JP7098866B2 - Vehicle air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner applicable to a vehicle provided with a plurality of devices whose heat is released by use, such as an electric motor for traveling and a battery for storing electric power supplied to the electric motor for traveling. It is a thing.

Conventionally, this type of vehicle air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve, and supplies air that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger into the vehicle interior. By doing so, the interior of the vehicle is cooled, heated, and dehumidified.

In addition, as vehicles equipped with the air conditioner for vehicles, there are a plurality of vehicles that release heat by use, such as an electric motor as a drive source, a battery for storing electric power supplied to the electric motor, and the like, such as an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle. Some are equipped with equipment.

Therefore, in the vehicle, a plurality of devices that emit heat are connected to the cooling water circuit, each device is cooled by the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circuit, and the heat is absorbed by cooling the device. It is known that water is dissipated by exchanging heat with a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-43741

In the vehicle, the target cooling temperature is different for each of the plurality of devices to be cooled. In the vehicle, since a plurality of devices having different target cooling temperatures are connected to one cooling water circuit, control of setting each of the plurality of devices to be cooled as the target cooling temperature may be complicated. be.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle that can easily set a target cooling temperature when the target cooling temperature of each of a plurality of devices to be cooled is different from each other. be.

The vehicle air conditioner of the present invention has a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve in order to achieve the above object, and air and a refrigerant supplied to the vehicle interior in the indoor heat exchanger. A refrigerant circuit that adjusts the temperature or humidity of the air in the vehicle interior by exchanging heat with the heat, a first heat medium circuit through which a first heat medium that absorbs heat released from the first radiator is circulated, and a second. The second heat medium circuit through which the second heat medium that absorbs the heat released from the radiator is circulated, the refrigerant that circulates in the refrigerant circuit, and the first heat medium that circulates in the first heat medium circuit are exchanged for heat. 1 A second heat medium radiator that discharges heat from the heat medium to the refrigerant and a second heat medium radiator that is connected in series with the first heat medium radiator in the refrigerant circuit and flows through the refrigerant circuit and the second heat medium circuit. The opening area of the refrigerant flow path between the second heat medium radiator, which exchanges heat with the heat medium and releases heat from the second heat medium to the refrigerant, and between the first heat medium radiator and the second heat medium radiator. It is equipped with an opening adjustment valve that can be changed.

As a result, the opening area of the refrigerant flow passage between the first heat medium radiator and the second heat medium radiator is changed by the opening adjustment valve, so that the first heat medium radiator and the second heat medium radiator can be changed. The amount of heat absorbed by the refrigerant in each of the above can be adjusted, and the first heat medium and the second heat medium are cooled to different temperatures.

According to the present invention, the first heat medium and the second heat medium can be cooled to different temperatures by adjusting the heat absorption amount of the refrigerant in each of the first heat medium radiator and the second heat medium radiator. Since it is possible, it becomes possible to cool the first heat radiating body and the second heat radiating body to different temperatures, and the plurality of heat radiating bodies can be heated to the first heat medium circuit or the second heat medium circuit according to the target cooling temperature. By connecting to, it is possible to easily set the first heat radiating body and the second heat radiating body to the target cooling temperature without performing complicated control.

It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioner for vehicles which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioner for a vehicle which shows the battery cooling operation and the 1st motor cooling operation. It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioner for a vehicle which shows the battery cooling operation and the 2nd motor cooling operation. It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioner for a vehicle which shows the battery heating operation and the 2nd motor cooling operation.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present invention is applied to a vehicle that can travel by the driving force of an electric motor, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

The vehicle has an electric motor M as a second radiator for traveling and a battery B as a first radiator for traveling in which electric power supplied to the electric motor M is stored. The usable temperature zones of the electric motor M and the battery B are different from each other. Further, the electric motor M and the battery B each release heat by use. Therefore, the electric motor M and the battery B need to be individually cooled or heated, respectively. The electric motor M is preferably used in the range of, for example, 30 ° C. to 50 ° C., and the battery B is preferably used in the range of 10 ° C. to 30 ° C., which is lower than the usable temperature range of the electric motor M.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioner 1 absorbs heat released from an air conditioning unit 10 provided in the vehicle interior, a refrigerant circuit 20 provided in the vehicle interior and outside the vehicle interior, and a battery B. The first heat medium circuit 30 for circulating the first heat medium for circulating the heat and the battery B, and the second heat medium for circulating the second heat medium for absorbing the heat released from the electric motor M. The circuit 40 is provided.

