Vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

A vehicle air conditioning system is provided, which optimizes refrigeration and heating efficiency by air-conditioning front and rear rows using a heat pump, thereby preventing refrigeration and heating energy from being wasted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle air conditioning system that performs air conditioning on a front row and a rear row by using a heat pump and achieves optimization of air conditioning efficiency during cooling and heating. BACKGROUND

[0002] Recently, the emergence of an electric vehicle is to solve social problems such as the implementation of an environmental-friendly technology and energy consumption. The electric vehicle operates by using a motor that outputs energy by receiving power from a battery. Since the electric vehicle has advantages of no carbon dioxide emission, little noise, and a motor having higher energy efficiency than an engine, the electric vehicle has been attracting attention as an environmental-friendly vehicle.

[0003] A core technology to implement such an electric vehicle is a technology related to a battery module. Recently, researches on weight reduction and miniaturization of a battery, shortening of a charging time, etc. have been actively conducted. The battery module needs to be used in an optimal temperature environment to maintain optimal performance and a long lifespan. However, it is difficult to achieve use in the optimal temperature environment due to heat generated during operation and a change in external temperature.

[0004] The electric vehicle uses an electric heating device for indoor heating in winter since there is no waste heat generated by combustion in a separate engine unlike an internal combustion engine. In addition, the electric vehicle uses a separate electrically-driven cooling water heating type heater since preheating is required to improve charging and discharging performance of the battery in cold weather conditions. In other words, in order to maintain the optimal temperature environment of the battery module, a technology of operating a cooling and heating system for controlling the temperature of the battery module separately from a cooling and heating system for an indoor air conditioner in a vehicle has been used.

[0005] In the case of an air conditioner system for a vehicle indoor air conditioner, in order to significantly reduce energy consumption, a heat pump technology for significantly reducing heating energy consumption to increase a driving range has been applied. In particular, since a front row uses a heat pump in an indoor space while a rear row does not use a heat pump, air conditioning efficiency is reduced.

[0006] The description provided as the background of the related art is merely provided to assist in understanding the background of the present application, and should not be considered as corresponding to the related art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY

[0007] An object of the present application is to provide a vehicle air conditioning system that performs air conditioning on a front row and a rear row by using a heat pump to optimize cooling and heating efficiency, thereby preventing cooling and heating energy from being wasted.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present application, a vehicle air conditioning system includes: a compressor compressing a refrigerant; an external heat exchanger condensing the refrigerant; a first air conditioner including: an internal heat exchanger performing heat exchange of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a first expansion mechanism expanding the refrigerant transferred from the external heat exchanger; and a first evaporator evaporating the refrigerant passing through the first expansion mechanism to provide air conditioning air to an indoor space of a vehicle; and a second air conditioner including: a second expansion mechanism expanding the refrigerant transferred from the external heat exchanger; and a second evaporator evaporating the refrigerant passing through the second expansion mechanism to provide air conditioning air to the indoor space of the vehicle at a location different from that of the first air conditioner.

[0009] The vehicle air conditioning system can further include: a first circulation line connected from the compressor to the internal heat exchanger; a first refrigerant line connected from the internal heat exchanger to the external heat exchanger, and the first refrigerant line including a third expansion mechanism provided at a front end of the external heat exchanger; a second refrigerant line connected from the external heat exchanger to the compressor, the first expansion mechanism, and the second expansion mechanism, and wherein a first valve is provided on a line connected to the compressor; a third refrigerant line branched from the first refrigerant line at a front end of the third expansion mechanism, connected to the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism, and a second valve is provided on the third refrigerant line; and a second circulation line connected from the first evaporator and the second evaporator to the compressor.

[0010] The first air conditioner can further include: a first door for controlling air conditioning air passing through the first evaporator to pass through the internal heat exchanger or bypass the internal heat exchanger; and a first heater disposed adjacent to the internal heat exchanger and generating heat.

[0011] The second air conditioner can further include: a second heater providing heat to air conditioning air passing through the second evaporator; and a second door for controlling air conditioning air passing through the second evaporator and the second heater to be discharged to an indoor space of a vehicle or the outside.

[0012] The vehicle air conditioning system can further include a control unit controlling overall operation according to a desired temperature of air conditioning air discharged through the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner and a preset mode.

