched based on the temperature difference between the maximum temperature value and the minimum temperature value in the temperature information detected by the plurality of temperature sensors, and thus the temperature difference between the plurality of battery cells can be reduced.

In addition to the above configuration, the temperature control means may switch the flow direction of the heat medium fluid when a difference between a maximum temperature value and a minimum temperature value among temperatures detected by a plurality of temperature sensors that detect temperatures of a plurality of battery cells constituting one module, respectively, exceeds a preset set value.

Accordingly, the switching valve is controlled based on the maximum temperature value and the minimum temperature value of the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells constituting one module detected by the temperature sensor, so that the temperature difference between the plurality of battery cells of one module is not increased.

As a configuration other than any one of the above configurations, the temperature control means may operate the electric pump and heat the heat medium fluid by the heating portion when temperature information detected by at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is less than a low-temperature set value, and operate the electric pump and cool the heat medium fluid by the cooler portion when temperature information detected by at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds a high-temperature set value.

Accordingly, the heat medium fluid is heated by the heating unit when the temperature information detected by at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors is less than the low-temperature set value, and the heat medium fluid is radiated by the cooler unit when the temperature information detected by at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds the high-temperature set value.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a heat exchange flow path and the like of a temperature control device.

Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a temperature control unit.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of the heat medium fluid in the forward direction in the module of the battery.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of the heat medium fluid in the opposite direction in the module of the battery.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control mode of the temperature control means.

Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature management device according to another embodiment (a).

Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature management device according to another embodiment (a).

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of the heat medium fluid in the forward direction in the module of the battery according to the other embodiment (b).

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of the heat medium fluid in the opposite direction in the module of the battery according to the other embodiment (b).

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a control mode of the temperature control means according to another embodiment (c).

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing temperature control flow paths in a module according to another embodiment (d).

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing temperature control flow paths in a module according to another embodiment (e).

Description of reference numerals

A 1 … travel motor, a 5 … module, a 6 … battery cell, a 7 … temperature sensor, an 8 … temperature control unit, a 10 … heat exchange flow path, a 10a … main flow path, a 10B … temperature adjustment flow path, a 11 … temperature adjustment pump (electric pump), a 12 … cooler portion, a 13 … heating portion, a 14 … switching valve, a B … battery, and a C … temperature management device (battery temperature management device).

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[ integral Structure ]

Fig. 1 shows a heat exchange flow path 10 and the like of a battery temperature management device C (hereinafter, referred to as a temperature management device C) that manages the temperature of a battery B that supplies current to an electric travel motor 1 in a hybrid vehicle. In addition, fig. 2 shows the temperature control unit 8 of the temperature management device C.

The hybrid vehicle is configured to be able to travel with the driving force of at least one of the travel motor 1 and a travel engine (not shown), and when the driving force of the travel motor 1 is obtained, the current of the battery B is supplied to the travel motor 1 via the inverter 2. The traveling motor 1 also functions as a generator, and when the traveling speed of the vehicle is lowered or the vehicle is descending on a slope, for example, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into an electric current by the traveling motor 1 by regenerative braking, and the electric current is charged in the battery B.

Since the charging performance and the discharging performance of the battery B change depending on the temperature, the temperature management device C maintains the temperature of the battery B at a temperature suitable for charging and discharging by performing either temperature increase or temperature decrease of the heat medium fluid when the battery B is at a temperature unsuitable for charging and discharging.

[ temperature management device: heat exchange flow path

As shown in fig. 1, the heat exchange flow path of the temperature management device C includes: a heat exchange flow path 10 for temperature adjustment for supplying a heat medium fluid using cooling water to the battery B, and a refrigerant flow path 20 for supplying an air-conditioning refrigerant to a heat exchanger 23 for air conditioning of a vehicle body and a cooler unit 12. In the same figure, a temperature control flow path 30 is shown for supplying a heat medium fluid using water, which can cool the traveling motor 1 and the inverter 2 for controlling the current supplied to the traveling motor 1. The temperature control flow path 30 can also warm up the battery B using heat obtained from the travel motor 1 and the inverter 2.

