U.S. patent application number 17/506621 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Masanobu TAKAZAWA, Naoaki TAKEDA, Masayuki TOYOKAWA, Hajime UTO.
Application Number | 20220041047 17/506621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220041047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKAZAWA; Masanobu ; et
al. |
February 10, 2022 |
HEAT DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR HYBRID VEHICLE
Abstract
A heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle is provided,
including: an engine cooling circuit through which cooling water
for cooling an internal combustion engine circulates; a MG cooling
circuit through which a refrigerant for cooling a motor generator
circulates; and a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange
between the cooling water and the refrigerant. When it is
determined based on a charging rate SOC of a battery that the
battery can be charged, charging control is performed to charge the
battery with electric power generated in a regenerative operation;
when it is determined that the battery cannot be charged, heat
dissipation control is performed to dissipate the heat generated by
the regenerative operation to the engine cooling circuit side by
the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the cooling water in
the heat exchanger.
Inventors: |
TAKAZAWA; Masanobu;
(Saitama, JP) ; UTO; Hajime; (Saitama, JP)
; TOYOKAWA; Masayuki; (Saitama, JP) ; TAKEDA;
Naoaki; (Saitama, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Appl. No.: |
17/506621 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16746950 |
Jan 19, 2020 |
11186165 |
|
|
17506621 |
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International
Class: |
B60K 11/02 20060101
B60K011/02; B60H 1/00 20060101 B60H001/00; B60L 58/26 20060101
B60L058/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 28, 2019 |
JP |
2019-011882 |
Claims
1. A heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle, which
distributes, in a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion
engine and a motor generator, heat generated by a regenerative
operation of the motor generator, the motor generator converting an
electric power of a battery into a mechanical power or converting
the mechanical power into the electric power by the regenerative
operation and collecting the electric power to the battery, the
heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine
cooling circuit through which cooling water for cooling the
internal combustion engine circulates; a motor generator cooling
circuit through which a refrigerant for cooling the motor generator
circulates and which is independent from the engine cooling
circuit; a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the
cooling water of the engine cooling circuit and the refrigerant of
the motor generator cooling circuit; and a control unit which
performs heat dissipation control to transfer heat generated by the
regenerative operation to the heat exchanger via the motor
generator cooling circuit and dissipate the heat to the engine
cooling circuit side by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger;
wherein the engine cooling circuit has: a main circuit in which the
cooling water circulates through the internal combustion engine; a
heat accumulator flow path which is connected to the main circuit
and is equipped with a heat accumulator for accumulating heat of
the cooling water; and a radiator circuit which is connected to the
main circuit and is equipped with a radiator for dissipating the
heat of the cooling water to an outside; the engine cooling circuit
further comprises: a first on-off valve for opening and closing the
heat accumulator flow path; a second on-off valve for opening and
closing the radiator circuit according to a temperature of the
internal combustion engine; and temperature detection units which
respectively detect the temperature of the internal combustion
engine and a temperature of the heat accumulator; and the control
unit controls heat dissipation to the heat accumulator, the
internal combustion engine, and the radiator by controlling the
first on-off valve according to the detected temperature of the
internal combustion engine and the detected temperature of the heat
accumulator.
2. The heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle according to
claim 1, wherein the control unit opens the first on-off valve and
thereby performs the heat dissipation to the heat accumulator when
the temperature of the heat accumulator is equal to or less than a
first predetermined temperature.
3. The heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle according to
claim 2, wherein the second on-off valve is configured to be kept
in a closed state when the temperature of the internal combustion
engine is equal to or less than a second predetermined temperature,
and be opened when the temperature of the internal combustion
engine exceeds the second predetermined temperature.
4. The heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle according to
claim 3, further comprising: a battery cooling circuit which is
connected to the engine cooling circuit and through which cooling
water for cooling the battery circulates; a third on-off valve for
opening and closing the battery cooling circuit; and a battery
temperature detection unit which detects a temperature of the
battery; wherein the control unit opens the third on-off valve and
thereby performs the heat dissipation to the battery for
temperature raising when the detected temperature of the battery is
equal to or less than a third predetermined temperature after the
temperature of the internal combustion engine exceeds the second
predetermined temperature.
5. The heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle according to
claim 4, wherein the battery cooling circuit has a radiator circuit
equipped with a battery radiator for dissipating the heat of the
cooling water to the outside, and the battery cooling circuit
further comprises a water pump for sending the cooling water toward
the battery radiator; and the control unit drives the water pump
and thereby performs the heat dissipation to the battery radiator
when the temperature of the battery exceeds the third predetermined
temperature.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of and claims
the priority benefit of a prior application Ser. No. 16/746,950,
filed on Jan. 19, 2020, now pending. The prior application Ser. No.
16/746,950 claims the priority benefit of Japan Application No.
2019-011882, filed on Jan. 28, 2019. The entirety of each of the
above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by
reference herein and made a part of this specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Technical Field
[0002] The disclosure relates to a heat distribution device for
hybrid vehicle which distributes, in a hybrid vehicle having an
internal combustion engine and a motor generator, heat generated in
the motor generator.
Related Art
[0003] As a conventional cooling device for a hybrid vehicle, for
example, a cooling device described in patent literature 1
(Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-313406) is known. The
hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a rotary electric machine
(motor generator) capable of power running and regeneration as a
drive source. In addition, the cooling device includes: an engine
cooling circuit through which a coolant (engine coolant) for
cooling the engine circulates; a rotary electric machine cooling
circuit through which a coolant (rotary electric machine coolant)
for cooling the rotary electric machine and an electric power
converter thereof circulates; a heat exchanger which performs heat
exchange between the coolants of the above two cooling circuits; a
switching valve which selectively connects the rotary electric
machine cooling circuit to the heat exchanger side or the side of a
bypass passage for bypassing the heat exchanger; and a radiator, a
pump and the like arranged in each cooling circuit.