The air conditioning unit 10 has an air flow passage 11 for circulating the air supplied into the vehicle interior. On one end side of the air flow passage 11, an outside air suction port 11a for allowing air outside the vehicle interior to flow into the air flow passage 11 and an inside air suction port 11b for allowing air inside the vehicle interior to flow into the air flow passage 11 are provided. Is provided. Further, on the other end side of the air flow passage 11, a foot outlet (not shown) that blows the air flowing through the air flow passage 11 toward the occupant's feet, and a vent (not shown) that blows the air toward the occupant's upper body. An air outlet and a differential air outlet (not shown) that blows air toward the vehicle interior side surface of the windshield of the vehicle are provided.

On one end side of the air flow passage 11, a suction port switching damper 13 capable of opening one of the outside air suction port 11a and the inside air suction port 11b and closing the other is provided. The suction port switching damper 13 has an outside air supply mode in which the inside air suction port 11b is closed and the outside air suction port 11a is opened, an inside air circulation mode in which the outside air suction port 11a is closed and the inside air suction port 11b is opened, and an outside air suction port. By locating it between the inside air suction port 11a and the inside air suction port 11b, it is possible to switch between the inside and outside air suction mode in which the outside air suction port 11a and the inside air suction port 11b are opened respectively.

An indoor blower 12 such as a sirocco fan for circulating air from one end side to the other end side of the air flow passage 11 is provided on one end side in the air flow passage 11.

A heat absorber 14 as an indoor heat exchanger for cooling and dehumidifying the air flowing through the air flow passage 11 is provided on the downstream side of the indoor blower 12 in the air flow passage 11 in the air flow direction. Further, on the downstream side of the heat absorber 14 in the air flow passage 11 in the air flow direction, a radiator 15 as an indoor heat exchanger for heating the air flowing through the air flow passage 11 is provided.

The radiator 15 is arranged on one side in the orthogonal direction of the air flow passage 11, and a radiator bypass flow passage 11c that bypasses the radiator 15 is formed on the other side in the orthogonal direction of the air flow passage 11. An air heater 16 for heating the air supplied to the vehicle interior is provided on the downstream side of the radiator 15 in the air flow passage 11 in the air flow direction.

An air mix damper 17 for adjusting the ratio of the air heated by the radiator 15 to the air passing through the heat absorber 14 is provided between the heat absorber 14 and the radiator 15 in the air flow passage 11. ing. The air mix damper 17 closes one of the radiator bypass flow passage 11c and the radiator 15 upstream in the air flow direction and opens the other on the upstream side of the radiator 15 and the radiator bypass flow passage 11c in the air flow direction. Alternatively, both the radiator bypass flow passage 11c and the radiator 15 are opened to adjust the opening degree of the radiator 15 on the upstream side in the air flow direction. The air mix damper 17 has an opening degree of 0% with the radiator bypass flow passage 11c open by closing the upstream side of the radiator 15 in the air flow passage 11 in the air flow direction, and the radiator 15 in the air flow passage 11 has an opening degree of 0%. The opening degree becomes 100% in a state where the upstream side in the air flow direction is opened and the radiator bypass flow passage 11c is closed.

The refrigerant circuit 20 flows through the heat absorber 14, the radiator 15, the compressor 21 for compressing the refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 22 for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air outside the vehicle interior, and the refrigerant circuit 20. The first heat medium heat exchanger 23a as a first heat medium radiator for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 and the second heat The second heat medium heat exchanger 23b as a second heat medium radiator for heat exchange with the second heat medium flowing through the medium circuit 40, the valve opening can be adjusted between fully closed and fully open. In the first to third expansion valves 24a, 24b, 24c, the fourth expansion valve 24d as an opening adjustment valve, the first and second electromagnetic valves 25a, 25b for opening and closing the flow path of the refrigerant, and the flow path of the refrigerant. First and second check valves 26a and 26b for regulating the flow direction of the refrigerant, and an accumulator for separating the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant to prevent the liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor 21. 27, which are connected by, for example, an aluminum tube or a copper tube. As the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20, for example, R-134a or the like is used.