The heat exchange flow path 10 includes: a main flow path 10a, a temperature-adjusting flow path 10b, a radiator flow path 10c, and a bypass flow path 10 d. Since the heat exchange flow path 10 and the temperature control flow path 30 are formed as independent flow paths, the heat medium fluids in the respective flow paths do not mix with each other.

A temperature control pump 11 (an example of an electric pump), a cooler section 12, and a heating section 13 formed of an electric heater are arranged in series in the main flow path 10 a. The temperature control flow path 10B is configured to supply the heat medium fluid supplied from the main flow path 10a to the plurality of battery cells 6 (see the temperature control flow paths in fig. 3 and 4) of the battery B, and is configured to include a switching valve 14 configured by an electrically operated four-way valve, thereby enabling the flow direction of the heat medium fluid to be switched. The switching valve 14 is disposed at the boundary between the main flow path 10a and the temperature control flow path 10 b.

The cooler portion 12 has a function of an evaporator to which the refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant flow path 20, and radiates heat of the heat medium fluid. The heating unit 13 is configured as an electric heater having a heating element that generates heat by supplying electric current, and heats the heat medium fluid by the heat generation.

In particular, the flow direction of the heat medium fluid supplied to the battery B is switched by the control of the switching valve 14, thereby reducing the temperature difference among the plurality of battery cells 6 constituting the battery B (the control mode will be described later).

The three-way valve 15 is configured to be able to select a state in which the heat medium fluid from the temperature control flow path 10b is supplied to the first radiator 16 through the radiator flow path 10c and a state in which the heat medium fluid from the temperature control flow path 10b is caused to flow to the bypass flow path 10 d.

Thus, the heat medium fluid in the temperature control flow path 10b can be supplied to the first radiator 16 through the radiator flow path 10c to radiate heat by the control of the three-way valve 15, and the heat medium fluid after radiation of heat can be returned to the temperature control pump 11. The heat medium fluid in the temperature control flow path 10b can be returned to the temperature control pump 11 through the bypass flow path 10d by the control of the three-way valve 15.

The refrigerant flow path 20 includes: an electric compressor 21 that compresses a refrigerant, a capacitor 22 that dissipates heat of the compressed refrigerant, a heat exchanger 23 that functions as an evaporator for conditioning the air in the vehicle interior, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 24 that can supply and shut off the refrigerant to and from the cooler portion 12, with an expansion valve 25 provided upstream of the heat exchanger 23.

In the refrigerant flow path 20, the refrigerant sent from the compressor 21 can be supplied to the heat exchanger 23 via the capacitor 22 to perform air conditioning of the vehicle interior, and the on-off valve 24 can be released to supply the refrigerant to the cooler portion 12 to perform heat radiation (cooling) of the heat medium fluid in the main flow path 10 a.

The temperature control flow path 30 includes an electric heat radiation pump 31 for supplying the heat medium fluid using water to the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1, and a second radiator 32 for radiating heat of the heat medium fluid.

In the temperature control flow path 30, the heat medium fluid is circulated through the temperature control flow path 30 by driving the heat radiation pump 31, and heat radiation between the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1 can be performed. The control of the supply of the heat medium fluid to the temperature control flow path 30 is not directly related to the temperature control of the battery B, and is not included in the configuration of the battery temperature control device C.

[ Battery ]

As schematically shown in fig. 3 and 4, the battery B includes a plurality of modules 5, each of the plurality of modules 5 is provided in a form in which a plurality of battery cells 6 are modularized, and a temperature control flow path 10B for supplying a heat medium fluid to each of the plurality of modules 5 is formed. In this configuration, each of the plurality of modules 5 serves as a cooling unit.