[0004] In addition, the temperatures of the rotary electric machine
coolant at an inlet and an outlet of the heat exchanger are
respectively detected as an inlet temperature Tmin and an outlet
temperature Tmout. Then, when the inlet temperature Tmin<the
outlet temperature Tmout and the inlet temperature Tmin>an upper
limit temperature Tmmax of the rotary electric machine are
satisfied, the rotary electric machine side receives heat from the
engine side and may overheat, and thus the overheat of the rotary
electric machine and the like is prevented by switching the
switching valve to the bypass passage side. On the other hand, if
the above conditions are not satisfied, the rotary electric machine
side does not receive heat from the engine side or the rotary
electric machine and the like may not overheat, and thus heat
dissipation from the rotary electric machine side to the engine
side is promoted by switching the switching valve to the heat
exchanger side.
[0005] In the conventional cooling device described above, it is
limited to control a substantial activation or deactivation of the
heat exchanger and control the heat exchange between the rotary
electric machine and the engine based on a relationship between the
inlet temperature Tmin and the outlet temperature Tmout of the
rotary electric machine coolant in the heat exchanger, that is, a
relative temperature relationship between the rotary electric
machine and the engine or a relationship between the temperature of
the rotary electric machine and the upper limit temperature of the
rotary electric machine. Therefore, even when there is a component
other than the engine that requires the heat generated in the
rotary electric machine, the heat of the rotary electric machine
cannot be distributed to the component.
[0006] In addition, in a state that the battery is fully charged or
almost fully charged, even if electric power is generated by a
regenerative operation of the rotary electric machine, the electric
power cannot be charged into the battery and is inevitably
dissipated (consumed) in the form of heat. In this case, in the
conventional cooling device, along with a delay before the heat
generation in the rotary electric machine is reflected at the inlet
of the heat exchanger, the relationship that the inlet temperature
Tmin>the outlet temperature Tmout is not immediately satisfied,
and thus the heat exchanger does not operate and cannot dissipate
the heat to the engine side.
[0007] The disclosure provides a heat distribution device for
hybrid vehicle, which is capable of appropriately distributing heat
generated in a motor generator during regenerative operation to
vehicle components and effectively utilizing the heat or
dissipating the heat to the outside.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a heat
distribution device for hybrid vehicle, which distributes, in a
hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a motor
generator, heat generated in the motor generator, the motor
generator converting an electric power of a battery into a
mechanical power or converting the mechanical power into the
electric power by a regenerative operation and collecting the
electric power to the battery. The heat distribution device for
hybrid vehicle includes: an engine cooling circuit through which
cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine
circulates; a motor generator cooling circuit through which a
refrigerant for cooling the motor generator circulates and which is
independent from the engine cooling circuit; a heat exchanger which
performs heat exchange between the cooling water of the engine
cooling circuit and the refrigerant of the motor generator cooling
circuit; a charging rate acquisition unit which acquires a charging
rate SOC of the battery; a charging determination unit which
determines, based on the acquired charging rate SOC of the battery,
whether the battery can be charged; and a control unit, wherein in
a case the regenerative operation is performed, the control unit
performs charging controls to charge the battery with the electric
power generated by the regenerative operation when it is determined
that the battery can be charged, and performs heat dissipation
controls to transfer the heat generated by the regenerative
operation to the heat exchanger via the motor generator cooling
circuit and dissipate the heat to the engine cooling circuit side
by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger when it is determined
that the battery cannot be charged.
[0009] In addition, according to another embodiment, the disclosure
provides a heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle, which
distributes, in a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion
engine and a motor generator, heat generated by a regenerative
operation of the motor generator, the motor generator converting an
electric power of a battery into a mechanical power or converting
the mechanical power into the electric power by the regenerative
operation and collecting the electric power to the battery. The
heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle includes: an engine
cooling circuit through which cooling water for cooling the
internal combustion engine circulates; a motor generator cooling
circuit through which a refrigerant for cooling the motor generator
circulates and which is independent from the engine cooling
circuit; a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the
cooling water of the engine cooling circuit and the refrigerant of
the motor generator cooling circuit; and a control unit which
performs heat dissipation control in which the heat generated by
the regenerative operation is transferred to the heat exchanger via
the motor generator cooling circuit and is dissipated to the engine
cooling circuit side by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger.
The engine cooling circuit has a main circuit in which the cooling
water circulates through the internal combustion engine, a heat
accumulator flow path which is connected to the main circuit and is
equipped with a heat accumulator for accumulating heat of the
cooling water, and a radiator circuit which is connected to the
main circuit and is equipped with a radiator for dissipating the
heat of the cooling water to an outside. The engine cooling circuit
further includes a first on-off valve for opening and closing the
heat accumulator flow path, a second on-off valve for opening and
closing the radiator circuit according to a temperature of the
internal combustion engine, and temperature detection units which
respectively detect the temperature of the internal combustion
engine and a temperature of the heat accumulator. The control unit
controls heat dissipation to the heat accumulator, the internal
combustion engine, and the radiator by controlling the first on-off
valve according to the detected temperature of the internal
combustion engine and the detected temperature of the heat
accumulator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a cooling device
including a heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device in the
cooling device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a heat distribution control
process performed by the control device of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating the flow
of cooling water of an engine cooling circuit and the flow of oil
of a motor generator cooling circuit in the cooling device in a
state of heat dissipation control to a heat accumulator.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 4 in a
state of heat dissipation control to an internal combustion
engine.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 4 in a
state of heat dissipation control to a battery.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 4 in a
state of heat dissipation control to a radiator.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the disclosure are
described in detail with reference to the diagrams. FIG. 1
schematically shows a cooling device including a heat treatment
device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in
the diagram, the cooling device 1 is applied to a hybrid vehicle
including an internal combustion engine 2 and a motor 4 mounted as
drive sources and a generator 5 or a battery 31. In this example,
the motor generator is configured by the motor 4 and the generator
5 which are separate from each other.