Specifically, the refrigerant flow passage 20a is formed by connecting the refrigerant inflow side of the radiator 15 to the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 21. A refrigerant flow passage 20b is formed by connecting the refrigerant inflow side of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 to the refrigerant outflow side of the radiator 15. The refrigerant flow passage 20b is provided with a first expansion valve 24a. A refrigerant flow passage 20c is formed by connecting the refrigerant inflow side of the heat absorber 14 to the refrigerant outflow side of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The refrigerant flow passage 20c is provided with a first check valve 26a and a second expansion valve 24b in order from the outdoor heat exchanger 22 side. A refrigerant flow passage 20d is formed by connecting the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 21 to the refrigerant outflow side of the heat absorber 14. A second check valve 26b and an accumulator 27 are provided in the refrigerant flow passage 20d in order from the endothermic absorber 14 side. Further, the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is bypassed between the radiator 15 and the first expansion valve 24a in the refrigerant flow passage 20b, and the first check valve 26a and the second expansion valve 24b in the refrigerant flow passage 20c By connecting the spaces, the refrigerant flow passage 20e is formed. A first solenoid valve 25a is provided in the refrigerant flow passage 20e. A refrigerant flow passage 20f is formed by connecting the refrigerant inflow side of the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b between the connection portion between the first electromagnetic valve 25a and the refrigerant flow passage 20c in the refrigerant flow passage 20e. ing. A third expansion valve 24c is provided in the refrigerant flow passage 20f. A refrigerant flow passage 20g is formed by connecting the refrigerant inflow side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a to the refrigerant outflow side of the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b. A fourth expansion valve 24d is provided in the refrigerant flow passage 20g. On the refrigerant outflow side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, a refrigerant flow passage 20h is formed by connecting between the second check valve 26b and the accumulator 27 in the refrigerant flow passage 20d. A refrigerant flow passage is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and the first check valve 26a in the refrigerant flow passage 20c by connecting the heat absorber 14 and the second check valve 26b in the refrigerant flow passage 20d. 20i is formed. A second solenoid valve 25b is provided in the refrigerant flow passage 20i.

The first heat medium circuit 30 heats the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, the first heat medium pump 31 for pumping the first heat medium, and the first heat medium circuit 30. It has a heat medium heating heater 32 for the purpose, a first heat medium three-way valve 33, and a battery B for storing electric power for traveling a vehicle, which are connected by, for example, an aluminum tube or a copper tube. As the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30, for example, an antifreeze solution such as ethylene glycol is used.

More specifically, a heat medium flow passage 30a is formed on the heat medium discharge side of the first heat medium pump 31 by connecting the heat medium inflow port of the first heat medium three-way valve 33. A heat medium flow passage 30b is formed by connecting the heat medium inflow side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a to one of the two heat medium outlets of the first heat medium three-way valve 33. .. A heat medium flow passage 30c is formed by connecting the heat medium inflow side of the battery B to the heat medium outflow side of the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a. A heat medium heater 32 is provided in the heat medium flow passage 30c. A heat medium flow passage 30d is formed by connecting the heat medium suction side of the first heat medium pump 31 to the heat medium outflow side of the battery B. Further, at the other heat medium outlet of the first heat medium three-way valve 33, bypassing the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, on the upstream side of the heat medium heating heater 32 in the heat medium flow passage 30c in the heat medium flow direction. By connecting, the heat medium flow passage 30e is formed. The first heat medium three-way valve 33 switches the destination through which the heat medium flow passage 30a communicates to the heat medium flow passage 30b side or the heat medium flow passage 30e side.

The second heat medium circuit 40 includes the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b, the second heat medium pump 41 for pumping the second heat medium, and the second heat medium for heat exchange between the second heat medium and the air outside the vehicle interior. It has a radiator 42, a second heat medium three-way valve 43, and an electric motor M for traveling a vehicle, which are connected by, for example, an aluminum tube or a copper tube. As the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit 40, for example, an antifreeze solution such as ethylene glycol is used.