The module 5 is configured by modularizing a plurality of battery cells 6, and five battery cells 6 are shown for one module 5 in fig. 3 and 4, and reference numerals (1) to (5) are given to the battery cells 6 in the stacking direction in the same drawing in order to identify the five battery cells 6. In addition, the number of modules 5 is not limited to four, but four modules 5 are shown in fig. 4. Also, the number of battery cells 5 is not limited to five, but five battery cells 5 are shown in fig. 4.

Although not shown, the module 5 is housed in a case, and a temperature control flow path 10b is formed in the case so that a heat medium fluid flows in a direction in which the plurality of battery cells 6 are stacked. The temperature control flow path 10b communicates with both ends (both upper and lower ends in fig. 3 and 4) of the battery cells 6 in the housing in the stacking direction.

[ temperature management device: control structure

The temperature management device C includes a temperature control unit 8 shown in fig. 2. The temperature control unit 8 receives input of detection information from the temperature sensors 7 that detect the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells 6, and outputs control information to the temperature-adjusting pump 11, the on-off valve 24, the heating unit 13, the switching valve 14, the three-way valve 15, the compressor 21, and the heat-radiating pump 31. The temperature control means 8 includes software for executing temperature management control shown as a flowchart in fig. 5.

As shown in the flowchart of fig. 5, when the battery B is not charged or discharged, since the temperature control of the battery B is not necessary, the temperature control pump 11 is stopped, and the control returns to the present control (# no in step # 102). In step #102, when the temperature control pump 11 is already stopped, the stopped state is maintained.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery B is being charged and discharged (yes in step 101) and it is determined that the temperature information of even one of the temperature sensors 7 is less than 0 ℃ (an example of a low temperature setting value) based on the detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors 7 (yes in step 103), the temperature control pump 11 is operated to supply current to the heating portion 13 to increase the temperature of the heat medium fluid (steps 103 to # 105). When the temperature of the heat medium fluid is increased by the heating unit 13 in this way, the state in which the on-off valve 24 is closed is maintained.

When it is determined that the battery B is being charged and discharged (#101 step), even if the temperature information of one of the temperature sensors 7 is not less than 0 ℃ (no in #103 step), and it is determined from the detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors 7 that the temperature information of one of the temperature sensors 7 exceeds 40 ℃ (an example of the high temperature set value) (#106 step yes), the temperature control pump 11 is operated, the compressor 21 is operated, and the on-off valve 24 is opened to thereby deprive the heat of the heat medium fluid in the cooler portion 12 and reduce the temperature of the heat medium fluid (#106 to #108 step). When the temperature of the heat medium fluid is reduced by the cooler portion 12 in this way, the state in which the supply of the electric current to the heating portion 13 is cut off is maintained.

Then, in the case where it is determined in step #106 that all the detection results of the temperature sensors 7 are temperature information not exceeding 40 ℃ (no in step # 106), the present control is returned. This enables the temperature of battery B to be appropriately maintained even when battery B is charged or discharged.

Then, after the heating and heat dissipation of the heat medium fluid are performed, the temperature difference between the temperature information of the battery cell 6 at the most upstream side (the battery cell 6 at (1) in fig. 3 and 4) to which the heat medium fluid is supplied and the temperature information of the battery cell 6 at the most downstream side (the battery cell 6 at (5) in fig. 3 and 4) among the plurality of temperature sensors 7 of one of the plurality of modules 5 constituting the battery B is acquired (#109 step). The acquisition of the temperature difference is performed for all of the plurality of modules 5, and information on the temperature difference is acquired for the number of modules 5.

