HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE

Abstract

A heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle is capable of warming up the combustion engine (12) and heating the vehicle interior at low ambient temperatures, improving fuel efficiency by minimizing combustion engine operation, and enhancing system performance by preventing pressure drops in the circulating refrigerant. The heat pump system comprises a first cooling device (10), a second cooling device (20), a vehicle interior heater (30), a control valve (40), a first connecting line (41), a second connecting line (42), and an air conditioning unit (50), with a second line (21) and the second connecting line (43) each being connected to a condenser (53) to selectively circulate the first and second refrigerants.

Description

Area

[0001] The present disclosure and invention relate to a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle, and in particular to a heat pump system applicable to a hybrid vehicle which uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as power sources. background

[0002] A vehicle air conditioning system generally includes an (air) air conditioning unit which circulates a refrigerant to heat or cool the vehicle's interior.

[0003] The air conditioning unit, which serves to maintain the vehicle interior at a suitable temperature regardless of changes in the outside temperature in order to maintain a comfortable interior environment, is designed to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle by means of heat exchange through a condenser and an evaporator in a process in which a refrigerant discharged by the operation of a compressor is circulated through the condenser, a collector-dryer, an expansion valve and the evaporator back to the compressor.

[0004] In other words, the air conditioning unit lowers the temperature and humidity of the interior by condensing a high-temperature, high-pressure gas phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor through the condenser, passing the refrigerant through the collector-dryer and expansion valve, and then evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator in a cooling mode during the summer.

[0005] In line with the ever-increasing interest in energy efficiency and the problem of environmental pollution, the development of an environmentally friendly vehicle that can largely replace a vehicle with an internal combustion engine is necessary, whereby environmentally friendly vehicles are divided into an electric vehicle, which is powered using a fuel cell or electricity as an energy source, and a hybrid vehicle, which is powered using an internal combustion engine and a battery.

[0006] In contrast to the air conditioning system of a general vehicle, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle among these environmentally friendly vehicles does not use a separate heating device, and an air conditioning system used in the environmentally friendly vehicle is generally referred to as a heat pump system.

[0007] An electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell generates propulsion by converting the chemical reaction energy between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. This process generates heat energy through a chemical reaction within the fuel cell. Therefore, to ensure the fuel cell's efficiency, it is necessary to dissipate the generated heat effectively.

[0008] Furthermore, a hybrid vehicle generates propulsion power by operating an electric motor using electricity from the fuel cell or electric battery described above, in conjunction with an internal combustion engine that runs on conventional fuel. Therefore, the heat generated by the fuel cell or battery and the electric motor must be effectively dissipated to ensure the electric motor's performance.

[0009] Accordingly, in a hybrid vehicle, according to conventional technology, the battery cooling system must be set up as a separate closed circuit in order to prevent heat generation from an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, an electrical component and the battery, including a fuel cell, together with a cooling system and a heat pump system.

[0010] Therefore, the size and weight of a cooling module located at the front of the vehicle increase, and the arrangement of connecting pipes that supply a refrigerant and coolant to each of the heat pump system, the cooling unit, and the battery cooling system becomes complicated in an engine compartment.

[0011] Furthermore, in a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle using conventional technology, if the outside temperature is low, the vehicle interior heating may only be carried out after the combustion engine has warmed up, so that the warming up of the combustion engine and the vehicle interior heating cannot be carried out simultaneously, and the time required for the vehicle interior heating is increased.

[0012] Furthermore, in a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle using conventional technology, frequent operation of the combustion engine may be necessary to warm up the combustion engine, and accordingly the extent of combustion engine operation and operating time may be increased, thereby reducing fuel efficiency.

[0013] Furthermore, in a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle using conventional technology, a pressure drop of the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant line can occur in a heating and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle interior, potentially causing a problem of deterioration in overall performance and efficiency.

[0014] The above information disclosed in this background section is intended only to improve the understanding of the general background of the present disclosure / invention and may therefore contain information that does not represent the prior art as already known to a person skilled in the art in this field. Explan

[0015] The present disclosure or invention (hereinafter also referred to as: disclosure) provides a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle which is capable of warming the combustion engine and heating the vehicle interior at low ambient temperatures, improving fuel efficiency by minimizing combustion engine operation and improving the operating efficiency of the system by avoiding pressure drop of the circulating refrigerant.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle (e.g., a hybrid motor vehicle, for example, a hybrid passenger vehicle) comprises a first cooling device with a first line through which a first coolant circulates, an internal combustion engine valve, a first cooler (e.g., a first radiator), and a first water pump. In particular, the first line is connected to an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine valve, the first cooler, and the first water pump. The heat pump system further comprises a second cooling device, which includes a second line through which a second coolant circulates, and an electrical component, a second cooler, and a second water pump, which are connected by the second line.The heat pump system further comprises a vehicle interior heating device with a third line, the first end of which is connected to the combustion engine valve and the second end of which is connected to the first water pump in order to selectively circulate the first coolant, and a heating element which is provided on (e.g., along / in) the third line. The heat pump system further comprises a control valve which is provided on (e.g., along / in) the third line between the combustion engine valve and the heating element. The heat pump system further comprises a first connecting line which has a first end connected to the control valve and a second end connected to the first line between the combustion engine and the first water pump.The heat pump system further comprises a second connecting line, which has a first end connected to the control valve and a second end connected to the third line between the control valve and the heating element. The heat pump system also includes an air conditioning unit with a refrigerant line in which a refrigerant circulates, a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion valve, a heat exchanger, a second expansion valve, and an evaporator. Specifically, the refrigerant line is configured to connect the compressor, the condenser, the first expansion valve, the heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, and the evaporator. The second line and the second connecting line are connected to the condenser to selectively circulate the first and second refrigerants.

[0017] The first expansion valve can be provided on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line between the condenser and the heat exchanger, and the second expansion valve can be provided on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the evaporator.

[0018] The heat pump system can have a first refrigerant connection line, which has a first end connected to the first expansion valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the second expansion valve and the evaporator. The heat pump system can further have a second refrigerant connection line, which has a first end connected to the second expansion valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0019] In a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the first expansion valve can close the first refrigerant connection line and introduce the refrigerant supplied from the condenser into the heat exchanger through the refrigerant line without expansion.