Specifically, the heat medium flow passage 40a is formed by connecting the heat medium inflow side of the electric motor M to the heat medium discharge side of the second heat medium pump 41. A heat medium flow passage 40b is formed by connecting the heat medium inflow port of the second heat medium three-way valve 43 to the heat medium outflow side of the electric motor M. By connecting the heat medium inflow side of the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b to one of the two heat medium outlets of the second heat medium three-way valve 43, the heat medium flow passage 40c Is formed. A heat medium flow passage 40d is formed by connecting the heat medium suction side of the second heat medium pump 41 to the heat medium outflow side of the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b. A heat medium flow passage 40e is formed by connecting the heat medium inflow side of the radiator 42 to the other heat medium outlet of the second heat medium three-way valve 43. A heat medium flow passage 40f is formed by connecting the heat medium suction side of the second heat medium pump 41 to the heat medium outflow side of the radiator 42. The second heat medium three-way valve 43 switches the communication destination of the heat medium flow passage 40b to the heat medium flow passage 40c side or the heat medium flow passage 40e side.

Further, the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and the radiator 42 are heat exchangers including fins and tubes, and are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle which is the air flow direction outside the vehicle interior such as the engine room. In the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and the radiator 42, an outdoor blower 22a for circulating the air outside the vehicle interior in the front-rear direction when the vehicle is stopped is provided.

In the vehicle air conditioner 1 configured as described above, the temperature and humidity of the air in the vehicle interior are adjusted by using the air conditioning unit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 20.

For example, in the cooling operation in which the temperature inside the vehicle interior is lowered, the indoor blower 12 is driven in the air conditioning unit 10 and the opening degree of the air mix damper 17 is set to 0%. Further, in the refrigerant circuit 20, the first expansion valve 24a is fully opened, the second expansion valve 24b is fully closed, the third and fourth expansion valves 24c and 24d are fully closed, and the first solenoid valve 25a is closed. 2 The compressor 21 is driven with the solenoid valve 25b closed.

As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 has a refrigerant flow passage 20a, a radiator 15, a refrigerant flow passage 20b, an outdoor heat exchanger 22, a refrigerant flow passage 20c, and heat absorption, as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. It circulates in the order of the vessel 14 and the refrigerant flow passage 20d, and is sucked into the compressor 21.

Since the opening degree of the air mix damper 17 is 0%, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 does not dissipate heat in the radiator 15, but dissipates heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and absorbs heat in the heat absorber 14.

The air flowing through the air flow passage 11 is cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant that absorbs heat in the heat absorber 14, and is blown out into the vehicle interior.

Further, for example, in the dehumidifying and cooling operation in which the temperature and humidity in the vehicle interior are lowered, the opening degree of the air mix damper 17 of the air conditioning unit 10 is opened by more than 0% in the flow path of the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit 20 during the cooling operation. Set to degree.

As a result, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 dissipates heat in the radiator 15 and the outdoor heat exchanger 22, and absorbs heat in the heat absorber 14.

The air flowing through the air flow passage 11 is dehumidified and cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant that absorbs heat in the heat absorber 14, and is heated to the target blowing temperature in the radiator 15 and blown into the vehicle interior.

Further, for example, in the dehumidifying / heating operation in which the humidity in the vehicle interior is lowered and the temperature is raised, the first expansion valve 24a is opened at a predetermined valve opening smaller than that fully opened in the flow path of the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit 20 during the cooling operation. And. Further, the opening degree of the air mix damper 17 of the air conditioning unit 10 is set to an opening degree larger than 0%.

As a result, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 dissipates heat in the radiator 15, and absorbs heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and the heat absorber 14.

The air flowing through the air flow passage 11 of the air conditioning unit 10 is dehumidified and cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant that absorbs heat in the heat absorber 14, and is heated to the target blowout temperature in the radiator 15 and blown out.

Further, for example, in the heating operation for raising the temperature in the vehicle interior, the indoor blower 12 is driven in the air conditioning unit 10 and the air mix damper 17 is set to an opening degree larger than 0%. Further, in the refrigerant circuit 20, the first expansion valve 24a has a predetermined valve opening smaller than that fully opened, the second to fourth expansion valves 24b, 24c, 24d are fully closed, the first solenoid valve 25a is closed, and the second solenoid valve is closed. The compressor 21 is driven with the valve 25b open.