That is, when the direction in which the heat medium fluid shown in fig. 3 flows is determined to be the forward flow state and the direction in which the heat medium fluid shown in fig. 4 flows is determined to be the reverse flow state, in step #109 in which it is determined that the temperature information of even one of the temperature sensors 7 is less than 0 ℃ (yes in step # 103), when the heat medium fluid flows in the forward flow state, the temperature information of the most upstream battery cell 6 (the battery cell 6 of (1) in fig. 3 and 4) is the highest temperature value, the temperature information of the most downstream battery cell 6 (the battery cell 6 of (5) in fig. 3 and 4) is the lowest temperature value, and the temperature difference is the absolute value of the difference between the highest temperature value and the lowest temperature value. For this reason, even if one of the acquired temperature differences has an absolute value larger than 2 ℃ (an example of the set value) (#110 step yes), the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is switched to the reverse flow state (reversed) (#110, #111 step) by the control of the switching valve 14, and the control is returned to the present control. Further, in case where the absolute value of the temperature difference is less than 2 ℃ in #110 (# no in step 110), the present control is returned without changing the flow direction of the heat medium fluid (maintaining the flow direction as it is).

That is, in the control of steps #110 and #111, for example, in the case where the heat medium fluid flows in this order (the forward flow state) to the respective battery cells 6 of the plurality of modules 5 shown in fig. 3 in the state where the temperature of the heat medium fluid is increased by the heating portion 13, the temperature of the most downstream battery cell 6 (the battery cell 6 of (5) in the drawing) is low as compared with the temperature of the most upstream battery cell 6 (the battery cell 6 of (1) in the drawing), and the performance of the plurality of battery cells 6 may become uneven, and the charge-discharge characteristics of the battery B may be degraded.

For this reason, when the absolute value of the temperature difference from the information exceeds 2 ℃, the heat medium fluid is caused to flow in the same order (counter-flow state) as shown in (5) to (1) in the figure with respect to the plurality of battery cells 6 of the plurality of modules 5 by reversing the flow direction of the heat medium fluid as shown in fig. 4, thereby suppressing the expansion of the temperature difference of the battery cells 6, eliminating the problem that the performance of the battery cells 6 becomes uneven, and maintaining the charge/discharge characteristics of the battery B in a good state.

Although not shown in the flowchart, when sensors for measuring temperatures are provided in the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1, and the temperature detected by the sensors increases, the heat sink pump 31 is driven to cool the heat medium fluid by the second radiator 32, whereby the temperature increases of the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1 can be suppressed and maintained at appropriate temperatures.

[ supplementary explanation of control form ]

In the flowchart of fig. 5, the temperature control is performed by using 0 ℃ as the low temperature set value and 40 ℃ as the high temperature set value, but the minimum temperature value and the maximum temperature value are not limited to those shown in the flowchart, and may be values different from those shown in the flowchart. In addition, in #103 and #106, control is determined based on any one of the temperature information of the plurality of temperature sensors 7, but for example, a control mode may be set such that control is executed when the temperature information (for example, an average value) detected by the plurality of temperature sensors 7 is smaller than the maximum temperature value or when the temperature information (for example, an average value) detected by the plurality of temperature sensors 7 exceeds the maximum temperature value.

In step #109, the maximum temperature value and the minimum temperature value are acquired in each of the plurality of modules 5, but instead, the maximum temperature value and the minimum temperature value may be acquired from the detection results of all the temperature sensors 7, the temperature difference of the battery cells 6 may be acquired by the acquisition, and the control mode may be set so as to switch the flow direction.

Although the flow rate of the heat medium fluid by the temperature control pump 11 and the current value to be supplied to the heating portion 13 when the temperature of the heat medium fluid is increased are not described in the flowchart, for example, the driving speed of the temperature control pump 11 may be set based on a deviation between a target value and a detection value of a sensor, and the current value to be supplied to the heating portion 13 may be set.

[ Effect of the embodiment ]

As described above, the temperature management device C (an example of the battery temperature management device C) is provided with the heat exchange flow path 10 and the refrigerant flow path 20, and is configured to be provided with the temperature control means 8, so that even when one of the plurality of battery cells 6 constituting the battery B falls below 0 ℃, the temperature of the heat medium fluid is increased by supplying the electric current to the heating portion 13, and as a result, the temperature of all the battery cells 6 can be increased to an appropriate temperature, and the performance degradation of the battery B can be suppressed. Even when one of the plurality of battery cells 6 constituting the battery B exceeds 40 ℃, the coolant is supplied to the cooler portion 12 to lower the temperature of the heat medium fluid, so that the temperature of all the battery cells 6 can be lowered to an appropriate temperature, and the performance of the battery B can be suppressed from being lowered.