[0013] In a heating mode using the first air conditioner, the control unit can circulate refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the external heat exchanger through the first refrigerant line and the second refrigerant line and back to the compressor. The control unit can also circulate a portion of the refrigerant through the second expansion mechanism and the second evaporator through the third refrigerant line, the control unit can circulate air-conditioned air through the first evaporator by adjusting the first door, and the control unit can circulate air-conditioned air through the second evaporator by adjusting the second door.

[0014] The control unit can close the first valve and the second valve, de-energize the first heater and the second heater, expand the refrigerant by the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism, and fully open the third expansion mechanism to pass the refrigerant therethrough.

[0015] In a heating mode using the first air conditioner, the control unit can circulate refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the external heat exchanger through the first refrigerant line and the second refrigerant line and back to the compressor. The control unit can also circulate a portion of the refrigerant through the second expansion mechanism and the second evaporator through the third refrigerant line, the control unit can circulate air-conditioned air through the first evaporator by adjusting the first door, and the control unit can circulate air-conditioned air through the second evaporator by adjusting the second door.

[0016] The control unit can open the first valve and the second valve, energize the first heater, close the first expansion mechanism, and expand the refrigerant by the second expansion mechanism and the third expansion mechanism.

[0017] In a heating mode using the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner, the control unit can circulate refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the external heat exchanger through the first refrigerant line and the second refrigerant line and back to the compressor. The control unit can also energize the second heater, the control unit can circulate air-conditioned air through the internal heat exchanger by adjusting the first door, and the control unit can circulate air-conditioned air through the second evaporator by adjusting the second door.

[0018] The control unit can open the first valve, close the second valve, energize the first heater, close the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism, and expand the refrigerant by the third expansion mechanism.

[0019] In the dehumidification mode using the first air conditioner, the control unit can circulate the refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the external heat exchanger through the first refrigerant line, the second refrigerant line, and the third refrigerant line, and the control unit circulates the refrigerant in the first expansion mechanism and the first evaporator and in the second expansion mechanism and the second evaporator. The control unit can also cause a portion of the air-conditioned air passing through the first evaporator to pass through the internal heat exchanger by adjusting the first door. The control unit can also cause the air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator to be discharged to the outside by adjusting the second door.

[0020] The control unit can close the first valve, open the second valve, cause the first heater to operate, cause the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism to expand the refrigerant, and fully open the third expansion mechanism.

[0021] In the defrosting mode, the control unit circulates the refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the second expansion mechanism, and the second evaporator through the first refrigerant line and the third refrigerant line. The control unit can also cause the air-conditioned air passing through the first evaporator to pass through the internal heat exchanger by adjusting the first door, and the control unit causes the air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator to be discharged to the outside by adjusting the second door.

[0022] The control unit can close the first valve, open the second valve, close the first expansion mechanism and the third expansion mechanism, and cause the second expansion mechanism to expand the refrigerant.

[0023] The first air conditioner can be configured to provide air-conditioned air to a front row of the vehicle, and the second air conditioner can be configured to provide air-conditioned air to a rear row of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram for describing Figure 1 a refrigeration mode in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for describing Figure 1 a heating mode using the first air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram for describing Figure 1 a heating mode using the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram for describing Figure 1 a dehumidification mode using the first air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;

[0029] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram for describing a defrosting mode using the first air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, a vehicle air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present application is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a vehicle air conditioning system according to the present application. Figure 2 is a circuit diagram for describing a cooling mode in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for describing a heating mode using the first air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 Figure 4 is a circuit diagram for describing a heating mode using the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 Figure 5 is a circuit diagram for describing a dehumidifying mode using the first air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 Figure 6 is a circuit diagram for describing a defrosting mode using the first air conditioner in the vehicle air conditioning system shown in Figure 1

[0032] As shown in Figure 1 the vehicle air conditioning system according to the present application includes a compressor 10 compressing a refrigerant, an external heat exchanger 20 condensing the refrigerant, and a first air conditioner 30. The first air conditioner includes an internal heat exchanger 31 performing heat exchange of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10, a first expansion mechanism 32 expanding the refrigerant transferred from the external heat exchanger 20, and a first evaporator 33 evaporating the refrigerant passing through the first expansion mechanism 32 to provide air conditioning air to an interior of a vehicle, i.e., an indoor space of the vehicle. The vehicle air conditioning system also includes a second air conditioner 40 including a second expansion mechanism 41 expanding the refrigerant transferred from the external heat exchanger 20, and a second evaporator 42 evaporating the refrigerant passing through the second expansion mechanism 41 to provide air conditioning air to the indoor space of the vehicle at a position different from that of the first air conditioner 30.

