Thermal Management System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermal management system, and more particularly, to a refrigerant system, comprising: a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, and an accumulator, which are connected in sequence to form a closed loop; and a connection block, which connects a heat exchange medium outlet of the expansion valve to a heat exchange medium inlet of the second heat exchanger, and connects the heat exchange medium outlet of the second heat exchanger to a heat exchange medium inlet of the accumulator. Therefore, the distance between the components constituting the refrigerant system for vehicle interior cooling and electrical / electronic component cooling is reduced, and thus the refrigerant pressure loss in the block or pipe connecting the components can be reduced, the system performance can be improved, and the assemblability of the components constituting the refrigerant system can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal management system in which components constituting a refrigerant system for cooling a vehicle and cooling electronic components are modularized. Background Art

[0002] Recently, electric vehicles have become prominent as a solution to realize environmentally friendly technology and problems such as energy consumption in the vehicle field.

[0003] The electric vehicle travels using a motor driven by receiving power supplied from a battery or a fuel cell, and thus emits less carbon and generates less noise. In addition, the electric vehicle is environmentally friendly because it uses a motor having more excellent energy efficiency than existing engines.

[0004] Such an electric vehicle is provided with a thermal management system for cooling and heating of interior air conditioning and cooling of electronic components such as a drive motor, a battery, and an inverter.

[0005] The thermal management system includes a refrigerant system for cooling the interior of the vehicle and cooling electronic components. However, in the refrigerant system, the number of components configured to circulate the refrigerant and the number of pipes connecting the components to each other are large, making the process of assembling the refrigerant system complicated and difficult. In addition, the length of the pipes connecting the components to each other increases, so that the performance loss of the refrigerant system occurs due to the pressure drop of the flowing refrigerant.

[0006] [Prior art literature]

[0007] [Patent Document]

[0008] KR 2014-0147365A (December 30, 2014) Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal management system capable of reducing pressure loss of refrigerant in pipes and blocks connecting components constituting a refrigerant system for vehicle interior cooling and electronic component cooling to each other, improving performance of the refrigerant system, and improving assemblability by reducing the distance between components.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] In one general aspect, a thermal management system includes: a first heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with a heat exchange medium introduced from a compressor; an expansion valve that expands the heat exchange medium introduced from the first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the heat exchange medium introduced from the expansion valve and a heating component; an accumulator that stores the heat exchange medium introduced from the second heat exchanger and supplies the heat exchange medium to the compressor; and a connecting block that connects a heat exchange medium outlet of the expansion valve and a heat exchange medium inlet of the second heat exchanger to each other and connects a heat exchange medium outlet of the second heat exchanger and a heat exchange medium inlet of the accumulator to each other.

[0013] The heating component may include a battery or an electronic component, and the second heat exchanger may cool or heat the heating component.

[0014] The connection block may connect and communicate three or more components with each other.

[0015] The first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the second heat exchanger, the accumulator, and the connection block may be modularized and formed integrally with one another.

[0016] An inlet for introducing a heat exchange medium and an outlet for discharging the heat exchange medium may be formed at a lower side of the second heat exchanger along a height direction.

[0017] The connection block may be arranged below the expansion valve in a height direction.

[0018] The accumulator may be arranged below the second heat exchanger and the connection block in a height direction.

[0019] The thermal management system may further include: another connection block connecting a heat exchange medium outlet of the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the expansion valve to each other.

[0020] The thermal management system may further include another expansion valve that expands the heat exchange medium introduced from the first heat exchanger, and an evaporator that exchanges heat between the heat exchange medium introduced from the another expansion valve and air supplied to the inside and transfers the heat exchange medium to the accumulator.

[0021] The thermal management system may further include: another connection block connecting a heat exchange medium outlet of the first heat exchanger to an inlet of the expansion valve and an inlet of another expansion valve.

[0022] The first heat exchanger may include: a water-cooled condenser that performs primary heat exchange between the heat exchange medium discharged from the compressor and the coolant; and an air-cooled condenser that performs secondary heat exchange between the heat exchange medium that first performs heat exchange when passing through the water-cooled condenser and the outside air.

[0023] The thermal management system may further include another expansion valve connected between the water-cooled condenser and the air-cooled condenser to expand the heat exchange medium discharged from the water-cooled condenser and to transfer the expanded heat exchange medium to the air-cooled condenser.