[0018] The cooling device 1 includes an engine cooling circuit 3
through which cooling water (for example, LLC (Long Life Coolant))
for cooling the internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to
as "the engine") 2 circulates; a MG (motor generator) cooling
circuit 6 through which oil (for example, ATF (Automatic
Transmission fluid)) serving as a refrigerant for cooling the motor
4 and the generator 5 circulates; a heat exchanger 7 for performing
heat exchange between the cooling water and the oil; a battery
cooling circuit 32 through which cooling water for cooling the
battery 31 circulates; and the like.
[0019] The engine cooling circuit 3 includes a main circuit 11
through which the cooling water can circulate constantly; a
radiator circuit 12 which has a radiator 8 and circulates the
cooling water between the engine 2 and the radiator 8; a heat
exchanger flow path 13 which has a heat exchanger 7 and brings the
cooling water flowing out from the engine 2 to the heat exchanger 7
back to the main circuit 11; a first three-way valve 14 which is
arranged in the heat exchanger flow path 13 and switches flow paths
of the cooling water; a heat accumulator flow path 34 which has a
heat accumulator 33 and supplies high-temperature cooling water
accumulated in the heat accumulator 33 to the main circuit 11; and
the like. Besides, the radiator 8 is disposed at the front of the
hybrid vehicle, and a grill shutter 50 (see FIG. 2) with a variable
opening for introducing cold air into the radiator 8 is arranged on
the front side of the radiator 8.
[0020] The main circuit 11 has first to third flow paths 11a-11c.
The first flow path 11a is connected to a cooling water outlet of a
water jacket (not shown) of the engine 2, the second flow path 11b
is arranged to connect a thermostat 9 and a first water pump 16
that is electric, and the third flow path 11c is arranged to
connect the first water pump 16 and the cooling water inlet of the
water jacket. The first flow path 11a is connected to the middle of
the second flow path 11b. In addition, in the first flow path 11a,
a second three-way valve 35, a second water pump 36 that is
electric, a heater 37, a heater core 38 used for vehicle heating,
and the like are arranged in order from the engine 2 side.
[0021] In the main circuit 11 configured in this way, when the
first water pump 16 is driven, the cooling water flowing out from
the cooling water outlet of the engine 2 flows in order through the
first to the third flow paths 11a-11c into the cooling water inlet
of the engine 2 and circulates.
[0022] The radiator circuit 12 has first to fourth flow paths
12a-12d and shares the second flow path 11b and the third flow path
11c of the main circuit 11. Specifically, the first flow path 12a
is arranged to connect the cooling water outlet of the engine 2 and
the radiator 8, and the second flow path 12b extends from the
radiator 8 to the downstream side. The downstream side of the
second flow path 12b branches into the third flow path 12c and the
fourth flow path 12d, the downstream end of the third flow path 12c
is connected to the thermostat 9, and the downstream end of the
fourth flow path 12d is connected to the first three-way valve 14.
The thermostat 9 is configured to block the radiator circuit 12
when the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the
radiator circuit 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined
temperature (for example, 90.degree. C.) and open the radiator
circuit 12 when the temperature of the cooling water exceeds the
predetermined temperature.
[0023] In the radiator circuit 12 configured in this way, when the
first water pump 16 is driven and the temperature of the cooling
water rises and exceeds the predetermined temperature, the cooling
water flowing out from the engine 2 due to the opening of the
thermostat 9 circulates in a manner of flowing in order through the
first flow path 12a, the radiator 8, the second flow path 12b, the
third flow path 12c, the thermostat 9, and the second flow path 11b
and the third flow path 11c of the main circuit 11 and returning to
the engine 2. Thereby, the heat of the cooling water is dissipated
from the radiator 8 to the outside. On the other hand, when the
cooling water is equal to or less than the predetermined
temperature, the thermostat 9 is kept closed, and the above cooling
water circulation does not occur.
[0024] The upstream end of the heat exchanger flow path 13 is
connected to the first three-way valve 14 and extends through the
heat exchanger 7, and the downstream end is connected to a part of
the main circuit 11 between the heater core 38 and the water pump
16.
[0025] In this configuration, the cooling water flowing from the
engine 2 into the heat exchanger flow path 13 via the first
three-way valve 14 flows into the first flow path 11a of the main
circuit 11 through the heat exchanger 7. In addition, when the
cooling water flows through the heat exchanger 7, as described
later, heat exchange is performed with oil in the MG cooling
circuit 6.
[0026] In addition, the heat accumulator flow path 34 branches from
the upstream side of the second three-way valve 35 in the main
circuit 11 and joins on the downstream side of the heater core 38.
In the heat accumulator flow path 34, a first flow rate control
valve 39 for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water, the heat
accumulator 33, and a third three-way valve 40 are arranged in
order from the engine 2 side (upstream side). The heat accumulator
33 has a double structure of inside structure and outside
structure, stores, in an adiabatic state, the cooling water heated
during operation of the engine 2, and supplies it to the engine 2
during warm-up operation to promote the warm-up.
[0027] In addition, the MG cooling circuit 6 has a motor flow path
21, a generator flow path 22, a feed flow path 23 and a return flow
path 24. The motor flow path 21 is passed through the motor 4, has
a motor oil pump 25, and is connected to the feed flow path 23 and
the return flow path 24 at two ends. The generator flow path 22 is
passed through the generator 5, has a generator oil pump 26, and is
connected, in parallel with the motor flow path 21, to the feed
flow path 23 and the return flow path 24 at two ends.
[0028] The feed flow path 23 is connected to the motor flow path 21
and the generator flow path 22 on one end side, and is connected to
the oil inlet of the heat exchanger 7 on the other end side.
Similarly, the return flow path 24 is connected to the motor flow
path 21 and the generator flow path 22 on one end side, and is
connected to the oil outlet of the heat exchanger 7 on the other
end side.