In this control, since the heating unit 13 is formed of an electric heater, the temperature of the battery cell 6 can be increased even in a state where the engine is not operating, for example, as compared with a case where exhaust heat of the engine is used. Further, since the cooler unit 12 supplies the refrigerant from the electric compressor 21, the temperature can be reduced even in a state where the engine is not operated, for example, as compared with a configuration in which the refrigerant is sent by the compressor driven by the engine. In particular, the temperature can be reliably lowered as compared with the case where heat is radiated by the supply of outside air.

As the control for setting the temperature of the heat medium fluid by the control of the main flow path 10a, the heating and the heat radiation are performed based on the temperature information that becomes the highest temperature and the temperature information that becomes the lowest temperature in all the battery cells 6, so that the temperature of all the battery cells 6 can be maintained in an appropriate range.

In particular, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, even when a temperature difference occurs between the most upstream battery cell 6 and the most downstream battery cell 6 in each module 5 due to the structure in which the heat medium fluid is caused to flow in the direction in which the plurality of battery cells 6 are stacked in each of the plurality of modules 5 that constitute the battery B, the temperature difference between the plurality of battery cells 6 is reduced by reversing the flow direction of the heat medium fluid, and the performance of each battery cell 6 is maintained high.

In this way, when the control for switching the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is performed, the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is switched to the reverse direction when the absolute value of the temperature difference of the battery cells 6 constituting any one of the modules 5 exceeds 2 ℃, so that the temperature difference of the plurality of battery cells 6 constituting all of the modules 5 (equal to all of the battery cells 6 of the battery B) is reduced.

The temperature management device C can also maintain the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1 at appropriate temperatures.

[ other embodiments ]

The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the above-described embodiments (components having the same functions as those of the embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs as those of the embodiments).

(a) As shown in fig. 6, the heat exchange flow path 10 is configured to radiate and heat the heat medium fluid in a main flow path 10a in which a temperature control pump 11, a cooler section 12, and a heating section 13 formed of an electric heater are arranged in series, and includes a switching valve 14 that switches the flow direction of the heat medium fluid supplied from the main flow path 10a to the temperature control flow path 10 b. In the other embodiment (a), a composite radiator 33 is provided instead of the first radiator 16 and the second radiator 32 described in the embodiment, and the heat medium fluid using the heat exchange flow path 10 and the heat medium fluid of the temperature control flow path 30 are shared.

That is, in the other embodiment (a), the heat exchange flow path 10 includes: a main flow path 10a, a temperature-adjusting flow path 10b including a switching valve 14, and a bypass flow path 10d having the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment. The refrigerant flow path 20 includes: the compressor 21, the capacitor 22, the heat exchanger 23, and the on-off valve 24 have the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiment.

On the other hand, the temperature control flow path 30 has the same flow path structure as that of the embodiment for supplying the heat medium fluid to the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1, but a heat radiation pump 31 is provided at a position different from that of the above embodiment, and a flow path switching valve 34 composed of an electrically operated four-way valve is provided between the heat exchange flow path 10 and the temperature control flow path 30 in order to control the flow of the fluid. The temperature control flow path 30 is provided with a composite radiator 33 for radiating heat of the heat medium fluid, and a flow path control valve 36 and a heat radiation bypass flow path 35 each formed of a three-way valve are provided for returning the heat medium fluid flowing into the temperature control flow path 30 to the composite radiator 33.

According to this configuration, in the temperature management device C (an example of the battery temperature management device) according to the other embodiment (a), when the flow path switching valve 34 is set to the position shown in fig. 6, the heat medium fluid is circulated through the main flow path 10a, the temperature adjustment flow path 10b, and the bypass flow path 10d of the heat exchange flow path 10 by driving the temperature adjustment pump 11, and the temperature of the heat medium fluid can be adjusted by the cooler unit 12 and the heating unit 13. In addition, even when the temperature of the battery B is controlled in this manner, the flow direction of the heat medium fluid can be switched by controlling the switching valve 14.