[0024] The thermal management system may further include an internal heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a heat exchange medium flowing from another connection block to another expansion valve and a heat exchange medium flowing from the evaporator to the accumulator.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] In the thermal management system according to the present invention, the distance between the components constituting the refrigerant system for vehicle interior cooling and electronic component cooling is reduced, so that the pressure loss of the refrigerant in the pipes and blocks connecting the components to each other is reduced, the performance of the refrigerant system is improved, and the assemblability of the components constituting the refrigerant system is improved.

[0027] Furthermore, the refrigerant can be prevented from being accumulated in the battery cooler, and assemblability between the battery cooler and the accumulator can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 2 are a configuration diagram and a perspective diagram respectively showing an entire thermal management system including a refrigerant system and a coolant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing a refrigerant module of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerant module of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 2 is a right side view showing a refrigerant module of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of a water-cooled condenser, a fixing bracket, a battery cooler, and an accumulator of a refrigerant module in a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a first connection block and a second connection block of a refrigerant module in a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, a thermal management system according to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 2 are respectively a configuration diagram and a perspective diagram showing an entire thermal management system including a refrigerant system and a coolant system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing a refrigerant module of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the thermal management system according to the present invention may be a refrigerant system 200, and the thermal management system according to the present invention may be configured to mainly include a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, an accumulator, and a connection block.

[0037] The first heat exchanger may be a water-cooled condenser 220 that uses a coolant to cool a refrigerant as a heat exchange medium introduced from the compressor 210, and the water-cooled condenser 220 may be connected to the downstream side of the compressor 210 in the flow direction of the refrigerant. In addition, the first heat exchanger may further include an air-cooled condenser 230 that uses external air to cool the refrigerant, and the air-cooled condenser 230 may be connected to the downstream side of the water-cooled condenser 220 in the flow direction of the refrigerant. In addition, the first expansion valve 225 may be installed on a refrigerant flow path that connects the refrigerant outlet of the water-cooled condenser 220 and the refrigerant inlet of the air-cooled condenser 230 to each other. Therefore, the refrigerant introduced from the compressor 210 into the water-cooled condenser 220 may be cooled by heat exchange with the coolant in the water-cooled condenser 220 and condensed into a liquid-phase refrigerant. In addition, the refrigerant passing through the water-cooled condenser 220 may be expanded by being throttled when passing through the first expansion valve 225. In addition, the refrigerant passing through the first expansion valve 225 is introduced into the air-cooled condenser 230, and the refrigerant and the outside air are heat-exchanged with each other in the air-cooled condenser 230, so that the refrigerant can be further cooled. Here, the compressor 210 can be an electric compressor driven by receiving power, and is used to suck and compress the refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant toward the water-cooled condenser 220. In addition, the first expansion valve 225 can throttle the refrigerant and expand the refrigerant, bypass the refrigerant or block the flow of the refrigerant according to its operation. In addition, the air-cooled condenser 230 can be used as a condenser or an evaporator, and the function of the air-cooled condenser 230 can be changed according to the role of the first expansion valve 225. That is, in the case where the refrigerant system 200 is used as an air conditioning circuit, the first expansion valve 225 is fully opened to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough, and the air-cooled condenser 230 is used together with the water-cooled condenser 220 as a condenser, and the refrigerant that is primarily cooled when passing through the water-cooled condenser 220 can be further secondary cooled when later passing through the air-cooled condenser 230. In addition, in the case where the refrigerant system 200 is used as a heat pump circuit, the first expansion valve 225 throttles the refrigerant, and the air-cooled condenser 230 is used as an evaporator. In addition, the air-cooled condenser 230 can be cooled or heated by the outside air in an air-cooled manner.

[0038] The expansion valve may be a third expansion valve 251, and the third expansion valve 251 may be connected to the downstream side of the air-cooled condenser 230 in the flow direction of the refrigerant. In addition, the third expansion valve 251 may throttle and expand the refrigerant introduced from the air-cooled condenser 230. In this case, the third expansion valve 251 may throttle and expand the refrigerant, bypass the refrigerant, or block the flow of the refrigerant according to its operation.

[0039] The second heat exchanger may be a battery cooler 252, and the battery cooler 252 may be connected to the downstream side of the third expansion valve 251 in the flow direction of the refrigerant. In addition, the battery cooler 252 may heat-exchange the refrigerant introduced from the third expansion valve 251 with the battery 350 or the electronic component 460 as the heating component.

[0040] The accumulator 260 is used to store the refrigerant introduced from the battery cooler 252 and then supply the refrigerant to the compressor 210. In addition, the accumulator 260 may have a refrigerant inlet connected to the downstream side of the battery cooler 252 in the flow direction of the refrigerant and a refrigerant outlet connected to the compressor 210. In addition, the accumulator 260 may separate the introduced refrigerant into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant and supply only the gas-phase refrigerant to the compressor 210.