[0029] In the MG cooling circuit 6 configured as described above,
when the motor oil pump 25 is driven, the oil flowing out from the
motor 4 flows from the motor flow path 21 to the feed flow path 23,
flows into the heat exchanger 7, and returns to the motor oil pump
25 via the return flow path 24 and the motor flow path 21 after
flowing out through the inside of the heat exchanger 7. Similarly,
when the generator oil pump 26 is driven, the oil flowing out from
the generator 5 flows from the generator flow path 22 to the feed
flow path 23, flows into the heat exchanger 7, and returns to the
generator oil pump 26 via the return flow path 24 and the generator
flow path 22 after flowing out through the inside of the heat
exchanger 7. Besides, when the oil circulates in this way, in the
heat exchanger 7, heat exchange is performed between the oil and
the cooling water flowing into the heat exchanger 7 via the heat
exchanger flow path 13.
[0030] Furthermore, the battery cooling circuit 32 has a main
circuit 42 and a radiator circuit 43. The main circuit 42 branches
from a branch portion immediately downstream of the heater core 38
of the main circuit 11 of the engine cooling circuit 3 to form a
closed circuit, and returns to the downstream side of the branch
portion of the main circuit 11 and joins on the downstream side.
The main circuit 42 is passed through the battery 31, has a second
flow rate control valve 44 for adjusting the flow rate of the
cooling water, and is connected to the third three-way valve 40 of
the heat accumulator flow path 34.
[0031] The radiator circuit 43 is connected in parallel to the
upstream side and the downstream side of the battery 31 of the main
circuit so as to bypass the battery 31. In the radiator circuit 43,
a fourth three-way valve 45, a third water pump 46 that is
electric, a battery radiator 47, a DC/DC converter 48, and a
charger 49 are arranged in order from the upstream side. The fourth
three-way valve 45 is also connected to the downstream side of the
charger 49 in the radiator circuit 43.
[0032] In the battery cooling circuit 32 configured as described
above, when the second flow rate control valve 44 is opened, the
cooling water flows from the main circuit 11 of the engine cooling
circuit 3 into the main circuit 42 and circulates through the
battery 31 according to the opening of the second flow rate control
valve 44. Thereby, the battery 31 is heated or cooled by the
cooling water according to a temperature relationship between the
cooling water and the battery 31. In addition, when the third water
pump 46 is driven, the cooling water is sent from the main circuit
42 to the radiator circuit 43. Thereby, the heat of the cooling
water is dissipated from the battery radiator 47 to the outside,
and the DC/DC converter 48 and the charger 49 are cooled.
[0033] In addition, in this cooling device, sensors for detecting
temperature states of various devices are arranged as follows. An
engine water temperature sensor 51 that detects the temperature of
the cooling water near the cooling water outlet of the engine 2
(hereinafter referred to as "engine water temperature TW") is
arranged in the engine 2. In addition, a radiator water temperature
sensor 52 that detects the temperature of the cooling water near
the outlet of the radiator 8 (hereinafter referred to as "radiator
water temperature TWR") is arranged in the radiator 8, and
detection signals of the sensors are output to an ECU 10
(electronic control unit) described later (see FIG. 2).
[0034] In addition, a heat accumulator water temperature sensor 53
that detects the temperature of the cooling water near the outlet
of the heat accumulator 33 (hereinafter referred to as "heat
accumulator water temperature TWEST") is arranged in the heat
accumulator 33, an oil temperature sensor 54 that detects the
temperature of the oil (hereinafter referred to as "oil temperature
TATF") is arranged in the feed flow path 23 of the MG cooling
circuit 6, and a battery water temperature sensor 55 that detects
the temperature of the cooling water near the inlet of the battery
31 (hereinafter referred to as "battery temperature TWBAT") is
arranged in the battery 31, and detection signals of the sensors
are output to the ECU 10 (see FIG. 2).
[0035] Furthermore, a detection signal indicating a current/voltage
flowing through the battery 31 is input from a current and voltage
sensor 56 arranged in the battery 31 to the ECU 10. The ECU 10
calculates an actual charging rate SOC of the battery 31 based on
these detection signals.
[0036] The ECU 10 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU,
a RAM, a ROM, an I/O interface (none of the parts are shown), and
the like. The ECU 10 controls the cooling device 1 by controlling,
according to the detection signals and the like from the above
various temperature sensors 51-55, the above various devices of the
cooling device 1 (the first to the third water pumps 16, 36 and 46,
the motor and generator oil pumps 25, 26, the first and second flow
rate control valves 39 and 44, the first to the fourth three-way
valves 14, 35, 40 and 45, the grill shutter 50, and the like).
[0037] In addition, the ECU 10 performs, particularly in the
embodiment, a heat distribution control process for distributing
the heat generated by the generator 5 during the regenerative
operation by controlling the device shown in FIG. 2 and the
like.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows the heat distribution control process. The
process is repeatedly performed, for example, at a predetermined
cycle. First, in step 1 (illustrated as "S1", the same applies
hereinafter) of the process, a determination is made on whether a
regenerative operation flag F_REG is "1". The regenerative
operation flag F_REG is set to "1" when the regenerative operation
of the generator 5 is performed during deceleration of the vehicle
in which the engine 2 is stopped. When the answer to step 1 is NO
and the regenerative operation is not being performed, the process
is directly ended.
[0039] When the answer to step 1 is YES and the regenerative
operation is being performed, a determination is made on whether
the charging rate SOC of the battery 31 is equal to or larger than
a predetermined value SREF (step 2). The predetermined value SREF
is set to correspond to, for example, a fully charged state (for
example, 90%) of the battery 31. When this answer is NO and
SOC<SREF, it is assumed that the battery 31 can be charged,
charging control is performed to charge the battery 31 with the
electric power generated by the regenerative operation (step 3),
and the process is ended. By the charging control, the electric
power generated by the regenerative operation can be regenerated
according to the charging rate SOC of the battery 31.