[0020] In a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the second expansion valve can close the second refrigerant connection line, expand (i.e., depressurize) the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger, and introduce the expanded refrigerant through the refrigerant line into the evaporator.

[0021] In the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the first expansion valve can close the first refrigerant connection line, expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser, and introduce the expanded refrigerant through the refrigerant line into the heat exchanger.

[0022] If dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the second expansion valve can open the second refrigerant connection line, close the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator, and allow the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger to flow along the second refrigerant connection line without expansion.

[0023] If dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the first expansion valve may be configured to open the first refrigerant connection line, expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser, and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line and the first refrigerant connection line respectively.

[0024] If dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or if the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode is active, the combustion engine valve can close the first line connected to the first radiator, so that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine.

[0025] If dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or if the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode is active, the control valve can open the first and second connecting lines so that the first and second connecting lines can be connected, and close a section of the third line which connects the combustion engine valve and a second end of the second connecting line.

[0026] The control valve can be configured to close the third line, the first connecting line and the second connecting line in a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, and to open the third line and close the first connecting line and the second connecting line in a heating mode of the vehicle interior.

[0027] In a heating mode of the vehicle interior, while the combustion engine has finished warming up, the air conditioning unit may stop operating (or not be in operation).

[0028] In the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the condenser can subject the refrigerant supplied by the compressor to heat exchange with the first coolant supplied through the second connecting line in order to increase the temperature of the first coolant so that the high-temperature coolant is supplied to the heating core.

[0029] The first and second expansion valves can be electronic 3-way expansion valves, which are designed to selectively expand the refrigerant and control the flow of the refrigerant.

[0030] An accumulator can be provided on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0031] The heat pump system may also include a sub-heat exchanger, which is provided on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line connecting the condenser and the first expansion valve and the refrigerant line connecting the evaporator and the compressor, and is designed to allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser through the refrigerant line and the refrigerant supplied from the evaporator to exchange heat with each other.

[0032] The heating core can be an air-cooled heat exchanger, which is designed to subject the first coolant supplied by the condenser to a heat exchange with ambient air in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode and to supply the heated ambient air to the vehicle interior, and in a vehicle interior heating mode to subject the first coolant supplied by the combustion engine to a heat exchange with ambient air and to supply the heated ambient air to the vehicle interior.

[0033] The condenser can be water-cooled (e.g., a water-cooled heat exchanger), and the heat exchanger can be an air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0034] The heat exchanger can be configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant introduced into it by heat exchange with ambient air, depending on a selective (e.g., chosen) operation of the first expansion valve.

[0035] The control valve can be a 4-way valve, which can control the flow rate distribution and flow motion of the supplied first coolant.

[0036] As described above, according to a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by carrying out the warm-up of the internal combustion engine and the vehicle interior heating in an early phase (or initial phase) of driving the vehicle while the ambient temperature is low, the internal combustion engine can be warmed up faster and the overall performance and efficiency of the system can be improved.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, a water-cooled heat exchanger can be used, which is designed to allow the refrigerant supplied by the compressor to exchange heat with the coolant, and by supplying the coolant heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant to the heating device, the vehicle interior can also be efficiently heated when the combustion engine is warming up.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the internal combustion engine can be warmed up faster by preventing the coolant from being introduced into the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is warming up, thus improving fuel efficiency by minimizing internal combustion engine operation compared to conventional technology.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, by using the coolant which has recovered the heat from the combustion engine when heating the vehicle interior without operating the air conditioning unit, the heating efficiency and performance can be further improved, and the operation of the compressor can be minimized, thus avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and weight and improve space utilization by rationalizing (e.g., streamlining and / or standardizing) the overall system. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for a cooling mode of the vehicle interior. Fig. Figure 3 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode. Fig. Figure 4 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when dehumidification is required in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode. Fig. Figure 5 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for a heating mode of the vehicle interior.

[0041] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Detailed description

[0042] One embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] The embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this description and the constructions shown in the drawings are only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and do not cover the entire scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that at the time of application of the technical concepts of this description, numerous equivalents and variations of the disclosed embodiments may exist.

[0044] For the sake of clarity, elements not related to the description may have been omitted from this disclosure. Furthermore, identical elements or equivalents throughout the description are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0045] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each element in the drawings may be arbitrarily represented, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such representations. The thickness of layers, films, panels, areas, and the like may be exaggerated in the drawings for clarity.

[0046] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms “contain”, “include”, “include” and variations thereof such as “contains” or “indicating” are to be understood as meaning the inclusion of the specified elements, but not the exclusion of further elements.

[0047] Furthermore, terms such as "...unit," "...means," "...sections," "...part," and "...element," as described in the disclosure, each denote a unit of a comprehensive element that performs at least one function or operation. When a component, device, unit, module, control device, detector, element, or the like of this disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, unit, module, control device, detector, or element herein shall be considered "configured" to fulfill that purpose or to perform that operation or function. This disclosure describes a control device and a data acquisition device for a cooling system.The control device, the data acquisition device or other such components may be implemented separately or be contained in a processor and a memory, such as a non-volatile computer-readable medium, as part of the control device or component.

[0048] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] When the ambient temperature is low, a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can warm up an internal combustion engine 12 and heat a vehicle interior, improving fuel efficiency by minimizing the operation of the internal combustion engine 12 and preventing a pressure drop of a circulating refrigerant to improve the operating efficiency of the system.

[0050] The heat pump system can be used in a hybrid vehicle that uses the combustion engine 12 and an electric motor (not shown) as power sources. A first cooling device 10 for supplying the combustion engine 12 with the first coolant, a second cooling device 20 for supplying an electrical component 23 with the second coolant, a vehicle interior heating device 30 for heating the vehicle interior using the first coolant, and an (air) conditioning unit 50 for cooling the vehicle interior can be connected to one another.

[0051] In other words, the heat pump system can be described with reference to Fig. 1 the first cooling device 10, the second cooling device 20, the vehicle interior heating device 30, a control valve 40, a first connecting line 41, a second connecting line 43 and the air conditioning unit 50.

[0052] The first cooling device 10 can include a first line 11 through which the first coolant circulates, and the internal combustion engine 12, an internal combustion engine valve 13, a first cooler (e.g. radiator) 14 and a first water pump 15, which are connected by the first line 11.

[0053] The first radiator 14 can be located at the front of the vehicle (e.g., it can be a front radiator). A cooling fan (not shown) can be provided on the downstream side of the first radiator 14. Accordingly, the first radiator 14 can cool the first coolant by operating the cooling fan and exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0054] The internal combustion engine 12 can be connected to the first radiator 14 via the first line 11, allowing the coolant to circulate within it. The internal combustion engine valve 13 can be integrated into the internal combustion engine 12.

[0055] In the vehicle interior heating-combustion engine warm-up mode (e.g. a mode of simultaneously heating the vehicle interior and warming the combustion engine) or when dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating-combustion engine warm-up mode, the combustion engine valve 13 can close the first line 11, which is connected to the first radiator 14, so that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine 12.

[0056] The first cooling device 10 thus configured can circulate the first coolant along the first line 11 by operating the first water pump 15 in order to adjust the temperature of the internal combustion engine 12.

[0057] The second cooling device 20 can include a second line 21 through which the second coolant circulates, and the electrical component 23, a second radiator 24 and a second water pump 25, which are connected by the second line 21.

[0058] The second cooler 24 can be positioned in front of the first cooler 14 and can cool the second coolant through the operation of the cooling fan and heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0059] The electrical component 23 may include an electrical power control unit (EPCU), an electric motor, an inverter, an on-board charging unit (OBC), an autonomous driving control unit, or the like.

[0060] The second cooling device 20 thus configured can circulate the second coolant along the second line 21 by operating the second water pump 25 in order to adjust the temperature of the electrical component 23.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle interior heating device 30 may have a third line 31 through which the first coolant circulates selectively, and a heating core (e.g. a heating core device / a heating element) 32 which is provided on (e.g. along / in) the third line 31.

[0062] One end of the third line 31 can be connected to the combustion engine valve 13. A second end of the third line 31 can be connected to the first water pump 15.

[0063] Accordingly, the first coolant supplied by the combustion engine 12 can flow selectively along the third line 31 through the combustion engine valve 13 and the first water pump 15.

[0064] The heating core 32 can be located within an HVAC module (not shown). Accordingly, the first high-temperature coolant, supplied through the third line 31, can increase the temperature of the ambient air flowing through the heating core 32.

[0065] The introduced ambient air can be converted into a high-temperature state as it flows through the heating core 32 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0066] In other words, in a heating mode of the vehicle interior, the heating core 32 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger which is designed to subject the first coolant supplied by the combustion engine 12 to a heat exchange with the ambient air and to supply the heated ambient air to the vehicle interior.

[0067] The vehicle interior heating device 30 may also include an air heater 35 to increase the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0068] The air heater 35 can be located inside the HVAC module (not shown) and on a downstream side of the heating core 32 in the direction of the vehicle interior to selectively heat the ambient air that has flowed through the heating core 32.

[0069] When heating the vehicle interior, the heating device 30, thus configured, can heat the vehicle interior by supplying the first high-temperature coolant to the heating core 32 by operating the first water pump 15.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control valve 40 can be provided in the third line 31 between the combustion engine valve 13 and the heating core 32.

[0071] One end of the first connecting line 41 can be connected to the control valve 40. A second end of the first connecting line 41 can be connected to the first line 11 between the internal combustion engine 12 and the first water pump 15.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first end of the second connecting line 43 is connected to the control valve 40. A second end of the second connecting line 43 can be connected to the third line 31 between the control valve 40 and the heating core 32.

[0073] The control valve 40 can be a 4-way valve which can control the flow rate distribution and the flow motion of the supplied first coolant.

[0074] In the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or when dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the control valve 40 configured in this way can open the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43, so that the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43 are connected. The control valve 40 can close a section of the third line 31, which connects the combustion engine valve 13 and the second end of the second connecting line 43.

[0075] In a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the control valve 40 can close the third line 31, the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43.

[0076] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 50 can have a refrigerant line 51 through which the refrigerant circulates, and a compressor 52, a condenser 53, a first expansion valve 54, a heat exchanger 55, a second expansion valve 56 and an evaporator 57, which are connected by the refrigerant line 51.

[0077] The compressor 52 can compress the supplied refrigerant and allow the compressed refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant line 51, so that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant line 51.

[0078] The condenser 53 can be connected to the compressor 52 via the refrigerant line 51. The second line 21 and the second connecting line 43 can each be connected to the condenser 53 to selectively circulate the first and second refrigerants.

[0079] Accordingly, the condenser 53 can exchange heat with the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 between the first coolant or the second coolant, which is supplied by at least one of the second line 21 and the second connecting line 43.

[0080] In the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the condenser 53 can exchange heat between the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 and the first coolant supplied through the second connecting line 43, in order to increase the temperature of the first coolant so that the high-temperature coolant is supplied to the heating core 32.

[0081] In other words, the condenser 53 can be water-cooled, i.e., a water-cooled heat exchanger designed to allow the introduced refrigerant and the coolant to exchange heat with each other.

[0082] In the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the heating core 32 can subject the first coolant supplied by the condenser 53 to heat exchange with the ambient air and supply the heated ambient air to the vehicle interior.

[0083] The first expansion valve 54 can be connected to the condenser 53 via the refrigerant line 51. The first expansion valve 54 can selectively expand (i.e., expand) the refrigerant supplied by the condenser 53.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger 55 can be connected to the first expansion valve 54 via the refrigerant line 51.

[0085] The heat exchanger 55 can condense or evaporate the refrigerant introduced into it by heat exchange with the ambient air, depending on the selective (e.g., chosen) operation of the first expansion valve 54.

[0086] The heat exchanger 55 can be located at the front of the second cooler 24. The heat exchanger 55 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger designed to allow the introduced refrigerant to exchange heat with the ambient air.

[0087] The first expansion valve 54 can be provided on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line 51 between the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 55.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second expansion valve 56 can be connected to the heat exchanger 55 via the refrigerant line 51. The second expansion valve 56 can selectively expand the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger 55.

[0089] The second expansion valve 56 can be arranged on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line 51 between the heat exchanger 55 and the evaporator 57.

[0090] The first expansion valve 54 and the second expansion valve 56, which are configured in this way, can be electronic 3-way expansion valves, which are configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling a flow motion of the refrigerant.

[0091] One embodiment of the present disclosure is based on an example in which the first expansion valve 54 and the second expansion valve 56 are designed as electronic expansion valves, but is not limited thereto, and the first expansion valve 54 and the second expansion valve 56 can be designed as a valve module in which a mechanical expansion valve and a 3-way valve are integrated.

[0092] The evaporator 57 can be connected to the second expansion valve 56 via the refrigerant line 51. Furthermore, the evaporator 57 can be connected to the compressor 52 via the refrigerant line 51. The evaporator 57, configured in this way, can be located within the HVAC module together with the heating element 32.

[0093] An open / close flap (e.g. mixing flap, not shown), which is designed to adjust the ambient air that has flowed through the evaporator 57 so that it is selectively introduced into the heating core 32, can be provided within the HVAC module between the evaporator 57 and the heating core 32.

[0094] If dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode or in the vehicle interior heating mode (e.g., if dehumidification is required in this mode), the open / close flap can be opened so that the ambient air that has flowed through the evaporator 57 is introduced into the heating core 32.

[0095] In the cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the open / close flap can close a side facing towards the heating core 32, so that the ambient air cooled when flowing through the evaporator 57 is introduced directly into the vehicle interior.

[0096] The heating core 32 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger, which is designed to allow the first coolant, which is supplied from the combustion engine 12 through the second connecting line 43, or the first refrigerant, which is supplied from the condenser 53 through the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43, to exchange heat with the ambient air and to supply the heated ambient air to the vehicle interior.

[0097] An accumulator 58 can be installed in the refrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 57 and the compressor 52. The accumulator 58 can supply the compressor 52 with only the gaseous refrigerant, thereby improving the efficiency and service life of the compressor 52.

[0098] The air conditioning unit 50 thus configured can further comprise a first refrigerant connection line 61 and a second refrigerant connection line 63.

[0099] One end of the first refrigerant connection line 61 can be connected to the first expansion valve 54. A second end of the first refrigerant connection line 61 can be connected to the refrigerant line 51 between the second expansion valve 56 and the evaporator 57.

[0100] Furthermore, one end of the second refrigerant connection line 63 can be connected to the second expansion valve 56. A second end of the second refrigerant connection line 63 can be connected to the refrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 57 and the compressor 52.

[0101] The second end of the second refrigerant connection line 63 can be connected to the refrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 57 and the accumulator 58.

[0102] The operation of the first expansion valve 54 and the second expansion valve 56 in the air conditioning unit 50 thus configured is described in detail below.

[0103] In the cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the first expansion valve 54 can close the first refrigerant connection line 61. The first expansion valve 54 can allow the refrigerant supplied by the condenser 53 to flow through the refrigerant line 51 into the heat exchanger 55 without expansion.

[0104] The heat exchanger 55 can condense the refrigerant supplied by the first expansion valve 54 by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0105] In the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the first expansion valve 54 can close the first refrigerant connection line 61. The first expansion valve 54 can expand the refrigerant supplied by the condenser 53 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant line 51 into the heat exchanger 55.

[0106] When dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the first expansion valve 54 can open the first refrigerant connection line 61. The first expansion valve 54 can expand the refrigerant supplied by the condenser 53 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow along refrigerant line 51 and the first refrigerant connection line 61, respectively.

[0107] Accordingly, in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or when dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the heat exchanger 55 can evaporate the expanded refrigerant introduced by the first expansion valve 54 by heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0108] Furthermore, in the cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the second expansion valve 56 can close the second refrigerant connection line 63. The second expansion valve 56 can expand the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger 55 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant line 51 into the evaporator 57.

[0109] In vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, or when dehumidification is required in vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the second expansion valve 56 can open the second refrigerant connection line 63 and close the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 57.

[0110] The second expansion valve 56 can direct the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger 55 into the second refrigerant connection line 63 without expansion.

[0111] The air conditioning unit 50 can also have a sub-heat exchanger 70.

[0112] The sub-heat exchanger 70 can be provided on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line 51, which connects the condenser 53 and the first expansion valve 54, and on (e.g. along / in) the refrigerant line 51, which connects the evaporator 57 and the accumulator 58.

[0113] The sub-heat exchanger 70 can allow the refrigerant supplied by the condenser 53 through the refrigerant line 51 and the refrigerant supplied by the evaporator 57 to exchange heat with each other.

[0114] The sub-heat exchanger 70 can be a double-pipe heat exchanger or a plate heat exchanger, which is designed to allow refrigerants with different temperatures to exchange heat with each other.

[0115] When the warm-up of the combustion engine 12 in the heating mode of the vehicle interior is complete, the operation of the air conditioning unit 50 set up in this way can be stopped.

[0116] The vehicle interior heating device 30 can heat the vehicle interior using the first coolant, the temperature of which was increased when flowing through the internal combustion engine 12.

[0117] The following describes the operation and activity of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is set up as described above, with reference to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 described in detail.

[0118] Operation in the cooling mode of the vehicle interior is described below with reference to Fig. 2 described in detail.

[0119] Fig. Figure 2 is an operating diagram according to a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for the cooling mode of the vehicle interior.

[0120] Referring to Fig. 2. The first cooling device 10 can operate the first water pump 15 to circulate the first coolant through the first line 11 to cool the internal combustion engine 12.

[0121] The control valve 40 can close the third line 31, the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43.

[0122] Accordingly, the first coolant, which is cooled in the first radiator 14, can cool the internal combustion engine 12 evenly.

[0123] The second cooling device 20 can operate the second water pump 25 to circulate the second coolant through the second line 21 to cool the electrical component 23. Accordingly, the second coolant, which is cooled in the second radiator 24, can cool the electrical component 23 evenly.

[0124] The third line 31 in the vehicle interior heating device 30 can be closed by the operation (e.g., actuation) of the combustion engine valve 13 and the control valve 40, so that the first high-temperature coolant is not supplied to the heating core 32. Consequently, the first coolant can no longer flow through the third line 31.

[0125] In this state, the compressor 52 can be operated to cool the vehicle interior. The refrigerant can circulate through the refrigerant line 51.

[0126] The first expansion valve 54 can open the refrigerant line 51 between the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 55 and close the first refrigerant connection line 61.

[0127] The first expansion valve 54 can allow the refrigerant, which has flowed from the condenser 53 through the sub-heat exchanger 70, to flow through the refrigerant line 51 into the heat exchanger 55 without expansion.

[0128] In other words, the first expansion valve 54 can allow the refrigerant supplied successively by the compressor 52 through the condenser 53 and the sub-heat exchanger 70 to flow to the refrigerant line 51 without expansion.

[0129] The second expansion valve 56 can also open the refrigerant line 51 connected to the heat exchanger 55 and the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 57, so that the refrigerant which has flowed through the heat exchanger 55 is supplied to the evaporator 57, and can close the second refrigerant connection line 63.

[0130] The second expansion valve 56 can expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 57. In other words, the second expansion valve 56 can expand the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger 55 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the evaporator 57 through the refrigerant line 51.

[0131] Accordingly, the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 to the condenser 53 can be primarily (e.g., for the first time) condensed, while it undergoes heat exchange with the second refrigerant flowing through the condenser 53 along the second line 21.

[0132] The refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 can be introduced into the sub-heat exchanger 70 along the refrigerant line 51. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 can be secondarily condensed (e.g., a second time) by heat exchange with the refrigerant introduced from the evaporator 57 as it flows through the sub-heat exchanger 70.

[0133] The refrigerant condensed in the secondary stage of the sub-heat exchanger 70 can flow through the first expansion valve 54 and then be introduced into the heat exchanger 55 along the refrigerant line 51. The refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 55 can be condensed a third time through heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0134] The refrigerant released from the heat exchanger 55 can be introduced along the refrigerant line 51 into the evaporator 57, while it is expanded in the second expansion valve 56.

[0135] The refrigerant that has flowed through the evaporator 57 can flow through the sub-heat exchanger 70 and then be fed to the accumulator 58. The refrigerant fed to the accumulator 58 can be separated into gas and liquid, and the gaseous refrigerant from the separated refrigerant can be introduced into the compressor 52.

[0136] In other words, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 52 can flow along the refrigerant line 51 to cool the vehicle interior and can repeatedly perform the operations described above as it successively passes through the condenser 53, the sub-heat exchanger 70, the first expansion valve 54, the heat exchanger 55, the second expansion valve 56, the evaporator 57, the sub-heat exchanger 70 and the accumulator 58.

[0137] The ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 57 as it flows through the evaporator 57.

[0138] The ambient air, cooled as it flows through the evaporator 57, can flow through the heating core 32, which is not supplied with coolant, in order to be directed directly into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0139] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, operation in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode is described with reference to Fig. 3 described in detail.

[0140] Fig. Figure 3 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for the vehicle interior heating-internal combustion engine warm-up mode.

[0141] Referring to Fig. 3. The heat pump system can heat the vehicle interior while the outside temperature is low and quickly warm up the combustion engine 12.

[0142] In the first cooling device 10, the first line 11 can be closed by the combustion engine valve 13, so that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine 12. Accordingly, the first coolant cannot flow along the first line 11.

[0143] In other words, the combustion engine valve 13 can close the first line 11, which is connected to the first radiator 14, so that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine 12.

[0144] Accordingly, the combustion engine 12 can be operated while the first coolant is not flowing, so that it can be heated up faster.

[0145] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second cooling device 20 can operate the second water pump 25 to circulate the second coolant through the second line 21 to cool the electrical component 23.

[0146] Accordingly, the second coolant, which is cooled in the second cooler 24, can cool the electrical component 23 evenly.

[0147] The control valve 40 can open the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43, so that the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43 are connected. The control valve 40 can close a section of the third line 31, which connects the combustion engine valve 13 and the second end of the second connecting line 43.

[0148] Accordingly, in the vehicle interior heating device 30, the first coolant can be supplied to the heating core 32, while it circulates along a section of the first line 11, which connects the second end of the first connecting line 41 and the first water pump 15, and along the first connecting line 41, the second connecting line 43 and the open third line 31 through the operation of the first water pump 15.

[0149] In such a state, the compressor 52 can be operated to heat the vehicle interior. The refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant line 51.

[0150] The first expansion valve 54 can open the refrigerant line 51, which connects the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 55, and close the first refrigerant connection line 61.

[0151] The first expansion valve 54 can expand the refrigerant which has flowed from the condenser 53 through the sub-heat exchanger 70 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant line 51 into the heat exchanger 55.

[0152] In other words, the first expansion valve 54 can expand the refrigerant supplied successively by the compressor 52 through the condenser 53 and the sub-heat exchanger 70 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant line 51.

[0153] In addition, the second expansion valve 56 can close the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 57, so that the refrigerant which has flowed through the heat exchanger 55 is not directed into the evaporator 57, and open the second refrigerant connection line 63.

[0154] The second expansion valve 56 can allow the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger 55 to flow along the second refrigerant connection line 63 without expansion.

[0155] Accordingly, the coolant supplied by the compressor 52 to the condenser 53 can be primarily condensed, while it undergoes heat exchange with the first coolant flowing through the condenser 53 along the second connecting line 43 and the second coolant flowing through the condenser 53 along the second line 21.

[0156] In other words, in a heating and combustion engine warm-up mode, the condenser 53 can exchange heat with the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 with the first coolant supplied through the second connecting line 43 to increase the temperature of the first coolant, so that the first high-temperature coolant is supplied to the heating core 32.

[0157] The first coolant, which is heated as it flows through the condenser 53, can be introduced into the heating core 32 via the second connecting line 43 and the third line 31. The heating core 32 can then exchange heat between the first coolant supplied by the condenser 53 and the ambient air, and the heated ambient air can be supplied to the vehicle interior.

[0158] Accordingly, the heating core 32 can quickly increase the temperature of the vehicle interior, thus enabling even heating.

[0159] The refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 can be introduced into the sub-heat exchanger 70 along the refrigerant line 51. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 can be secondarily condensed by heat exchange with the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger 55 through a section of the refrigerant line 51 and the second refrigerant connection line 63 as it flows through the sub-heat exchanger 70.

[0160] The refrigerant, which condenses secondarily in the sub-heat exchanger 70, can be introduced into the heat exchanger 55 along the refrigerant line 51 while it is expanding in the first expansion valve 54. The refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 55 can evaporate through heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0161] Accordingly, the heat exchanger 55 can recover or absorb ambient air heat, while the expanded refrigerant is evaporated through heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0162] The refrigerant discharged from heat exchanger 55 can flow through the second expansion valve 56 and then along the second refrigerant connection line 63. The refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant connection line 63 can flow along refrigerant line 51 through the sub-heat exchanger 70 and then be fed to the accumulator 58.

[0163] The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 58 can be separated into gas and liquid, and the gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid can be introduced into the compressor 52.

[0164] In other words, the refrigerant discharged by the compressor 52 can flow along the refrigerant line 51 and the second refrigerant connecting line 63 to heat the vehicle interior, and can repeatedly perform the operating processes described above as it successively flows through the condenser 53, the sub-heat exchanger 70, the first expansion valve 54, the heat exchanger 55, the second expansion valve 56, the sub-heat exchanger 70 and the accumulator 58.

[0165] The ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be in an uncooled state, having not been cooled as it flows through the evaporator 57, into which no refrigerant is introduced. The introduced ambient air can be heated to a high temperature as it flows through the heating core 32 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thus heating the vehicle interior.

[0166] In other words, a heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can recover or absorb the heat from a high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the condenser 53, as well as the ambient air heat, and use it to heat the vehicle interior, so that the energy consumption of the compressor 52 can be reduced and the heating efficiency can be improved.

[0167] Furthermore, the first coolant can be prevented from flowing to the combustion engine 12, causing the combustion engine 12 to heat up quickly.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an operation in which dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode is described with reference to Fig. 4 described in detail.

[0169] Fig. Figure 4 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode.

[0170] With reference to Fig. 4. The heat pump system can heat the vehicle interior when the outside temperature is low, and quickly warm up the combustion engine 12 and dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0171] In the first cooling device 10, the first line 11 can be closed by the combustion engine valve 13, so that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine 12. Accordingly, the first coolant cannot flow along the first line 11.

[0172] In other words, the combustion engine valve 13 can close the first line 11, which is connected to the first radiator 14, so that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine 12.

[0173] Accordingly, the combustion engine 12 can be operated while the first coolant is not flowing, so that it can be heated up faster.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second cooling device 20 can operate the second water pump 25 such that the second coolant circulates through the second line 21 to cool the electrical component 23.

[0175] Accordingly, the second coolant, which is cooled in the second cooler 24, can cool the electrical component 23 evenly.

[0176] The control valve 40 can open the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43, so that the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43 are connected to each other. At the same time, the control valve 40 can close a section of the third line 31, which connects the combustion engine valve 13 and the second end of the second connecting line 43.

[0177] Accordingly, in the vehicle interior heating device 30, the first coolant can be supplied to the heating core 32, while it circulates along a section of the first line 11, which connects the second end of the first connecting line 41 and the first water pump 15, and along the first connecting line 41, the second connecting line 43 and the open third line 31 through the operation of the first water pump 15.

[0178] In such a state, the compressor 52 can be operated to heat the vehicle interior. The refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant line 51.

[0179] The first expansion valve 54 can open the refrigerant line 51, which connects the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 55, and can open the first refrigerant connection line 61.

[0180] The first expansion valve 54 can expand the refrigerant which has flowed from the condenser 53 through the sub-heat exchanger 70.

[0181] Furthermore, the first expansion valve 54 can allow a portion of the refrigerant (e.g., a refrigerant part or a partial refrigerant) to flow from the expanded refrigerant through the refrigerant line 51 into the heat exchanger 55 and allow the remaining refrigerant (e.g., residual refrigerant) to flow from the expanded refrigerant to the first refrigerant connection line 61.

[0182] In other words, the first expansion valve 54 can expand the refrigerant supplied successively by the compressor 52 through the condenser 53 and the sub-heat exchanger 70 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant line 51 and the first refrigerant connecting line 61 respectively.

[0183] The second expansion valve 56 can also close the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 57, so that the refrigerant which has flowed through the heat exchanger 55 is not supplied to the evaporator 57, and can open the second refrigerant connection line 63.

[0184] The second expansion valve 56 can allow the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger 55 to flow along the second refrigerant connection line 63 without expansion.

[0185] Accordingly, the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 to the condenser 53 can be primarily condensed, while it is subjected to heat exchange with the first refrigerant, which flows through the condenser 53 along the second connecting line 43, and the second refrigerant, which flows through the condenser 53 along the second line 21.

[0186] In other words, in a heating and engine warm-up mode, the condenser 53 can exchange heat with the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 with the first coolant supplied through the second connecting line 43 to increase the temperature of the first coolant, so that the first high-temperature coolant is supplied to the heating core 32.

[0187] The first coolant, which is heated as it flows through the condenser 53, can be introduced into the heating core 32 via the second connecting line 43 and the third line 31. The heating core 32 can then exchange heat between the first coolant supplied by the condenser 53 and the ambient air, and the heated ambient air can be supplied to the vehicle interior.

[0188] Accordingly, the heating core 32 can quickly increase the temperature of the vehicle interior, thus enabling even heating.

[0189] The refrigerant released from the condenser 53 can be introduced into the sub-heat exchanger 70 along the refrigerant line 51.

[0190] The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 can be secondarily condensed by heat exchange with the refrigerant introduced from the evaporator 57 and the heat exchanger 55 through the section of the refrigerant line 51 and the second refrigerant connection line 63 as it flows through the sub-heat exchanger 70.

[0191] The refrigerant condensed on the secondary side in the sub-heat exchanger 70 can be expanded in the first expansion valve 54. A portion of the refrigerant expanded in the first expansion valve 54 can be introduced into the heat exchanger 55, and the remaining refrigerant can be introduced into the first refrigerant connection line 61.

[0192] The refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 55 can evaporate through heat exchange with the ambient air. Accordingly, the heat exchanger 55 can recover or absorb the heat from the ambient air, while the expanded refrigerant evaporates through heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0193] The refrigerant released from the heat exchanger 55 can flow through the second expansion valve 56 and then along the second refrigerant connection line 63.

[0194] The refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connection line 61 can be supplied to the evaporator 57 via the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 57.

[0195] In other words, the expanded refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator 57 via the first refrigerant connection line 61. The evaporator 57 can recover or absorb heat from the ambient air while it evaporates the expanded refrigerant through heat exchange with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0196] The refrigerant that has flowed through the evaporator 57 can flow along the refrigerant line 51 through the sub-heat exchanger 70, and then together with the refrigerant that flows through the second refrigerant connection line 63, be supplied to the accumulator 58.

[0197] The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 58 can be separated into gas and liquid, and the gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid can be introduced into the compressor 52.

[0198] In other words, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 52 can flow along the open refrigerant line 51, the first refrigerant connecting line 61 and the second refrigerant connecting line 63 to heat the vehicle interior, and can repeatedly perform the operations described above as it successively flows through the condenser 53, the sub-heat exchanger 70, the first expansion valve 54, the heat exchanger 55, the second expansion valve 56, the evaporator 57, the sub-heat exchanger 70 and the accumulator 58.

[0199] The ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be dehumidified by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 57 as it flows through the evaporator 57. It is then converted to a high-temperature state as it flows through the heating core 32 and can be introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior evenly.

[0200] In other words, a heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can recover or utilize the heat of the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the condenser 53 together with the ambient air heat and use it to heat the vehicle interior, thus reducing the energy consumption of the compressor 52 and improving heating efficiency.

[0201] In addition, the first coolant can be prevented from flowing to the combustion engine 12, causing the combustion engine 12 to heat up quickly.

[0202] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first expansion valve 54 can supply a portion of the refrigerant from the expanded refrigerant through the first refrigerant connection line 61 to the evaporator 57 and a remaining refrigerant to the heat exchanger 55 in a separate manner, so that a pressure drop of the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant line 51 can be prevented.

[0203] Furthermore, an operation for the heating mode of the vehicle interior is described with reference to Fig. 5 described in detail.

[0204] Fig. Figure 5 is an operating diagram of a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for the heating mode of the vehicle interior.

[0205] With reference to Fig.5. The heat pump system can heat the vehicle interior in a state in which the warm-up of the combustion engine 12 is complete.

[0206] The first cooling device 10 can operate the first water pump 15 to circulate the first coolant through the first line 11 to cool the internal combustion engine 12.

[0207] Accordingly, the first coolant, which is cooled in the first radiator 14, can cool the internal combustion engine 12 evenly.

[0208] The second cooling device 20 can operate the second water pump 25 to circulate the second coolant through the second line 21 to cool the electrical component 23. Accordingly, the second coolant, which is cooled in the second radiator 24, can cool the electrical component 23 evenly.

[0209] The control valve 40 can open the third line 31 and close the first connecting line 41 and the second connecting line 43.

[0210] Accordingly, in the vehicle interior heating device 30, a part (e.g., coolant part) of the first coolant that has flowed through the combustion engine 12 can flow through the third line 31.

[0211] In other words, the first coolant, which is heated during the cooling of the combustion engine 12, can be supplied to the heating core 32 while circulating along the third line 31.

[0212] Furthermore, any remaining first coolant of the first coolant that has flowed through the internal combustion engine 12 can be cooled by heat exchange with the ambient air as it flows through the first radiator 14 along the first line 11.

[0213] The first coolant, which is cooled in the first cooler 14, can repeatedly perform the processes described above.

[0214] The operation of air conditioning unit 50 may be stopped.

[0215] Accordingly, the high-temperature coolant supplied to the heating core 32 can increase the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module. The heating core 32 can quickly raise the temperature of the vehicle interior, thereby enabling even heating.

[0216] In other words, the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be in an uncooled state, having not been cooled as it flows through the evaporator 57, into which no refrigerant is introduced. The introduced ambient air can be heated to a high temperature as it flows through the heating core 32 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thus heating the vehicle interior.

[0217] In other words, a heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can heat the vehicle interior evenly and smoothly using the waste heat generated by the internal combustion engine 12, without requiring the operation of the air conditioning unit 50.

[0218] Therefore, when using a heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above, by simultaneously performing the warm-up of the internal combustion engine 12 and the heating of the vehicle interior in an early phase (or initial phase) of driving the vehicle while the ambient temperature is low, the internal combustion engine 12 can be warmed up faster and the overall performance and efficiency of the system can be improved.

[0219] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the condenser 53, which is designed to allow the refrigerant supplied by the compressor 52 to undergo a heat exchange with at least one of the first coolant or the second coolant, can be used, and the coolant heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant can be supplied to the heating device 30, so that the vehicle interior can be heated efficiently even before the internal combustion engine 12 has warmed up.

[0220] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the internal combustion engine 12 can be warmed up faster by preventing coolant from being introduced into the internal combustion engine 12 during warm-up, thus improving fuel efficiency by minimizing the operation of the internal combustion engine 12 compared to conventional technology.

[0221] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, in a heating and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle interior, the operating efficiency of the system can be improved by preventing a pressure drop of the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant line 51, so that the loss of heating and dehumidifying performance can be minimized.

[0222] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the heating performance can be further improved by using the coolant which has recovered the heat from the internal combustion engine 12 when heating the vehicle interior.

[0223] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, by using the coolant that has recovered the heat from the combustion engine 12 when heating the vehicle interior, without operating the air conditioning unit 50, the heating efficiency and performance can be further improved, and unnecessary energy consumption can be avoided by minimizing the operation of the compressor 52.

[0224] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and weight and improve space utilization by rationalizing (e.g., streamlining and / or standardizing) an overall system.

[0225] Although this disclosure has been described in connection with embodiments currently considered practical, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended that numerous modifications and equivalent arrangements, which are included within the meaning and scope of the appended claims, are also covered. Reference symbol list 10 Internal combustion engine cooling device (first cooling device) 11 First line 12 Internal combustion engine 13 Internal combustion engine valve 14 First cooler (first radiator) 15, 25 First and second water pump 20 Electrical component cooling device (second cooling device) 21 Second line 23 Electrical Component 24 Second cooler (second radiator) 30 Heating system (vehicle interior heating device) 31 Third line 32 heating core 35 air heaters 40 Control valve 41 First connecting line 43 Second connecting line 50 air conditioning units 51 Refrigerant line 52 compressors 53 Capacitor 54 First expansion valve 55 heat exchangers 56 Second expansion valve 57 evaporators 58 Accumulator 61 First refrigerant connection line 63 Second refrigerant connection line 70 sub-heat exchangers

Claims

[1] Heat pump system for a hybrid vehicle, comprising the heat pump system: a first cooling device (10) with a first line (11) along which a first coolant circulates, an internal combustion engine valve (12), a first radiator (14) and a first water pump (15), wherein the first line (11) is configured to connect an internal combustion engine (12), the internal combustion engine valve (13), the first radiator (14) and the first water pump (15), a second cooling device (20) comprising a second line (21) in which a second coolant circulates, an electrical component (23), a second radiator (24) and a second water pump (25), wherein the second line (21) is configured to connect the electrical component (23), the second radiator (24) and the second water pump (25), a vehicle interior heating device (30) with a third line (31) whose first end is connected to the combustion engine valve (13) and whose second end is connected to the first water pump (15) to selectively circulate the first coolant, and a heating core (32) which is provided on the third line (31), a control valve (40) which is provided on the third line (31) between the combustion engine valve (13) and the heating core (32), a first connecting line (41) which has a first end which is connected to the control valve (40) and a second end which is connected to the first line (11) between the internal combustion engine (12) and the first water pump (15), a second connecting line (43) which has a first end which is connected to the control valve (40) and a second end which is connected to the third line (31) between the control valve (40) and the heating core (32), and an air conditioning unit (50) with a refrigerant line (51) in which a refrigerant circulates, a compressor (52), a condenser (53), a first expansion valve (54), a heat exchanger (55), a second expansion valve (56) and an evaporator (57), wherein the refrigerant line (51) is configured to connect the compressor (55), the condenser (53), the first expansion valve (54), the heat exchanger (55), the second expansion valve (56) and the evaporator (57), wherein the second line (21) and the second connecting line (43) are connected to the condenser (53) to selectively circulate the first coolant and the second coolant. [2] Heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: the first expansion valve (54) is provided on the refrigerant line (51) between the condenser (53) and the heat exchanger (55), and the second expansion valve (56) is provided on the refrigerant line (51) between the heat exchanger (55) and the evaporator (57). [3] Heat pump system according to claim 2, comprising: a first refrigerant connection line (61) which has a first end which is connected to the first expansion valve (54) and a second end which is connected to the refrigerant line (51) between the second expansion valve (56) and the evaporator (57), and a second refrigerant connection line (63) which has a first end which is connected to the second expansion valve (56) and a second end which is connected to the refrigerant line (51) between the evaporator (57) and the compressor (52). [4] Heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein, in a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the first expansion valve (54) is configured to close the first refrigerant connection line (61) and to introduce the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) into the heat exchanger (55) through the refrigerant line (51) without expansion. [5] Heat pump system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, in a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the second expansion valve (56) is configured to close the second refrigerant connection line (63), expand the refrigerant supplied by the heat exchanger (55) and introduce the refrigerant expanded by the second expansion valve (56) through the refrigerant line (51) into the evaporator (57). [6] Heat pump system according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode, the first expansion valve (54) is configured to close the first refrigerant connection line (61), expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) and introduce the refrigerant expanded by the first expansion valve (54) through the refrigerant line (51) into the heat exchanger (55). [7] Heat pump system according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, when dehumidification is required in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode or in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode, the second expansion valve (56) is configured to open the second refrigerant connection line (63), to close the refrigerant line (51) connected to the evaporator (52) and to allow the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger (55) to flow along the second refrigerant connection line (63) without expansion. [8] Heat pump system according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, when dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior heating-combustion engine warm-up mode, the first expansion valve (54) is configured to open the first refrigerant connection line (61), to expand the refrigerant supplied by the condenser (53) and to allow the refrigerant expanded by the first expansion valve (54) to flow respectively along the refrigerant line (51) and the first refrigerant connection line (61). [9] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, when dehumidification is required in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode or in the vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode, the combustion engine valve (13) is configured to close the first line (11) which is connected to the first radiator (14) so ​​that the first coolant is not supplied to the combustion engine (12). [10] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, when dehumidification is required in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode or in the vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode, the control valve (40) is configured to open the first connecting line (41) and the second connecting line (43) so that the first connecting line (41) and the second connecting line (43) are connected, and to close a section of the third line (31) which connects the combustion engine valve (13) and a second end of the second connecting line (43). [11] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control valve (40) is configured to: in a cooling mode of the vehicle interior, close the third line (31), the first connecting line (41) and the second connecting line (43), and in a heating mode of the vehicle interior, to open the third line (31) and to close the first connecting line (41) and the second connecting line (43). [12] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, in a heating mode of the vehicle interior, when the warm-up of the internal combustion engine is complete, the air conditioning unit (50) is configured to not be in operation. [13] Heat pump system according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, in a vehicle interior heating combustion engine warm-up mode, the condenser (53) exchanges heat between the refrigerant supplied by the compressor (52) and the first coolant supplied by the second connecting line (43) in order to increase the temperature of the first coolant so that the high-temperature coolant is supplied to the heating core (32). [14] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first expansion valve (54) and the second expansion valve (56) are electronic 3-way expansion valves which are configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling a flow motion of the refrigerant. [15] Heat pump system according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an accumulator (58) is provided on the refrigerant line (51) between the evaporator (57) and the compressor (52). [16] Heat pump system according to one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a sub-heat exchanger (70) which is provided on the refrigerant line (51) connecting the condenser (53) and the first expansion valve (54) and the refrigerant line (51) connecting the evaporator (57) and the compressor (52) and is configured to allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) through the refrigerant line (51) and the refrigerant supplied from the evaporator (57) to exchange heat with each other. [17] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the heating core (32) is an air-cooled heat exchanger which is configured to: in a vehicle interior heating / combustion engine warm-up mode, the first coolant supplied by the condenser (53) is subjected to heat exchange with ambient air and the heated ambient air is supplied to the vehicle interior, and in a heating mode of the vehicle interior, heat is exchanged between the first coolant supplied by the combustion engine (12) and the ambient air, and the heated ambient air is supplied to the vehicle interior. [18] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: the condenser (53) is a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger (55) is an air-cooled heat exchanger. [19] Heat pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger (55) is configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant by heat exchange with an ambient air, depending on a selective operation of the first expansion valve (54). [20] Heat pump system according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the control valve (40) is a 4-way valve which is configured to control a flow rate distribution and a flow motion of the supplied first coolant.

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