[0041] The connection block may be a second connection block 280. In addition, the second connection block 280 connects the refrigerant outlet of the third expansion valve 251 and the refrigerant inlet of the battery cooler 252 to each other so that the refrigerant is communicated, and the second connection block 280 connects the refrigerant outlet of the battery cooler 252 and the refrigerant inlet of the accumulator 260 to each other and communicates. Here, the third expansion valve 251, the battery cooler 252, and the accumulator 260 are integrally connected to the second connection block 280 so that the refrigerant flow paths can be communicated with each other, the separately formed fixing bracket 221 can be coupled to the water-cooled condenser 220, and the battery cooler 252 and the accumulator 260 can be coupled and fixed to the fixing bracket 221. Therefore, the water-cooled condenser 220, the third expansion valve 251, the battery cooler 252, the second connection block 280, and the accumulator 260 can be compactly modularized and integrally formed with each other.

[0042] Therefore, in the thermal management system according to the present invention, the distance between the components constituting the refrigerant system is reduced, so that the pressure loss of the refrigerant in the pipes and blocks connecting the components to each other is reduced, the performance of the refrigerant system is improved, and the assemblability of the components constituting the refrigerant system is improved.

[0043] In addition, in the battery cooler 252, an inlet for introducing refrigerant and an outlet for discharging refrigerant may be formed in the height direction at the lower side of the battery cooler 252. In addition, the second connection block 280 may be arranged below the third expansion valve 251 in the height direction. In addition, the accumulator 260 may be arranged below the battery cooler 252 and the second connection block 280 in the height direction.

[0044] Therefore, the thermal management system according to the present invention can prevent the refrigerant from being accumulated in the battery cooler, and the flow direction of the refrigerant is mainly formed in the gravity direction, and therefore, the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced.

[0045] In addition, the first connection block 270 connected to the upstream side of the third expansion valve 251 in the flow direction of the refrigerant may be arranged above the third expansion valve 251 in the height direction and coupled to the third expansion valve 251. Although not shown here, in the absence of the first expansion valve 225 and the air-cooled condenser 230, the refrigerant outlet of the water-cooled condenser 220 is directly connected to the first connection block 270, so that the water-cooled condenser 220 can communicate with the third expansion valve 251 through the first connection block 270.

[0046] In addition, the thermal management system according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to further include a second expansion valve 240 and an evaporator 242. In addition, the first connection block 270 may be configured to connect the refrigerant outlet of the air-cooled condenser 230 to the refrigerant inlet of the third expansion valve 251 and the refrigerant inlet of the second expansion valve 240.

[0047] Here, the first connecting block 270 can be connected to the downstream side of the air-cooled condenser 230 in the flow direction of the refrigerant, and the refrigerant pipeline can be branched into two refrigerant pipelines in the first connecting block 270, one refrigerant pipeline can be configured to be connected to the evaporator 242, and the other refrigerant pipeline can be configured to be connected to the battery cooler 252.

[0048] The second expansion valve 240 can be used to throttle or pass the refrigerant or block the flow of the refrigerant. In addition, the second expansion valve 240 can be configured in parallel with the third expansion valve 251. That is, the second expansion valve 240 can be connected to one of the two refrigerant lines branched in the first connection block 270, and the third expansion valve 251 is connected to the other of the two refrigerant lines. In this case, the second expansion valve 240 can be arranged on the upstream side of the evaporator 242 in the flow direction of the refrigerant, and the third expansion valve 251 can be arranged on the upstream side of the battery cooler 252.

[0049] The evaporator 242 is arranged on the downstream side of the second expansion valve 240 in the flow direction of the refrigerant and is set in the air conditioner 150 of the vehicle, and the air flowing by the blower 152 of the air conditioner can be cooled while passing through the evaporator 242 and supplied to the interior of the vehicle for interior cooling of the vehicle.

[0050] Therefore, in addition, the second expansion valve 240 and the evaporator 242 form one group, and the third expansion valve 251 and the battery cooler 252 form another group, so that the two groups are arranged in parallel on the refrigerant line. In addition, the refrigerant line can be connected to the downstream side of the evaporator 242 and the battery cooler 252 in the flow direction of the refrigerant to form a single coolant line and connected to the accumulator 260.

