Heat pump system for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a heat pump system for a vehicle. The heat pump system selectively exchanges heat between the heat energy generated by a refrigerant during condensation and evaporation of the refrigerant and a coolant to control the temperature inside the vehicle using the low-temperature or high-temperature coolant resulting from the heat exchange. The heat pump system regulates the temperature of a battery module by using a refrigerator that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant, and utilizes the waste heat of electrical components and the battery module to improve the heating efficiency of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2020 - 0096633, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 3, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle that selectively uses a high - temperature coolant or a low - temperature coolant to heat or cool a vehicle interior. Background art

[0004] Generally, an air - conditioning system for a vehicle includes an air - conditioning device for circulating a coolant to heat or cool a vehicle interior.

[0005] Such an air - conditioning device maintains a comfortable interior environment by keeping the temperature of the vehicle interior at an appropriate level regardless of external temperature changes. Thus, during the process in which the refrigerant discharged by driving a compressor circulates back to the compressor after passing through a condenser, a receiver dryer, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, heat exchange through the condenser and the evaporator is used to heat or cool the vehicle interior.

[0006] That is, in the cooling mode in summer, the air - conditioning device condenses the high - temperature and high - pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor through the condenser, then passes through the liquid - storage dryer and the expansion valve, and reduces the temperature and humidity of the vehicle interior through evaporation in the evaporator.

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

[0008] In eco - friendly vehicles, different from the air - conditioning devices of ordinary vehicles, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles do not use a separate heater, and the air - conditioning devices applied to eco - friendly vehicles are generally referred to as heat pump systems.

[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 is generated by the chemical reaction in the fuel cell, it is crucial to effectively remove the generated heat to ensure the performance of the fuel cell.

[0010] In addition, even in a hybrid vehicle, power from a fuel cell or a battery is used to drive a motor and an engine is operated with ordinary fuel to generate driving force. Therefore, the performance of the motor can be ensured only by effectively removing heat generated by the fuel cell or the battery and the motor.

[0011] Therefore, generally in a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a battery cooling system needs to be separately formed with a cooler and a heat pump system into a separate closed loop to prevent heat generation in the motor, electrical components, and the battery including the fuel cell.

[0012] As a result, the size and weight of the cooling module provided at the front of the vehicle increase, and the arrangement of the connecting pipes for supplying refrigerant and coolant to the heat pump system, the cooler, and the battery cooling system in the engine compartment is complicated.

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

[0014] The above information disclosed in this background art section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure and may thus include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present disclosure is directed to providing a heat pump system for a vehicle, which has the following advantages: selectively performing heat exchange between heat energy generated by a refrigerant during condensation and evaporation of the refrigerant and a coolant to control the temperature of the vehicle interior by using the low-temperature or high-temperature coolant obtained by the heat exchange.

[0016] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat pump system for a vehicle, which adjusts the temperature of a battery module by using one refrigerator that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant, and uses waste heat of electrical components and the battery module to improve the heating efficiency of the vehicle.

[0017] A heat pump system for a vehicle includes: a cooling device 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, and to circulate coolant in the coolant pipeline to cool at least one electrical component provided on the coolant pipeline; a battery cooling device configured to include 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; a refrigerator provided on the battery coolant pipeline between the first valve and the battery module, and refrigerant passes through the refrigerator to adjust the temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced into the battery coolant pipeline and the refrigerant; a heating device including a heating pipeline selectively connected to the coolant pipeline through the second valve and a third water pump and a heater provided on the heating pipeline to heat the vehicle interior by using the coolant; an air conditioner including a cooling pipeline selectively connected to the battery coolant pipeline through the third valve and a fourth water pump and a cooler provided on the cooling pipeline to cool the vehicle interior by using the coolant; a centralized energy device connected to the heating pipeline and the cooling pipeline to supply high-temperature coolant to the heating device and low-temperature coolant to the air conditioner, and selectively perform heat exchange between the thermal energy generated when the refrigerant condensing and evaporating inside and each coolant supplied through the heating pipeline and the cooling pipeline, and supply refrigerant to the refrigerator; a branch pipeline, the first end of the branch pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline between the radiator and the second valve, and the second end of the branch pipeline is connected to the first valve; and a refrigerator connection pipeline connecting the refrigerator and the first valve separately from the battery coolant pipeline.

[0018] The first valve may include: a first port connected to the coolant pipeline connected to the liquid storage tank; a second port connected to the coolant pipeline connected to the first water pump; a third port connected to the refrigerator connection pipeline; a fourth port connected to the branch pipeline; a fifth port connected to the battery coolant pipeline connected to the refrigerator; and a sixth port connected to the battery coolant pipeline connected to the second water pump.

[0019] The first valve may operate such that the coolant is discharged through the port adjacent to the port introducing the coolant among the first port to the sixth port.

[0020] The liquid storage tank may be provided on the coolant pipeline between the radiator and the first valve, and may be connected to the coolant pipeline connecting the first valve and the first water pump through a supply pipeline.

[0021] The heater and the cooler may be provided inside the HVAC module, and the HVAC module may include an opening and closing door provided between the heater and the cooler and configured to selectively introduce the outside air passing through the cooler into the heater according to the cooling mode, heating mode, and heating and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle.

[0022] The HVAC module may further include an air heater disposed on the opposite side of the cooler, with a heater interposed between the cooler and the air heater to selectively heat the outside air passing through the heater.

[0023] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater is lower than the target temperature for indoor heating, the air heater can operate to raise the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater.

[0024] The centralized energy device may include: a condenser through which the refrigerant circulates, the condenser being disposed on the heating pipeline between the second valve and the heater, condensing the refrigerant through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant and increasing the temperature of the coolant; an expansion valve connected to the condenser through the refrigerant pipeline; an evaporator connected to the expansion valve through the refrigerant pipeline, disposed on the cooling pipeline between the third valve and the cooler, evaporating the refrigerant through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant and reducing the temperature of the coolant; a compressor disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the condenser; and a receiver disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor. A chiller may be disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the receiver.

[0025] In the heating mode of the vehicle, the condenser can condense the refrigerant through heat exchange between the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline and the high-temperature refrigerant supplied from the compressor, and can supply the high-temperature coolant to the heater through the heating pipeline.

[0026] In the cooling mode of the vehicle, the evaporator can exchange heat between the coolant circulating in the cooling pipeline and the low-temperature refrigerant evaporating inside to cool the coolant, and can supply the low-temperature coolant to the cooler through the cooling pipeline.

[0027] An internal heat exchanger may be provided on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0028] The refrigerant pipeline connecting the condenser and the expansion valve and the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator and the compressor may be respectively connected to the internal heat exchanger, and the internal heat exchanger can additionally condense the refrigerant condensed by the condenser through heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator, and the additionally condensed refrigerant can be introduced into the expansion valve.

[0029] When cooling the battery module in the cooling mode of the vehicle, in the cooling device, through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant can circulate in the coolant pipeline; through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the refrigerator connection pipeline can be closed; through the operation of the first valve, the coolant pipeline and the battery coolant pipeline can respectively form independent closed loops; in the battery cooling device, through the operation of the second water pump, the coolant passing through the refrigerator can be supplied to the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline; in the heating device, through the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline can be connected so as to supply the coolant from the cooling device; through the operation of the third water pump, the coolant can circulate along the heating pipeline; in the air conditioner, through the operation of the third valve, the cooling pipeline can form an independent closed loop independent of the battery coolant pipeline; through the operation of the fourth water pump, the coolant can circulate along the cooling pipeline, and the coolant passing through the evaporator can be supplied to the cooler; and in the centralized energy device, each component can operate so that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline.

[0030] The coolant circulating in the heating device can be supplied to the condenser along the heating pipeline, so that the condenser condenses the refrigerant through heat exchange with the coolant, and the coolant circulating in the air conditioner can be supplied to the evaporator along the cooling pipeline, so that the evaporator evaporates the refrigerant through heat exchange with the coolant.

[0031] When recovering the waste heat of the electrical components in the heating mode of the vehicle, through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the refrigerator connection pipeline can be opened; in the cooling device, based on the branch pipeline, the parts of the coolant pipeline respectively connected to the radiator and the liquid storage tank can be closed, and through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant passing through the electrical components can circulate along the opened branch pipeline and the opened part of the coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator; the coolant introduced into the first valve through the branch pipeline can be introduced into the refrigerator along the part of the battery coolant pipeline connecting the refrigerator and the first valve; the coolant passing through the refrigerator can be introduced into the first valve along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline, and then can circulate in the coolant pipeline connected to the electrical components through the first valve; through the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline can respectively form independent closed loops; in the heating device, through the operation of the third water pump, the coolant can circulate along the heating pipeline; the battery cooling device and the air conditioner can be deactivated; and in the centralized energy device, each component operates so that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline.