[0040] When the answer to step 3 described above is YES and
SOC.gtoreq.SREF, it is assumed that the battery 31 cannot be
charged, the heat distribution control is performed to
distribute/dissipate the heat generated by the regenerative
operation to the appropriate device of the cooling device 1 in the
next step 4 and the subsequent steps. First, in step 4, a
determination is made on whether the detected heat accumulator
water temperature TWEST is equal to or less than the first
predetermined temperature TREF1 (for example, 90.degree. C.).
[0041] When the answer is YES and TWEST.ltoreq.TREF1, it is assumed
that the heat accumulation in the heat accumulator 33 is not
sufficient, the heat dissipation control to the heat accumulator 33
is performed to promote the heat accumulation (step 5), and the
process is ended. In the heat accumulator heat dissipation control,
the first flow rate control valve 39 is opened and the second flow
rate control valve 44 is closed in a state that the first water
pump 16 or the motor oil pump 25 and the generator oil pump 26 are
operating. FIG. 4 shows the flow of the cooling water and the oil
in the heat accumulator heat dissipation control state. Besides, in
FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5-7 described later, the flow paths through which
the cooling water or the oil flows are represented by thick lines,
the directions of the flow are indicated by arrows, and the flow
paths through which the cooling water or the oil does not flow are
represented by thin lines.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, in the control state, the motor oil pump
25 and the generator oil pump 26 are in operation, and thereby the
oil of the MG cooling circuit 6 flows from the motor 4 and the
generator 5 side to the feed flow path 23, flows into the heat
exchanger 7 and flows out through the inside of the heat exchanger
7, and then returns to the motor 4 and the generator 5 via the
return flow path 24.
[0043] On the other hand, the first water pump 16 are in operation,
and thereby the cooling water of the engine cooling circuit 3
circulates from the engine 2 via the main circuit 11. In addition,
the cooling water flows from the engine 2 into the heat exchanger 7
via the heat exchanger flow path 13, and is heated by heat exchange
with the high temperature oil, and then flows out of the heat
exchanger 7 and returns to the engine 2.
[0044] In addition, the first flow rate control valve 39 is in the
open state, and thereby the heated cooling water flows from the
engine 2 into the heat accumulator 33 via the heat accumulator flow
path 34. Accordingly, in the heat accumulator heat dissipation
control, the heat generated by the regenerative operation can be
dissipated to the heat accumulator 33 in a low temperature state
and effectively utilized for heat accumulation in the heat
accumulator 33.
[0045] Returning to FIG. 3, when the answer to step 4 is NO and
TWEST>TREF1, it is assumed that the heat accumulation of the
heat accumulator 33 is sufficient, the process proceeds to step 6,
and a determination is made on whether the engine water temperature
TW is equal to or less than the second predetermined temperature
TREF2. The second predetermined temperature TREF2 is set to, for
example, a predetermined value (for example, 90.degree. C.)
according to the operation temperature of the thermostat 9.
[0046] When the answer to step 6 is YES and TW.ltoreq.TREF2, it is
assumed that the thermostat 9 is not in operation and the warm-up
of the engine 2 is not completed, the heat dissipation control to
the engine 2 is performed (step 7), and the process is ended.
[0047] In the engine heat dissipation control, the first flow rate
control valve 39 is closed from the heat accumulator heat
dissipation control state described above. As shown in FIG. 5, in
the control state, similar to the case of the heat accumulator heat
dissipation control, the heat exchange between the cooling water
and the oil is performed in the heat exchanger 7, and the
temperature of the cooling water is raised. In addition, the first
flow rate control valve 39 is in the closed state, and thereby the
heated cooling water does not flow from the engine 2 into the heat
accumulator 33, and circulates via the main circuit 11.
Accordingly, in the engine heat dissipation control, the heat
generated by the regenerative operation can be dissipated to the
engine 2 and effectively utilized for the warm-up of the engine
2.
[0048] Returning to FIG. 3, when the answer to step 6 is NO and
TW>TREF2, it is assumed that the warm-up of the engine 2 is
completed and the thermostat 9 is in operation, and the grill
shutter 50 is controlled to be fully opened to promote the heat
dissipation performed by the radiator 8 (step 8). In addition, a
determination is made on whether the battery water temperature
TWBAT is equal to or less than the third predetermined temperature
TREF3 (step 9). The third predetermined temperature TREF3 is set
to, for example, a predetermined value (for example, 30.degree. C.)
lower than the upper limit temperature of the battery 31.
[0049] When the answer to step 9 is YES and TWBAT.ltoreq.TREF3, it
is assumed that the battery 31 is in the low temperature state, the
heat dissipation control to the battery 31 is performed to promote
the temperature raising (warm-up) of the battery 31 (step 10), and
the process is ended.
[0050] In the battery heat dissipation control, the second flow
rate control valve 44 is opened from the engine heat dissipation
control state described above. As shown in FIG. 6, in the control
state, the cooling water flows through the radiator circuit 12 in
accordance with the operation of the thermostat 9, and thereby the
heat of the cooling water is dissipated from the radiator 8 to the
outside. The heat dissipation from the radiator 8 is promoted by
the grill shutter 50 that is fully opened. In addition, the second
flow rate control valve 44 is in the open state, and thereby the
cooling water heated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 7 flows
in the main circuit 42 of the battery cooling circuit 32 and flows
into the battery 31. Thereby, in the battery heat dissipation
control, the heat generated by the regenerative operation can be
dissipated to the battery 31 and effectively utilized for the
temperature raising of the battery 31.
[0051] On the other hand, when the answer to step 9 is YES and
TWBAT>TREF3, it is assumed that the temperature raising of the
battery 31 is completed, the heat dissipation control to the
battery radiator 47 is performed (step 11), and the process is
ended.