As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is one of the refrigerant flow passage 20a, the radiator 15, the refrigerant flow passage 20b, the outdoor heat exchanger 22, and the refrigerant flow passage 20c, as shown by the arrow of the broken line in FIG. The unit, the refrigerant flow passage 20i, and a part of the refrigerant flow passage 20d are circulated in this order and sucked into the compressor 21.

The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 dissipates heat in the radiator 15 and absorbs heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 22.

The air flowing through the air flow passage 11 of the air conditioning unit 10 is heated by exchanging heat with the refrigerant dissipated in the radiator 15 without exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the heat absorber 14, and is blown out into the vehicle interior.

Further, when the vehicle is traveling, heat is released from the electric motor M and the battery B. Therefore, in the vehicle air conditioner 1, the battery B is cooled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in a state where the temperature and humidity in the vehicle interior are adjusted by using the air conditioning unit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 20. The battery cooling operation for cooling the electric motor M and the motor cooling operation for cooling the electric motor M are performed.

Here, in the motor cooling operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the first motor cooling operation for releasing the heat released from the electric motor M into the air outside the vehicle interior via the radiator 42 and FIG. 3 show. As shown, it is possible to perform a second motor cooling operation for discharging the refrigerant circuit 20 to the flowing refrigerant via the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b.

In the battery cooling operation in FIG. 2, in the refrigerant circuit 20, the third expansion valve 24c is set to a predetermined valve opening degree and the fourth expansion valve 24d is set to fully open, and in the first heat medium circuit 30, the first heat is set. The flow path of the medium three-way valve 33 is communicated with the heat medium flow path 30b side to drive the first heat medium pump 31.

Further, in the first motor cooling operation, in the second heat medium circuit 40, the flow path of the second heat medium three-way valve 43 is set on the heat medium flow path 40e side, and the second heat medium pump 41 is driven.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 flows through the refrigerant flow passage 20f and is depressurized by the third expansion valve 24c to pass the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b and the refrigerant flow passage 20g. After passing through, heat is absorbed in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, flows through the refrigerant flow passage 20h, joins the refrigerant flow passage 20d, and is sucked into the compressor 21. At this time, in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b, since the second heat medium does not flow through the flow path on the heat medium side, the refrigerant does not exchange heat with the second heat medium.

On the other hand, the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30 is heated by the heat released from the battery B and cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant that absorbs heat in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a.

The battery B is cooled by the first heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant via the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a.

Further, in the first motor cooling operation, the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit 40 is heated by the heat released from the electric motor M as shown in FIG. 2, and the air outside the vehicle interior is heated by the radiator 42. It is cooled by exchanging heat with.

The electric motor M is cooled by a second heat medium that has exchanged heat with the air outside the vehicle interior via the radiator 42.

Further, in the second motor cooling operation, in the second heat medium circuit 40, the flow path of the second heat medium three-way valve 43 is set on the heat medium flow path 40c side, and the second heat medium pump 41 is driven.

In the second motor cooling operation, the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit 40 is heated by the heat released from the electric motor M and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b. It is cooled.

The electric motor M is cooled by the second heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b.

Further, when the second motor cooling operation is performed at the same time as the battery cooling operation, the third and fourth expansion valves 24c and 24d are set to predetermined valve openings in the refrigerant circuit 20, respectively.

In FIG. 3, the flow path of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 20 and the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30 when the battery cooling operation and the second motor cooling operation are performed at the same time as the heating operation in the vehicle interior. The flow path of the second heat medium of the second heat medium circuit 40 is shown.

The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 is circulated in the order of the refrigerant flow passage 20a, the radiator 15, and a part of the refrigerant flow passage 20b, and then a part of the refrigerant is one of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and the refrigerant flow passage 20c. The unit, the refrigerant flow passage 20i, and a part of the refrigerant flow passage 20d are circulated in this order and sucked into the compressor 21.

On the other hand, the other refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow passage 20b flows through a part of the refrigerant flow passage 20e and the refrigerant flow passage 20f, is depressurized by the third expansion valve 24c, and absorbs heat in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b. , The refrigerant flow passage 20g flows and absorbs heat in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, flows through the refrigerant flow passage 20h, joins the refrigerant flow passage 20d, and is sucked into the compressor 21. At this time, the heat absorption amounts of the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a and the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b are adjusted by adjusting the valve opening degree of the fourth expansion valve 24d, and the first heat medium and the first heat medium are adjusted. 2 Each heat medium is cooled to the target temperature.