[0051] Therefore, in the thermal management system according to the present invention, in the case where the refrigerant system is configured to include a battery cooler and an evaporator, the distance between the components constituting the refrigerant system can be reduced by the first connection block. Therefore, the pressure loss of the refrigerant in the pipes and blocks connecting the components to each other can be reduced, and the assemblability of the components constituting the refrigerant system can be improved.

[0052] In addition, the thermal management system according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include an internal heat exchanger 233. The internal heat exchanger 233 is used to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the second expansion valve 240 and the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 242 to improve the cooling performance. Here, the internal heat exchanger 233 is configured so that the refrigerant line connecting the first connection block 270 and the second expansion valve 240 to each other passes therethrough and the refrigerant line connecting the evaporator 242 and the accumulator 260 to each other passes therethrough, so that the heat exchange between the refrigerant before being introduced into the second expansion valve 240 and the refrigerant after passing through the evaporator 242 can occur in the internal heat exchanger 233. Therefore, the refrigerant can be further cooled by the internal heat exchanger 233 before being introduced into the second expansion valve 240, the cooling performance through the evaporator 242 can be improved, and the efficiency of the refrigerant system can be improved.

[0053] In addition, the thermal management system according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a coolant system 300. The refrigerant system 200 may be configured to circulate the refrigerant to cool the interior, and the coolant system 300 may be configured to circulate the coolant to heat the interior and cool the components. In addition, the coolant system 300 may include a heating line 301 for heating the interior and a cooling line 302 for cooling the electronic components 460 and the battery 350.

[0054] Here, the refrigerant system 200 may include a compressor 210, a water-cooled condenser 220, a first expansion valve 225, an air-cooled condenser 230, a first connection block 270, a second expansion valve 240, an evaporator 242, an internal heat exchanger 233, an accumulator 260, a third expansion valve 251, a second connection block 280 and a battery cooler 252.

[0055] In addition, the heating line 301 in the coolant system 300 may include the water-cooled condenser 220 , the first coolant pump 450 , the coolant heater 430 , the heater core 440 , and the first direction selector valve 410 .

[0056] As described above, the refrigerant and the coolant may perform heat exchange with each other while passing through the water-cooled condenser 220. The first coolant pump 450 is a device that pumps the coolant so that the coolant circulates along the heating line 301, and may be arranged on the downstream side of the water-cooled condenser 220 in the flow direction of the coolant and installed on the coolant line. The coolant heater 430 is a device that heats the coolant, and may be arranged on the downstream side of the first coolant pump 450 and the upstream side of the heater core 440 in the flow direction of the coolant and connected to the downstream side of the first coolant pump 450 and the upstream side of the heater core 440. The heater core 440 may be arranged in the air conditioner 150 of the vehicle, and may be arranged on the downstream side of the coolant heater 430 in the flow direction of the coolant and connected to the downstream side of the coolant heater 430. The first direction selector valve 410 may be installed between the heater core 440 and the water-cooled condenser 220, and may be configured to selectively connect the heating line 301 and the cooling line 302 to be described later to each other or to block the connection between the heating line 301 and the cooling line 302. In more detail, the first direction selector valve 410 may be installed on the heating line 301, two coolant lines may be connected to the first direction selector valve 410, one first connection line 302-1 branched from one side of the cooling line 302 may be connected to the first direction selector valve 410, and one second connection line 302-2 branched from the other side of the cooling line 302 may be connected to the first direction selector valve 410. That is, at the first direction selector valve 410, four coolant lines may be connected to each other to merge, and the first direction selector valve 410 may be a four-way selector valve capable of controlling a state in which the four coolant lines are connected to each other or the connection between the four coolant lines is blocked.