[0052] In the radiator heat dissipation control, the third water
pump 46 is driven from the battery heat dissipation control state
described above. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the cooling water in
the battery cooling circuit 32 is sent to the battery radiator 47.
Accordingly, in the radiator heat dissipation control, after the
temperature raising of the battery 31 is completed, the heat
generated by the regenerative operation can be dissipated to the
battery radiator 47 and effectively dissipated to the outside.
[0053] Besides, the disclosure is not limited to the described
embodiments and can be implemented in various aspects. For example,
in the embodiments, when the condition that the charging rate SOC
of the battery 31 is equal to or larger than the predetermined
value SREF is satisfied, it is assumed that the battery 31 is fully
charged and cannot be charged, and the heat dissipation control is
performed. The disclosure can also perform the heat dissipation
control when the battery 31 is not fully charged for example,
without setting the above condition, and thereby the heat generated
by the regenerative operation can be actively utilized to perform
heat accumulation in the heat accumulator or warm-up of the
internal combustion engine, and the like.
[0054] In addition, in the embodiments, the heat accumulator 33,
the engine 2, or the battery 31 is subjected to heat dissipation as
a device that requires the heat generated by the regenerative
operation, and the engine radiator 8 or the battery radiator 47 is
subjected to heat dissipation as a device for dissipating the heat
generated by the regenerative operation to the outside, but the
disclosure is not limited hereto, and other suitable devices that
require or dissipate heat may also be employed.
[0055] In addition, in the embodiments, as the temperature
representative of the heat accumulator 33, the engine 2, or the
battery 31, the temperature of the cooling water in each device is
used, but the disclosure is not limited hereto, and the temperature
of the main body of each device may also be used. In addition, the
motor 4 and the generator 5 are configured separately from each
other, but the motor 4 and the generator 5 may also be integral.
Furthermore, the configuration of the cooling device 1 shown in
FIG. 1 and the like is merely an illustration, and the detailed
configuration can be changed within the scope of the gist of the
disclosure.
Other Configurations
[0056] According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a heat
distribution device for hybrid vehicle, which distributes, in a
hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine 2 and a motor
generator (a motor 4 and a generator 5 in the embodiment
(hereinafter, the same applies to this technical solution)), heat
generated in the motor generator, the motor generator converting an
electric power of a battery 31 into a mechanical power or
converting the mechanical power into the electric power by a
regenerative operation and collecting the electric power to the
battery 31. The heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle
includes: an engine cooling circuit 3 through which cooling water
for cooling the internal combustion engine 2 circulates; a motor
generator cooling circuit (a MG cooling circuit 6) through which a
refrigerant for cooling the motor generator circulates and which is
independent from the engine cooling circuit 3; a heat exchanger 7
which performs heat exchange between the cooling water of the
engine cooling circuit 3 and the refrigerant of the motor generator
cooling circuit; a charging rate acquisition unit (a current and
voltage sensor 56, an ECU 10) which acquires a charging rate SOC of
the battery 31; a charging determination unit (ECU 10, step 2 in
FIG. 3) which determines, based on the acquired charging rate SOC
of the battery 31, whether the battery 31 can be charged; and a
control unit (the ECU 10, step 4 and subsequent steps in FIG. 3),
wherein in a case the regenerative operation is performed, the
control unit performs charging controls to charge the battery 31
with the electric power generated by the regenerative operation
when it is determined that the battery 31 can be charged (step 3 in
FIG. 3), and performs heat dissipation controls to transfer the
heat generated by the regenerative operation to the heat exchanger
7 via the motor generator cooling circuit and dissipate the heat to
the engine cooling circuit 3 side by the heat exchange in the heat
exchanger 7 when it is determined that the battery 31 cannot be
charged.
[0057] According to this configuration, the engine cooling circuit
through which the cooling water for cooling the internal combustion
engine circulates and the motor generator cooling circuit through
which the refrigerant for cooling the motor generator circulates
are arranged independent from each other, and the heat exchange
between the cooling water and the refrigerant is performed in the
heat exchanger. In addition, the determination on whether the
battery can be charged is made based on the acquired charging rate
of the battery.
[0058] Then, when it is determined that the battery can be charged
in a case of performing the regenerative operation, the electric
power generated by the regenerative operation is charged into the
battery. Thereby, regeneration of the electric power generated by
the regenerative operation can be performed corresponding to the
conditions on the battery side.
[0059] On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery
cannot be charged, the heat dissipation control is performed in
which the heat generated by the regenerative operation is
transferred to the heat exchanger via the motor generator cooling
circuit and is dissipated to the engine cooling circuit side by the
heat exchange in the heat exchanger. Thereby, when the battery
cannot be charged, the heat generated by the regenerative operation
can be effectively utilized or dissipated to the outside by
dissipating the heat to the engine cooling circuit side and
appropriately distributing the heat to the vehicle components.
[0060] In one embodiment, the machine cooling circuit 3 has a heat
accumulator flow path 34 equipped with a heat accumulator 33 for
accumulating heat of the cooling water, and further includes a heat
accumulator water temperature detection unit (a heat accumulator
water temperature sensor 53) which detects a temperature of the
heat accumulator 33 (a heat accumulator water temperature TWEST);
and the control unit performs the heat dissipation to the heat
accumulator 33 when the detected temperature of the heat
accumulator 33 is equal to or less than a first predetermined
temperature TREF1 (steps 4 and 5 in FIG. 3).
[0061] According to this configuration, when the temperature of the
heat accumulator is equal to or less than the first predetermined
temperature, the heat dissipation to the heat accumulator is
performed. Thereby, the heat generated by the regenerative
operation can be effectively utilized for heat accumulation in the
heat accumulator by dissipating the heat to the heat accumulator in
a low temperature state.