[0032] When the low-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle is executed, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline can be opened by the operation of the first valve; in the cooling device, based on the branch pipeline, the parts of the coolant pipeline respectively connected to the radiator and the liquid storage tank can be closed, and by the operation of the first water pump, the coolant passing through the electrical components can circulate along the opened branch pipeline and the opened part of the coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator; the coolant introduced into the first valve through the branch pipeline can be introduced into the chiller along the part of the battery coolant pipeline connecting the chiller and the first valve; the coolant passing through the chiller can be introduced into the first valve along the opened chiller connection pipeline, and then can circulate in the coolant pipeline connected to the electrical components through the first valve; the battery cooling device can be deactivated; by the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline can respectively form independent closed loops; in the heating device, by the operation of the third water pump, the coolant can circulate along the heating pipeline; in the centralized energy device, each component can operate so that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline; and in the air conditioner, by the operation of the fourth water pump, the coolant can circulate along the cooling pipeline in a state where the connection with the battery coolant pipeline is closed.

[0033] When in the high-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline can be closed by the operation of the first valve; in the cooling device, by the operation of the first water pump, the coolant can circulate in the coolant pipeline; the battery cooling device can be deactivated; in the heating device, by the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline can be connected so that the coolant is supplied from the cooling device, and by the operation of the third water pump, the coolant can circulate along the heating pipeline; in the centralized energy device, each component operates so that the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant pipeline; and in the air conditioner, by the operation of the fourth water pump, the coolant can circulate along the cooling pipeline in a state where the connection with the battery coolant pipeline is closed.

[0034] When cooling the electrical components and the battery module by using the coolant, the branch pipeline can be closed by the operation of the first valve; the chiller connection pipeline can be opened by the operation of the first valve; the part of the battery coolant pipeline connecting the chiller and the first valve can be closed by the operation of the first valve; the coolant pipeline connecting the liquid storage tank and the first valve can be connected to the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the first valve; by the operation of the first water pump, the coolant cooled in the radiator and stored in the liquid storage tank can be supplied to the electrical components; by the operation of the first water pump and the second water pump, the coolant cooled in the radiator can pass from the first valve along the battery coolant pipeline through the battery module; and the coolant passing through the battery module can be introduced into the first valve from the chiller along the opened chiller connection pipeline, and then can be supplied to the electrical components while flowing along the coolant pipeline connected to the first water pump.

[0035] When using the waste heat of electrical components while the centralized energy device is not operating in the heating mode of the vehicle, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline can be opened by the operation of the first valve; in the cooling device, based on the branch pipeline, the coolant pipelines connected to the radiator, the liquid storage tank, and the first valve can be closed; by the operation of the first valve, the battery coolant pipelines except the battery coolant pipeline connected to the chiller can be closed; in the heating device, by the operation of the second valve, the heating pipeline can be connected to the coolant pipeline; the coolant that has been heated while passing through the electrical components by the operation of the first water pump can be supplied to the heating pipeline connected to the opened coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator; by the operation of the third water pump, the coolant introduced into the heating pipeline can be supplied to the heater; the coolant discharged from the heater can be introduced into the first valve along the opened coolant pipeline and the opened branch pipeline; the coolant introduced into the first valve can be re-introduced into the first valve along the opened chiller connection pipeline after passing through the chiller along the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline; and the coolant re-introduced into the first valve can be supplied to the electrical components along the opened coolant pipeline.

[0036] The first valve can be a six-way valve, and the second valve and the third valve can be four-way valves.

[0037] The electrical components can include an electric power control unit (EPCU), or a motor, or an inverter, or an autonomous driving controller, or an on-board charger (OBC).

[0038] The liquid storage tank can be arranged on the coolant pipeline between the radiator and the first valve, and can be connected to the coolant pipeline connecting the first valve and the first water pump through a supply pipeline, and when the coolant circulates to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first water pump, the supply pipeline can be connected to the coolant pipeline.

[0039] The battery cooling device can further include a first coolant heater, which is arranged on the battery coolant pipeline between the battery module and the chiller.

[0040] When heating the battery module, the first coolant heater can operate to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline.

[0041] The heating device can include a second coolant heater, which is arranged on the heating pipeline between the third water pump and the heater.

[0042] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater is lower than the target temperature, the second coolant heater can operate.

[0043] The chiller, the condenser, and the evaporator can be water-cooled heat exchangers into which the coolant flows.

[0044] The refrigerant circulated in the centralized energy device may be R152-a, R744 or R290 refrigerant.

[0045] As described above, in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, by selectively exchanging heat between the thermal energy generated by the refrigerant during refrigerant condensation and evaporation and the coolant to utilize the low-temperature or high-temperature coolant for heat exchange to control the temperature inside the vehicle, the system can be simplified and the layout of the connecting pipes for the coolant circulation can be simplified.

[0046] According to the present disclosure, by using one refrigerator that performs heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, the temperature of the battery module can be adjusted according to the mode of the vehicle, and the inside of the vehicle can be cooled and heated by using the coolant, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0047] In addition, the present disclosure can utilize the waste heat of the electrical components and the battery module to improve the heating efficiency of the vehicle, and can increase the total driving distance of the vehicle by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module to obtain the optimal performance of the battery module.

[0048] Moreover, the present disclosure can reduce the size and weight by encapsulating the centralized energy device that generates thermal energy through the condensation and evaporation of the refrigerant and using a high-performance refrigerant, and can prevent the generation of noise, vibration and operation instability compared with the air conditioner according to the prior art.

[0049] In addition, according to the present disclosure, a coolant heater applied to the heating device can be used to assist the heating inside the vehicle, thereby reducing the cost and weight.

[0050] In addition, by simplifying the entire system, the manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced, and the space utilization rate can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 A block diagram showing a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 2 is Figure 1 An enlarged view of part A of.

[0053] Figure 3 An operating state diagram showing the operation of cooling electrical components and a battery module by using a coolant in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 4 An operating state diagram showing the operation of cooling a battery module by using a refrigerant in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0055] Figure 5 Shows an operating state diagram of waste heat recovery of electrical components according to a heating mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 6 Shows an operating state diagram of performing a heating mode using waste heat of electrical components in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 7 Shows an operating state diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure according to a low-temperature dehumidification mode.

[0058] Figure 8 Shows an operating state diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure according to a high-temperature dehumidification mode. Detailed Description

[0059] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The exemplary embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the idea and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalent forms and modified forms that can replace the most preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0061] To clarify the present disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and throughout the specification, the same elements or equivalents will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0062] The dimensions and thicknesses of each element are arbitrarily shown in the drawings, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and in the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, plates, regions, etc. are enlarged for clarity.

[0063] Throughout this specification and the appended claims, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprising" or variants such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated element but not the exclusion of any other element.

[0064] In addition, the terms "…… unit", "…… mechanism", "…… part", "…… component", etc. used herein refer to units of inclusive components that perform at least one or more functions or operations.

[0065] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of part A of

[0066] A heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure selectively exchanges heat between the thermal energy generated by a refrigerant when the refrigerant is condensed and evaporated and a coolant, so as to execute a cooling mode or a heating mode of the vehicle only by using a low-temperature or high-temperature coolant.

[0067] The heat pump system for a vehicle can adjust the temperature of the battery module 24 by using a chiller 30 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the coolant, and utilize the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24, thereby improving the heating efficiency.

[0068] This heat pump system is applicable to a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0069] Here, in the heat pump system for an electric vehicle, the cooling device 10, the battery cooling device 20, the heating device 40, the centralized energy device 50 that exchanges heat between the coolant and the refrigerant while circulating the refrigerant, and the air conditioner 70 can be interconnected.

[0070] Referring to Figure 1 , the heat pump system includes a cooling device 10, a battery cooling device 20, a heating device 40, a centralized energy device 50, and an air conditioner 70.

[0071] First, the cooling device 10 includes a radiator 12 connected to the coolant line 11, a first water pump 14, a first valve V1, a second valve V2, and a liquid storage tank 16.

[0072] The radiator 12 is disposed at the front of the vehicle, and a cooling fan 13 is disposed behind the radiator 12 to cool the coolant by exchanging heat with ambient air, for example, through the operation of the cooling fan 13.

[0073] In addition, the electrical component 15 may include a power control unit (EPCU), or a motor, or an inverter, or an autonomous driving controller, or an on-board charger (OBC).

[0074] The electrical component 15 configured as described above may be disposed on the coolant line 11 so as to be cooled in a water-cooled manner.

[0075] Therefore, 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.

[0076] In addition, the liquid storage tank 16 is disposed on the coolant line 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.

[0077] The cooling device 10 can circulate the coolant in the coolant pipeline 11 through the operation of the first water pump 14, so that the coolant is supplied to the electrical component 15 provided on the coolant pipeline 11.

[0078] Meanwhile, 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 the supply pipeline 17.

[0079] When the coolant is circulated to the coolant pipeline 11 through the operation of the first water pump 14, the supply pipeline 17 can be connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0080] That is, when the first water pump 14 operates, 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.

[0081] Therefore, when the first water pump 14 operates, 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.

[0082] In addition, the cooling device 10 can further include a branch pipeline 18.

[0083] The first end of the branch pipeline 18 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11 between the radiator 12 and the second valve V2. The second end of the branch pipeline 18 can be connected to the first valve V1.