Specifically, when the valve opening degree of the fourth expansion valve 24d is changed in the direction of decreasing, the pressure of the refrigerant in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a located on the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction changes in the direction of decreasing. , The pressure of the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b located on the upstream side changes in the direction of increasing. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a changes in the direction of increasing, and the temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b changes in the direction of decreasing. Therefore, the heat exchange amount of the refrigerant in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a changes in a small direction, and the heat exchange amount of the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b changes in a large direction.

Further, when the valve opening degree of the fourth expansion valve 24d is changed in the direction of increasing the valve opening degree, the pressure of the refrigerant in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a located on the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction changes in the direction of increasing, and the upstream side. The pressure of the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b located at is changed in the direction of decreasing. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a changes in the direction of decreasing, and the temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b changes in the direction of increasing. Therefore, the heat exchange amount of the refrigerant in the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a changes in a large direction, and the heat exchange amount of the refrigerant in the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b changes in a small direction.

Further, in a state where the temperature and humidity in the vehicle interior are adjusted by using the air conditioning unit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 20, as shown in FIG. 4, the electric motor M is cooled by the second motor cooling operation, and the battery B is installed. It is possible to perform a battery heating operation for heating.

In the battery heating operation, in the first heat medium circuit 30, the flow path of the first heat medium three-way valve 33 is set on the heat medium flow path 30e side to drive the first heat medium pump 31 and the heat medium heater 32. To drive.

The first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30 is heated by the heat medium heater 32. The battery B is heated by the first heat medium heated by the heat medium heater 32.

Further, if the amount of heat absorbed by the refrigerant is insufficient in a state where the vehicle interior is heated or dehumidified and heated by using the air conditioning unit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 20, the first heat medium circuit 30 and the second heat medium circuit 40 It is possible to compensate for the insufficient amount of heat absorption by allowing the refrigerant to absorb the heat radiated from one or both of them.

As described above, according to the vehicle air conditioner of the present embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 20 that adjusts the temperature or humidity of the air in the vehicle interior by exchanging heat between the air supplied to the vehicle interior and the refrigerant, and the battery B. The first heat medium circuit 30 through which the first heat medium that absorbs the heat released from the electric motor M flows, the second heat medium circuit 40 through which the second heat medium that absorbs the heat released from the electric motor M flows, and the refrigerant. A first heat medium heat exchanger 23a that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the circuit 20 and the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30 to release heat from the first heat medium to the refrigerant, and the refrigerant circuit 20. Is connected in series with the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 20 and the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit 40, and heat is exchanged from the second heat medium to the refrigerant. 4th expansion valve 24d capable of changing the opening area of the refrigerant flow passage 20g between the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b, the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a, and the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b. And have.

Thereby, the heat absorption amount of the refrigerant in each of the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a and the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b is adjusted by adjusting the opening area of the refrigerant flow passage 20g by the fourth expansion valve 24d. Since the 1st heat medium and the 2nd heat medium can be cooled to different temperatures, the battery B and the electric motor M can be cooled to different temperatures, and the battery B and the electric motor M are targeted respectively. By connecting to the first heat medium circuit 30 or the second heat medium circuit 40 according to the cooling temperature, the battery B and the electric motor M can be easily set to the target cooling temperatures without complicated control. It will be possible.

Further, the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a is connected to the downstream side of the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b in the refrigerant circuit 20 in the refrigerant flow direction, and the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30 is the first heat medium. 2 The target cooling temperature is set to a temperature lower than that of the second heat medium flowing through the heat medium circuit 40.

As a result, the battery B having a lower target cooling temperature than the electric motor M can be reliably cooled to the target cooling temperature by connecting to the first heat medium circuit 30.

Further, the second heat medium circuit 40 circulates the heat medium flow passages 40e and 40f that bypass the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b and circulate the second heat medium, and the second heat medium flow passages 40e and 40f. It has a radiator 42 that exchanges heat between the heat medium and the air outside the vehicle interior.

As a result, heat can be dissipated from the second heat medium into the air outside the vehicle interior, so that the electric motor M can be cooled without going through the refrigerant circuit 20 and the first heat medium circuit 30.