[0057] In addition, in the coolant system 300, the cooling line 302 may include an electric radiator 310, a tank 370, a second direction selector valve 320, a second coolant pump 420, a first direction selector valve 410, an electronic component 460, a first coolant joint 313, a second coolant joint 312, a third coolant pump 340, a battery 350, a battery cooler 252, and a third direction selector valve 330. The electric radiator 310 is a radiator that cools the coolant that performs heat exchange with the electronic component 460 or the battery 350, and may be cooled in an air-cooled manner by a cooling fan 311. The tank 370 may be used to store the coolant and supplement the coolant line that is insufficient in the coolant with the coolant, and may be installed on the coolant line in front of the second coolant pump 420 and the third coolant pump 340 in the flow direction of the coolant. The second direction selector valve 320 may be installed on the cooling line 302, two coolant pipes may be connected to the second direction selector valve 320, and the first direction selector valve 410 and the second direction selector valve 320 may be connected to each other through the first connecting line 302-1, so that the heating line 301 and the cooling line 302 are connected to each other. That is, at the second direction selector valve 320, the three coolant lines may be connected to each other so as to merge, and the second direction selector valve 320 may be a three-way selector valve capable of controlling the state in which the three coolant lines are connected to each other or the connection between the three coolant lines is blocked. The second coolant pump 420 is a device for pumping coolant so that the coolant circulates along the cooling line 302. In addition, the second coolant pump 420 may be installed on the first connecting line 302-1 between the first direction selector valve 410 and the second direction selector valve 320, and the coolant may flow from the second direction selector valve 320 to the first direction selector valve 410 by the operation of the second coolant pump 420. The first direction selector valve 410 is the same as that described in the above-mentioned heating line 301. The electronic component 460 may be arranged on the second connecting line 302-2 connecting the first direction selector valve 410 and the second coolant joint 312 to each other, and may be cooled by the coolant. In addition, the electronic component 460 may be a drive motor, an inverter, an on-board charger (OBC), etc. The third coolant pump 340 is a device for pumping coolant so that the coolant circulates along the cooling line 302. In addition, the third coolant pump 340 is installed in the coolant line between the first coolant joint 313 and the battery 350, and the coolant may flow from the third coolant pump 340 to the battery 350. The battery 350 is a power source for the vehicle and may be a driving source for various electronic components 460 in the vehicle. Alternatively, the battery 350 may be used to store electricity by being connected to a fuel cell, or may be used to store electricity supplied from the outside. In addition, the battery 350 may be arranged on the coolant line between the third coolant pump 340 and the third direction selector valve 330.Therefore, the battery 350 can be cooled or heated by heat exchange with the flowing coolant. The first coolant joint 313 is installed on the coolant line behind the second direction selector valve 320 in the flow direction of the coolant, and at the first coolant joint 313, the three coolant lines are connected to each other so as to merge. That is, the first coolant joint 313 is installed so that both sides thereof are connected to the cooling line 302, and the third connecting line 302-3 can be connected to the lower side of the first coolant joint 313. Here, the third connecting line 302-3 can be connected to the first coolant joint 313 so as to pass through the battery cooler 252. The second coolant joint 312 can be installed at the point where the rear end of the second connecting line 302-2 merges with the cooling line 302, and at the second coolant joint 312, the three coolant lines are connected to each other so as to merge. That is, the second coolant joint 312 is installed so that both sides thereof are connected to the cooling line 302, and the second connecting line 302-2 can be connected to the upper side of the second coolant joint 312. The battery cooler 252 is the same as that described in the above-mentioned heating line 301. The third direction selector valve 330 is installed on the coolant line between the battery 350 and the second coolant joint 312, two coolant pipes are connected to the third direction selector valve 330, and the third connecting line 302-3 is connected to the upper side of the third direction selector valve 330, so that the battery 350 and the third connecting line 302-3 can be configured to be connected in parallel with each other. In this case, the second direction selector valve 320 can be a three-way selector valve that can control the state in which the three coolant lines are connected to each other or the connection between the three coolant lines is blocked.

[0058] In addition, the air conditioner 150 has a blower 152 installed at one side thereof to blow air, and a temperature control door 151 may be installed inside the air conditioner 150. In addition, the evaporator 242 and the heater core 440 arranged in the air conditioner may be arranged and configured so that according to the operation of the temperature control door 151, the air exhausted from the blower 152 may pass only through the evaporator 242 and then be introduced into the interior, or pass through the evaporator 242, pass through the heater core 440, and then be introduced into the interior.

[0059] Hereinafter, the configuration of the refrigerant system in the thermal management system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be described in more detail.

[0060] Figures 3 to 6 1 is an assembly perspective view, an exploded perspective view and a right side view showing a refrigerant module of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a connection structure of a water-cooled condenser, a fixing bracket, a battery cooler, and an accumulator of a refrigerant module in a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 and Fig. 9is a perspective view showing a first connection block and a second connection block of a refrigerant module in a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] As shown in the figure, in the thermal management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant system may include a water-cooled condenser 220, a battery cooler 252, a third expansion valve 251, a first connection block 270, an accumulator 260, and a second connection block 280. In addition, the refrigerant system according to the present invention may further include a first expansion valve 225 and a connecting pipe 222.

[0062] The water-cooled condenser 220 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and may be formed to be elongated in the height direction. In addition, the water-cooled condenser 220 may have a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet formed on its right side surface in the length direction, a refrigerant inlet formed on the lower side of its left side surface in the length direction, and a refrigerant outlet formed on the lower side of its right side surface in the length direction.