[0084] When recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15, the branch pipeline 18 can be selectively opened and closed through the operation of the first valve V1, so that the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15 is supplied back to the electrical component 15 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0085] In this exemplary embodiment, the battery cooling device 20 includes a battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the coolant pipeline 11 through the first valve V1, and a second water pump 22 and a battery module 24 connected to the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0086] The battery cooling device 20 can selectively circulate the coolant through the battery module 24 through the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0087] Meanwhile, the battery module 24 can be formed to supply power to the electrical component 15 and be water-cooled by the coolant flowing along the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0088] Here, the first water pump 14 and the second water pump 22 can be electric water pumps.

[0089] Meanwhile, the battery cooling device 20 can further include a first coolant heater 26, which is provided on the battery coolant pipeline 21 between the battery module 24 and the first valve V1.

[0090] When it is necessary to raise the temperature of the battery module 24, the first coolant heater 26 is turned on to heat the coolant circulating in the battery coolant line 21, so that the coolant with an increased temperature can be supplied to the battery module 24.

[0091] The first coolant heater 26 can be an electric heater that operates according to the power supply.

[0092] That is, when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the battery module 24 is lower than the target temperature, the first coolant heater 26 operates, so that the coolant circulating in the battery coolant line 21 can be heated.

[0093] Therefore, the coolant with an increased temperature while passing through the first coolant heater 26 can be supplied to the battery module 24 to raise the temperature of the battery module 24.

[0094] That is, when raising the temperature of the battery module 24, the first coolant heater 26 can be selectively operated.

[0095] In the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigerator 30 is provided on the battery coolant line 21 between the first valve V1 and the battery module 24.

[0096] The refrigerator 30 is connected to the refrigerant line 51 of the centralized energy device 50 to allow the refrigerant to pass through. That is, the refrigerator 30 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which the coolant flows.

[0097] Here, the refrigerator 30 can be connected to the first valve V1 through the refrigerator connection line 31.

[0098] That is, by the operation of the first valve V1, the refrigerator connection line 31 can separately connect the refrigerator 30 and the first valve V1 to the battery coolant line 21.

[0099] Therefore, the refrigerator 30 can adjust the temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant selectively supplied to the battery coolant line 21 and the refrigerator connection line 31 and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the centralized energy device 50.

[0100] Here, the first end of the refrigerator connection line 31 is connected to the first valve V1. The second end of the refrigerator connection line 31 can be connected to the refrigerator 30.

[0101] The refrigerator connection line 31 can connect the refrigerator 30 to the first valve V1 according to the operation of the first valve V1.

[0102] In addition, the heating device 40 may include a heating pipeline 41 selectively connected to the coolant pipeline 11 through a second valve V2, and a third water pump 42 and a heater 62 provided on the heating pipeline 41 to heat the vehicle interior by using the coolant.

[0103] When heating the vehicle interior, the heating device 40 may connect the heating pipeline 41 and the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the electrical component 15 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.

[0104] Therefore, the high-temperature coolant can be supplied to the heater 62 along the heating pipeline 41.

[0105] That is, the heating device 40 configured as described above supplies the high-temperature coolant introduced into the heating pipeline 41 from the cooling device 10 or the coolant whose temperature has risen while circulating through the heating pipeline 41 to the heater 62 through the operation of the third water pump 42 in the heating mode of the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0106] Here, the third water pump 42 may be an electric water pump.

[0107] Meanwhile, the heater 62 may be provided inside the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module 60.

[0108] Here, a second coolant heater 43 may be provided on the heating pipeline 41 between the third water pump 42 and the heater 62, and the second coolant heater 43 is used to selectively heat the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41.

[0109] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater 62 in the heating mode of the vehicle is lower than the target temperature, the second coolant heater 43 is turned on and operates to heat the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41, so that the heated coolant flows into the heater 62.

[0110] The second coolant heater 43 may be an electric heater operated according to power supply.

[0111] On the other hand, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is described that the second coolant heater 43 is provided on the heating pipeline 41, but it is not limited thereto, and an air heater 45 for raising the temperature of the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior may be applied instead of the second coolant heater 43.

[0112] The air heater 45 may be provided behind the heater 62 inside the HVAC module 60 toward the vehicle interior to selectively heat the outside air passing through the heater 62.

[0113] That is, any one of the second coolant heater 43 and the air heater 45 can be applied to the heating device 40.

[0114] When the heating device 40 configured as described above is in the heating mode of the vehicle, the high-temperature coolant introduced from the cooling device 10 into the heating pipeline 41 or the coolant whose temperature has risen while circulating through the heating pipeline 41 is supplied to the heater 62 by the operation of the third water pump 42, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0115] In the present exemplary embodiment, the air conditioner 70 may include a cooling pipeline 71 connected to the battery coolant pipeline 21 through a third valve V3, and a fourth water pump 72 and a cooler 64 provided on the cooling pipeline 71 to cool the vehicle interior by using low-temperature coolant.

[0116] The air conditioner 70 can supply the coolant whose temperature has decreased while circulating through the cooling pipeline 71 to the cooler 64 by the operation of the fourth water pump 72 in the cooling mode of the vehicle, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0117] Herein, the heater 62 and the cooler 64 may be provided inside the HVAC module 60.

[0118] In addition, the first water pump 14, the second water pump 22, the third water pump 42, and the fourth water pump 72 may be electric water pumps.

[0119] The first valve V1 may be a six-way valve, and the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 may be four-way valves respectively.

[0120] Meanwhile, the HVAC module 60 includes an opening and closing door 66, which is provided between the heater 62 and the cooler 64, and is controlled according to the cooling mode, heating mode, and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle to selectively allow the outside air passing through the cooler 64 to flow into the heater 62.

[0121] That is, in the heating mode of the vehicle, the opening and closing door 66 is opened to allow the outside air passing through the cooler 64 to be introduced into the heater 62. On the contrary, in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the opening and closing door 66 closes the heater 62 so that the outside air cooled while passing through the cooler 64 directly flows into the vehicle interior.

[0122] Herein, when the second coolant heater 43 is not provided in the heating device 40, the air heater 45 provided in the HVAC module 60 can be provided on the opposite side of the cooler 64, and the heater 62 is inserted between the air heater 45 and the cooler 64.

[0123] When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater 62 is lower than the target temperature for interior heating, the air heater 45 can operate to raise the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 62.

[0124] On the other hand, when the second coolant heater 43 is not provided in the heating pipeline 41, the air heater 45 can be provided inside the HVAC module 60.

[0125] That is, in the heat pump system according to the present disclosure, only one of the second coolant heater 43 and the air heater 45 can be applied.

[0126] In the present exemplary embodiment, the centralized energy (CE) device 50 is connected to the heating pipeline 41 and the cooling pipeline 71 to supply low-temperature coolant to the air conditioner 70 and high-temperature coolant to the heating device 40, respectively.

[0127] The CE device 50 performs selective heat exchange between the thermal energy generated by the condensation and evaporation of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline 51 and the coolant supplied through the heating pipeline 41 and the cooling pipeline 71, respectively.

[0128] Here, the refrigerant can be a high-performance R152-a, R744, or R290 refrigerant.

[0129] That is, the high-temperature coolant is supplied to the heater 62 through the heating pipeline 41, and the low-temperature coolant is supplied to the cooler 64 through the cooling pipeline 71.

[0130] Here, the CE device 50 includes a condenser 53, an expansion valve 55, an evaporator 56, and a compressor 59.

[0131] First, the refrigerant circulates inside the condenser 53, and the condenser 53 is provided on the heating pipeline 41 between the second valve V2 and the heater 62.

[0132] The condenser 53 can condense the refrigerant and raise the temperature of the coolant through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant.

[0133] Here, the coolant circulating in the heating device 40 can be supplied to the condenser 53 along the heating pipeline 41, so that the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant through heat exchange with the coolant.

[0134] Therefore, the condenser 53 can condense the refrigerant through heat exchange between the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 and the high-temperature refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59 in the heating mode of the vehicle, and can supply the high-temperature coolant to the heater 62 through the heating pipeline 41.

[0135] The expansion valve 55 can be connected to the condenser 53 through the refrigerant pipeline 51. The expansion valve 55 receives the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 53 to expand the refrigerant. The expansion valve 55 can be formed as a mechanical type or an electronic type.

[0136] The evaporator 56 is connected to the expansion valve 55 via a refrigerant pipeline 51. The evaporator 56 is provided on a cooling pipeline 71 between the third valve V3 and the cooler 64 to cool the coolant circulating along the cooling pipeline 71 in the air conditioner 70.

[0137] The evaporator 56 evaporates the refrigerant through the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant, and can reduce the temperature of the coolant.

[0138] Here, the coolant circulating in the air conditioner 70 can be supplied to the evaporator 56 along the cooling pipeline 71, so that the evaporator 56 evaporates the refrigerant through the heat exchange with the coolant.

[0139] Therefore, in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the evaporator 56 cools the coolant circulating through the cooling pipeline 71 through the heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 56, and can supply the low-temperature coolant to the cooler 64 through the cooling pipeline 71.