On the other hand, when the flow path switching valve 34 is set to the position shown in fig. 7, the heat radiation pump 31 is driven to supply the heat medium fluid fed to the inverter 2 and the travel motor 1 to the composite radiator 33 to radiate heat. In addition, when the heat radiation pump 31 is driven in this way, the heat medium fluid in the temperature control flow path 30 can be made to flow to the heat radiation bypass flow path 35 by the control of the flow path control valve 36, and excessive heat radiation can be suppressed.

In particular, in the other embodiment (a), by driving the temperature-adjusting pump 11 and the heat-radiating pump 31 simultaneously or separately with the flow path switching valve 34 set at the position shown in fig. 7, the heat-medium fluid flowing through the heat-exchanging flow path 10 can be circulated so as to be sent to the temperature control flow path 30 via the flow path switching valve 34 and returned to the heat-radiating pump 31 via the composite radiator 33 or the heat-radiating bypass flow path 35.

By configuring the heat medium fluid circulation in this way, heat can be dissipated not only by the single composite heat sink 33 but also by simplifying the flow path and reducing the size of the apparatus.

(b) As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the temperature control flow paths 10B formed in the plurality of modules 5 of the battery B are configured by a vertical flow path 10y for flowing the heat medium fluid in the direction in which the battery cells 6 are stacked in each of the plurality of battery cells 6, and a branch flow path 10x branched from the center of the vertical flow path 10 y. In this configuration, the number of branch flow paths 10x equal to the number of the plurality of modules 5 is formed, but a single branch flow path 10x is shown in such a manner that the heat medium fluids flowing through the branch flow paths 10x merge and flow.

The module 5 is a member in which a plurality of battery cells 6 are stacked, five battery cells 6 are shown in fig. 8 and 9 for one module 5, and reference numerals (1) to (5) are given in the same drawing along the stacking direction so that the five battery cells 6 can be identified. Therefore, in the other embodiment (b), the branch flow passage 10x branches from the vertical flow passage 10y at the position of the battery cell 6 denoted by the reference numeral (3).

In the other embodiment (b), as shown in fig. 8, when the heat medium fluid is supplied to the vertical flow channels 10y from both ends of the battery cells 6 in the stacking direction, the heat medium fluid is sent from the branch flow channels 10 x. On the other hand, when the heat medium fluid is supplied from the branch flow passage 10x as shown in fig. 9, the heat medium fluid supplied from the branch flow passage 10x is caused to flow through the vertical flow passage 10y toward both end sides in the stacking direction of the battery cells 6.

In the other embodiment (b), the temperature difference between the battery cells 6 at the both end positions and the battery cell 6 at the center can be reduced by switching between the state of supplying the heat medium fluid shown in fig. 8 and the state of supplying the heat medium fluid shown in fig. 9.

(c) In a vehicle including the battery B having a flow path as in the other embodiment (B), it is considered that the control mode of the temperature management device C is set as the flowchart of fig. 10. In the other embodiment (C), a control mode of the temperature management device C having the configuration shown in fig. 1 of the embodiment will be described.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of fig. 10, when the battery B is not charged or discharged, since the temperature of the battery B does not need to be adjusted, the temperature-adjusting pump 11 is stopped, and the control returns to this control (# no in # 202). In step #202, when the temperature control pump 11 has stopped, the stopped state is maintained.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery B is charged or discharged (yes in step 201) and it is determined that the temperature information of even one of the temperature sensors 7 is less than 0 ℃ (an example of the low temperature setting value) based on the detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors 7 (yes in step 203), the temperature control pump 11 is operated to supply current to the heating portion 13 to increase the temperature of the heat medium fluid (steps 203 to # 205). When the temperature of the heat medium fluid is increased by the heating unit 13 in this way, the state in which the on-off valve 24 is closed is maintained.

