IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,441,157
Granted Patent B2
US 12,441,157 · App. 18/589,732 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Thermal management system

Inventor: Tomoaki Suzuki (Nagoya, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60H1/00278B60H1/00385B60H1/00885B60K11/02B60L50/60B60L58/27B60H2001/00307
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,441,157
App. No.
18/589,732
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A thermal management system includes: an electrical storage device configured to exchange heat with a first flow path; a drive device configured to exchange heat with a second flow path; a radiator provided on a third flow path; a chiller device provided on a fourth flow path; and a switching device. In the thermal management system, during heating control for the electrical storage device, the switching device are controlled so that a connection flow path connecting the first flow path and the fourth flow path is formed and that the connection flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are disconnected from and independent of each other.

Claims (28)

1. A thermal management system mounted on an electrical apparatus, the thermal management system comprising:

a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path, each configured to allow a heat medium to flow through;

an electrical storage device configured to exchange heat with the heat medium in the first flow path;

a drive device configured to exchange heat with the heat medium in the second flow path and to supply a driving force to the electrical apparatus;

a radiator provided on the third flow path;

a chiller device provided on the fourth flow path;

a switching device configured to switch a connection state among the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path, wherein the switching device is configured to form a heating circuit when heating the electrical storage device by causing a current to flow through the electrical storage device, the heating circuit being a flow path circuit in which a connection flow path connecting the first flow path and the fourth flow path is formed; and the connection flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are disconnected from and independent of each other, and

the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path are independently controlled by the switching device.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the electrical apparatus is an electrified vehicle; and

the electrical storage device is heated when a traction system of the electrified vehicle is activated.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the electrical storage device is configured to be externally chargeable with charging power supplied from charging equipment external to the electrical apparatus; and

at start of being externally charged, the electrical storage device is heated to increase a temperature of the electrical storage device to a predetermined temperature or higher.

4. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the electrical storage device;

a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heat medium in the first flow path; and

a pump configured to circulate the heat medium in the connection flow path, wherein:

the pump is stopped when a measured value from the first temperature sensor is higher than a measured value from the second temperature sensor during heating with the heating circuit formed; and

the pump is driven when the measured value from the first temperature sensor is equal to or less than the measured value from the second temperature sensor during the heating with the heating circuit formed.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the electrical apparatus is an electrified vehicle;

the chiller device is configured to exchange heat with an air conditioning circuit configured to adjust a cabin temperature of the electrified vehicle; and

when a heating request using the air conditioning circuit is made during the heating with the heating circuit formed, heat generated by the electrical storage device is supplied to the air conditioning circuit via the chiller device.

6. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , further comprising a control device, wherein the control device is configured to, when heating the electrical storage device by causing the current to flow through the electrical storage device, control the switching device to cause the heating circuit formed.

7. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device includes a first five-way valve configured to connect or disconnect the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path to or from each other; and a second five-way valve configured to connect or disconnect the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path to or from each other.

8. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device includes an eight-way valve configured to connect or disconnect the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path to or from each other.

9. The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device includes a first six-way valve configured to connect or disconnect the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path to or from each other; and a second six-way valve configured to connect or disconnect the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path to or from each other.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 66588 FRAME 434. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 25, 2024
From: SUZUKI, TOMOAKI
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 067055/0810 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2024
From: SUZUKI, TOMOAKI
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 066588/0434 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2023-036606 · Mar 9, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240300285A1 · Sep 12, 2024
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Cited By (1)
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