[0140] In addition, the compressor 59 is provided on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the evaporator 56 and the condenser 53. The compressor 59 compresses the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56 and can supply the compressed refrigerant to the condenser 53.

[0141] A liquid receiver 57 is provided on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

[0142] Such a liquid receiver 57 improves the efficiency and durability of the compressor 59 by supplying only gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 59.

[0143] Here, the refrigerator 30 can be provided on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the evaporator 56 and the liquid receiver 57.

[0144] In this exemplary embodiment, the refrigerator 30, the condenser 53, and the evaporator 56 can be water-cooled heat exchangers into which the coolant flows.

[0145] Meanwhile, when using the refrigerant to cool the battery module 24, the refrigerator 30 can reduce the temperature of the coolant passing through the inside of the refrigerator 30 by using the low-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 56.

[0146] Therefore, by making the coolant whose temperature is reduced while passing through the refrigerator 30 flow into the battery module 24, the battery module 24 can be cooled more effectively.

[0147] On the other hand, an internal heat exchanger 58 can be provided on the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

[0148] The refrigerant pipeline 51 connecting the condenser 53 and the expansion valve 55 and the refrigerant pipeline 51 connecting the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59 can be respectively connected to the internal heat exchanger 58.

[0149] The internal heat exchanger 58 additionally condenses the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 53 through heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56, and then introduces the additionally condensed refrigerant into the expansion valve 55.

[0150] That is, the condensed refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56 are respectively introduced into the internal heat exchanger 58. Therefore, the internal heat exchanger 58 additionally performs heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and the condensed refrigerant to further reduce the temperature of the refrigerant and increase the condensation amount.

[0151] As described, since the internal heat exchanger 58 further condenses the refrigerant that has been condensed in the condenser 53, the sub-cooling of the refrigerant can be increased, and thus the Coefficient Of Performance (COP), which is the coefficient of cooling performance relative to the power consumption of the compressor, can be improved.

[0152] Meanwhile, in the present exemplary embodiment, the low-temperature refrigerant evaporated in the internal heat exchanger 58 and the condensed refrigerant exchange heat with each other, but this is not restrictive. Some of the refrigerant discharged from the internal heat exchanger 58 is by-pass cooled, and the remaining refrigerant introduced from the internal heat exchanger 58 can be cooled by simultaneously using the cooled refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56, thereby increasing the sub-cooling of the refrigerant.

[0153] Meanwhile, reference will be made to Figure 2 describe the structure of the first valve V1 in more detail.

[0154] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first valve V1 may include a first port P1, a second port P2, a third port P3, a fourth port P4, a fifth port P5, and a sixth port P6.

[0155] First, the first port P1 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the liquid storage tank 16.

[0156] The second port P2 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the first water pump 14.

[0157] Here, the supply pipeline 17 may be connected to the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the second port P2 and the first water pump 14.

[0158] The third port P3 is connected to the chiller connection pipeline 31, and the fourth port P4 is connected to the branch pipeline 18.

[0159] The fifth port P5 is connected to the battery coolant line 21 that is connected to the refrigerator 30 between the refrigerator 30 and the first valve V1. The sixth port P6 is connected to the battery coolant line 21 that is connected to the second water pump 22.

[0160] Here, the first valve V1 can be operated so that the coolant is discharged through the port adjacent to the port for introducing the coolant among the first port to the sixth port P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6.

[0161] For example, according to the operation of the first valve V1, the coolant introduced into the first port P1 can be discharged through the second port P2 or the sixth port P6 provided adjacent to the first port P1.

[0162] That is, the first valve V1 is designed to simplify the structure, and for facilitating valve control, when two adjacent ports are closed, the remaining four ports are opened so that two adjacent ports are connected to each other, thereby controlling the flow of the coolant.

[0163] Moreover, the first valve V1 can be operated so that when four adjacent ports are closed, the remaining two ports are connected to each other, thereby controlling the flow of the coolant.

[0164] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 3 to 8 The operation and function of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure configured as described above will be described in detail.

[0165] First, with reference to Figure 3 An example operation of cooling the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 by using the radiator 12 in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0166] Figure 3 A diagram showing an operation state of cooling the electrical component and the battery module by using the radiator in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0167] With reference to Figure 3 , through the operation of the first valve V1, the branch line 18 is closed. Through the operation of the first valve V1, the refrigerator connection line 31 is opened.

[0168] The supply line 17 is opened. That is, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can circulate along the coolant line 11 through the opened supply line 17.

[0169] Here, through the operation of the first valve V1, the part of the battery coolant line 21 that connects the refrigerator 30 and the first valve V1 is closed.

[0170] In addition, by operating the first valve V1, the battery coolant line 21 is connected to the coolant line 11.

[0171] By operating the first valve V1, the coolant line 11 connecting the reservoir 16 and the first valve V1 is connected to the battery coolant line 21.

[0172] In this state, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to cool the electrical components 15.

[0173] In the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 operates to cool the battery module 24.

[0174] Then, by operating the first valve V1 and the second water pump 22, the coolant cooled and stored in the radiator 12 in the reservoir 16 is supplied to the battery module 24 while circulating through the battery coolant line 21.

[0175] That is, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 from the reservoir 16 through the first port P1 is introduced into the battery coolant line 21 through the sixth port P6.

[0176] The coolant introduced into the battery coolant line 21 passes through the battery module 24 and is introduced into the refrigerator 30.

[0177] Therefore, the coolant passing through the battery module 24 is introduced from the refrigerator 30 along the open refrigerator connection line 31 into the first valve V1. Thereafter, by operating the first water pump 14, the coolant can be supplied to the electrical components 15 while flowing along the coolant line 11 connected to the first water pump 14.

[0178] That is, the coolant discharged from the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the third port P3 of the first valve V1 along the open refrigerator connection line 31 and is discharged through the second port P2 to the coolant line 11 connected to the first water pump 14.

[0179] Here, a part of the coolant stored in the reservoir 16 can circulate along the coolant line 11 through the open supply line 17.

[0180] That is, by operating the first water pump 14 and the second water pump 22, the coolant cooled and stored in the radiator 12 in the reservoir 16 circulates through the coolant line 11 and the battery coolant line 21 respectively, so that the electrical components 15 and the battery module 24 can be effectively cooled.

[0181] Because the cooling mode of the vehicle is not activated, the CE device 50, the heating device 40, and the air conditioner 70 do not operate.

[0182] On the other hand, although both the electric component 15 and the battery module 24 are described in the present exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and when cooling only one of the electric component 15 and the battery module 24, the first water pump 14, the second water pump 22, and the first valve V1 can be selectively operated.

[0183] Reference will be made to Figure 4 describe an example operation of cooling the battery module 24 in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0184] Figure 4 Fig. shows an operation state diagram of cooling a battery module by using a refrigerant in a cooling mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0185] Referring to Figure 4 , in the cooling device 10, by the operation of the first water pump 14, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline 11. At the same time, the supply pipeline 17 is opened.

[0186] That is, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can circulate along the coolant pipeline 11 through the opened supply pipeline 17.

[0187] Here, by the operation of the first valve V1, the branch pipeline 18 and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 are closed.

[0188] Therefore, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 from the liquid storage tank 16 through the first port P1 can be introduced into the coolant pipeline 11 through the second port P2.

[0189] In the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 operates to cool the battery module 24.

[0190] Then, in the battery cooling device 20, by the operation of the second water pump 22, the coolant can circulate in the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0191] Here, by the operation of the first valve V1, the cooling device 10 and the battery cooling device 20 can form independent closed loops, and each coolant circulates separately through the independent closed loops.

[0192] That is, by the operation of the first valve V1, the battery cooling device 20 is not connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0193] In this state, the battery cooling device 20 can form a closed loop, and by the operation of the second water pump 22, the coolant circulates independently in the battery coolant pipeline 21 through the closed loop.

[0194] That is, by the operation of the first valve V1, the coolant pipeline 11 and the battery coolant pipeline 21 respectively form independent closed loops.

[0195] Therefore, in the battery cooling device 20, by the operation of the second water pump 22, the coolant that has passed through the refrigerator 30 can be supplied along the battery coolant pipeline 21 to the battery module 24.

[0196] The coolant introduced into the battery coolant pipeline 21 passes through the battery module 24 and is introduced into the refrigerator 30.

[0197] Therefore, the coolant that has passed through the battery module 24 is introduced from the refrigerator 30 along the open battery coolant pipeline 21 into the first valve V1. Thereafter, by the operation of the second water pump 22, the coolant can be supplied to the battery module 24 while flowing along the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0198] That is, the coolant discharged from the refrigerator 30 is introduced along the battery coolant pipeline 21 into the fifth port P5 of the first valve V1, and is discharged through the sixth port P6 to the battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the second water pump 22.

[0199] Meanwhile, in the heating device 40, by the operation of the second valve V2, the heating pipeline 41 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0200] In this state, by the operation of the third water pump 42, the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 circulates in the heating pipeline 41.