[0063] The battery cooler 252 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is disposed on the side surface of the water-cooled condenser 220, and may be arranged on the side surface of the water-cooled condenser 220 where the coolant inlet, the coolant outlet, the refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant outlet are not formed. That is, as shown in the figure, the battery cooler 252 may be arranged on the front surface of the water-cooled condenser 220 in the width direction. In addition, the refrigerant inlet, the refrigerant outlet, the coolant inlet, and the coolant outlet of the battery cooler 252 may be formed on the front surface of the battery cooler 252 in the width direction, which is a surface opposite to the surface of the battery cooler 252 facing the water-cooled condenser 220. In this case, the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet may be formed on the lower side relative to the center of the battery cooler 252 in the height direction, and the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet may be formed on the upper side relative to the center of the battery cooler 252 in the height direction. In addition, a separately formed fixing bracket 221 may be coupled to the water-cooled condenser 220, and the battery cooler 252 may be coupled and fixed to the fixing bracket 221.

[0064] Similar to the battery cooler 252, the third expansion valve 251 is provided on the side surface of the water-cooled condenser 220, and may be arranged on the side surface of the water-cooled condenser 220 where the coolant inlet, the coolant outlet, the refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant outlet are not formed. That is, as shown in the figure, the third expansion valve 251 may be arranged on the front surface of the water-cooled condenser 220 in the width direction. In addition, the third expansion valve 251 may be arranged on the right side surface of the battery cooler 252 in the length direction. In addition, the third expansion valve 251 may have a refrigerant inlet formed on its upper surface and a refrigerant outlet formed on its lower surface, and may be arranged so that the refrigerant inlet faces upward in the height direction and the refrigerant outlet faces downward in the height direction. Here, the third expansion valve 251 may be connected and fixed to the battery cooler 252 by the second connection block 280 to be described below.

[0065] The first connection block 270 may be arranged on the upper side of the third expansion valve 251. In addition, the first connection block 270 has a first port 271, a second port 272, and a third port 273 formed therein, and the three ports may be communicated with each other through a refrigerant flow path passing through the first connection block 270. In addition, the first port 271 for introducing refrigerant may be formed on one side surface of the first connection block 270, the second port 272 for discharging refrigerant may be formed on the lower surface of the first connection block 270, and the third port 273 for discharging refrigerant may be formed on a side surface of the first connection block 270 different from the side surface on which the first port 271 is formed. That is, the first connection block 270 may be arranged so that the first port 271 faces forward in the width direction, the second port 272 faces downward in the height direction, and the third port 273 faces right in the length direction. In addition, the second port 272 may be connected to the refrigerant inlet of the third expansion valve 251, and the first connection block 270 may be coupled and fixed to the third expansion valve 251.

[0066] The accumulator 260 may be adjacent to the refrigerant outlet side of the battery cooler 252 and disposed on the lower side of the battery cooler 252. That is, as shown in the figure, the accumulator 260 may be arranged in front of the battery cooler 252 in the width direction and on the lower side of the battery cooler 252 in the height direction, so that the refrigerant inlet of the accumulator 260 is adjacent to the refrigerant outlet side of the battery cooler 252. In addition, the accumulator 260 may have two refrigerant inlets and one refrigerant outlet formed on an upper surface thereof, may be coupled and fixed to the battery cooler 252 through a second connection block 280 to be described below, and may be coupled and fixed to a fixing bracket 221 coupled and fixed to the water-cooled condenser 220. In addition, the accumulator 260 may be arranged adjacent to the second connection block 280 so that the refrigerant inlet faces the fourth port 284 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the second connection block 280.