[0062] In one embodiment, the heat distribution device for hybrid
vehicle above further includes an engine temperature detection unit
(an engine water temperature sensor 51) that detects a temperature
of the internal combustion engine 2 (an engine water temperature
TW), wherein the control unit ends the heat dissipation to the heat
accumulator 33 when the temperature of the heat accumulator exceeds
the first predetermined temperature TREF1, and performs the heat
dissipation to the internal combustion engine 2 for warm-up when
the detected temperature of the internal combustion engine 2 is
equal to or less than a second predetermined temperature TREF2
(steps 6 and 7 in FIG. 3).
[0063] According to this configuration, when the temperature of the
heat accumulator exceeds the first predetermined temperature, it is
assumed that the heat accumulation to the heat accumulator is
completed, and the heat dissipation to the heat accumulator can be
ended at an appropriate timing without wasting the heat generated
by the regenerative operation. In addition, when the detected
temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or less
than the second predetermined temperature, the heat dissipation to
the internal combustion engine is performed for warm-up. Thereby,
the heat generated by the regenerative operation can be effectively
utilized for the warm-up of the internal combustion engine.
[0064] In one embodiment, the engine cooling circuit 3 has a
radiator circuit 12 equipped with a radiator 8 for dissipating the
heat of the cooling water to an outside, and further includes a
thermostat 9 that opens the radiator circuit 12 when the
temperature of the internal combustion engine 2 exceeds the second
predetermined temperature TREF2.
[0065] According to this configuration, when the temperature of the
internal combustion engine exceeds the second predetermined
temperature, the thermostat operates and opens the radiator circuit
to thereby send the cooling water to the radiator. Accordingly,
after the warm-up of the internal combustion engine is completed,
the heat generated by the regenerative operation can be sent to the
radiator and effectively dissipated to the outside.
[0066] In one embodiment, the heat distribution device for hybrid
vehicle above further includes a battery cooling circuit 32 which
is connected to the engine cooling circuit 3 and through which
cooling water for cooling the battery 31 circulates, and a battery
temperature detection unit (a battery water temperature sensor 55)
which detects the temperature of the battery 31 (a battery water
temperature TWBAT), wherein the control unit opens the battery
cooling circuit 32 and thereby performs the heat dissipation to the
battery 31 for temperature raising when the temperature of the
battery 31 is equal to or less than a third predetermined
temperature TREF3 after the temperature of the internal combustion
engine 2 exceeds the second predetermined temperature TREF2 (steps
9 and 10 in FIG. 3).
[0067] According to this configuration, the battery cooling circuit
is connected to the engine cooling circuit, and the cooling water
for cooling the battery circulates through the battery cooling
circuit. Then, when the detected temperature of the battery is
equal to or less than the third predetermined temperature after the
temperature of the internal combustion engine exceeds the second
predetermined temperature, the heat dissipation to the battery for
temperature raising (warm-up) is performed by opening the battery
cooling circuit. Accordingly, the heat generated by the
regenerative operation can be effectively utilized for the
temperature raising of the battery.
[0068] In one embodiment, the battery cooling circuit 32 has a
battery radiator circuit 43 equipped with a battery radiator 47 for
dissipating the heat of the cooling water to the outside, and the
control unit performs the heat dissipation to the battery radiator
47 when the temperature of the battery 31 exceeds the third
predetermined temperature TREF3 (steps 9 and 11 in FIG. 3).
[0069] According to this configuration, when the temperature of the
battery exceeds the third predetermined temperature and the
temperature raising of the battery is completed, the heat
dissipation to the battery radiator is performed. Thereby, after
the temperature raising of the battery is completed, the heat
generated by the regenerative operation can be sent to the battery
radiator and effectively dissipated to the outside.
[0070] In addition, according to another embodiment, the disclosure
provides a heat distribution device for hybrid vehicle, which
distributes, in a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion
engine 2 and a motor generator (a motor 4 and a generator 5), heat
generated by a regenerative operation of the motor generator, the
motor generator converting an electric power of a battery 31 into a
mechanical power or converting the mechanical power into the
electric power by the regenerative operation and collecting the
electric power to the battery 31. The heat distribution device for
hybrid vehicle includes: an engine cooling circuit 3 through which
cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine 2
circulates; a motor generator cooling circuit (a MG cooling circuit
6) through which a refrigerant for cooling the motor generator
circulates and which is independent from the engine cooling circuit
3; a heat exchanger 7 which performs heat exchange between the
cooling water of the engine cooling circuit 3 and the refrigerant
of the motor generator cooling circuit; and a control unit (ECU 10,
step 4 and subsequent steps in FIG. 3) which performs heat
dissipation control in which the heat generated by the regenerative
operation is transferred to the heat exchanger 7 via the motor
generator cooling circuit and is dissipated to the engine cooling
circuit 3 side by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger 7. The
engine cooling circuit 3 has a main circuit 11 in which the cooling
water circulates through the internal combustion engine 2, a heat
accumulator flow path 34 which is connected to the main circuit 11
and is equipped with a heat accumulator 33 for accumulating heat of
the cooling water, and a radiator circuit 12 which is connected to
the main circuit 11 and is equipped with a radiator 8 for
dissipating the heat of the cooling water to an outside. The engine
cooling circuit further includes a first on-off valve (a first flow
rate control valve 39) for opening and closing the heat accumulator
flow path 34, a second on-off valve (a thermostat 9) for opening
and closing the radiator circuit 12 according to a temperature of
the internal combustion engine 2, and temperature detection units
(an engine water temperature sensor 51, a heat accumulator water
temperature sensor 53) which respectively detect the temperature of
the internal combustion engine 2 (an engine water temperature TW)
and a temperature of the heat accumulator 33 (a heat accumulator
water temperature TWEST). The control unit controls heat
dissipation to the heat accumulator 33, the internal combustion
engine 2, and the radiator 8 by controlling the first on-off valve
according to the detected temperature of the internal combustion
engine 2 and the detected temperature of the heat accumulator
33.