[0201] Therefore, by the operation of the first water pump 14 and the third water pump 42, the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the electrical components 15.

[0202] Meanwhile, in the air conditioner 70, by the operation of the third valve V3, the cooling pipeline 71 can form an independent closed loop independent of the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0203] Therefore, in the air conditioner 70, by the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline 71, and the low-temperature coolant that has passed through the evaporator 56 can be supplied to the cooler 64.

[0204] In the CE device 50, each component operates to cool the vehicle interior. Therefore, the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0205] By the operation of the third water pump 42, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 to the condenser 53.

[0206] Therefore, the condenser 53 uses the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59.

[0207] Here, the internal heat exchanger 58 additionally condenses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56, so as to further increase the condensation amount by increasing the recooling of the refrigerant, thereby increasing the condensation amount of the refrigerant.

[0208] In addition, the evaporator 56 exchanges heat between the coolant circulated along the cooling pipeline 71 by the operation of the fourth water pump 72 and the low-temperature refrigerant evaporated inside.

[0209] By the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the low-temperature coolant that has passed through the evaporator 56 is supplied to the cooler 64 along the cooling pipeline 71.

[0210] That is, the refrigerant circulated along the refrigerant pipeline 51 in the CE device 50 is condensed by exchanging heat with the coolant passing through the condenser 53.

[0211] After that, while the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 additionally exchanges heat with the low-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 56 in the internal heat exchanger 58, the condensation amount is further increased.

[0212] The refrigerant with an increased condensation amount expands in the expansion valve 55 and evaporates in the evaporator 56.

[0213] In this case, the refrigerant evaporated from the evaporator 56 cools the coolant introduced through the cooling pipeline 71.

[0214] Here, the refrigerant with an increased condensation amount while passing through the condenser 53 and the internal heat exchanger 58 in sequence can expand and be supplied to the evaporator 56, so that the refrigerant evaporates to a lower temperature.

[0215] Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the internal heat exchanger 58 further condenses the refrigerant, which is beneficial for forming the recooling of the refrigerant.

[0216] In addition, since the refrigerant forming the recooling is evaporated to a lower temperature at the evaporator 56, the temperature of the coolant exchanging heat at the evaporator 56 can be further reduced, thereby improving the cooling performance and efficiency.

[0217] Meanwhile, the refrigerant evaporated from the evaporator 56 cools the coolant introduced through the cooling pipeline 71. Therefore, the coolant passes through the evaporator 56 to be cooled to a low temperature, and the cooled coolant is supplied to the cooler 64 through the cooling pipeline 71.

[0218] The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 56 passes through the refrigerator 30, the internal heat exchanger 58, the liquid storage device 57, the compressor 59, and the condenser 53 in sequence along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0219] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module 60 exchanges heat with the low-temperature coolant introduced into the cooler 64 to be cooled.

[0220] In this case, the part through which the cooled outside air of the heater 62 passes is closed by the opening / closing door 66 so that the outside air does not pass through the heater 62. Accordingly, the cooled outside air can be directly introduced into the vehicle interior to cool the vehicle interior.

[0221] Through the operation of the second water pump 22, the coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 circulates in the battery coolant line 21 to cool the battery module 24.

[0222] The coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 is cooled by heat exchange with the expanded refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator 30. The coolant cooled in the refrigerator 30 is supplied to the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0223] In other words, the coolant whose temperature has risen due to cooling the battery module 24 is cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant inside the refrigerator 30. The cooled coolant is supplied to the battery module 24 again through the battery coolant line 21.

[0224] Accordingly, the coolant can effectively cool the battery module 24 while repeating the above operation.

[0225] In addition, while repeating the above process, the coolant can cool the vehicle interior in the cooling mode, and the refrigerant can cool the coolant through heat exchange while passing through the refrigerator 30.

[0226] The low-temperature coolant cooled in the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 can be effectively cooled by the supplied low-temperature coolant.

[0227] In the present exemplary embodiment, reference will be made to Figure 5 Describe the operation of the case of recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the heating mode of the vehicle.

[0228] Figure 5 Show an operation state diagram of waste heat recovery of an electrical component according to a heating mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0229] Refer to Figure 5 , in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to circulate the coolant. The supply line 17 is opened.

[0230] Accordingly, a part of the coolant stored in the coolant tank 16 can circulate along the opened supply line 17 through the opened coolant line 11.

[0231] Here, by operating the first valve V1, the branch pipeline 18 and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 are opened.

[0232] Therefore, by operating the first valve V1, based on the branch pipeline 18, the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the radiator 12 and the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the liquid storage tank 16 and the first valve V1 are closed.

[0233] In this state, by operating the first water pump 14, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 can circulate along the opened branch pipeline 18 and the opened part of the coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0234] Here, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 through the branch pipeline 18 can be introduced into the refrigerator 30 along the part of the battery coolant pipeline 21 connecting the refrigerator 30 and the first valve V1.

[0235] The coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the first valve V1 along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline 31. Thereafter, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the electrical component 15 through the first valve V1.

[0236] Meanwhile, in the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 is deactivated.

[0237] Therefore, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 continuously circulates along the opened coolant pipeline 11, branch pipeline 18, the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline 21, and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat from the electrical component 15, thereby increasing the temperature.

[0238] The coolant with increased temperature can be supplied to the refrigerator 30 provided on the battery coolant pipeline 21. That is, the waste heat generated by the electrical component 15 increases the temperature of the coolant supplied to the refrigerator 30.

[0239] The coolant introduced into the first valve V1 from the branch pipeline 18 through the fourth port P4 is introduced into the battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the refrigerator 30 through the fifth port P5.

[0240] Thereafter, the coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the third port P3 of the first valve V1 along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline 31. The coolant introduced into the third port P3 is discharged to the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the first water pump 14 through the second port P2 connected to the third port P3.

[0241] While repeating such operations, the coolant can absorb the waste heat from the electrical component 15 and increase the temperature.

[0242] Meanwhile, in the heating device 40, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline 41 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0243] By the operation of the second valve V2, the coolant pipeline 11 and the heating pipeline 41 can respectively form independent closed circuits.

[0244] Therefore, by the operation of the third water pump 42, the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the heater 62.

[0245] Here, when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 is lower than the target temperature, the second coolant heater 43 operates, so that the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 can be heated.

[0246] On the other hand, when the air heater 45 is used instead of the second coolant heater 43, when the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 62 is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 45 operates, and the outside air introduced into the vehicle interior can be heated.

[0247] In the present exemplary embodiment, in the CE device 50, each component operates to heat the vehicle interior. Therefore, the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0248] By the operation of the third water pump 42, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant supplied by the cooling device 10 to the condenser 53.

[0249] Therefore, the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59 by using the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41.

[0250] That is, in the CE device 50, the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant pipeline 51 is condensed by heat exchange with the coolant passing through the condenser 53.

[0251] Then, the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 expands in the expansion valve 55 and evaporates in the evaporator 56.

[0252] The refrigerant passing through the evaporator 56 successively passes through the refrigerator 30, the internal heat exchanger 58, the accumulator 57, the compressor 59 and the condenser 53 along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0253] The coolant whose temperature has risen by absorbing the waste heat of the electrical component 15 recovers by raising the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator 30 while passing through the refrigerator 30 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0254] That is, the refrigerator 30 evaporates the refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 56 by heat exchange with the coolant whose temperature rises while passing through the electrical component 15, thereby recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15.

[0255] Thereafter, the refrigerant that has passed through the refrigerator 30 is supplied to the accumulator 57 via the internal heat exchanger 58 along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0256] The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 57 is separated into gas and liquid. Among the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 59.

[0257] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 59 flows into the condenser 53.

[0258] Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 can exchange 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 62.

[0259] At the same time, the opening / closing door 66 is opened so that the outside air introduced into the HVAC module 60 and having passed through the cooler 64 passes through the heater 62.

[0260] Therefore, the outside air flowing in from the outside flows into the interior in a non-cooled temperature state when passing through the cooler 64 not supplied with the coolant. The introduced outside air is converted into a high-temperature state while passing through the heater 62 and is introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby realizing heating of the vehicle interior.

[0261] That is, the heat pump system according to the present exemplary embodiment is used to raise the temperature of the refrigerant by utilizing the waste heat of the electrical component 15 when heating of the vehicle is required, thereby reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0262] The present exemplary embodiment of recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the heating mode of the vehicle is described by way of example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is possible to recover only the waste heat from the battery module 24 or to recover the waste heat from both the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 simultaneously.

[0263] will be referred to Figure 6 Describe the operation of utilizing the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the case where the CE device 50 does not operate in the heating mode of the vehicle.

[0264] Figure 6 An operation state diagram showing the operation of utilizing the waste heat of an electrical component to perform a heating mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0265] Refer to Figure 6 , the heat pump system can heat the vehicle interior by utilizing the waste heat from the electrical component 15 in the case where the CE device 50 does not operate.

[0266] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to circulate the coolant. At this time, the CE device 50 is deactivated.

[0267] Here, by the operation of the first valve V1, the branch pipeline 18 and the chiller connection pipeline 31 are opened. In addition, the supply pipeline 17 is opened.