[0067] The second connection block 280 may be arranged on the lower side of the third expansion valve 251. In addition, the second connection block 280 has a first port 281, a second port 282, a third port 283, and a fourth port 284 formed therein, and the first port 281 and the second port 282 are communicated with each other through a refrigerant flow path passing through the second connection block 280, and the third port 283 and the fourth port 284 are communicated with each other. In this case, the first port 281 and the second port 282 may be formed not to communicate with the third port 283 and the fourth port 284. In addition, the first port 281 for introducing the refrigerant may be formed on the upper surface of the second connection block 280, and the second port 282 communicating with the first port 281 may be formed on the side surface of the second connection block 280 facing the battery cooler 252. In addition, a third port 283 for introducing refrigerant may be formed on a side surface of the second connection block 280 facing the battery cooler 252, similar to the second port 282, and a fourth port 284 communicating with the third port 283 may be formed on a lower surface of the second connection block 280. In more detail, the first port 281 is formed on an upper surface of a right end portion of the second connection block 280 in a length direction, the second port 282 and the third port 283 are formed on a rear surface of the second connection block 280 in a width direction, and the third port 283 is formed on the left side of the second port 282. In addition, the fourth port 284 is formed on a lower surface of a left end portion of the second connection block 280 in a length direction. In addition, the first port 281 is connected to a refrigerant outlet of the third expansion valve 251, the second port 282 is connected to a refrigerant inlet of the battery cooler 252, the third port 283 is connected to a refrigerant outlet of the battery cooler 252, and the fourth port 284 is connected to a refrigerant inlet of the accumulator 260. In addition, the second connection block 280 may be coupled and fixed to the battery cooler 252 and the accumulator 260. In addition, a sensor mounting portion 285 may be formed on a left side surface of the second connection block 280 in a length direction so as to be connected to an internal refrigerant flow path connecting the third port 283 and the fourth port 284 to each other, and a PT sensor measuring the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant may be mounted in the sensor mounting portion 285. Therefore, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant flowing from the battery cooler 252 to the accumulator 260 may be measured.

[0068] Here, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first port 271 of the first connection block 270, and the introduced refrigerant flows toward the second port 272 of the first connection block 270, passes through the third expansion valve 251, and is then introduced into the first port 281 of the second connection block 280. The refrigerant introduced into the second connection block 280 flows toward the second port 282, passes through the battery cooler 252, is introduced into the third port 283 of the second connection block 280, and is then introduced into the accumulator 260 through the fourth port 284.

[0069] Therefore, in the thermal management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the water-cooled condenser 220 , the battery cooler 252 , the third expansion valve 251 , the first connection block 270 , the accumulator 260 , and the second connection block 280 may be modularized and formed integrally with each other.

[0070] Therefore, in the refrigerant system according to the present invention, the distance between the components constituting the refrigerant system for vehicle interior cooling and electronic component cooling is reduced, so that the pressure loss of the refrigerant in the pipes and blocks connecting the components to each other is reduced, the performance of the refrigerant system is improved, and the assemblability of the components constituting the refrigerant system is improved. In addition, the refrigerant can be prevented from accumulating in the battery cooler, and the assemblability between the battery cooler and the accumulator can be improved.

[0071] In addition, the refrigerant system 200 according to the present invention may further include a first expansion valve 225 and a connecting pipe 222. The first expansion valve 225 may be disposed on the upper side of the water-cooled condenser 220 in the height direction, and may be arranged at a position spaced upward from the upper surface of the water-cooled condenser 220 in the height direction. In addition, the first expansion valve 225 may be formed so that the refrigerant inlet for introducing the refrigerant faces forward in the width direction, and the refrigerant outlet for discharging the refrigerant faces backward in the width direction. The connecting pipe 222 may be a pipe made of metal, and may have one end connected and coupled to the refrigerant outlet of the water-cooled condenser 220 and the other end connected and coupled to the refrigerant inlet of the first expansion valve 225.

[0072] Therefore, in a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the water-cooled condenser 220, the battery cooler 252, the third expansion valve 251, the first connecting block 270, the accumulator 260, the second connecting block 280, the first expansion valve 225 and the connecting pipe 222 can be modularized and formed integrally with each other.

[0073] In addition, the refrigerant outlet of the first expansion valve 225 may be connected to the refrigerant inlet of the air-cooled condenser 230 through a pipe, and the first port 271 as the refrigerant inlet of the first connection block 270 may be connected to the refrigerant outlet of the air-cooled condenser 230 through a pipe.

[0074] In addition, the refrigerant inlet of the water-cooled condenser 220 may be connected to the refrigerant outlet of the compressor 210 through a pipe, and the refrigerant outlet of the accumulator 260 may be connected to the refrigerant inlet of the accumulator 260 through a pipe.

[0075] In addition, the third port 273 as the refrigerant outlet of the first connection block 270 may be connected to the refrigerant inlet of the second expansion valve 240 through a pipe, and the refrigerant outlet of the second expansion valve 240 may be connected to the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator 242. In addition, the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator 242 may be connected to the refrigerant inlet of the accumulator 260 through a pipe. Here, the pipe connecting the first connection block 270 and the second expansion valve 240 to each other and the pipe connecting the evaporator 242 and the accumulator 260 to each other are connected to the internal heat exchanger 233, so that the refrigerant flowing from the first connection block 270 to the second expansion valve 240 and the refrigerant flowing from the evaporator 242 to the accumulator 260 can exchange heat with each other in the internal heat exchanger 233.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be applied to various fields. In addition, those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications to the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims.