Further, the first heat medium circuit 30 has a heat medium heater 32 for heating the first heat medium in circulation.

As a result, the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30 can be heated. Therefore, when the battery B needs to be heated, such as when the vehicle starts running in a low temperature environment, the battery B is heated. The battery B can be heated by the first heat medium. Further, when the amount of heat absorbed from the outdoor heat exchanger 22 in the refrigerant circuit 20 is insufficient during the heating operation, the refrigerant flowing from the first heat medium to the refrigerant circuit 20 via the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a. It is possible to absorb heat.

Further, a battery B for supplying electric power for traveling the vehicle is connected to the first heat medium circuit 30, and an electric motor M for traveling the vehicle is connected to the second heat medium circuit 40. ..

As a result, in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, the battery B and the electric motor M, which can be used in different temperature zones, can be cooled to different temperatures.

In the above embodiment, the battery B as the first radiator and the electric motor M as the second radiator are shown as the devices to be cooled, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the target cooling temperature of the second radiator is higher than the target cooling temperature of the first radiator, for example, a power supply device such as a converter as a component of the vehicle or an electronic component is used as the first radiator, and an electric motor is used. M may be used as the second radiator.

Further, in the above embodiment, the second heat medium circuit 40 has the heat medium flow passages 40e and 40f that bypass the second heat medium heat exchanger 23b and circulate the second heat medium, and the heat medium flow passages 40e and 40f. A radiator 42 for heat exchange between the second heat medium circulating in the vehicle and the air outside the vehicle interior is provided. Similar to the second heat medium circuit 40, the first heat medium circuit 30 also has a bypass flow passage that bypasses the first heat medium heat exchanger 23a and circulates the heat medium, and a first bypass flow passage. (1) A radiator for heat exchange between the heat medium and the air outside the vehicle interior may be provided.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, antifreeze liquid is used as the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit 30 and the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit 40, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not something that can be done. For example, water or oil can be used as the first and second heat media as long as heat can be exchanged between the refrigerant and the first heat medium and between the first heat medium and the second heat medium. be.

14 ... Heat absorber, 15 ... Dissipator, 20 ... Refrigerator circuit, 21 ... Compressor, 22 ... Outdoor heat exchanger, 23a ... First heat medium heat exchanger, 23b ... Second heat medium heat exchanger, 24d ... No. 4 expansion valve, 30 ... first heat medium circuit, 32 ... heat medium heater, 40 ... second heat medium circuit, 42 ... radiator, B ... battery, M ... electric motor.

Claims (6)

It has a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve, and regulates the temperature or humidity of the air inside the vehicle by exchanging heat between the air supplied to the vehicle interior and the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger. With the refrigerant circuit,
A first heat medium circuit through which a first heat medium that absorbs heat released from the first radiator is distributed,
A second heat medium circuit through which a second heat medium that absorbs heat released from the second radiator is distributed, and
A first heat medium radiator that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit and the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit to release heat from the first heat medium to the refrigerant, and
It is connected in series with the first heat medium radiator in the refrigerant circuit, exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit and the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit, and releases heat from the second heat medium to the refrigerant. The second heat medium radiator to make
It is provided with an opening adjustment valve that can change the opening area of the refrigerant flow passage between the first heat medium radiator and the second heat medium radiator.
The opening degree adjusting valve can adjust the opening degree from fully open to fully closed.
Air conditioner for vehicles. The first heat medium radiator is connected to the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction of the second heat medium radiator in the refrigerant circuit.
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first heat medium flowing through the first heat medium circuit is set to a temperature at which the target cooling temperature is lower than that of the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium circuit. .. The second heat medium circuit is a bypass flow passage that bypasses the second heat medium radiator and circulates the second heat medium, and a radiator that exchanges heat between the second heat medium flowing through the bypass flow passage and the air outside the vehicle interior. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, which has the above. The first heat medium circuit is a bypass flow passage that bypasses the first heat medium radiator and circulates the first heat medium, and a radiator that exchanges heat between the first heat medium flowing through the bypass flow passage and the air outside the vehicle interior. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has the above. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first heat medium circuit has a heater for heating the first heat medium. The first radiator is a battery that supplies electric power for traveling the vehicle.
The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second radiator is an electric motor for traveling the vehicle.

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