[0071] In this configuration, similar to the case of technical
solution 1 described above, the engine cooling circuit through
which the cooling water for cooling the internal combustion engine
circulates and the motor generator cooling circuit through which
the refrigerant for cooling the motor generator circulates are
arranged independent from each other, and the heat exchange between
the cooling water and the refrigerant is performed in the heat
exchanger. In addition, the engine cooling circuit has a main
circuit in which the cooling water circulates through the internal
combustion engine, a heat accumulator flow path which is connected
to the main circuit and is equipped with a heat accumulator for
accumulating the heat of the cooling water, and a radiator circuit
which is connected to the main circuit and is equipped with a
radiator for dissipating the heat of the cooling water to the
outside; and the engine cooling circuit further includes a first
on-off valve for opening and closing the heat accumulator flow
path, and a second on-off valve for opening and closing the
radiator circuit according to the temperature of the internal
combustion engine.
[0072] According to the disclosure, the heat dissipation control is
performed in which the heat generated by the regenerative operation
is transferred to the heat exchanger via the motor generator
cooling circuit and is dissipated to the engine cooling circuit
side by the heat exchange in the heat exchanger. In addition, in
this heat dissipation control, the heat dissipation to the heat
accumulator, the internal combustion engine, and the radiator is
controlled by controlling the first on-off valve according to the
detected temperature of the internal combustion engine and the
detected temperature of the heat accumulator. Accordingly,
regardless of a charging state of the battery, the heat generated
by the regenerative operation can be appropriately distributed to
the heat accumulator, the internal combustion engine, or the
radiator according to the actual temperatures of the internal
combustion engine and the heat accumulator, and can be effectively
utilized or dissipated.
[0073] In one embodiment, the control unit opens the first on-off
valve when the temperature of the heat accumulator 33 is equal to
or less than the first predetermined temperature TREF1 and thereby
performs the heat dissipation to the heat accumulator 33 (steps 4
and 5 in FIG. 3).
[0074] According to this configuration, when the temperature of the
heat accumulator is equal to or less than the first predetermined
temperature, the first on-off valve is opened to thereby open the
heat accumulator flow path and perform the heat dissipation to the
heat accumulator. Accordingly, the heat generated by the
regenerative operation can be effectively utilized for heat
accumulation in the heat accumulator by dissipating the heat to the
heat accumulator in a low temperature state. In addition, when the
temperature of the heat accumulator exceeds the first predetermined
temperature, it is assumed that the heat accumulation to the heat
accumulator is completed, and the heat dissipation to the heat
accumulator can be ended at an appropriate timing by closing the
first on-off valve and blocking the heat accumulator flow path
without wasting the heat generated by the regenerative
operation.
[0075] In one embodiment, the second on-off valve is configured to
be kept in a closed state when the temperature of the internal
combustion engine 2 is equal to or less than the second
predetermined temperature TREF2 and be opened when the temperature
of the internal combustion engine 2 exceeds the second
predetermined temperature TREF2.
[0076] According to this configuration, for example, when the
temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or less
than the second predetermined temperature after the end of the heat
dissipation to the regenerator, the second on-off valve is kept in
the closed state and the radiator circuit is blocked, and thereby
the heat generated by the regenerative operation can be dissipated
to the internal combustion engine and utilized for warm-up. In
addition, when the temperature of the internal combustion engine
exceeds the second predetermined temperature, the second on-off
valve is opened and the radiator circuit is opened, and thereby the
cooling water is sent to the radiator. Accordingly, after the
completion of the warm-up of the internal combustion engine, the
heat generated by the regenerative operation can be sent to the
radiator and effectively dissipated to the outside.
[0077] In one embodiment, the heat distribution device for hybrid
vehicle above further includes: a battery cooling circuit 32 which
is connected to the engine cooling circuit 3 and through which
cooling water for cooling the battery 31 circulates, a third on-off
valve (a second flow rate control valve 44) for opening and closing
the battery cooling circuit 32, and a battery temperature detection
unit (a battery water temperature sensor 55) which detects a
temperature of the battery 31 (a battery water temperature TWBAT);
wherein the control unit opens the third on-off valve and thereby
performs the heat dissipation to the battery 31 for warm-up when
the detected temperature of the battery 31 is equal to or less than
a third predetermined temperature TREF3 after the temperature of
the internal combustion engine 2 exceeds the second predetermined
temperature TREF2 (steps 9 and 10 in FIG. 3).
[0078] According to this configuration, the battery cooling circuit
is connected to the engine cooling circuit, and the cooling water
for cooling the battery circulates through the battery cooling
circuit. Then, when the battery temperature is equal to or less
than the third predetermined temperature after the temperature of
the internal combustion engine exceeds the second predetermined
temperature, the third on-off valve is opened and the battery
cooling circuit is opened to thereby perform the heat dissipation
to the battery for temperature raising. Accordingly, the heat
generated by the regenerative operation can be effectively utilized
for the temperature raising of the battery.
[0079] In one embodiment, the battery cooling circuit 32 has a
radiator circuit 43 equipped with a battery radiator 47 for
dissipating the heat of the cooling water to the outside, and
further includes a water pump (a third water pump 46) for sending
the cooling water toward the battery radiator 47; and the control
unit dries the water pump and thereby perform the heat dissipation
to the battery radiator 47 when the temperature of the battery 31
exceeds the third predetermined temperature TREF3 (steps 9 and 11
in FIG. 3).
[0080] According to this configuration, when the temperature of the
battery exceeds the third predetermined temperature, the heat
dissipation to the battery radiator is performed by driving the
water pump. Accordingly, after the temperature raising of the
battery is completed, the heat generated by the regenerative
operation can be sent to the battery radiator and effectively
dissipated to the outside.
[0081] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the
disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
disclosure covers modifications and variations provided that they
fall within the scope of the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *