Heat pump system of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. The heat pump system may include: a cooling device, a battery cooling device, a heating device, and a chiller. The cooling device is configured to include a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, a second valve, and a liquid storage tank connected through a coolant pipeline; the battery cooling device includes a battery coolant pipeline connected to the coolant pipeline through the first valve, and a second water pump and a battery module connected through the battery coolant pipeline to circulate the coolant through the battery module; the heating device includes a heating pipeline connected to the coolant pipeline through the second valve, a third water pump and a heater provided on the heating pipeline; the chiller is provided on the battery coolant pipeline between the first valve and the battery module, is connected to a chiller connection pipeline through a second valve connected to the chiller connection pipeline, and is connected to a refrigerant pipeline of an air conditioning device through a refrigerant connection pipeline.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2020 - 0069718, filed on June 9, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle that regulates the temperature of a battery module by using a chiller that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a coolant and improves heating efficiency by using waste heat generated by electrical components. Background art

[0004] Generally, an air - conditioning device for a vehicle includes an air - conditioning system that circulates a refrigerant to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0005] Such an air - conditioning device maintains a comfortable indoor environment by keeping the interior temperature of the vehicle at a moderate level regardless of external temperature changes, such that the interior of the vehicle is heated or cooled through heat exchange between a condenser and an evaporator, and the refrigerant discharged by driving a compressor circulates back to the compressor after passing through the condenser, a liquid receiver - dryer, an expansion valve, and the evaporator.

[0006] That is, in the cooling mode in summer, the air - conditioning system condenses the high - temperature and high - pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor to reduce the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle by evaporation in the evaporator through the liquid receiver - dryer and the expansion valve.

[0007] Meanwhile, in recent years, due to increasing concerns about energy efficiency and environmental pollution, there is a need to develop environmentally friendly vehicles configured to substantially replace internal combustion engine vehicles. Environmentally friendly vehicles are generally fuel - cell vehicles or electric vehicles driven by electricity, or hybrid vehicles driven by an engine and a battery.

[0008] Different from the air - conditioning devices of ordinary vehicles, in environmentally friendly vehicles, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles do not use a separate heater, and the air - conditioning device applied to environmentally friendly vehicles generally refers to a heat pump system.

[0009] On the other hand, in the case of an electric vehicle, the chemical reaction energy of oxygen and hydrogen is converted into electrical energy to generate a driving force. In this process, since heat energy is generated by the chemical reaction in the fuel cell, it is necessary to effectively remove the generated heat to ensure the performance of the fuel cell.

[0010] In addition, even in a hybrid vehicle, an electric motor is driven by using electric power to generate a driving force, and the electric power is supplied by a fuel cell or a battery and an engine operating on ordinary fuel. Therefore, the performance of the electric motor can be ensured only by effectively removing the heat generated by the fuel cell or the battery and the electric motor.

[0011] Therefore, generally in a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a battery cooling system, a cooler, and a heat pump system need to respectively form separate sealed circuits to prevent overheating of the electric motor, electrical components, and a battery including a fuel cell.

[0012] Accordingly, the size and weight of a cooling module disposed at the front of the vehicle increase, and in the engine compartment, the layout of connection pipes for supplying a refrigerant and a coolant to the heat pump system, the cooler, and the battery cooling system becomes complicated.

[0013] In addition, a battery cooling system for heating or cooling a battery according to the state of the vehicle to enable the battery to exhibit optimal performance is separately provided. As a result, a plurality of valves for connecting respective connection pipes are employed, and noise and vibration caused by frequent opening and closing operations of the valves are transmitted to the interior of the vehicle, thereby reducing the riding comfort.

[0014] The information disclosed in the background art section of the present invention is only for enhancing the understanding of the overall background of the present invention, and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a heat pump system for a vehicle that regulates the temperature of a battery module by using a single chiller that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a coolant and improves heating efficiency by using waste heat generated by electrical components.

[0016] Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a cooling device, a battery cooling device, a heating device, and a chiller. The cooling device is configured to include a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, a second valve, and a liquid storage tank connected by a coolant pipeline, so that the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline to cool at least one electrical component disposed on the coolant pipeline; the battery cooling device includes a battery coolant pipeline connected to the coolant pipeline through the first valve, and a second water pump and a battery module connected through the battery coolant pipeline, so that the coolant circulates through the battery module; the heating device includes a heating pipeline connected to the coolant pipeline through the second valve to heat the interior of the vehicle by using the coolant, and the heating device further includes a third water pump and a heater disposed on the heating pipeline; the chiller is disposed on the battery coolant pipeline between the first valve and the battery module, connected to a chiller connection pipeline through the second valve connected to the chiller connection pipeline, and connected to a refrigerant pipeline of an air conditioning device through a refrigerant connection pipeline, so as to adjust the temperature of the coolant by heat exchange between the coolant circulating in the battery coolant pipeline and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning device; wherein the liquid storage tank can be disposed on the coolant pipeline between the radiator and the first valve, and is connected to the coolant pipeline connecting the first valve and the first water pump through a supply pipeline bypassing the first valve.

[0017] The heater can be disposed inside a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module of the air conditioning device.

[0018] The battery cooling device can include a coolant heater disposed on the battery coolant pipeline between the battery module and the chiller.

[0019] When heating the battery module, the battery coolant pipeline can be disconnected from the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first valve; the coolant can circulate along the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the second water pump; and the coolant heater can operate to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline.

[0020] An air conditioning device may include: a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module, a condenser, a compressor, a first expansion valve, and a second expansion valve. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module is configured to include an evaporator and a door. The evaporator is connected to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module through a refrigerant pipeline. The door is configured to control the external air passing through the evaporator to be selectively introduced into the heater according to the refrigeration mode, heating mode, and heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle. The condenser is disposed on the heating pipeline between the second valve and the heater to circulate the coolant through the condenser for heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant pipeline connected to the condenser. The compressor is connected between the evaporator and the condenser through a refrigerant pipeline. The first expansion valve is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the evaporator. The second expansion valve is disposed on the refrigerant connection pipeline.

[0021] The air conditioning device may further include: a sub-condenser and a receiver. The sub-condenser is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the evaporator. The receiver is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor and is connected to the refrigerant connection pipeline.

[0022] The first end of the refrigerant connection pipeline may be connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the sub-condenser and the first expansion valve, and the second end of the refrigerant connection pipeline may be connected to the receiver between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0023] Each of the chiller and the condenser may be a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the sub-condenser may be an air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0024] The HVAC module may further include an air heater disposed between the heater and the evaporator to selectively heat the external air introduced into the heater.

[0025] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater is lower than the target temperature for internal heating, the air heater may operate to raise the temperature of the external air passing through the heater.

[0026] When cooling the battery module by using a refrigerant, in the cooling device, the coolant can circulate in the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first water pump, and the supply pipeline can be connected; the chiller connection pipeline can be shut off by the operation of the second valve; the heating device can be deactivated; in the battery cooling device, the coolant can circulate in the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the second water pump; the cooling device and the battery cooling device can form independent closed loops by the operation of the first valve, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops; in the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator can be shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection pipeline can be connected by the operation of the second expansion valve; the second expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline and supply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

[0027] When cooling the battery module in the refrigeration mode of the vehicle, in the cooling device, the coolant can circulate in the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first water pump; the supply pipeline can be connected; the chiller connection pipeline can be shut off by the operation of the second valve; in the heating device, in a state where the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline are connected by the operation of the second valve, the coolant can circulate in the heating pipeline by the operation of the third water pump; in the battery cooling device, the coolant can circulate in the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the second water pump; the cooling device and the battery cooling device can form independent closed loops by the operation of the first valve, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops; in the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator can be connected by the operation of the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection pipeline can be connected by the operation of the second expansion valve; the second expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline and supply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

[0028] When performing the heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle, the cooling device and the battery cooling device can be deactivated; the coolant pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline can be shut off by the operation of the second valve; in the heating device, the coolant can circulate in the heating pipeline by the operation of the third water pump; in the air conditioning device, the refrigerant connection pipeline can be shut off by the operation of the second expansion valve, and the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant pipeline by the operation of the compressor.

[0029] When recovering the waste heat of the electrical components and the condenser in the heating mode of the vehicle, in the cooling device, the coolant pipeline connected to the radiator and the coolant pipeline connecting the radiator and the reservoir can be shut off, and the supply pipeline can be switched on; the battery coolant pipeline except for a part of the battery coolant pipeline connected to the chiller can be shut off by the operation of the first valve; the chiller connection pipeline can be switched on by the operation of the second valve; the coolant whose temperature rises when passing through the electrical components can be supplied to the chiller along the switched-on coolant pipeline and the switched-on chiller connection pipeline without passing through the radiator by the operation of the first water pump; the coolant can be circulated along the heating pipeline by the operation of the third water pump; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir can be circulated along the switched-on coolant pipeline through the switched-on supply pipeline; the cooling device and the heating device can form an independent closed loop by the operation of the second valve, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loop; in the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator can be shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection pipeline can be switched on by the operation of the second expansion valve; the refrigerant can be circulated along the refrigerant pipeline by the operation of the compressor; the second expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline and supply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

[0030] When cooling the electrical components and the battery module by using the coolant cooled in the radiator, the chiller connection pipeline can be shut off by the operation of the second valve; the battery coolant pipeline can be connected to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first valve; the coolant cooled in the radiator and stored in the reservoir can be supplied to the battery module when circulating through the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the first valve and the second water pump; the coolant circulating through the battery cooling device can be supplied to the electrical components when circulating through the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first water pump; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir can be circulated along the coolant pipeline through the switched-on supply pipeline.

[0031] When utilizing the waste heat of an electrical component in the heating mode of a vehicle, in the cooling device, the coolant pipeline connected to the radiator and the coolant pipeline connecting the radiator and the reservoir can be shut off, and the supply pipeline can be turned on; the battery coolant pipeline except for a part of the battery coolant pipeline connected to the chiller can be shut off by the operation of a first valve; the chiller connection pipeline can be turned on by the operation of a second valve; in the heating device, the heating pipeline can be connected to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the second valve; the coolant whose temperature rises when passing through the electrical component can be supplied to the heating pipeline connected to the turned-on coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator by the operation of a first water pump; the coolant flowing into the heating pipeline can be supplied to the heater by the operation of a third water pump; the coolant discharged from the heater can pass through the chiller along the turned-on chiller connection pipeline, and then can be introduced back into the electrical component; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir can circulate along the coolant pipeline through the turned-on supply pipeline.

[0032] When the electrical component overheats, the second valve can turn on the coolant pipeline connected to the radiator so that some of the coolant circulating through the heating device flows into the chiller connection pipeline, while the remaining coolant flows into the radiator.

[0033] The first valve can be a four-way valve, and the second valve can be a five-way valve configured to distribute the flow rate.

[0034] The electrical component can include an electric power control unit (EPCU), or an electric motor, or an inverter, or an autonomous driving controller, or an on-board charger (OBC).

[0035] When circulating the coolant to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first water pump, the supply pipeline can be connected to the coolant pipeline.

[0036] As described above, according to the heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by using a chiller that exchanges heat between the coolant and the refrigerant, the temperature of the battery module can be adjusted according to the mode of the vehicle, and the interior of the vehicle can be heated by using the coolant, thus simplifying the entire system.

[0037] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the heating efficiency can also be improved by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component and the waste heat of the condenser and using them for internal heating.

[0038] In addition, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the performance of the battery module can be optimized by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module, and the total driving distance of the vehicle can be increased by the effective management of the battery module.

[0039] In addition, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, manufacturing costs can be reduced and weight can be reduced by simplifying the entire system, and space utilization can be improved.

[0040] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other characteristics and advantages that will be apparent from or will be set forth in detail in the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which are incorporated herein by reference and together serve to explain the specific principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 A block diagram of a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 2 An operating state diagram of cooling an electrical component and a battery module by using a radiator in a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 3 An operating state diagram of cooling a battery module by using a refrigerant in a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0044] Figure 4 An operating state diagram of a heat pump system of a vehicle in a refrigeration mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0045] Figure 5 An operating state diagram of performing a heating mode by using waste heat of an electrical component in a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0046] Figure 6 An operating state diagram of recovering waste heat of an electrical component and a condenser according to a heating mode in a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0047] Figure 7 An operating state diagram of a heating and dehumidifying mode in a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0048] Figure 8 An operating state diagram of heating a battery module in a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0049] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale and are merely simplified drawings suitable for illustrating the basic principles and various features of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention included herein, such as specific dimensions, directions, positions, and configurations, will be determined in part by the specific environment in which it is to be applied and used.

[0050] In these figures, throughout the several views of the drawings, like reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternative embodiments, modified embodiments, equivalent embodiments, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0052] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0053] The exemplary embodiments described in this exemplary embodiment and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it can be understood that there may be various equivalent forms and modified forms that can replace them when this application is filed.

[0054] To clarify the present invention, components irrelevant to the description are omitted, and throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent elements.

[0055] The dimensions and thicknesses of each element are arbitrarily shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and in the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, plates, regions, etc. are exaggerated for clarity.

[0056] Throughout the following specification and claims, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements, but not the exclusion of any other elements.

[0057] Furthermore, the terms used herein, such as "…… unit", "…… mechanism", "…… part", "…… component", etc. refer to a unit of an inclusive component that performs at least one function or operation.

[0058] Figure 1It is a block diagram of a heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] The heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can adjust the temperature of the battery module 24 by using a chiller 30 in which a refrigerant and a coolant exchange heat, and can recover the waste heat generated by the electrical component 15 for use in internal heating.

[0060] Such a heat pump system can be applied to an electric vehicle.

[0061] Reference Figure 1 , the heat pump system may include: a cooling device 10, a battery cooling device 20, a chiller 30, and a heating device 40.

[0062] First, the cooling device 10 includes: a radiator 12 connected to a coolant pipeline 11, a first water pump 14, a first valve V1, a second valve V2, and a liquid storage tank 16.

[0063] The radiator 12 is installed at the front of the vehicle, and a cooling fan 13 is installed at the rear of the radiator 12, so that the coolant is cooled by the operation of the cooling fan 13 and heat exchange with the external air.

[0064] In addition, the electrical component 15 may include an electric power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, an autonomous driving controller, or an on-board charger (OBC).

[0065] The electrical component 15 configured as described above may be disposed on the coolant pipeline 11 and cooled in a water-cooled manner.

[0066] Accordingly, when recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the heating mode of the vehicle, the heat generated by the EPCU, or the motor, or the inverter, or the autonomous driving controller, or the OBC can be recovered.

[0067] In addition, the liquid storage tank 16 is disposed on the coolant pipeline 11 between the radiator 12 and the first water pump 14. The coolant cooled in the radiator 12 can be stored in the liquid storage tank 16.

[0068] The cooling device 10 can circulate the coolant in the coolant pipeline 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14, so that the coolant is supplied to the electrical component 15 disposed on the coolant pipeline 11.

[0069] Moreover, the liquid storage tank 16 can be connected to the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the first valve V1 and the first water pump 14 through a supply pipeline 17.

[0070] When the coolant is circulated to the coolant pipeline 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14, the supply pipeline 17 can be connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0071] That is to say, when the first water pump 14 is operating, the liquid storage tank 16 can always make a part of the stored coolant flow into the coolant pipeline 11 through the supply pipeline 17.

[0072] Accordingly, when the first water pump 14 is operating, cavitation in the first water pump 14 can be prevented. In addition, damage to the first water pump 14 caused by cavitation can be prevented in advance.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the battery cooling device 20 includes: a battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the coolant pipeline 11 through a first valve V1, and a second water pump 22 and a battery module 24 connected to the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0074] The battery cooling device 20 can selectively circulate the coolant through the battery module 24 by the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0075] Meanwhile, the battery cooling device 20 can further include: a coolant heater 26, which is provided on the battery coolant pipeline 21 between the battery module 24 and the first valve V1.

[0076] When it is necessary to raise the temperature of the battery module 24, the coolant heater 26 is turned on to heat the coolant circulating in the battery coolant pipeline 21, so that the heated coolant can be supplied to the battery module 24.

[0077] The coolant heater 26 can be an electric heater that operates according to the power supply.

[0078] That is to say, when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the battery module 24 is lower than the target temperature, the coolant heater 26 operates, so that the coolant circulating in the battery coolant pipeline 21 can be heated.

[0079] Accordingly, the coolant whose temperature has risen when passing through the coolant heater 26 can be supplied to the battery module 24 to raise the temperature of the battery module 24.

[0080] That is to say, when the temperature of the battery module 24 rises, the coolant heater 26 can selectively operate.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a chiller 30 is provided on the battery coolant pipeline 21 between the first valve V1 and the battery module 24.

[0082] The quench cooler 30 can be connected to a quench cooler connection pipeline 31, and the quench cooler connection pipeline 31 can be selectively connected to the coolant pipeline through a second valve V2.

[0083] The quench cooler 30 is connected to a refrigerant pipeline 51 of an air conditioning device 50 through a refrigerant connection pipeline 61. That is to say, the quench cooler 30 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which coolant flows.

[0084] Accordingly, the quench cooler 30 can adjust the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the coolant selectively supplied to the battery coolant pipeline 21 and the quench cooler connection pipeline 31 and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning device 50.

[0085] Here, a first end of the quench cooler connection pipeline 31 is connected to the second valve V2. A second end of the quench cooler connection pipeline 31 can be connected to the quench cooler 30.

[0086] The quench cooler connection pipeline 31 can connect the quench cooler 30 to the second valve V2 according to the operation of the second valve V2.

[0087] The heating device 40 can include a heating pipeline 41 selectively connected to the coolant pipeline 11 through the second valve V2 to heat the interior of the vehicle by using the coolant and a third water pump 42 and a heater 52a provided on the heating pipeline 41.

[0088] When heating the interior of the vehicle, the heating device 40 can connect the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the electrical component 15 to the heating pipeline 41 through the operation of the second valve V2, so that the high-temperature coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15 is supplied to the heating pipeline 41.

[0089] Accordingly, the high-temperature coolant can be supplied to the heater 52a along the heating pipeline 41.

[0090] That is to say, the heating device 40 configured as described above supplies the high-temperature coolant introduced from the cooling device 10 to the heating pipeline 41 in the heating mode of the vehicle, or supplies the coolant with increased temperature to the heater 52a when circulating through the heating pipeline 41 through the operation of the third water pump 42, thereby heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0091] Here, the first water pump 14, the second water pump 22, and the third water pump 42 can be electric water pumps.

[0092] Meanwhile, the heater 52a can be provided inside a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module 52 included in the air conditioning device 50.

[0093] The HVAC module 52 may further include an air heater 52c disposed between the heater 52a and the evaporator 56 to selectively heat the outside air flowing into the heater 52a.

[0094] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature for internal heating, the air heater 52c may operate to raise the temperature of the outside air flowing into the heater 52a.

[0095] The air heater 52c may be installed inside the HVAC module 52 at the front of the heater 52a toward the interior of the vehicle to selectively heat the outside air flowing into the heater 52a.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioning device 50 includes: an HVAC module 52, a condenser 53, a sub-condenser 54, a first expansion valve 55, an evaporator 56, a receiver 57, and a compressor 59 connected by refrigerant pipelines 51.

[0097] First, the HVAC module 52 includes: a switch door 52b and an evaporator 56 connected to the HVAC module 52 through a refrigerant pipeline 51, and the switch door 52b is used to control the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 to selectively introduce it into the heater 52a according to the refrigeration, heating, and heating and dehumidification modes of the vehicle.

[0098] That is, in the heating mode of the vehicle, the switch door 52b opens to introduce the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 into the heater 52a. On the contrary, in the refrigeration mode of the vehicle, the switch door 52b closes the heater 52a so that the outside air cooled when passing through the evaporator 56 flows directly into the vehicle.

[0099] Here, the HVAC module 52 may further include an air heater 52c disposed between the heater 52a and the evaporator 56 to selectively heat the outside air flowing into the heater 52a.

[0100] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature for internal heating, the air heater 52c may operate to raise the temperature of the outside air flowing into the heater 52a.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the condenser 53 is connected to the refrigerant pipeline 51 to allow the refrigerant to pass through the condenser 53. The condenser 53 is disposed on the heating pipeline 41 between the second valve V2 and the heater 52a so that the coolant circulating through the heating device 40 passes through.

[0102] The condenser 53 can condense the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41. That is to say, the condenser 53 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which the coolant flows.

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary condenser 54 can be arranged on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the condenser 53 and the evaporator 56.

[0104] Herein, the auxiliary condenser 54 can further condense the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 by exchanging heat with the external air. In other words, the auxiliary condenser 54 is installed in the front of the radiator 12 so that the refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary condenser 54 exchanges heat with the external air.

[0105] As a result, the auxiliary condenser 54 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger for condensing the refrigerant by using the external air.

[0106] Accordingly, the auxiliary condenser 54 can further condense the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 to increase the secondary cooling of the refrigerant, thereby improving the coefficient of performance (COP), which is the coefficient of the refrigerating capacity relative to the power required by the compressor.

[0107] The first expansion valve 55 is arranged on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the auxiliary condenser 54 and the evaporator 56. The first expansion valve 55 receives the refrigerant passing through the second condenser 54 to expand it.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 is connected to the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the auxiliary condenser 54 and the first expansion valve 55. The second end of the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 can be connected to the accumulator 57 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

[0109] Herein, the second expansion valve 63 is arranged on the refrigerant connection pipeline 61. When the battery module 24 is cooled by the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 to introduce the expanded refrigerant into the chiller 30.

[0110] That is to say, when the battery module 24 is cooled by using the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 63 operates to expand the refrigerant.

[0111] The second expansion valve 63 can introduce the refrigerant discharged from the auxiliary condenser 54 into the chiller 30 in a state where the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced by expanding the refrigerant, so as to further reduce the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the inside of the chiller 30.

[0112] As a result, the coolant whose temperature has been reduced when passing through the chiller 30 is introduced into the battery module 24, thereby cooling the battery module 24 more effectively.

[0113] The compressor 59 is connected between the evaporator 56 and the condenser 53 through the refrigerant pipeline 51. The compressor 59 can compress the gaseous refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerant to the condenser 53.

[0114] The accumulator 57 is provided on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

[0115] The accumulator 57 improves the efficiency and durability of the compressor 59 by supplying only gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 59.

[0116] Herein, the first expansion valve 55 and the second expansion valve 63 may be electronic expansion valves, and the first expansion valve 55 and the second expansion valve 63 selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipeline 51 or the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0117] In addition, the first valve V1 may be a four-way valve, and the second valve V2 may be a five-way valve configured to distribute the flow rate.

[0118] Hereinafter, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 8 describe the operation and function of the heat pump system of the vehicle according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention configured as described above in detail.

[0119] First, reference will be made to Figure 2 describe the operation of cooling the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 by using the radiator 12 in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] Figure 2 shows an operation state diagram of cooling the electrical component and the battery module by using the radiator in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Reference Figure 2 , the chiller connection pipeline 31 is shut off by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0122] In addition, the battery coolant pipeline 21 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11 by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0123] In this state, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to cool the electrical component 15.

[0124] In the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 operates to cool the battery module 24.

[0125] Accordingly, the coolant cooled and stored in the radiator 12 is supplied to the battery module 24 when circulating through the battery coolant line 21 by the operation of the first valve V1 and the second water pump 22.

[0126] The coolant circulating through the battery cooling device 20 can be supplied to the electrical component 15 when circulating through the coolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0127] Here, a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir 16 can circulate along the coolant line 11 through the connected supply line 17.

[0128] That is, the coolant cooled and stored in the radiator 12 circulates through the coolant line 11 and the battery coolant line 21 respectively by the operation of the first water pump 14 and the second water pump 22, thereby effectively cooling the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24.

[0129] Since the refrigeration mode of the vehicle is not activated, the air conditioning device 50 does not operate.

[0130] On the other hand, although both the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 have been described as being cooled in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. When cooling only one of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24, the first water pump 14 and the second water pump 22 can be selectively operated.

[0131] Reference will be made to Figure 3 Describe the operation of the case of cooling the battery module 24 by using a refrigerant.

[0132] Figure 3 Shows an operating state diagram of cooling the battery module by using a refrigerant in the heat pump system of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0133] Reference Figure 3 , the quench cooler connection line 31 is shut off by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0134] In this state, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to cool the electrical component 15.

[0135] Accordingly, in the cooling device 10, the coolant circulates in the coolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14. At the same time, the supply line 17 is connected.

[0136] In the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 operates to cool the battery module 24.

[0137] Accordingly, in the battery cooling device 20, the coolant can circulate in the battery coolant line 21 by the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0138] Here, the cooling device 10 and the battery cooling device 20 can form independent closed loops through the operation of the first valve V1, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops.

[0139] That is, through the operation of the first valve V1, the battery cooling device 20 is not connected to the coolant pipeline 11. In this state, the battery cooling device 20 can form a closed loop, and through the closed loop, the coolant independently circulates in the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0140] At the same time, the heating device 40 is deactivated.

[0141] In the air conditioning device 50, each component except the evaporator 56 operates so that the refrigerant is supplied to the chiller 30.

[0142] That is, in the air conditioning device 50, the refrigerant pipeline 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve 55. In this state, the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 is connected through the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0143] Accordingly, the refrigerant that has passed through the sub-condenser 54 can circulate along the refrigerant pipeline 51 and the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0144] Here, the second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller 30.

[0145] Accordingly, the coolant passing through the chiller 30 can circulate in the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 22 to cool the battery module 24.

[0146] The coolant passing through the chiller 30 is cooled by heat exchange with the expanded refrigerant supplied to the chiller 30. The coolant cooled in the chiller 30 is supplied to the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0147] That is, the second expansion valve 63 expands the refrigerant passing through the sub-condenser 54 and connects the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the chiller 30.

[0148] Accordingly, the operation of the second expansion valve 63 expands the refrigerant discharged from the sub-condenser 54 to enter a low-temperature and low-pressure state and flows into the chiller 30 connected to the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0149] Thereafter, the refrigerant flowing into the quench cooler 30 exchanges heat with the coolant, and then is introduced into the compressor 59 after passing through the accumulator 57 via the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0150] The compressor 59 compresses the refrigerant and supplies it to the condenser 53.

[0151] The sub-condenser 54 can condense the refrigerant introduced from the condenser 53 through heat exchange with the external air.

[0152] In other words, the coolant whose temperature has risen by cooling the battery module 24 is cooled inside the quench cooler 30 through heat exchange with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant. The cooled coolant is supplied to the battery module 24 again through the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0153] As a result, the coolant can effectively cool the battery module 24 while repeating the above operations.

[0154] On the other hand, in the state where the battery mode 24 is cooled by the refrigerant, if it is necessary to cool the interior of the vehicle, the refrigerant pipeline 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and the evaporator 56 can be switched on through the operation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0155] That is to say, the first expansion valve 55 can selectively switch on or off the refrigerant pipeline 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and the evaporator 56 according to whether it is necessary to cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0156] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to Figure 4 describe the operation of the refrigeration mode of the vehicle.

[0157] Figure 4 Shows the operation state diagram in the refrigeration mode of the vehicle in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0158] Reference Figure 4 , in the cooling device 10, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline 11 through the operation of the first water pump. At the same time, the supply pipeline 17 is switched on.

[0159] Here, the quench cooler connection pipeline 31 is switched off through the operation of the second valve V2.

[0160] In the heating device 40, the heating pipeline 41 and the coolant pipeline 11 are connected through the operation of the second valve V2.

[0161] In this state, the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 circulates in the heating pipeline 41 through the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0162] Accordingly, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 can be supplied to the condenser 53 through the operation of the first water pump 14 and the third water pump 42 after passing through the electrical component 15.

[0163] Meanwhile, in the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 operates to cool the battery module 24.

[0164] Correspondingly, in the battery cooling device 20, the coolant can circulate in the battery coolant pipeline 21 through the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0165] Here, the cooling device 10 and the battery cooling device 20 can form independent closed loops through the operation of the first valve V1, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops.

[0166] That is to say, through the operation of the first valve V1, the battery cooling device 20 is not connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0167] In this state, the battery cooling device 20 can form a closed loop, through which the coolant circulates independently in the battery coolant pipeline 21 through the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0168] That is to say, the coolant pipeline 11 and the battery coolant pipeline 21 respectively form independent closed loops through the operation of the first valve V1.

[0169] Accordingly, in the battery cooling device 20, the coolant that has passed through the chiller 30 can be supplied to the battery module 24 along the battery coolant pipeline 21 through the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0170] In the air conditioning device 50, each component works to cool the interior of the vehicle. Accordingly, the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0171] Here, the refrigerant pipeline 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and the evaporator 56 is connected through the operation of the first expansion valve 55. The refrigerant connection pipeline 61 is connected through the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0172] Accordingly, the refrigerant that has passed through the sub-condenser 54 can circulate along the refrigerant pipeline 51 and the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0173] Here, the first expansion valve 55 and the second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 56 and the chiller 30 respectively.

[0174] Meanwhile, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 to the condenser 53 through the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0175] The condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant by using the coolant flowing along the heating pipeline 41. The sub-condenser 54 can further condense the refrigerant introduced from the condenser 53 by exchanging heat with the external air.

[0176] The coolant passing through the chiller 30 circulates in the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 22 to cool the battery module 24.

[0177] The coolant passing through the chiller 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the expanded refrigerant supplied to the chiller 30. The coolant cooled in the chiller 30 is supplied to the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0178] That is to say, the second expansion valve 63 expands some of the refrigerant passing through the sub-condenser 54 to supply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller 30 and turn on the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0179] Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged from the sub-condenser 54 is expanded by the operation of the second expansion valve 63 to enter the low-temperature and low-pressure state and flow into the chiller 30 connected to the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0180] Thereafter, the refrigerant flowing into the chiller 30 exchanges heat with the coolant, and then is introduced into the compressor 59 after passing through the accumulator 57 via the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0181] In other words, the coolant whose temperature has risen by cooling the battery module 24 is cooled by exchanging heat with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant inside the chiller 30. The cooled coolant is supplied to the battery module 24 again through the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0182] As a result, the coolant circulating in the battery cooling device 20 can effectively cool the battery module 24 while repeating the above operations.

[0183] On the other hand, the remaining refrigerant discharged from the sub-condenser 54 flows through the refrigerant pipeline 51 to cool the interior of the vehicle, and sequentially passes through the first expansion valve 55, the evaporator 56, the compressor 59 and the condenser 53.

[0184] Here, the external air flowing into the HVAC module 52 is cooled by using the low-temperature refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 56 when passing through the evaporator 56.

[0185] In this case, a part of the heater 52a through which the cooled external air passes is closed by the switch door 52b, so that the external air does not pass through the heater 52a. Accordingly, the cooled external air directly flows into the interior of the vehicle, thus cooling the interior of the vehicle.

[0186] On the other hand, the refrigerant whose condensation amount increases when passing through the condenser 53 and the sub-condenser 54 in sequence can be expanded and supplied to the evaporator 56, so that the refrigerant is evaporated at a lower temperature.

[0187] As a result, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant, and the sub-condenser 54 further condenses the refrigerant, which is conducive to forming secondary cooling of the refrigerant.

[0188] Furthermore, since the secondary-cooled refrigerant can be evaporated at a lower temperature in the evaporator 56, the temperature of the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 can be further reduced, thereby improving the cooling performance and efficiency.

[0189] In the refrigeration mode of the vehicle, the refrigerant can cool the interior of the vehicle while repeating the above process, and can also cool the coolant through heat exchange when passing through the chiller 30.

[0190] The low-temperature coolant cooled in the chiller 30 is introduced into the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 can be effectively cooled by the low-temperature coolant supplied thereby.

[0191] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to Figure 5 Describe the operation of using the waste heat of the electrical component 15 without operating the air conditioning device 50 in the heating mode of the vehicle.

[0192] Figure 5 Shows the operating state diagram of performing the heating mode by using the waste heat of the electrical component in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0193] Reference Figure 5 shows that the heat pump system can heat the interior of the vehicle by using the waste heat of the electrical component 15.

[0194] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to circulate the coolant. In this case, the air conditioning device 50 is deactivated.

[0195] Here, a part of the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the radiator 12 and a part of the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the liquid storage tank 16 are shut off by the operation of the second valve V2. The supply pipeline 17 is turned on.

[0196] Thus, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can circulate along the coolant pipeline 11 through the turned-on supply pipeline 17.

[0197] Here, except for the battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the chiller 30, the battery coolant pipeline 21 is shut off by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0198] That is, the battery coolant pipeline 21 connecting the second water pump 22 and the battery module 24 is shut off, and the operation of the battery cooling device 20 is deactivated.

[0199] In addition, in the heating device 40, the coolant pipeline 11 and the heating pipeline 41 are connected by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0200] Here, the quench cooler connection pipeline 31 is turned on by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0201] In this state, the coolant whose temperature has risen when passing through the electrical component 15 via the operation of the first water pump 14 is supplied to the heating pipeline 41 connected to the turned-on coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0202] The coolant flowing into the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the heater 52a by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0203] The coolant discharged from the heater 52a passes through the quench cooler 30 along the turned-on quench cooler connection pipeline 31, and then is re-introduced into the electrical component 15 along the turned-on coolant pipeline 11.

[0204] That is, the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15 continues to circulate along the turned-on coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat from the electrical component 15, causing the temperature of the coolant to rise.

[0205] The coolant whose temperature has risen is supplied to the heater 52a through the heating pipeline 41 connected to the coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0206] Here, the coolant introduced into the heating pipeline 41 passes through the heater 52a by the operation of the third water pump 42. At this time, the air heater 52c can be selectively operated according to the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 52a.

[0207] When the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 52c can operate to heat the external air flowing into the vehicle interior.

[0208] That is, when the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 52c can operate to heat the external air flowing into the vehicle interior.

[0209] When the temperature of the external air that has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant when passing through the heater 52a is lower than the predetermined temperature or the target heating temperature, the air heater 52c operates.

[0210] As a result, when the air heater 52c operates, outside air can be heated as it passes through the air heater 52c and introduced into the vehicle interior in a state with an increased temperature.

[0211] Meanwhile, the high-temperature coolant supplied to the heater 52a exchanges heat with the outside air, and then is introduced into the coolant line 11 via the cooler 30 and a part of the battery coolant line 21 along the heating line 41 and the cooler connection line 31 connected by the second valve V2, without passing through the radiator 12.

[0212] Here, the switch door 52b is opened so that the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 passes through the heater 52a.

[0213] Accordingly, the outside air introduced from the outside flows in at room temperature without being cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56 to which no refrigerant is supplied. The introduced outside air can be transformed into a high-temperature state as it passes through the heater 52a and flows into the vehicle, thereby heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0214] In other words, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when the above process is repeated, the waste heat generated in the electrical component 15 can be recovered and used for internal heating, thereby reducing power consumption and improving the overall heating efficiency.

[0215] On the other hand, during the process of heating the vehicle interior by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 using the coolant, when the electrical component 15 overheats, a part of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 and a part of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the reservoir 16 are connected through the operation of the second valve V2.

[0216] Accordingly, the remaining coolant not introduced into the heater 52a is cooled as it passes through the radiator 12.

[0217] The coolant that has been completely cooled can recover waste heat as it passes through the electrical component 15, and can effectively cool the electrical component 15 together with the coolant passing through the cooler 30 along the heating line 41 and the cooler connection line 31.

[0218] When the electrical component 15 overheats, the second valve V2 can connect the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 so that some of the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 flows into the heating line 41, and the remaining coolant flows into the radiator 12.

[0219] As a result, some of the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 can be supplied to the electrical component 15, thereby preventing the electrical component 15 from overheating.

[0220] Thus, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, waste heat generated in the electrical component 15 can be recovered and used for internal heating, thereby reducing power consumption and improving the overall heating efficiency.

[0221] Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, some coolant can be introduced into the radiator 12 under the operation control of a second valve V2 configured to distribute the flow rate for cooling, and then supplied to the electrical component 15, thereby effectively cooling the electrical component 15 and ensuring the cooling performance of the electrical component 15.

[0222] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to Figure 6 the operation of recovering waste heat from the electrical component 15 and the condenser 53 in the heating mode of the vehicle.

[0223] Figure 6 The operation state diagram of waste heat recovery of the electrical component and the condenser according to the heating mode in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0224] Refer to Figure 6 , in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to circulate the coolant.

[0225] Here, a part of the coolant pipeline 11 connecting to the radiator 12 and a part of the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the liquid storage tank 16 are shut off. The supply pipeline 17 is turned on.

[0226] Thus, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can be circulated along the coolant pipeline 11 through the turned-on supply pipeline 17.

[0227] In addition, except for the battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the chiller 30, the battery coolant pipeline 21 is shut off by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0228] That is, the battery coolant pipeline 21 connecting the second water pump 22 and the battery module 24 is shut off, and the operation of the battery cooling device 20 is deactivated.

[0229] Meanwhile, the chiller connection pipeline 31 is turned on by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0230] In this state, the coolant whose temperature rises when passing through the electrical component 15 via the operation of the first water pump 14 is supplied to the chiller 30 along the turned-on coolant pipeline 11 and the turned-on chiller connection pipeline 31 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0231] That is to say, the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15 continues to circulate along the connected coolant pipeline 11, the chiller connection pipeline 31, and the connected part of the battery coolant pipeline 21 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15, causing the temperature of the coolant to rise.

[0232] The coolant with the increased temperature is supplied to the chiller 30 along the chiller connection pipeline 31.

[0233] That is to say, when the coolant passes through the chiller 30 due to the operation of the first water pump 14, the coolant that has absorbed the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and has an increased temperature is recovered by increasing the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the chiller 30.

[0234] In the heating device 40, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline 41 due to the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0235] As a result, the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the heater 52a after passing through the condenser 53 due to the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0236] That is to say, the cooling device 10 and the heating device 40 can form an independent closed loop through the operation of the second valve V2, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loop.

[0237] Accordingly, the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the heater 52a due to the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0238] Meanwhile, in the air conditioning device 50, each component except the evaporator 56 operates so that the refrigerant is supplied to the chiller 30.

[0239] Here, the refrigerant pipeline 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve 55. In this state, the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 is connected through the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0240] The refrigerant passing through the sub-condenser 54 can circulate along the refrigerant pipeline 51 and the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0241] Here, the second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant connection pipeline 61 to supply the expanded refrigerant to the chiller 30.

[0242] When the coolant passes through the chiller 30 due to the operation of the first water pump 14, the coolant that has absorbed the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and has an increased temperature is recovered by increasing the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the chiller 30.

[0243] That is to say, the quench cooler 30 receives the refrigerant supplied from the sub-condenser 54 and expanded by the operation of the second expansion valve 63 through the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0244] Accordingly, the quench cooler 30 evaporates the supplied refrigerant by exchanging heat with the coolant whose temperature rises when passing through the electrical component 15, thereby recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15.

[0245] Thereafter, the refrigerant passing through the quench cooler 30 is supplied to the accumulator 57 along the refrigerant connection pipeline 61.

[0246] The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 57 is divided into gas and liquid, and the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant divided into gas and liquid is supplied to the compressor 59.

[0247] The refrigerant compressed into high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 59 flows into the condenser 53.

[0248] Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 can raise the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat with the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41. The coolant with the increased temperature is supplied to the heater 52a.

[0249] That is to say, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 to the condenser 53 through the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0250] Accordingly, the condenser 53 uses the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59.

[0251] At this time, the temperature of the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 rises through heat exchange with the refrigerant when passing through the condenser 53. The coolant with the increased temperature can be supplied to the heater 52a along the heating pipeline 41.

[0252] Here, the air heater 52c can selectively operate according to the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 52a.

[0253] When the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 52c can operate to heat the external air flowing into the vehicle interior.

[0254] When the temperature of the external air that has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant when passing through the heater 52a is lower than the predetermined temperature or the target heating temperature, the air heater 52c operates.

[0255] As a result, when the air heater 52c operates, the external air can be heated when passing through the air heater 52c and introduced into the vehicle interior in a state of increased temperature.

[0256] Here, the door 52b is opened so that the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 and passing through the evaporator 56 passes through the heater 52a.

[0257] Accordingly, the outside air introduced from the outside flows in at room temperature without being cooled when passing through the evaporator 56 where refrigerant is not supplied. The introduced outside air can be changed to a high temperature state when passing through the heater 52a and then flows into the vehicle, thereby heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0258] That is, the heat pump system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used to increase the temperature of the coolant by using the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the condenser 53, thereby reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0259] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to Figure 7 describe the operation of the heating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle.

[0260] Figure 7 The operation state diagrams of the heating and dehumidifying modes in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0261] Reference Figure 7 , the cooling device 10 and the battery cooling device 20 are deactivated.

[0262] Here, the coolant pipeline 11 and the chiller connection pipeline 31 are shut off by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0263] In the heating device 40, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline 41 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0264] The coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the heater 52a after passing through the condenser 53 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0265] Accordingly, the condenser 53 uses the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59.

[0266] At this time, the temperature of the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 rises by heat exchange with the refrigerant when passing through the condenser 53. The coolant with the increased temperature can be supplied to the heater 52a along the heating pipeline 41.

[0267] Here, the air heater 52c can selectively operate according to the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52a.

[0268] When the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 52c can operate to heat the outside air flowing into the interior of the vehicle.

[0269] When the temperature of the outside air that has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant when passing through the heater 52a is lower than a predetermined temperature or the target heating temperature, the air heater 52c operates.

[0270] As a result, when the air heater 52c operates, the outside air can be heated when passing through the air heater 52c and introduced into the vehicle interior in a state where its temperature has risen.

[0271] Meanwhile, in the air-conditioning unit 50, each component operates for dehumidifying the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline 51 due to the operation of the compressor 59.

[0272] Here, the refrigerant pipeline 51 connecting the sub-condenser 54 and the evaporator 56 is opened by the operation of the first expansion valve 55. The refrigerant connection pipeline 61 is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0273] Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 exchanges heat with the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 to raise the temperature of the coolant. The coolant with the increased temperature is supplied to the heater 52a.

[0274] On the other hand, the expanded refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 56 by the operation of the first expansion valve 55 exchanges heat with the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 and is then supplied to the compressor 59 along the refrigerant pipeline 51 via the accumulator 57.

[0275] That is to say, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 56 can pass through the accumulator 57 and be supplied to the compressor 59.

[0276] The refrigerant compressed into a high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 59 flows into the condenser 53.

[0277] Here, the switch door 52b is opened so that the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 and passing through the evaporator 56 passes through the heater 52a.

[0278] That is to say, the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 is dehumidified by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 56 when passing through the evaporator 56. Next, the outside air turns into a high-temperature state when passing through the heater 52a and flows into the vehicle interior, thereby heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0279] That is to say, the heat pump system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention selectively absorbs the waste heat generated by the condenser 53 according to the interior temperature of the vehicle in the heating and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle to raise the temperature of the coolant, thereby reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0280] Reference will be made toFigure 8 Describe the operation of heating the battery module 24.

[0281] Figure 8 The operation state diagram of heating the battery module in the heat pump system of the vehicle according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0282] Reference Figure 8 , the cooling device 10, the heating device 40, and the air conditioning device 50 are deactivated.

[0283] Here, through the operation of the first valve V1, the battery coolant line 21 is not connected to the coolant line 11.

[0284] That is, in the battery cooling device 20, the battery coolant line 21 connecting the second water pump 22, the battery module 24, and the coolant heater 26 is turned on.

[0285] In this state, the coolant circulates along the battery coolant line 21 through the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0286] Here, the coolant heater 26 operates to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module 24 along the turned-on battery coolant line 21.

[0287] Accordingly, the coolant circulating in the battery coolant line 21 increases in temperature when passing through the coolant heater 26. Accordingly, the coolant that has increased in temperature when passing through the coolant heater 26 can be supplied to the battery module 24 to increase the temperature of the battery module 24.

[0288] As a result, according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the battery module 24 can be rapidly increased when the above process is repeated, thereby effectively managing the temperature of the battery module 24.

[0289] Thus, if the heat pump system of the vehicle according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above is applied, the temperature of the battery module 24 can be adjusted according to the mode of the vehicle by using a single chiller 30 that exchanges heat between the coolant and the refrigerant, and the interior of the vehicle can be heated by using the coolant, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0290] According to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heating efficiency can also be improved by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and using it for internal heating.

[0291] In addition, according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the performance of the battery module 24 can be optimized by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module 24, and the total driving distance of the vehicle can be increased by the effective management of the battery module 24.

[0292] In addition, the entire system can be simplified to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce weight, and improve space utilization.

[0293] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a controller is connected to at least one element of a heat pump system to control its operation.

[0294] Furthermore, the terms "controller", "control unit", or "control device" refer to a hardware device including a memory and a processor, the processor being configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmic structure. The memory stores the algorithmic steps, and the processor executes the algorithmic steps to perform one or more processes of the method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory and a processor, the non-volatile memory being configured to: store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of a vehicle, or data regarding software commands for executing the algorithms; the processor being configured to: perform the above operations using the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor can be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be integrated in a single chip. The processor can be implemented as one or more processors.

[0295] The controller or control unit can be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program, the predetermined program can include a series of commands for performing the methods included in the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above.

[0296] The present invention described above can also be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can then be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include: hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, etc., and are implemented as carrier waves (e.g., transmitted via the Internet).

[0297] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the above operations can be performed by a controller, and the controller can be configured by a plurality of controllers or an integrated single controller.

[0298] For the purposes of facilitating explanation and precisely defining the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "back", "inner side", "outer side", "inward", "outward", "internal", "external", "inner side", "outer side", "inner", "outer", "forward" and "backward" are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings with reference to the positions of those features. It will be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connection.

[0299] The foregoing description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed, and obviously, various modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the particular principles of the invention and its practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to implement and utilize the invention in its various exemplary embodiments and their various alternative forms and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: A cooling device, which includes a radiator, a first pump, a first valve, a second valve and a liquid storage tank connected by a coolant pipeline, and circulates coolant in the coolant pipeline to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant pipeline; A battery cooling device, which includes a battery coolant pipeline connected to the coolant pipeline through the first valve and a second pump and a battery module connected through the battery coolant pipeline to circulate coolant through the battery module; A heating device, which includes a heating pipeline connected to the coolant pipeline through the second valve to heat the interior of the vehicle by using coolant, and the heating device further includes a third pump and a heater provided on the heating pipeline; And A chiller, which is provided on the battery coolant pipeline between the first valve and the battery module, is connected to a chiller connection pipeline through a second valve connected to the chiller connection pipeline, and is connected to a refrigerant pipeline of an air conditioning device through a refrigerant connection pipeline to adjust the temperature of the coolant by heat exchange between the coolant circulating in the battery coolant pipeline and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning device through the refrigerant pipeline; Wherein, the liquid storage tank is provided on the coolant pipeline between the radiator and the first valve, and is connected to the coolant pipeline connecting the first valve and the first pump through a supply pipeline bypassing the first valve.

2. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The heater is provided inside a heating, ventilation and air conditioning module of the air conditioning device.

3. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cooling device further includes a coolant heater, and the coolant heater is provided on the battery coolant pipeline between the battery module and the chiller.

4. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein, When heating the battery module, The battery coolant pipeline is not connected to the coolant pipeline through the operation of the first valve; Through the operation of the second pump, coolant circulates along the battery coolant pipeline; The coolant heater operates to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline.

5. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The air conditioning device includes: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning module, which includes an evaporator and a door, the evaporator is connected to the refrigerant pipeline, and the door is configured to control the external air passing through the evaporator to be selectively introduced into the heater according to the refrigeration mode, heating mode and heating and dehumidification mode of the vehicle; A condenser, which is provided on the heating pipeline between the second valve and the heater to circulate coolant through the condenser to perform heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant pipeline connected to the condenser; A compressor, which is connected between the evaporator and the condenser through the refrigerant pipeline; A first expansion valve, which is provided on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the evaporator; and A second expansion valve, which is provided on the refrigerant connection pipeline.

6. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The air conditioning device further includes: A sub-condenser, which is arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the evaporator; and A liquid receiver, which is arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor and is connected to the refrigerant connection pipeline.

7. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, The first end of the refrigerant connection pipeline is connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the sub-condenser and the first expansion valve; The second end of the refrigerant connection pipeline is connected to the liquid receiver between the evaporator and the compressor.

8. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the chiller and the condenser is a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the sub-condenser is an air-cooled heat exchanger.

9. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The heating, ventilation and air conditioning module further includes an air heater, which is installed between the heater and the evaporator to selectively heat the outside air passing through the heater.

10. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater is lower than the target temperature for internal heating, the air heater operates to raise the temperature of the outside air introduced into the heater.

11. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, When cooling the battery module by using the refrigerant, In the cooling device, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first pump, and the supply pipeline is connected; The chiller connection pipeline is shut off by the operation of the second valve; The heating device is deactivated; In the battery cooling device, the coolant circulates in the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the second pump; The cooling device and the battery cooling device form independent closed loops by the operation of the first valve, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops; In the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator is shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection pipeline is connected by the operation of the second expansion valve; The second expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

12. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, When cooling the battery module in the refrigeration mode of the vehicle, In the cooling device, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first pump, and the supply pipeline is connected; The chiller connection pipeline is shut off by the operation of the second valve; In the heating device, in a state where the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline are connected by the operation of the second valve, the coolant circulates in the heating pipeline by the operation of the third pump; In the battery cooling device, the coolant circulates in the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the second pump; The cooling device and the battery cooling device form independent closed loops by the operation of the first valve, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops; In the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator is connected by the operation of the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection pipeline is connected by the operation of the second expansion valve; The second expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

13. The heat pump system of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, when the heating and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle is executed, the cooling device and the battery cooling device are deactivated; the coolant pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline are shut off by the operation of the second valve; in the heating device, the coolant circulates in the heating pipeline by the operation of the third pump; in the air conditioning device, the refrigerant connection pipeline is shut off by the operation of the second expansion valve, and the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline by the operation of the compressor.

14. The heat pump system of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, when recovering the waste heat of at least one electrical component and the condenser in the heating mode of the vehicle, in the cooling device, the coolant pipeline connected to the radiator and the coolant pipeline connecting the radiator and the reservoir are shut off, and the supply pipeline is turned on; the battery coolant pipeline except for a part of the battery coolant pipeline connected to the chiller is shut off by the operation of the first valve; the chiller connection pipeline is turned on by the operation of the second valve; the coolant whose temperature rises when passing through at least one electrical component is supplied to the chiller along the turned-on coolant pipeline and the turned-on chiller connection pipeline by the operation of the first pump without passing through the radiator; the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline by the operation of the third pump; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir circulates along the turned-on coolant pipeline through the turned-on supply pipeline; the cooling device and the heating device form an independent closed loop by the operation of the second valve, and the coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loop; in the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator is shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection pipeline is turned on by the operation of the second expansion valve; the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline by the operation of the compressor; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection pipeline and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the chiller.

15. The heat pump system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, when cooling at least one electrical component and the battery module by using the coolant cooled in the radiator, the chiller connection pipeline is shut off by the operation of the second valve; the battery coolant pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first valve; the coolant cooled in the radiator and stored in the reservoir is supplied to the battery module when circulating through the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the first valve and the second pump; the coolant circulating through the battery cooling device is supplied to at least one electrical component when circulating through the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first pump; a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir circulates along the coolant pipeline through the turned-on supply pipeline.

16. The heat pump system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, when utilizing the waste heat of at least one electrical component in the heating mode of the vehicle, in the cooling device, the coolant pipeline connected to the radiator and the coolant pipeline connecting the radiator and the reservoir are shut off, and the supply pipeline is turned on; the battery coolant pipeline except for a part of the battery coolant pipeline connected to the chiller is shut off by the operation of the first valve; The quench cooler connection pipeline is connected through the operation of the second valve; In the heating device, the heating pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline through the operation of the second valve; The coolant whose temperature rises when passing through at least one electrical component is supplied to the heating pipeline connected to the connected coolant pipeline by the operation of the first pump without passing through the radiator; The coolant flowing into the heating pipeline is supplied to the heater by the operation of the third pump; The coolant discharged from the heater passes through the quench cooler along the connected quench cooler connection pipeline and is then re-introduced into the electrical component; A part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank circulates along the coolant pipeline through the connected supply pipeline.

17. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 16, wherein, When at least one electrical component overheats, the second valve connects the coolant pipeline connected to the radiator, so that a part of the coolant passing through at least one electrical component flows into the heating pipeline, and the remaining coolant flows into the radiator.

18. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The first valve is a four-way valve, and the second valve is a five-way valve configured to distribute flow.

19. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electrical component includes: a motor, or a power control unit, or an inverter, or an autonomous driving controller, or an on-vehicle charger.

20. The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, When the coolant circulates to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first pump, the supply pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline.

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