[0268] Therefore, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can circulate along the coolant pipeline 11 through the opened supply pipeline 17.

[0269] Therefore, by the operation of the first valve V1, based on the branch pipeline 18, the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the radiator 12 and the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the liquid storage tank 16 and the first valve V1 are closed.

[0270] That is, based on the branch pipeline 18, the parts of the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the radiator 12, the liquid storage tank 16, and the first valve V1 can be closed.

[0271] In addition, by the operation of the first valve V1, the battery coolant pipeline 21 except for the part connected to the chiller 30 is closed.

[0272] In this state, by the operation of the first water pump 14, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 can circulate along the opened branch pipeline 18 and the opened part of the coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0273] Here, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 through the branch pipeline 18 can be introduced into the chiller 30 along the part of the battery coolant pipeline 21 connecting the chiller 30 and the first valve V1.

[0274] The coolant passing through the chiller 30 is introduced into the first valve V1 along the opened chiller connection pipeline 31. Thereafter, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the electrical component 15 through the first valve V1.

[0275] Meanwhile, in the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 is deactivated.

[0276] That is, the battery coolant pipeline 21 connecting the second water pump 22 and the battery module 24 is closed, and the operation of the battery cooling device 20 is stopped.

[0277] Therefore, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 continuously circulates along the coolant pipeline 11, the branch pipeline 18, the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline 21, and the chiller connection pipeline 31 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat from the electrical component 15, thereby increasing the temperature.

[0278] That is, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 from the branch pipeline 18 through the fourth port P4 is introduced into the battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the refrigerator 30 through the fifth port P5.

[0279] Thereafter, the coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the third port P3 of the first valve V1 along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline 31. The coolant introduced into the third port P3 is discharged through the second port P2 connected to the third port P3 into the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the first water pump 14.

[0280] While repeating such an operation, the coolant can absorb the waste heat from the electrical component 15 and increase in temperature.

[0281] In the heating device 40, through the operation of the second valve V2, the heating pipeline 41 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0282] In this state, the coolant that has increased in temperature while passing through the electrical component 15 by the operation of the first water pump 14 is supplied to the heating pipeline 41 connected to the opened coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0283] Through the operation of the third water pump 42, the coolant introduced into the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the heater 62.

[0284] The coolant discharged from the heater 62 passes through the second valve V2 and is introduced into the first valve V1 along the opened part of the coolant pipeline 11 and the opened branch pipeline 18.

[0285] The coolant introduced into the first valve V1, after passing through the refrigerator 30 along the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline 21, is introduced into the first valve V1 again along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline 31.

[0286] The coolant introduced into the first valve V1 again is supplied to the electrical component 15 along the opened coolant pipeline 11.

[0287] That is, the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15 continuously circulates along the opened coolant pipeline 11, the branch pipeline 18, the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline 21, and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat from the electrical component 15, thereby increasing in temperature.

[0288] The coolant with increased temperature is introduced into the heating pipeline 41 connected to the coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0289] Through the operation of the third water pump 42, the coolant introduced into the heating pipeline 41 can pass through the heater 62.

[0290] Here, when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 is lower than the target temperature, the second coolant heater 43 operates, so that the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 can be heated.

[0291] On the other hand, when the air heater 45 is used instead of the second coolant heater 43, the air heater 45 can be selectively operated according to the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 62.

[0292] That is, when the temperature of the external air passing through the heater 62 is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 45 can operate to heat the external air flowing into the vehicle interior.

[0293] When the temperature of the external air that has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant while passing through the heater 62 is lower than the set temperature or the target heating temperature, the air heater 45 operates.

[0294] When the air heater 45 operates, the external air can be heated while passing through the air heater 45 and introduced into the vehicle interior in a state where the temperature has risen.

[0295] Meanwhile, the high-temperature coolant supplied to the heater 62 performs heat exchange with the external air and is then introduced into the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the heating pipeline 41 through the second valve V2.

[0296] After that, the coolant is introduced into the first valve V1 along the opened branch pipeline 18 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0297] The coolant introduced into the first valve V1 sequentially passes through the opened battery coolant pipeline 21, the refrigerator 30, and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31, and is introduced back into the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the electrical component 15.

[0298] Meanwhile, the opening and closing door 66 is opened so that the external air flowing into the HVAC module 60 passes through the heater 62.

[0299] Therefore, the external air flowing in from the outside flows into the interior in a temperature state that is not cooled when passing through the cooler 64 that is not supplied with coolant. The introduced external air is converted into a high-temperature state while passing through the heater 62 and introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby realizing vehicle interior heating.

[0300] In other words, according to the present disclosure, the waste heat generated in the electrical component 15 can be recovered while repeating the above process, and the waste heat can be used for interior heating, thereby reducing power consumption and improving the overall heating efficiency.

[0301] Reference will be made to Figure 7 Describe the operation according to the low-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle in this exemplary embodiment.

[0302] Figure 7 Shows an operating state diagram according to a low-temperature dehumidification mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0303] Here, the low-temperature dehumidification mode is a mode that operates when dehumidification is required in the vehicle interior in the heating mode of the vehicle.

[0304] Referring to Figure 7 , when the waste heat of the electrical component 15 is sufficient, the heat pump system can recover the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and use the waste heat of the electrical component 15 for vehicle interior heating.

[0305] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to circulate the coolant. At the same time, the supply pipeline 17 is opened.

[0306] Therefore, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can circulate along the coolant pipeline 11 through the opened supply pipeline 17.

[0307] Here, through the operation of the first valve V1, the branch pipeline 18 and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 are opened.

[0308] Therefore, through the operation of the first valve V1, based on the branch pipeline 18, the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the radiator 12 and the part of the coolant pipeline 11 connecting the liquid storage tank 16 and the first valve V1 are closed.

[0309] In this state, through the operation of the first water pump 14, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 can circulate along the opened branch pipeline 18 and the opened part of the coolant pipeline 11 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0310] Here, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 through the branch pipeline 18 can be introduced into the refrigerator 30 along the part of the battery coolant pipeline 21 connecting the refrigerator 30 and the first valve V1.

[0311] The coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the first valve V1 along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline 31. Thereafter, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the electrical component 15 through the first valve V1.

[0312] At the same time, in the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 is deactivated.

[0313] Therefore, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 continuously circulates along the opened coolant pipeline 11, branch pipeline 18, the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline 21, and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat from the electrical component 15, thereby increasing the temperature.

[0314] The coolant with an increased temperature can be supplied to the refrigerator 30 provided on the battery coolant pipeline 21. That is, the waste heat generated by the electrical component 15 raises the temperature of the coolant supplied to the refrigerator 30.

[0315] The coolant introduced into the first valve V1 through the fourth port P4 from the branch pipeline 18 is introduced into the battery coolant pipeline 21 connected to the refrigerator 30 through the fifth port P5.

[0316] Thereafter, the coolant passing through the refrigerator 30 is introduced into the third port P3 of the first valve V1 along the opened refrigerator connection pipeline 31. The coolant introduced into the third port P3 is discharged to the coolant pipeline 11 connected to the first water pump 14 through the second port P2 connected to the third port P3.

[0317] While repeating such an operation, the coolant can absorb the waste heat from the electrical component 15 and increase in temperature.

[0318] Meanwhile, in the heating device 40, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline 41 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0319] By the operation of the second valve V2, the coolant pipeline 11 and the heating pipeline 41 can form an independent closed loop.

[0320] Therefore, by the operation of the third water pump 42, the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the heater 62.

[0321] Therefore, the condenser 53 uses the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59.

[0322] At this time, the temperature of the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 increases through heat exchange with the refrigerant while passing through the condenser 53. The coolant with an increased temperature can be supplied to the heater 62 along the heating pipeline 41.

[0323] Here, when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 is lower than the target temperature, the second coolant heater 43 operates, so that the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline 41 can be heated.

[0324] On the other hand, when the air heater 45 is used instead of the second coolant heater 43, when the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 62 is lower than the target temperature, the air heater 45 operates, and the outside air introduced into the vehicle interior can be heated.

[0325] When the temperature of the outside air that has completed heat exchange with the high-temperature coolant while passing through the heater 62 is lower than the set temperature or the target heating temperature, the air heater 45 operates.

[0326] When the air heater 45 operates, outside air can be heated while passing through the air heater 45 and introduced into the vehicle interior in a state where the temperature has risen.

[0327] In the present exemplary embodiment, in the CE device 50, each component operates to heat the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0328] Through the operation of the third water pump 42, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant circulating through the heating pipeline 41 to the condenser 53.

[0329] Accordingly, the condenser 53 uses the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59.

[0330] The internal heat exchanger 58 additionally condenses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56, to further increase the condensation amount by increasing the recooling of the refrigerant, whereby the condensation amount of the refrigerant increases.

[0331] Meanwhile, in the air conditioner 70, through the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline 71.

[0332] Accordingly, the evaporator 56 exchanges heat between the coolant circulating along the cooling pipeline 71 through the operation of the fourth water pump 72 and the low-temperature refrigerant evaporated inside.

[0333] Through the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the low-temperature coolant that has passed through the evaporator 56 is supplied to the cooler 64 along the cooling pipeline 71.

[0334] Accordingly, in the air conditioner 70, through the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline 71, and the low-temperature coolant that has passed through the evaporator 56 can be supplied to the cooler 64.

[0335] That is, the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant pipeline 51 in the CE device 50 is condensed by exchanging heat with the coolant passing through the condenser 53.

[0336] Here, the internal heat exchanger 58 additionally condenses the medium-temperature refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 by exchanging heat between the medium-temperature refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56, to further increase the condensation amount by increasing the recooling of the refrigerant, whereby the condensation amount of the refrigerant increases.

[0337] The refrigerant with an increased condensation amount expands in the expansion valve 55 and evaporates in the evaporator 56.

[0338] In this case, the refrigerant evaporated from the evaporator 56 cools the coolant introduced through the cooling line 71. Thus, the coolant is cooled to a low temperature as it passes through the evaporator 56, and the cooled coolant is supplied to the cooler 64 through the cooling line 71.

[0339] Meanwhile, the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 56 sequentially passes through the refrigerator 30, the internal heat exchanger 58, the liquid reservoir 57, the compressor 59, and the condenser 53 along the refrigerant line 51.

[0340] The coolant that has absorbed the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and has increased in temperature recovers by increasing the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator 30 while passing through the refrigerator 30 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0341] That is, the refrigerator 30 evaporates the refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 56 through heat exchange with the coolant that has increased in temperature while passing through the electrical component 15, thereby recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15.

[0342] Thereafter, the refrigerant that has passed through the refrigerator 30 is supplied to the liquid reservoir 57 via the internal heat exchanger 58 along the refrigerant line 51.

[0343] The refrigerant supplied to the liquid reservoir 57 is separated into gas and liquid. Among the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 59.

[0344] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 59 flows into the condenser 53.

[0345] Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 can increase the temperature of the coolant by heat exchange with the coolant circulating through the heating line 41. The coolant with increased temperature is supplied to the heater 62.

[0346] Meanwhile, the opening and closing door 66 is opened so that the outside air introduced into the HVAC module 60 and passing through the cooler 64 passes through the heater 62.

[0347] That is, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module 60 is dehumidified while passing through the cooler 64 supplied with low-temperature coolant.

[0348] The outside air dehumidified while passing through the cooler 64 is converted to a high-temperature state while passing through the heater 62 and introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0349] That is, in the low-temperature dehumidification mode, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and uses the absorbed waste heat to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0350] In addition, the heat pump system can perform indoor dehumidification simultaneously by operating the air conditioner 70 to selectively supply the low-temperature coolant to the cooler 64.

[0351] Reference will be made to Figure 8 describe the operation according to the high-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle in this exemplary embodiment.

[0352] Figure 8 The operation state diagram according to the high-temperature dehumidification mode in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0353] Here, the high-temperature dehumidification mode is a mode for performing dehumidification in the vehicle interior in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0354] Referring to Figure 8 , in the cooling device 10, by the operation of the first water pump 14, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline 11. At the same time, the supply pipeline 17 is opened.

[0355] That is, a part of the coolant stored in the liquid storage tank 16 can circulate along the coolant pipeline 11 through the opened supply pipeline 17.

[0356] Here, by the operation of the first valve V1, the branch pipeline 18 and the refrigerator connection pipeline 31 are closed.

[0357] Therefore, the coolant introduced into the first valve V1 from the liquid storage tank 16 through the first port P1 can be introduced into the coolant pipeline 11 through the second port P2.

[0358] Therefore, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 circulates to the electrical component 15.

[0359] At the same time, in the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 is deactivated.

[0360] In the heating device 40, by the operation of the second valve V2, the heating pipeline 41 is connected to the coolant pipeline 11.

[0361] In this state, by the operation of the third water pump 42, the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 circulates in the heating pipeline 41.

[0362] Therefore, by the operation of the first water pump 14 and the third water pump 42, the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the electrical component 15.

[0363] At the same time, in the air conditioner 70, by the operation of the third valve V3, the cooling pipeline 71 can form an independent closed loop independent of the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0364] Therefore, in the air conditioner 70, by the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline 71, and the low-temperature coolant passing through the evaporator 56 can be supplied to the cooler 64.

[0365] In the CE device 50, each component operates to cool the vehicle interior. Therefore, the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0366] By the operation of the third water pump 42, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 to the condenser 53.

[0367] Therefore, the condenser 53 uses the coolant circulating along the heating pipeline 41 to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59.

[0368] Here, the internal heat exchanger 58 additionally condenses the refrigerant condensed from the condenser 53 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant condensed from the condenser 53 and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 56, so as to further increase the condensation amount by increasing the recooling of the refrigerant, thereby increasing the condensation amount of the refrigerant.

[0369] In addition, the evaporator 56 exchanges heat between the coolant circulating along the cooling pipeline 71 by the operation of the fourth water pump 72 and the low-temperature refrigerant evaporated inside.

[0370] By the operation of the fourth water pump 72, the low-temperature coolant that has passed through the evaporator 56 is supplied to the cooler 64 along the cooling pipeline 71.

[0371] That is, the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant pipeline 51 in the CE device 50 is condensed by exchanging heat with the coolant passing through the condenser 53.

[0372] After that, while the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 53 additionally exchanges heat with the low-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 56 in the internal heat exchanger 58, the condensation amount further increases.

[0373] The refrigerant with an increased condensation amount expands in the expansion valve 55 and evaporates in the evaporator 56.

[0374] In this case, the refrigerant evaporated from the evaporator 56 cools the coolant introduced through the cooling pipeline 71.

[0375] Here, the refrigerant with an increased condensation amount while passing through the condenser 53 and the internal heat exchanger 58 in sequence can expand and be supplied to the evaporator 56, so that the refrigerant evaporates to a lower temperature.

[0376] Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the internal heat exchanger 58 further condenses the refrigerant, which is beneficial for forming the recooling of the refrigerant.

[0377] In addition, since the refrigerant forming the re-cooling is evaporated to a lower temperature at the evaporator 56, the temperature of the coolant undergoing heat exchange at the evaporator 56 can be further reduced, thereby improving the cooling performance and efficiency.

[0378] Meanwhile, the refrigerant evaporated from the evaporator 56 cools the coolant introduced through the cooling pipeline 71. Therefore, the coolant is cooled to a low temperature after passing through the evaporator 56, and the cooled coolant is supplied to the cooler 64 through the cooling pipeline 71.

[0379] The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 56 sequentially passes through the refrigerator 30, the internal heat exchanger 58, the liquid reservoir 57, the compressor 59, and the condenser 53 along the refrigerant pipeline 51.

[0380] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module 60 exchanges heat with the low-temperature coolant introduced into the cooler 64 to be cooled.

[0381] At this time, the opening and closing door 66 opens the part through which the cooled outside air of the heater 62 passes, so that the cooled outside air passes through the heater 62. Therefore, the cooled outside air can be dehumidified while passing through the heater 62 and then flows into the vehicle interior.

[0382] That is, the high-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle cools the vehicle interior by using the coolant while repeatedly performing the above process, and at the same time supplies the coolant whose temperature has risen through heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser 53 to the heater 62, thereby performing indoor dehumidification while cooling the vehicle interior.

[0383] As described above, by selectively exchanging the heat energy generated by the refrigerant during refrigerant condensation and evaporation with the coolant to utilize the low-temperature or high-temperature coolant of the heat exchange to control the temperature of the vehicle interior, the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can simplify the system and can simplify the layout of the connecting pipes for the coolant circulation.

[0384] According to the present disclosure, the temperature of the battery module 24 can be adjusted according to the mode of the vehicle by using one refrigerator 30 that performs heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, and the vehicle interior can be cooled and heated by using the coolant, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0385] In addition, the present disclosure can utilize the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 to improve the heating efficiency of the vehicle, and can increase the total driving distance of the vehicle by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module 24 to obtain the optimal performance of the battery module.

[0386] Moreover, the present disclosure can reduce size and weight by encapsulating a centralized energy device 50 for generating thermal energy through condensation and evaporation of a refrigerant and by using a high-performance refrigerant, and can prevent generation of noise, vibration, and operational instability compared to air conditioners in the prior art.

[0387] In addition, the present disclosure can assist in heating a vehicle interior by using one of a second coolant heater 43 and an air heater 45 applied to a heating device 40, thereby reducing cost and weight.

[0388] In addition, the entire system can be simplified to reduce manufacturing cost and weight and to improve space utilization.

[0389] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments that are presently considered to be practical, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: A cooling device, including a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, a second valve, and a liquid storage tank connected by a coolant pipeline, and circulating coolant in the coolant pipeline to cool at least one electrical component provided on the coolant pipeline; A battery cooling device, including 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 coolant circulates through the battery module; A refrigerator, provided on the battery coolant pipeline between the first valve and the battery module, and refrigerant passes through the refrigerator to adjust the temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced into the battery coolant pipeline and the refrigerant; A heating device, including a heating pipeline selectively connected to the coolant pipeline through the second valve, and a third water pump and a heater provided on the heating pipeline, to heat the vehicle interior by using coolant; An air conditioner, including a cooling pipeline selectively connected to the battery coolant pipeline through a third valve, and a fourth water pump and a cooler provided on the cooling pipeline, to cool the vehicle interior by using coolant; A centralized energy device, connected to the heating pipeline and the cooling pipeline to supply high-temperature coolant to the heating device and low-temperature coolant to the air conditioner, and selectively performing heat exchange between the thermal energy generated when the refrigerant condenses and evaporates in the internal cycle and each coolant supplied through the heating pipeline and the cooling pipeline, and supplying refrigerant to the refrigerator; A branch pipeline, the first end of the branch pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline between the radiator and the second valve, and the second end of the branch pipeline is connected to the first valve; And A refrigerator connection pipeline, connecting the refrigerator and the first valve separately from the battery coolant pipeline.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein The first valve includes: A first port, connected to the coolant pipeline connected to the liquid storage tank; A second port, connected to the coolant pipeline connected to the first water pump; A third port, connected to the refrigerator connection pipeline; A fourth port, connected to the branch pipeline; A fifth port, connected to the battery coolant pipeline connected to the refrigerator; and A sixth port, connected to the battery coolant pipeline connected to the second water pump.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein The first valve operates to discharge coolant through the port adjacent to the port introducing coolant among the first port to the sixth port.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 1, 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 water pump through a supply pipeline.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein The heater and the cooler are provided inside the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning module, i.e., the HVAC module, and The HVAC module includes an opening and closing door, which is disposed between the heater and the cooler and controls the external air passing through the cooler to be selectively introduced into the heater according to the cooling mode, heating mode, and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, the HVAC module further includes an air heater, which is disposed on the opposite side of the cooler, and the heater is interposed between the cooler and the air heater to selectively heat the external air passing through the heater, and when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater is lower than the target temperature for indoor heating, the air heater operates to raise the temperature of the external air passing through the heater.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, the centralized energy device includes: a condenser through which the refrigerant circulates, and the condenser is disposed on the heating pipeline between the second valve and the heater, and condenses the refrigerant through the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant, and increases the temperature of the coolant; an expansion valve connected to the condenser through the refrigerant pipeline; an evaporator connected to the expansion valve through the refrigerant pipeline, and the evaporator is disposed on the cooling pipeline between the third valve and the cooler, and evaporates the refrigerant through the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant, and reduces the temperature of the coolant; a compressor disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the condenser; and a liquid reservoir disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor, and the refrigerator is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the liquid reservoir.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein, in the heating mode of the vehicle, the condenser condenses the refrigerant through the heat exchange between the coolant circulating in the heating pipeline and the high-temperature refrigerant supplied from the compressor, and supplies the high-temperature coolant to the heater through the heating pipeline.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein, in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the evaporator exchanges heat between the coolant circulating in the cooling pipeline and the low-temperature refrigerant evaporated inside to cool the coolant, and supplies the low-temperature coolant to the cooler through the cooling pipeline.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein, an internal heat exchanger is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 10, wherein, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the condenser and the expansion valve and the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator and the compressor are respectively connected to the internal heat exchanger, and the internal heat exchanger additionally condenses the refrigerant condensed by the condenser through the heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the evaporator, and the additionally condensed refrigerant is introduced into the expansion valve.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein, When cooling the battery module in the cooling mode of the vehicle: In the cooling device, through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline; Through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline are closed; Through the operation of the first valve, the coolant pipeline and the battery coolant pipeline respectively form independent closed loops; In the battery cooling device, through the operation of the second water pump, the coolant that has passed through the chiller is supplied to the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline; In the heating device, through the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline are connected, so as to supply coolant from the cooling device; Through the operation of the third water pump, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline; In the air conditioner, through the operation of the third valve, the cooling pipeline forms an independent closed loop independent of the battery coolant pipeline; Through the operation of the fourth water pump, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline, and the coolant that has passed through the evaporator is supplied to the cooler; And In the centralized energy device, each component operates so that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein, The coolant circulating in the heating device is supplied to the condenser along the heating pipeline, so that the condenser condenses the refrigerant through heat exchange with the coolant, and The coolant circulating in the air conditioner is supplied to the evaporator along the cooling pipeline, so that the evaporator evaporates the refrigerant through heat exchange with the coolant.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein, When recovering the waste heat of the electrical components in the heating mode of the vehicle: Through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline are opened; In the cooling device, based on the branch pipeline, the parts of the coolant pipeline respectively connected to the radiator and the liquid storage tank are closed, and through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant passing through the electrical components circulates along the opened branch pipeline and the opened part of the coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator; The coolant introduced into the first valve through the branch pipeline is introduced into the chiller along the part of the battery coolant pipeline connecting the chiller and the first valve; The coolant passing through the chiller is introduced into the first valve along the opened chiller connection pipeline, and then circulates in the coolant pipeline connected to the electrical components through the first valve; Through the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline respectively form independent closed loops; In the heating device, through the operation of the third water pump, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline; The battery cooling device and the air conditioner are deactivated; And In the centralized energy device, each component operates so that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, When the low-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle is executed: Through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline are opened; In the cooling device, based on the branch pipeline, the parts of the coolant pipeline respectively connected to the radiator and the liquid storage tank are closed, and through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant passing through the electrical components circulates along the opened branch pipeline and the opened part of the coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator; The coolant introduced into the first valve through the branch pipeline is introduced into the chiller along the part of the battery coolant pipeline connecting the chiller and the first valve; The coolant passing through the chiller is introduced into the first valve along the opened chiller connection pipeline, and then circulates in the coolant pipeline connected to the electrical components through the first valve; The battery cooling device is deactivated; Through the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline respectively form independent closed loops; In the heating device, through the operation of the third water pump, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline; In the centralized energy device, each component operates such that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline; and In the air conditioner, through the operation of the fourth water pump, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline in a state where the connection with the battery coolant pipeline is closed.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein, When the high-temperature dehumidification mode of the vehicle is executed: Through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline are closed; In the cooling device, through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant circulates in the coolant pipeline; The battery cooling device is deactivated; In the heating device, through the operation of the second valve, the coolant pipeline and the heating pipeline are connected so that the coolant is supplied from the cooling device, and through the operation of the third water pump, the coolant circulates along the heating pipeline; In the centralized energy device, each component operates such that the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipeline; and In the air conditioner, through the operation of the fourth water pump, the coolant circulates along the cooling pipeline in a state where the connection with the battery coolant pipeline is closed.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, When cooling the electrical components and the battery module by using the coolant: Through the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline is closed; Through the operation of the first valve, the chiller connection pipeline is opened; Through the operation of the first valve, the part of the battery coolant pipeline connecting the chiller and the first valve is closed; Through the operation of the first valve, the coolant pipeline connecting the liquid storage tank and the first valve is connected to the battery coolant pipeline; Through the operation of the first water pump, the coolant cooled in the radiator and stored in the liquid storage tank is supplied to the electrical components; By the operations of the first water pump and the second water pump, the coolant cooled in the radiator passes through the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline from the first valve; And The coolant passing through the battery module is introduced from the chiller into the first valve along the opened chiller connection pipeline, and then is supplied to the electrical components while flowing along the coolant pipeline connected to the first water pump.

18. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, When in the heating mode of the vehicle and utilizing the waste heat of the electrical components without the operation of the centralized energy device: By the operation of the first valve, the branch pipeline and the chiller connection pipeline are opened; In the cooling device, based on the branch pipeline, the coolant pipeline connecting to the radiator, the liquid storage tank and the first valve is closed; By the operation of the first valve, the battery coolant pipeline except the battery coolant pipeline connecting to the chiller is closed; In the heating device, by the operation of the second valve, the heating pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline; The coolant whose temperature rises while passing through the electrical components by the operation of the first water pump is supplied to the heating pipeline connected to the opened coolant pipeline without passing through the radiator; By the operation of the third water pump, the coolant introduced into the heating pipeline is supplied to the heater; The coolant discharged from the heater is introduced into the first valve along the opened coolant pipeline and the opened branch pipeline; The coolant introduced into the first valve passes through the chiller along the opened part of the battery coolant pipeline and then is re-introduced into the first valve along the opened chiller connection pipeline; And The coolant re-introduced into the first valve is supplied to the electrical components along the opened coolant pipeline.

19. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid storage tank is arranged 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, and When the coolant circulates to the coolant pipeline by the operation of the first water pump, the supply pipeline is connected to the coolant pipeline.

20. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cooling device further includes a first coolant heater, and the first coolant heater is arranged on the battery coolant pipeline between the battery module and the chiller, When heating the battery module, the first coolant heater operates to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the battery coolant pipeline, The heating device further includes a second coolant heater, and the second coolant heater is arranged on the heating pipeline between the third water pump and the heater, and When the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater is lower than the target temperature, the second coolant heater operates.

Images