When it is determined that the battery B is charged or discharged (# step 201), and the temperature information of one of the temperature sensors 7 is not less than 0 ℃ (no at step # 203), and it is determined that the temperature information of even one of the temperature sensors 7 exceeds 40 ℃ (an example of the high temperature set value) based on the detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors 7 (# step 206), the temperature control pump 11 is operated, the compressor 21 is operated, and the on-off valve 24 is opened, whereby the heat of the heat medium fluid is extracted in the cooler portion 12, and the temperature of the heat medium fluid is reduced (# steps #206 to # 208). In addition, when the temperature of the heat medium fluid is reduced by the cooler portion 12 in this way, the state where the supply of the electric current to the heating portion 13 is cut off is maintained.

Then, in step #206, when it is determined that all the temperature information of the detection results of the temperature sensors 7 do not exceed 40 ℃ (no in step # 206), the temperature information of all the temperature sensors 7 is acquired, the temperature difference between the battery cells of the battery cells 6 at the start and end of the flow of the heat medium fluid is acquired, and when the acquired temperature difference between the battery cells (strictly speaking, the absolute value of the temperature difference) exceeds 2 ℃ (an example of the set value), the temperature control pump 11 is operated, but control is performed such that neither heating nor heat dissipation is performed (# steps 209, # 210).

That is, in fig. 8, the battery cell 6 at the leading end (the most upstream) is the battery cells 6 of (1) and (5), and the battery cell 6 at the trailing end (the most downstream) is the battery cell 6 of (3). In fig. 9, the battery cell 6 at the leading end (most upstream) is the battery cell 6 of (3), and the battery cells 6 at the trailing end (most downstream) are the battery cells 6 of (1) and (5) in fig. 8. In particular, when the inter-cell temperature difference is obtained, the inter-cell temperature difference may be obtained as a temperature difference between the battery cells 6 at the leading end and the battery cells 6 at the trailing end of the battery B, instead of the module unit.

In particular, in the flowchart of fig. 10, after the step #209, the temperature control pump 11 may be operated, and the control mode may be set so that the heating or heat radiation of the heat medium fluid is performed to reduce the temperature difference between the battery cells.

Then, in the case where the temperature difference between the battery cells does not exceed 2 ℃ in the step #209 (no in the step # 209), the present control is returned. This enables the temperature of battery B to be appropriately maintained even when battery B is charged or discharged.

After the heating and heat dissipation of the heat medium fluid are performed, a temperature difference between temperature information of the battery cell 6 at the most upstream side (battery cells 6 at (1) and (5) in fig. 8, and battery cell 6 at (3) in fig. 9) to which the heat medium fluid is supplied, and temperature information of the battery cell 6 at the most downstream side (battery cell 6 at (3) in fig. 8, and battery cells 6 at (1) and (5) in fig. 9) among the plurality of temperature sensors 7 of one of the plurality of modules 5 constituting the battery B is acquired (#211 step). Such acquisition of the temperature difference is performed for all of the plurality of modules 5, and information on the temperature difference is acquired for the number of modules 5.

Then, when the absolute value of even one of the acquired temperature differences is greater than 2 ℃ (yes in step # 212), the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is switched (reversed) by the control of the switching valve 14 (steps #212 and # 213), and the control is returned. And also. In #110, in the case where the absolute value of the temperature difference is less than 2 ℃ (no in step # 212), the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is not changed (the flow direction is maintained as it is), and the present control is returned.

In the control according to the other embodiment (c), the temperature value when the temperature control is executed is not limited to the value shown in the flowchart, and may be a different value. In addition, although control is determined based on the temperature information of one of the temperature sensors 7 in #203 and #206, for example, the control mode may be set so that control is executed when the temperature information (for example, an average value) detected by the plurality of temperature sensors 7 is smaller than the maximum temperature value or when the temperature information (for example, an average value) detected by the plurality of temperature sensors 7 exceeds the maximum temperature value.