[0077] [Detailed description of main components]

[0078] 150: air conditioning, 151: temperature-controlled door

[0079] 152: Blower

[0080] 200: Refrigerant system, 210: Compressor

[0081] 220: Water-cooled condenser, 221: Fixed bracket

[0082] 222: connecting pipe, 225: first expansion valve

[0083] 230: air-cooled condenser, 233: internal heat exchanger

[0084] 240: Second expansion valve, 242: Evaporator

[0085] 251: Third expansion valve, 252: Battery cooler

[0086] 260: Accumulator

[0087] 270: first connection block, 271: first port

[0088] 272: Second port, 273: Third port

[0089] 280: Second connection block, 281: First port

[0090] 282: Second port, 283: Third port

[0091] 284: Fourth port, 285: Sensor mounting portion

[0092] 300: Coolant system, 301: Heating line

[0093] 302: cooling pipeline, 302-1: first connecting pipeline

[0094] 302-2: second connecting pipeline, 302-3: third connecting pipeline

[0095] 310: Electric radiator, 311: Cooling fan

[0096] 312: Second coolant connection, 313: First coolant connection

[0097] 320: Second direction selector valve, 330: Third direction selector valve

[0098] 340: Third coolant pump, 350: Battery

[0099] 370: Storage tank

[0100] 410: First direction selector valve, 420: Second coolant pump

[0101] 430: Coolant heater, 440: Heater core

[0102] 450: first coolant pump, 460: electronic components

Claims

1. A thermal management system, comprising: a first heat exchanger that performs heat exchange on a heat exchange medium introduced from the compressor; a third expansion valve, the third expansion valve expanding the heat exchange medium introduced from the first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between a heat exchange medium introduced from the third expansion valve and a heating component; an accumulator storing a heat exchange medium introduced from the second heat exchanger and supplying the heat exchange medium to the compressor; as well as a second connecting block connecting a heat exchange medium outlet of the third expansion valve and a heat exchange medium inlet of the second heat exchanger to each other and connecting a heat exchange medium outlet of the second heat exchanger and a heat exchange medium inlet of the accumulator to each other, An inlet for introducing a heat exchange medium and an outlet for discharging the heat exchange medium are formed on the lower side of the second heat exchanger in the height direction. The second connection block is arranged below the third expansion valve in the height direction, The accumulator is arranged below the second heat exchanger and the second connection block in the height direction, An outlet for heat exchange medium is formed on the lower surface of the third expansion valve. A port for introducing a heat exchange medium is formed on an upper surface of the second connection block, and the port for introducing a heat exchange medium of the second connection block is connected to an outlet of the heat exchange medium of the third expansion valve.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein: The heating component includes a battery or an electronic component, and The second heat exchanger cools or heats the heating member.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein: The second connection block connects and communicates three or more components with each other.

4. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein: The first heat exchanger, the third expansion valve, the second heat exchanger, the accumulator, and the second connection block are modularized and formed integrally with each other.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising: A first connecting block connects a heat exchange medium outlet of the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the third expansion valve to each other.

6. The thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second expansion valve, the second expansion valve expanding the heat exchange medium introduced from the first heat exchanger; as well as An evaporator exchanges heat between a heat exchange medium introduced from the second expansion valve and air supplied to the interior and transfers the heat exchange medium to the accumulator.

7. The thermal management system according to claim 6, further comprising: A first connecting block connects a heat exchange medium outlet of the first heat exchanger to an inlet of the third expansion valve and an inlet of the second expansion valve.

8. The thermal management system according to claim 7, wherein: The first heat exchanger comprises: a water-cooled condenser that performs primary heat exchange between the heat exchange medium discharged from the compressor and a coolant; and An air-cooled condenser causes the heat exchange medium that first undergoes heat exchange when passing through the water-cooled condenser to undergo secondary heat exchange with external air.

9. The thermal management system according to claim 8, further comprising: A first expansion valve is connected between the water-cooled condenser and the air-cooled condenser to expand the heat exchange medium discharged from the water-cooled condenser and to transfer the expanded heat exchange medium to the air-cooled condenser.

10. The thermal management system according to claim 7, further comprising: An internal heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a heat exchange medium flowing from the first connection block to the second expansion valve and a heat exchange medium flowing from the evaporator to the accumulator.

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