Brine-type cooling apparatus and operation control method of same

Abstract

A brine-type cooling apparatus applied to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle air conditioning case 11, a blower 13, and an air conditioner control ECU 23 as air conditioner controlling means, said brine type cooling apparatus comprising a heat absorbing member 8 for absorbing heat from an electronic equipment 7, a heat radiating member 2 for discharging the absorbed heat, a brine pipeline 6 and a circulation pump 9, and a cooling apparatus control ECU 30 as cooling apparatus controlling means. Even when the air conditioner control ECU 23 stops the blower 13 as air conditioner control, an air flow rate is controlled to set an airflow rate of the blower 13 to a predetermined flow rate based on the brine temperature detected by an inlet water temperature sensor 32.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the basic construction of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an air conditioning control ECU in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the blower control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the blower control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU in another example of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the overall construction of a brine type cooling apparatus and a vehicle-mounted air conditioning unit according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the arrangement an evaporator and a heat radiating member in the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the arrangement an evaporator and a heat radiating member in the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the arrangement an evaporator and a heat radiating member in the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the overall construction of a brine type cooling apparatus and a vehicle-mounted air conditioning unit according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the blower control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU in the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the blower control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU 30 in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the overall construction of a brine type cooling apparatus and a vehicle-mounted air conditioning unit according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a brine type cooling apparatus according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a brine type cooling apparatus according to a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU of the brine type cooling apparatus as shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a brine type cooling apparatus according to another example of the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU of the brine type cooling apparatus as shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a brine type cooling apparatus according to a eighth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the refrigerant discharge control executed by the cooling apparatus control ECU of the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a brine type cooling apparatus according to a first example of another embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing a brine type cooling apparatus according to a second example of another embodiment.

Claims

1. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning case which forms an air passage for flowing air into the vehicle room, a blower for generating air flow in said air conditioning case toward the vehicle room, an evaporator disposed in said air conditioning case for cooling air in said air conditioning case by evaporating the refrigerant circulated in refrigeration cycle, and air conditioner control means for controlling the airflow rate of said blower for air conditioning, said apparatus comprising: a heat absorbing member for absorbing heat of a vehicle-mounted object to be cooled into brine to thereby cool said object to be cooled;a heat radiating member for discharging heat from the brine to the air in said air conditioning case;a circulation pump for circulating brine between said heat absorbing member and said heat radiating member; andcooling apparatus control means which, in the case where the control content of said blower for air conditioning executed by said air conditioner control means is stopping control of said blower, and when said object to be cooled needs to be cooled by brine, control so as to let flow the air in said air conditioning case to thereby air cool said heat radiating member.

2. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a physical quantity related to temperature of said object to be cooled; wherein, when the physical quantity detected by said detection means exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, said cooling apparatus control means execute control such that, by operating said blower with airflow rate set at a predetermined flow rate greater than 0, the air in said air conditioning case is let flow and said heat radiating member is thereby air cooled.

3. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection means is a temperature sensor for detecting temperature of the brine, and wherein said cooling apparatus control means operate said blower when the temperature of the brine (Tin, Tout) detected by said temperature sensor exceeds threshold temperature (Tth1, Tth2).

4. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: heat radiating member blowing means which are provided in said air conditioning case separately from said blower and which send airflow to said heat radiating member; anddetection means for detecting a physical quantity related to temperature of said object to be cooled;wherein said cooling apparatus control means execute control such that, when the physical quantity detected by said detection means exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, by operating said heat radiating member blowing means with airflow rate set at a predetermined flow rate greater than 0, the air in the air conditioning case is let flow, and said heat radiating member is thereby air cooled.

5. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a physical quantity related to temperature of said object to be cooled; wherein an internal/external air switching door is provided on the inlet side of said air conditioning case for switching between the introduction of air from inside of the vehicle room and the introduction of air from outside of the vehicle room; andwherein said cooling apparatus control means execute control such that, when the physical quantity detected by said detection means exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, by positioning said internal/external air switching door so as to obtain the introduced air from outside of the vehicle room at a predetermined rate greater than 0, the air in the air conditioning case is let flow, and said heat radiating member is thereby air cooled.

6. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a waste heat vent provided at a position different from the vent for air conditioning, and a waste heat vent opening/closing door for opening/closing of said waste heat vent are provided, and wherein said cooling apparatus control means execute control such that, when the air in said air conditioning case is to be let flow, said waste heat vent opening/closing door is positioned so as to open said waste heat vent.

7. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in said air conditioning case, there are provided a defroster vent for discharging air conditioned wind toward the front window glass of the vehicle, a foot vent for discharging air conditioned wind toward the feet of the occupant, and a defroster door and a foot door for opening/closing said defroster vent and said foot vent, respectively, and wherein said cooling apparatus control means execute control such that, when the air in said air conditioning case is to be let flow, said defroster door and said foot door are positioned so as to open at least one of said defroster vent and said foot vent.

8. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus to be applied to a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning case which forms air passage for passing air into the vehicle room, an evaporator disposed in said air conditioning case for cooling air in said air conditioning case by evaporating the refrigerant circulated in refrigeration cycle, a compressor for discharging refrigerant and circulating refrigerant in said refrigeration cycle, and air conditioner control means for controlling the amount of refrigerant discharged by said compressor, said apparatus comprising: a heat absorbing member for absorbing heat of a vehicle-mounted object to be cooled into brine to thereby cool said object to be cooled;a heat radiating member thermally connected to the low pressure path side of said refrigeration cycle for discharging heat from brine to the refrigerant in said refrigeration cycle;a pump for circulating brine between said heat absorbing member and said heat radiating member; andcooling apparatus control means which, in the case where the control content of said compressor for air conditioning executed by said air conditioner control means is for the amount of refrigerant discharged by said compressor to be 0, and when said object to be cooled needs to be cooled by brine, control said compressor to discharge refrigerant to thereby circulate the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle and control said heat radiating member to discharge heat to the refrigerant.

9. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising detection means for detecting a physical quantity related to the temperature of said object to be cooled; wherein, when the physical quantity detected by said detection means exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, said cooling apparatus control means control said compressor to discharge refrigerant at predetermined rate greater than 0.

10. A brine-type vehicle cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heat radiating member is thermally connected to said evaporator for discharging heat from brine to refrigerant in said evaporator.

11. A brine type cooling apparatus which has a brine circuit with brine circulated as a heat exchanging medium provided to a refrigeration cycle via a heat radiating member constructed in thermally conductive contact with the low pressure path side of said refrigeration cycle, and has a vehicle-mounted electronic equipment to be cooled interposed in said brine circuit via a heat absorbing member constructed in thermally conductive contact with the vehicle-mounted electronic equipment, wherein operation of a compressor in said refrigeration cycle is controlled based on the temperature of the brine circulated in said brine circuit.

12. A brine-type cooling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said heat radiating member is constructed in thermally conductive contact with an evaporator in the low pressure path side of said refrigeration cycle.

13. An operation control method of a brine-type cooling apparatus according to claim 12 comprising successive continuation of the control procedure including: a step (S100) of reading-in temperature (Ta) of the brine circulated in said brine circuit;a step (S101) of determining whether or not said brine temperature (Ta) is equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature (T2) set in advance lest said vehicle-mounted electronic equipment is excessively cooled to cause dew condensation;a step (S102) of turning said compressor OFF and returning to START if said brine temperature (Ta) is equal to or lower than said first predetermined temperature (Ta≦T2);a step (S103) of determining whether or not said brine temperature (Ta) is equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature (T1) set in advance lest the brine temperature overheats said vehicle-mounted electronic equipment if said brine temperature (Ta) is higher than said first predetermined temperature (Ta>T2); anda step (S104) of turning said compressor (14) ON and returning to START if said brine temperature (Ta) is equal to or higher than said second predetermined temperature (T1≦Ta).

14. A brine-type cooling apparatus which has a brine circuit with brine circulated as a heat exchanging medium provided to a refrigeration cycle via a heat radiating member constructed in thermally conductive contact with an evaporator in the low pressure path side of said refrigeration cycle, and has a vehicle-mounted electronic equipment to be cooled interposed in said brine circuit via a heat absorbing member constructed in thermally conductive contact with the vehicle-mounted electronic equipment, wherein operation of a compressor in said refrigeration cycle and a pump in said brine circuit is controlled based on monitoring of the temperature (Ta) of the brine circulated in said brine circuit as well as monitoring of the state of said evaporator.

15. An operation control method of a brine-type cooling apparatus according to claim 12 comprising successive continuation of the control procedure including: a first step (S200) of reading-in temperature (Ta) of brine circulated in said brine circuit while reading-in air temperature (Tb) after passing said evaporator;a second step (S201) of determining whether or not said air temperature (Tb) is equal to or lower than a first predetermined temperature (T4) set in advance lest said evaporator is excessively cooled to cause freezing, and if said air temperature is equal to or lower than said first predetermined temperature (Tb≦T4), proceeding to a third step (S202) of turning said compressor OFF, or if said air temperature is higher than said first predetermined temperature (Tb>T4), proceeding to a seventh step (S206) of determining whether or not said air temperature (Tb) is equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature (T3) set in advance lest said air temperature overheats said evaporator;a fourth step (S203) of proceeding from said third step (S202) and determining whether or not brine temperature (Ta) is equal to or higher than a third predetermined temperature (T1) set in advance lest said vehicle-mounted electronic equipment is over heated, and if the brine temperature is equal to or higher than a third predetermined temperature (T1≦Ta), proceeding to a fifth step (S203) of controlling output of said pump to be a first flow rate (G1) and returning to START, or if the brine temperature is lower than a third predetermined temperature (T1>Ta), proceeding to a sixth step (S205) of controlling output of said pump to be a second flow rate (G2) less than the first flow rate (G1) and returning to START;a seventh step (S206) of determining whether or not said air temperature (Tb) is equal to or higher than a fourth predetermined temperature (T3) set in advance lest said evaporator is overheated, and if said air temperature is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined temperature (T3≦Tb), proceeding to a eighth step (S207) of turning said compressor ON, or if said air temperature is lower than the fourth predetermined temperature (T3>Tb), proceeding to a twelfth step (S211) of determining whether or not the brine temperature is equal to or higher than said third predetermined temperature (T1≦Ta);a ninth step (S208) of proceeding from said eighth step (S207) and determining whether or not the brine temperature (Ta) is equal to or lower than a fourth predetermined temperature (T2) set in advance lest said vehicle-mounted electronic equipment is excessively cooled to cause dew condensation, and if the brine temperature is equal to or lower than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta≦T2), proceeding to a tenth step (S209) of controlling output of said pump to be a third flow rate (G2) less than said second flow rate (G) and returning to START, or if the brine temperature is higher than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta>T2), proceeding to a eleventh step (S210) of controlling output of said pump to be said second flow rate (G) and returning to START;a twelfth step (S211) of determining whether or not the brine temperature is equal to or higher than said third predetermined temperature (T1≦Ta), and if the brine temperature is equal to or higher than said third predetermined temperature (T1≦Ta), proceeding to a thirteenth step (S212) of determining whether or not said compressor is ON, or if the brine temperature is lower than said third predetermined temperature (T1>Ta), proceeding to a sixteenth step (S215) of determining whether or not the brine temperature is equal to or lower than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta≦T2);a thirteenth step (S212) of determining whether or not said compressor is ON, and if said compressor is ON, proceeding to a fourteenth step (S213) of controlling output of said pump to be said second flow rate (G) and returning to START, or if said compressor is OFF, proceeding to a fifteenth step (S214) of controlling output of said pump to be said first flow rate (G1) and returning to START;a sixteenth step (S215) of determining whether or not the brine temperature is equal to or lower than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta≦T2), and if the brine temperature is equal to or lower than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta≦T2), and if the brine temperature is equal to or lower than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta≦T2), proceeding to a seventeenth step (S216) of determining whether or not said compressor is ON, if the brine temperature is higher than said fourth predetermined temperature (Ta>T2), proceeding to a twentieth step (S219) of controlling output of said pump to be said second flow rate (G) and returning to START; anda seventeenth step (S216) of determining whether or not said compressor is ON, and if said compressor is ON, proceeding to a eighteenth step (S217) of controlling output of said pump to be said third flow rate (G2) and returning to START, or if said compressor is OFF, proceeding to a nineteenth step (S218) of controlling output of said pump to be said first flow rate (G) and returning to START.