JP5168853B2 - Power system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply system, and more particularly, to a power supply system that heats and cools a power supply and an electrical component having a larger unit time temperature change rate than the power supply.

  As a power source mounted on the vehicle, a high voltage battery, a 12V battery, and the like are used in addition to the fuel cell. For example, a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery is used for the high voltage battery. And in order to ensure the voltage and current capacity which are required as a power supply for vehicles, these single cells are combined and used in the form of an assembled battery or a battery pack.

These power sources generate heat when used. For example, the fuel cell generates heat by electric chemical reaction, the secondary battery generates heat by charging and discharging. Therefore, the power supply is cooled by using a cooling fan or the like so that the temperature of the power supply does not rise excessively. In general, when the temperature becomes low, the internal resistance value of the battery increases, so that its output decreases. Therefore, the output of the power source is limited at low temperatures, or the power source is warmed up using exhaust heat from other electrical components or electrical equipment or heat generated by the heater.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, ancillary equipment composed of electrical equipment such as rectifiers, inverters, switches, and electrical control devices for power supply equipment is accommodated in a first casing, and a storage battery is accommodated in a second casing. In addition, it is disclosed that first and second communication paths that guide gas through an air volume adjusting means are provided between the two casings. Here, the electrical equipment is cooled with the cooling air guided into the first casing, the warmed air is guided into the second casing, and when the outside air temperature is too high, the inflow is limited using a damper, It is stated that when the outside air temperature is low, the gas is led again from the second housing side to the first housing side to raise the temperature of the gas, and the storage battery temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature.

  In Patent Document 2, a battery configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery cells in series, an electrical component, and an electronic control unit are arranged in a component storage case, and a cooling fan is installed in the component storage case. It is disclosed that an intake port and an exhaust port are provided and the electrical component and the electronic control unit are forcibly cooled by a cooling air flow of the battery.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, when a battery and an electrical component mounted on an electric vehicle are cooled by outside air, a cooling fin is provided in the electrical component storage chamber, and the influence of dust and moisture contained in the cooling air is applied to the electrical component. A configuration that does not directly reach is disclosed (series cooling).

  Also, in Patent Document 4, in order to eliminate wasteful operation of the heater and fan that warms the battery, a relationship between the internal and external temperature difference, which is the difference between the surface temperature of the battery and the internal temperature, and the fan output is obtained in advance. It is disclosed that fan surface control is performed based on the above relationship.

JP 2001-25176 A JP 2002-84604 A JP-A-11-180169 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-12287

  Among the prior arts, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose simultaneous cooling of a battery and electrical components, and Patent Document 4 discloses warm-up by a battery heater, which is cooled when the battery is hot, It cannot be warmed up at low temperatures. Patent Document 1 discloses that the storage battery is held at a predetermined temperature by using the cooling air of the electric device, but it cannot be cooled when the storage battery is at a high temperature, for example.

An object of the present invention, Ru der that power is them cooled with electrical components when the high temperature, the power to provide a low-temperature power system to warm up utilizing the heat generating electrical component battery when.

A power supply system according to the present invention is a flow path that connects a power supply, an electrical component having a higher rate of temperature change per unit time than the power supply, and an intake port that takes in air to a discharge port that discharges air. change a plurality of flow paths and power supply and electric components are arranged to the heat exchange, the flow way of the air between the power supply and the electrical components by changing the manner of connection of a plurality of channels and A flow path setting means for setting a flow path, a fan for flowing air through the flow path set by the flow path setting means, a flow path change of the flow path setting means based on the temperature or voltage of the power source, and a fan And control means for selecting one of a plurality of modes of air flow between the power source and the electrical component, wherein the plurality of modes take in air from the outside, and the electrical component Cooling mode to cool both the power supply and the power supply This is a circulation warm-up mode that shuts off the air flow and circulates air between the electrical components and the power supply to warm up the power supply. An exhaust flow path for returning air, a first flow path disposed between the intake flow path and the exhaust flow path for flowing air to the power source, and a second flow disposed in parallel to the first flow path for flowing air to the electrical component And the fan includes a first fan disposed in the intake flow path and a second fan disposed in the second flow path, and the flow path setting means includes the intake flow path and the first flow path. An intake side flow path switching valve provided at a connection location with the second flow path, and an exhaust side flow path switching valve provided at a connection location between the first flow path, the second flow path and the exhaust flow path. When the parallel cooling mode is selected, the first flow path and the second flow path are connected in parallel to the intake flow path by the intake side flow path switching valve, and the exhaust side flow path is cut off. When the first flow path and the second flow path are connected in parallel to the exhaust flow path by the valve and the warm-up mode is selected, the intake flow path is cut off by the intake side flow path switching valve and the first flow path is The second channel is connected, the exhaust channel is shut off by the exhaust side channel switching valve, the first channel and the second channel are connected, and the first channel and the second channel are circulated. it characterized in that the road.

Also, in the power supply system according to the present invention that the power supply is a high voltage battery for a vehicle, a large electrical component unit time rate of temperature change than the power supply is a DC / DC converter for generating a low-voltage vehicle It is not preferred.

Also, according to at least one of the foregoing arrangement, the power supply system includes a power supply, the flow way of the air between the unit time rate of temperature change greater electrical components than the power supply, based on the temperature or voltage of the power source, changes To do. Here, the way air flows is to take in air from the outside, cool the electrical components and the power supply together and return them to the outside, and block the flow of air between the outside and the electrical components and the power supply. It is possible to select one of the circulation warm-up modes in which the air is circulated between them to warm up the power source.

As a result, when the power source is hot, the cooling mode is selected to cool them together with the electrical components, and when the power source is cold, the circulation warm-up mode can be selected to use the heat generated by the electrical components to warm up the power source. The

Also, the cooling mode takes a first flow path for flowing the air to the power source, a configuration and a second flow path for flowing the air to the electrical component is arranged in parallel with the first flow path. When the cooling mode is selected, the first flow path and the second flow path are connected in parallel, and when the warm-up mode is selected, the first flow path and the second flow path become the circulation flow paths. Like that. This can cool the electrical components and power independently, also Ru can warm up the power by utilizing the waste heat by heat generation of the electrical component.

Also, the power supply system, the high-voltage battery for a vehicle as a power source, a large electrical component unit time rate of temperature change than the power supply, using a DC / DC converter for generating a low-voltage vehicle. Since a 12V battery, which is a low-voltage power supply for vehicles, is used almost constantly in a vehicle, a DC / DC converter that generates a low-voltage for vehicles supplied to the battery is also almost always in operation. Therefore, for example, the temperature of the DC / DC converter is relatively high even if the high-voltage battery for vehicles is at a low temperature. Thus, by using the exhaust heat generated by the heat generated by the DC / DC converter, the vehicle high-voltage battery can be effectively warmed up.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a high voltage battery for vehicles will be described as a power source. However, other power sources for vehicles that require warm-up at low temperatures, such as fuel cells and auxiliary storage batteries, may be used. In addition, a power source other than that for vehicles may be a power source that requires warm-up at a low temperature. In the following, a lithium-ion battery pack in which a plurality of lithium-ion cells are combined as a high-voltage battery pack for a vehicle will be described. This is because the low-temperature output characteristics of the lithium-ion battery are relatively low, and the battery is warmed up at a low temperature. However, it may be an assembled battery of a rechargeable secondary battery. For example, a hydrogen ion battery may be used.

  In the following description, the exhaust heat generated by the DC / DC converter is used for warming up the high-voltage battery pack. However, this is a preferable example, and more than a vehicle high-voltage battery as a power source. As long as it is an electrical component or electrical device having a large unit time temperature change rate, it may be a power supply peripheral device other than the DC / DC converter. For example, an inverter, an electric control unit (Electric Control Unit: ECU), a limiting resistor element for precharging a system main relay, or the like may be used.

In the following, first, the DC / DC converter as an electrical component and the vehicle high-voltage battery as a power source are independently cooled in parallel at the time of cooling, and the heat exhausted from the DC / DC converter at the circulation path at the time of warm-up. A system for warming up a high-voltage battery for vehicles using a so-called parallel cooling-circulation warm-up power supply system will be described. Next, during cooling, the DC / DC converter as an electrical component and the vehicle high-voltage battery as a power source are cooled in series with the same air, and during warm-up, the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter is discharged through a circulation channel. A system for warming up a high-voltage battery for vehicles, that is, a so-called serial cooling-circulation warm-up power supply system will be described. After that, a DC / DC converter as an electric component and a high-voltage battery for a vehicle as a power source are arranged in series in the flow path, and the direction of the air flowing through the flow path is changed using a bidirectional fan, and the same A power supply system that cools a DC / DC converter and a vehicle high-voltage battery in series with air or warms up the vehicle high-voltage battery using heat generated by the DC / DC converter will be described .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply system 10 of a parallel cooling / circulation warm-up method. The power supply system 10 performs necessary cooling for the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32, and uses the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter 32 when necessary. It has a function to warm up.

  1, the configuration of the power supply system 10 includes a high-voltage battery pack 30 and a DC / DC converter 32, a flow path portion through which cooling air or warm-up air flows, and a control unit 40 that controls the warm-up and cooling devices. Can be broadly classified.

  Here, the high-voltage battery pack 30 is a high-voltage battery pack that is mounted on a vehicle, and specifically, a combination of a plurality of lithium-ion single cells and stored in a single container. Lithium ion batteries generate heat by charging / discharging, but battery characteristics such as discharge characteristics deteriorate due to the temperature rise. Therefore, cooling is necessary so that the temperature of the high voltage battery pack does not rise too much. On the other hand, since the lithium ion battery uses a chemical reaction, the internal resistance value increases and the output decreases at low temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to warm up the high voltage battery pack. In order to determine the necessity of warming up and cooling down, the high voltage battery pack 30 is provided with a necessary number of temperature sensors and a necessary number of voltage sensors. Data on the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor and data on the voltage V detected by the voltage sensor are transmitted to the control unit 40.

  The DC / DC converter 32 is a power supply peripheral device that is an electrical component used to generate a voltage of 12 V from the power of the high voltage battery pack 30. Since the 12V power source is almost always used in the vehicle, the DC / DC converter 32 is also almost always in operation. Therefore, for example, even when the high voltage battery pack 30 is not operating and is at a low temperature, the temperature of the DC / DC converter 32 is relatively high. Therefore, the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter 32 is used when the high voltage battery pack 30 needs to be warmed up. An appropriate temperature sensor is provided in the DC / DC converter 32, and data of the temperature T of the DC / DC converter 32 detected thereby is transmitted to the control unit 40.

  A flow path part changes the connection method of the several flow path 12, 14, 16, 18 for flowing air between the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32, and a several flow path. The two switching valves 20 and 22 as flow path setting means for setting the flow path by changing the flow of air between the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32 and the flow path setting means And two fans 24 and 26 for flowing air through the flow path.

  Here, the plurality of flow paths are arranged between the intake flow path 12 for supplying air from the outside, the exhaust flow path 18 for returning air to the outside, and the high-voltage battery disposed between the intake flow path 12 and the exhaust flow path 18. A first flow path 14 that flows air to the pack 30 and a second flow path 16 that is arranged in parallel to the first flow path 14 and flows air to the DC / DC converter 32. These flow paths can be constituted by appropriate piping.

  As the flow path setting means, an intake side flow path switching valve 20 provided upstream from the connection location of the intake flow path 12, the first flow path 14, and the second flow path 16, the first flow path 14, and the first flow path An exhaust-side flow path switching valve 22 provided on the downstream side from the connection point between the two flow paths 16 and the exhaust flow path 18 is provided.

  These switching valves are controlled to open and close in accordance with instructions from the control unit 40. For example, the intake-side flow path switching valve 20 can take two switching states. In one switching state, the intake flow path 12 is switched to the first flow path 14 as well as the second flow path 16 by opening the valve. Also connected to. Another switching state is that the intake flow path 12 is blocked from the first flow path 14 and the second flow path 16 by closing the valve. Similarly, the exhaust-side flow path switching valve 22 can take two switching states, and one switching state is that the exhaust flow path 18 is connected to the first flow path 14 as well as the second flow path by opening the valve. 16 is also connected. Another switching state is that the exhaust passage 18 is blocked from both the first passage 14 and the second passage 16 by closing the valve.

  The two fans for causing air to flow through the flow path include a first fan 24 disposed between the intake flow path 12 and the intake-side flow path switching valve 20 and a second fan disposed in the second flow path 16. 26. These fans are driven in accordance with instructions from the control unit 40.

  Based on the temperature T or voltage V of the high voltage battery pack 30 and, if necessary, the control unit 40 based on the temperature T of the DC / DC converter 32, the intake side flow path switching valve 20 and the exhaust side flow path It has a function of changing the switching state of the switching valve 22, controlling the operation of the fan, and setting and controlling the air flow between the high-voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32. The control part 40 can be comprised by a control circuit or a computer, and can also integrate the function with the function of the other control apparatus mounted in a vehicle. For example, the function of the control unit 40 can be included in the function of the hybrid CPU of the vehicle. Moreover, you may include in a part of function of ECU.

  There are two modes of air flow, the parallel cooling mode and the circulation warm-up mode, and the control unit 40 selects one of these two modes and the two modes depending on the situation. Can be switched between. That is, the control unit 40 selects a mode from the parallel cooling mode 44 and the circulation warm-up mode 46 to set a flow path, and a mode switching module that switches between these two modes. 48. These functions can be realized by software, specifically, by executing a corresponding power supply / cooling machine control program. Some of these functions may be realized by hardware.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state when the parallel cooling mode 44 is set. At this time, the intake side flow path switching valve 20 is opened, the first flow path 14 and the second flow path 16 are connected in parallel to the intake flow path 12, and the exhaust side flow path switching valve 22 is also opened at the same time. The first flow path 14 and the second flow path 16 are connected in parallel to 18. Then, the first fan 24 is driven to rotate in the direction in which air is sucked into the intake flow path 12 from the outside and the air is discharged to the outside from the exhaust flow path 18, and the second fan 26 is fed into the DC / DC converter 32. To rotate. Thereby, air can be supplied from the outside, and both the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32 can be cooled and returned to the outside.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the circulation warm-up mode 46 is set. At this time, the intake side flow path switching valve 20 is closed, the intake flow path 12 is shut off while the first flow path 14 and the second flow path 16 are connected, and at the same time, the exhaust side flow path switching valve 22 is also closed. Thus, the exhaust flow path 18 is blocked while the first flow path and the second flow path are connected. Then, the operation of the first fan 24 is stopped, and the second fan 26 is rotationally driven in a direction to send air to the DC / DC converter 32. Accordingly, the first flow path 14 and the second flow path 16 become a circulation flow path, and the high voltage battery pack 30 can be warmed up using the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter 32.

  When the circulation warm-up mode 46 is set because the high voltage battery pack 30 is at a low temperature, the heat capacity of the high voltage battery pack 30 is compared with the heat capacity of the DC / DC converter 32 in the initial stage of this mode setting. Therefore, the DC / DC converter 32 is cooled by the cold high voltage battery pack 30. That is, both cooling of the DC / DC converter 32 and warming up of the high voltage battery pack 30 can be realized. Thereafter, when the temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 rises, the temperature of the circulating air also rises and the cooling of the DC / DC converter 32 may be insufficient. Therefore, it is preferable to monitor the temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 and the temperature of the DC / DC converter 32 and switch to the parallel cooling mode at an appropriate timing.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of heating / cooling machine control executed by the control unit 40. Each procedure corresponds to a processing procedure in a corresponding power supply / cooling machine control program. In the following description, the symbols described in FIG. 1 are used.

The most frequent use of vehicle high-voltage battery pack heating / cooling control is when the vehicle is left in a cold region for a long time, and the vehicle, the vehicle interior, and the high-voltage battery pack are cold. In this case, the vehicle is started. Therefore, here, the description starts from the start of the vehicle, that is, from the start (S10). Then, it is determined whether or not the battery temperature T is lower than a predetermined temperature T ₀ or whether the battery voltage V is lower than a predetermined voltage V ₀ (S12).

  The battery temperature T is detection data of a temperature sensor arranged at an appropriate position in the high voltage battery pack 30. The battery temperature determined in S12 may be a representative temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 or may be a temperature at a position where the temperature tends to be the lowest, such as an end portion of the high voltage battery pack 30. Of course, the determination may be made based on temperature data at a plurality of positions. Similarly, the battery voltage V is also detected data of a temperature sensor arranged at an appropriate position in the high voltage battery pack 30, and the determination regarding the battery voltage V in S12 is also representative voltage, end voltage, and voltage at a plurality of positions. Can be done based on.

  In S12, when the determination is negative, the process proceeds to S18, where the parallel cooling mode is selected, but it is determined that the high voltage battery pack 30 is placed at a low temperature or for some reason the high voltage battery pack. If it is determined that the battery characteristics of 30 are degraded and the output voltage is low, mode selection is performed for circulation warm-up mode 46 (S14). This function is executed by the mode selection module 42 of the control unit 40. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the intake side flow path switching valve 20 and the exhaust side flow path switching valve 22 are closed, the operation of the first fan 24 is stopped, and the second fan 26 is driven to rotate. is there.

Next, it is determined whether or not the battery temperature T is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T ₀ and whether the battery voltage V is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage V ₀ (S16). If the battery temperature T is not equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T ₀ or the battery voltage V is not equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage V ₀ , the process returns to S14 and the circulation warm-up mode 46 is continued. If the battery temperature T is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T ₀ and the battery voltage V is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage V ₀ , switching to the parallel cooling mode 44 is performed (S18). That is, the air flow mode is switched according to the battery temperature T and the battery voltage V. This function is executed by the mode switching module 48 of the control unit 40.

  As described with reference to FIG. 3, it is preferable to monitor the temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 and the temperature of the DC / DC converter 32 and switch to the parallel cooling mode 44 at an appropriate timing. For example, the temperature difference between the temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 and the temperature of the DC / DC converter 32 is compared with a predetermined temperature difference ΔT, and when the temperature difference is equal to or less than ΔT, the parallel cooling mode 44 can be switched. This condition can be added to S18.

  If the parallel cooling mode is selected or switched in S18, then the determination in S16 is made and, as described above, depending on the temperature T, voltage V, etc. of the high voltage battery pack 30, the circulation warm-up mode 46 and Switching to the parallel cooling mode 44 is performed.

In the above description, it is assumed that the intake side flow path switching valve 20 and the exhaust side flow path switching valve 22 are set to either open or closed state. That is, when the parallel cooling mode is set, the intake side flow path switching valve 20 and the exhaust side flow path switching valve 22 are opened, and when the circulation warm-up mode is set, the intake side flow path switching valve 20 is also exhaust side flow. Although the path switching valve 22 is also completely closed, in some cases, these valves can be in an intermediate state between full open and fully closed, and an appropriate amount of external air is supplied. but it may also as shall.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply system 60 of a series cooling-circulation warm-up system as a reference embodiment . In the following, elements similar to those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The power supply system 60 also performs necessary cooling for the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32, and when necessary, uses the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter 32 to provide the high voltage battery pack 30. It has a function to warm up.

  5 includes a plurality of flow paths 12, 62, 64, and 18 for flowing air between the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32, and two switches as flow path setting means. It includes valves 66 and 68 and a fan 70 for flowing air through the flow path set by the flow path setting means.

  Here, the plurality of flow paths are arranged between the intake flow path 12 for supplying air from the outside, the exhaust flow path 18 for returning air to the outside, and the high-voltage battery disposed between the intake flow path 12 and the exhaust flow path 18. A serial flow path 62 for flowing the same air in series with respect to the pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32, and a parallel flow path 64 arranged in parallel with the serial flow path 62. These flow paths can be constituted by appropriate piping.

  As the flow path setting means, an intake side flow path switching valve 66 provided at a connection point between the intake flow path 12, the serial flow path 62, and the parallel flow path 64, the serial flow path 62, the parallel flow path 64, and the exhaust flow. An exhaust side flow path switching valve 68 provided at a connection point with the path 18 is provided.

  These switching valves are controlled to open and close in accordance with instructions from the control unit 80. For example, the intake-side flow path switching valve 66 can take two switching states, and one switching state can be achieved by rotating the valve in a parallel direction with respect to the intake flow path 12 and the series flow path 62. The flow path 12 is connected only to the serial flow path 62, and the parallel flow path 64 is separated. Another switching state is that the valve is perpendicular to the intake flow path 12 and rotates so as to connect the series flow path 62 and the parallel flow path 64 so that the intake flow path 12 is also connected to the parallel flow path from the series flow path 62. 64 is also cut off. Similarly, the exhaust side flow path switching valve 68 can take two switching states, and one switching state is obtained by rotating the valve in a direction parallel to the series flow path 62 and the exhaust flow path 18. The exhaust flow path 18 is connected only to the serial flow path 62, and the parallel flow path 64 is separated. Another switching state is that the valve is perpendicular to the exhaust flow path 18 and rotates so as to connect the series flow path 62 and the parallel flow path 64 so that the exhaust flow path 18 is also connected to the parallel flow path from the series flow path 62. 64 is also cut off.

  A fan 70 for flowing air through the flow path is disposed in the serial flow path 62. The fan 70 is driven in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 80.

  Based on the temperature T or voltage V of the high voltage battery pack 30 and, if necessary, the control unit 80 based on the temperature T of the DC / DC converter 32, the intake side flow path switching valve 66 and the exhaust side flow path It has a function of changing the switching state of the switching valve 68, controlling the operation of the fan, and setting and controlling the air flow between the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32.

  There are two modes of air flow, the serial cooling mode and the circulation warm-up mode. The control unit 80 selects one of these two modes, and the two modes according to the situation. Can be switched between. That is, the control unit 80 selects a mode between the serial cooling mode 84 and the circulation warm-up mode 86 and sets a flow path, and a mode switching module that switches between these two modes. 88.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when the serial cooling mode 84 is set. At this time, the intake side flow path switching valve 66 is rotated in a direction parallel to the intake flow path 12 and the series flow path 62 so that the intake flow path 12 is connected only to the serial flow path 62 and at the same time the exhaust side flow path switching is performed. The valve 68 also rotates in the parallel direction with respect to the serial flow path 62 and the exhaust flow path 18, thereby connecting the exhaust flow path 18 only to the serial flow path 62 and separating the parallel flow path 64 from these. Then, the fan 70 is driven to rotate in a direction in which air is sucked into the intake passage 12 from the outside and air is discharged from the exhaust passage 18 to the outside. Thereby, air can be supplied from the outside, and the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32 can be cooled in series with the same air and returned to the outside.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when the circulation warm-up mode 86 is set. At this time, the intake side flow path switching valve 66 is rotated perpendicularly to the intake flow path 12 so as to connect the series flow path 62 and the parallel flow path 64, and at the same time, the exhaust side flow path switching valve 68 is also turned into the exhaust flow path 18. The intake passage 12 and the exhaust passage 18 are blocked from both the series passage 62 and the parallel passage 64 by rotating so that the series passage 62 and the parallel passage 64 are connected to each other. Then, the fan 70 is rotationally driven in a direction in which air is fed from the high voltage battery pack 30 toward the DC / DC converter 32. As a result, the serial flow path 62 and the parallel flow path 64 become a circulation flow path, and the high voltage battery pack 30 can be warmed up using the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter 32.

  When the circulation warm-up mode 86 is set because the high voltage battery pack 30 is at a low temperature, the heat capacity of the high voltage battery pack 30 is compared with the heat capacity of the DC / DC converter 32 at the initial stage of this mode setting. Therefore, the DC / DC converter 32 is cooled by the cold high voltage battery pack 30. That is, both cooling of the DC / DC converter 32 and warming up of the high voltage battery pack 30 can be realized. Thereafter, when the temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 rises, the temperature of the circulating air also rises and the cooling of the DC / DC converter 32 may be insufficient. Therefore, it is preferable to monitor the temperature of the high voltage battery pack 30 and the temperature of the DC / DC converter 32 and switch to the parallel cooling mode at an appropriate timing.

  The heating / cooling control procedure executed by the control unit 80 is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4 and is performed by selecting between the series cooling mode and the circulation warming-up mode and switching between them. The detailed explanation is omitted.

Further, in the above, the intake side flow path switching valve 66 and the exhaust side flow path switching valve 68 are set to either the serial cooling mode flow path formation or the circulation warm-up mode flow path formation. Explained as a thing. That is, the parallel flow path 64 is separated when the series cooling mode is set, and the intake flow path 12 and the exhaust flow path 18 are completely blocked when the circulation warm-up mode is set. is intended to be able to take an intermediate state between the two states of these valves modes, but it may also as appropriate amount of external air while forming the circulation flow path is provided.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply system 100 of a series cooling-series warm-up system using a bidirectional fan as another reference embodiment . In the following, elements similar to those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The power supply system 100 also performs necessary cooling for the high-voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32, and uses the exhaust heat of the DC / DC converter 32 when necessary. It has a function to warm up.

  The flow path in FIG. 8 is only the flow path 102 in which the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32 are arranged in series. A bidirectional fan 104 is arranged in series with the flow path 102. The bidirectional fan 104 is a blower capable of rotating in the forward direction or the reverse direction. The control unit 110 controls the rotational direction of the bidirectional fan 104.

  For example, in FIG. 8, if the bidirectional fan 104 takes air from the flow path 106 at one end of the flow path 102 and discharges air from the flow path 108 at the other end by forward rotation, Air is taken in from the flow path 108 at the other end, and air is discharged from the flow path 106 at the one end. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the high voltage battery pack 30 is disposed on the flow path 106 at one end, and the DC / DC converter 32 is disposed on the flow path 108 at the other end. Then, air flows in the direction from the high voltage battery pack 30 toward the DC / DC converter 32 by the forward rotation of the bidirectional fan 104, and the direction from the DC / DC converter 32 toward the high voltage battery pack 30 by the reverse rotation. Air flows through. As described above, the bidirectional fan 104 has a function of changing the air flow in the flow path 102 under the control of the control unit 110.

  In FIG. 8, the relationship of the serial arrangement of these elements is shown as the order of bidirectional fan 104-high voltage battery pack 30-DC / DC converter 32, but other arrangement orders may be used. For example, the order may be the high voltage battery pack 30-the bidirectional fan 104-the DC / DC converter 32, or the order of the high voltage battery pack 30-the DC / DC converter 32-the bidirectional fan 104.

  The control unit 110 controls the operation of the bidirectional fan 104 based on the temperature T or the voltage V of the high voltage battery pack 30 and, if necessary, based on the temperature T of the DC / DC converter 32, and controls the high voltage battery. It has a function of setting and controlling how air flows between the pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32.

  There are two modes of air flow, the cooling mode and the warm-up mode, and the control unit 110 selects one of these two modes and switches between these two modes depending on the situation. Switching can be performed. That is, the control unit 110 selects a mode between the cooling mode 114 and the warm-up mode 116 to set a flow path, and a mode switching module 118 that switches between these two modes. including.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state when the cooling mode 114 is set. This mode is selected when the high voltage battery pack 30 is at a high temperature, for example. At this time, the direction of rotation of bidirectional fan 104 is controlled so that air flows from high voltage battery pack 30 to DC / DC converter 32 in flow path 102. In the above example, the bidirectional fan 104 is rotated in the forward direction. In FIG. 9, this is shown as counterclockwise rotation. As a result, outside air is taken in from the flow path 106 at one end, the high voltage battery pack 30 and the DC / DC converter 32 are cooled, and air is discharged to the outside from the flow path 108 at the other end.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state when the warm-up mode 116 is set. This mode is selected, for example, when the high voltage battery pack 30 is at a low temperature and needs to be warmed up. At this time, the rotation direction of the bidirectional fan 104 is controlled so that air flows from the DC / DC converter 32 to the high voltage battery pack 30 in the flow path 102. In the above example, the bidirectional fan 104 is rotated in the reverse direction. In FIG. 10, this is shown as clockwise rotation. As a result, outside air is taken in from the other flow path 108, and the air heated by the heat generated by the DC / DC converter 32 is supplied to the high voltage battery pack 30 to warm up the high voltage battery pack 30. Air is discharged from the end flow path 106 to the outside.

  The heating / cooling control procedure executed by the control unit 110 is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4 and is performed by selecting and switching between the cooling mode and the warming-up mode. Is omitted.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the power supply system of the parallel cooling-circulation warming-up system which is embodiment which concerns on this invention . It is a figure which shows a mode when setting parallel cooling mode in embodiment which concerns on this invention . It is a figure which shows a mode when setting circulation warm-up mode in embodiment which concerns on this invention . In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the heating / cooling machine control performed by a control part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the power supply system of a serial cooling-circulation warm-up system as a reference Example . It is a figure which shows a mode when setting serial cooling mode in a reference Example . It is a figure which shows a mode when setting a circulation warm-up mode in a reference Example . It is a figure which shows the structure of the power supply system of a series cooling-series warming-up system as another reference Example . It is a figure which shows the mode of the cooling mode in another reference Example . It is a figure which shows the mode of the warming-up mode in another reference Example .

10, 60, 100 power supply system, 12, 14, 16, 18, 62, 64, 102, 106, 108 flow path, 20, 22, 66, 68 switching valve, 24, 26, 70 fan, 30 high voltage battery pack , 32 DC / DC converter, 40, 80, 110 control unit, 42, 82, 112 mode selection module, 44 parallel cooling mode, 46, 86 circulation warm-up mode, 48, 88, 118 mode switching module, 84 series cooling mode 104 bidirectional fans, 114 cooling mode, 116 warm-up mode.

Claims (2)

Power supply,
Electrical components with a higher rate of temperature change per unit time than the power supply,
A plurality of flow paths in which a power source and electrical components are arranged so as to exchange heat with flowing air, the flow path connecting from an intake port for taking in air to a discharge port for discharging air;
A flow path setting means for setting the flow path by changing the flow of air between the power source and the electrical component by changing the way of connecting the plurality of flow paths;
A fan for flowing air through the flow path set by the flow path setting means;
Based on the temperature or voltage of the power source, the flow path change of the flow path setting means and the operation of the fan are controlled, and one of a plurality of modes of air flow between the power source and the electrical component is selected. Control means;
With
Multiple modes
Cooling mode that takes in air from the outside, cools both the electrical components and the power supply and returns them to the outside, shuts off air flow between the outside and circulates air between the electrical components and the power supply, and turns on the power supply It is a circulation warm-up mode that warms up,
The plurality of flow paths are: an intake flow path for taking in air from the outside; an exhaust flow path for returning air to the outside; a first flow path that is arranged between the intake flow path and the exhaust flow path and flows air to the power source; A second flow path that is arranged in parallel with the first flow path and flows air to the electrical component,
The fan includes a first fan disposed in the intake flow path and a second fan disposed in the second flow path,
The flow path setting means includes an intake side flow path switching valve provided at a connection point between the intake flow path, the first flow path, and the second flow path, and the first flow path, the second flow path, and the exhaust flow path. Including an exhaust-side flow path switching valve provided at a connection location,
When the parallel cooling mode is selected, the first flow path and the second flow path are connected in parallel to the intake flow path by the intake side flow path switching valve, and the first flow path is connected to the exhaust flow path by the exhaust side flow path switching valve. Connecting the flow path and the second flow path in parallel;
When selecting the warm-up mode, the intake flow path is shut off by the intake side flow path switching valve to connect the first flow path and the second flow path, and the exhaust flow path is blocked by the exhaust side flow path switching valve. The power supply system is characterized in that the first flow path and the second flow path are connected, and the first flow path and the second flow path become a circulation flow path . The power supply system according to claim 1,
The power supply is a high voltage battery for vehicles,
An electric component having a rate of temperature change per unit time larger than that of a power source is a DC / DC converter that generates a low voltage for a vehicle .

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