In the flowchart shown in fig. 10, the setting of the flow rate of the heat medium fluid by the temperature control pump 11 or the setting of the current value to be supplied to the heating portion 13 when the temperature of the heat medium fluid is increased is not described, but the driving speed of the temperature control pump 11 may be set based on a deviation between a target value and a detection value of a sensor, for example, and the current value to be supplied to the heating portion 13 may be set.

(d) The main flow path 10a shown in fig. 11 is a modification of the temperature control flow path shown in fig. 3 and 4 of the embodiment, and the temperature control flow path 10B is configured so as to flow at equal distances and be discharged from the battery B even when the heat medium fluid supplied from the outside of the battery B is supplied to any of the plurality of modules 5.

In the other embodiment (d), as in the embodiment, the temperature control pump 11 (an example of an electric pump), the cooler unit 12, and the heating unit 13 formed of an electric heater are arranged in series in the main flow path 10a, and a switching valve 14 that switches the flow direction of the heat medium fluid and supplies the heat medium fluid to the temperature control flow path 10B of the battery B is provided. In the temperature control flow path shown in fig. 11, the flow direction of the heat medium fluid can be switched to the reverse flow state by the control of the switching valve 14.

By configuring the temperature control flow path 10b as shown in fig. 11, even if the flow direction of the heat medium fluid is set to any direction by the control of the switching valve 14, the flow path resistances acting on the heat medium fluid flowing through the plurality of modules 5 become equal, and as a result, the amount of the heat medium fluid flowing through the plurality of modules 5 can be made uniform, and the temperature in the plurality of modules 5 can be made uniform.

(e) The main flow passage 10a shown in fig. 12 is a modification of the temperature control flow passage shown in fig. 8 and 9 of the other embodiment (B), and is configured to equalize the pressures acting on both end sides in the stacking direction in any of the plurality of modules 5 when the heat medium fluid supplied from the outside of the battery B flows through the vertical flow passage 10 y.

In the other embodiment (e), as in the other embodiment (B), the temperature control pump 11 (an example of an electric pump), the cooler unit 12, and the heating unit 13 formed of an electric heater are arranged in series in the main flow path 10a, and a switching valve 14 that switches the flow direction of the heat medium fluid and supplies the heat medium fluid to the temperature control flow path 10B of the battery B is provided. In the temperature-adjusting flow path shown in fig. 12, the switching valve 14 can be controlled to switch between a direction in which the heat medium fluid flows from the vertical flow path 10y to the branch flow path 10x and a direction in which the heat medium fluid flows in the opposite direction.

By configuring the temperature control flow path 10b as shown in fig. 12, as shown in the figure, when the switching valve 14 is controlled to cause the heat medium fluid to flow from the vertical flow path 10y to the branch flow path 10x, the pressures acting on both ends of the plurality of modules 5 can be made uniform. In addition, when the heat medium fluid is caused to flow from the branch flow path 10x to the vertical flow path 10y by the control of the switching valve 14, the flow path resistances acting on the vertical flow path 10y in the plurality of modules 5 can be made uniform. As a result, variations in the flow rate of the heat medium fluid flowing through each of the plurality of modules 5 can be suppressed.

(f) The structure is as follows: since the flow direction of the heat exchange medium fluid to the cells B can be switched, instead of the single switching valve 14 including the four-way valve described in the embodiment, for example, a plurality of on-off valves, three-way valves, and the like are combined and selectively controlled, whereby the flow direction of the heat exchange medium fluid can be switched.

(g) For example, since the temperature of battery B can be managed even in a situation where battery B is not charged or discharged, the control mode may be set such that temperature control unit 8 executes the control in a situation where battery B is not charged or discharged at a time point such as when a main switch of the vehicle is turned on.

By setting the control mode as in the other embodiment (g), for example, when the vehicle starts running, the required current can be immediately supplied to the running motor 1 without lowering the running performance.

Possibility of industrial utilization

The present invention can be applied to a battery temperature management device provided in a vehicle.