[0033] ​​​​​​The compressor 10 can be installed in a vehicle, and the external heat exchanger 20 can be installed to radiate or absorb heat by external air. The first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40 are installed in the vehicle, and provide air-conditioned air to an indoor space of the vehicle at different locations of the indoor space, respectively. In other words, the first air conditioner 30 is configured to provide air-conditioned air to a front row, and the second air conditioner 40 is configured to provide air-conditioned air to a rear row, so that air-conditioning using a heat pump can be performed on the front row and the rear row.

[0034] By doing so, when the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 circulates in the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40, air-conditioned air can be provided to each of the front row and the rear row. In other words, for the front row, refrigeration can be performed by the first evaporator 33 of the first air conditioner 30, or heating can be performed by the internal heat exchanger 31. For the rear row, refrigeration can be performed by the second evaporator 42 of the second air conditioner 40, or heating can be performed by a heating device as described below.

[0035] According to the present disclosure, the vehicle air conditioning system can further include a first circulation line L1 connected from the compressor 10 to the internal heat exchanger 31. The vehicle air conditioning system can also include a first refrigerant line L2 connected from the internal heat exchanger 31 to the external heat exchanger 20, and including a third expansion mechanism 51 provided at a front end of the external heat exchanger 20. The vehicle air conditioning system can also include a second refrigerant line L3 connected from the external heat exchanger 20 to the compressor 10, the first expansion mechanism 32, and the second expansion mechanism 41, in which a first valve 52 is provided on a line connected to the compressor 10. The vehicle air conditioning system can also include a third refrigerant line L4 branched from the first refrigerant line L2 at a front end of the third expansion mechanism 51, connected to the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41, and in which a second valve 53 is provided on the third refrigerant line L4. The vehicle air conditioning system can also include a second circulation line L5 connected from the first evaporator 33 and the second evaporator 42 to the compressor 10.

[0036] Accordingly, the refrigerant circulates in each of the circulation lines and each of the refrigerant lines. The direction of circulation of the refrigerant changes with the opening and closing of the plurality of expansion mechanisms and the plurality of valves, so that air-conditioned air at a desired temperature can be provided through the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40.

[0037] The first expansion mechanism 32, the second expansion mechanism 41, and the third expansion mechanism 51 can be implemented by electronic expansion valves, respectively. Accordingly, when each of the expansion mechanisms is opened to the maximum, the refrigerant passes as is without expansion. In contrast, when the opening degree of each of the expansion mechanisms is reduced to the minimum, the refrigerant can not pass.

[0038] The first valve 52 and the second valve 53 are configured to selectively allow distribution of refrigerant through the installed refrigerant lines.

[0039] Therefore, the circulation direction of the refrigerant circulating in the first circulation line L1, the first refrigerant line L2, the second refrigerant line L3, the third refrigerant line L4, and the second circulation line L5 can be changed by the first expansion mechanism 32, the second expansion mechanism 41, the third expansion mechanism 51, the first valve 52, and the second valve 53. Therefore, air conditioning is performed on the front row and the second row by the internal heat exchanger 31, the first evaporator 33, and the second evaporator 42.

[0040] The first air conditioner 30 further includes a first door 34 for controlling air-conditioned air passing through the first evaporator 33 to pass through the internal heat exchanger 31 or bypass the internal heat exchanger 31. The first air conditioner 30 further includes a first heater 35 disposed adjacent to the internal heat exchanger 31 and generating heat.

[0041] The second air conditioner 40 further includes a second heater 43 for providing heat to air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator 42 and a second door 44 for controlling air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator 42 and the second heater 43 to be discharged to an indoor space of the vehicle or the outside.

[0042] The first heater 35 and the second heater 43 are each implemented by a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. The first door 34 and the second door 44 each change a movement path of air-conditioned air distributed through the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40.

[0043] In particular, in the first air conditioner 30, air is cooled by the first evaporator 33 and heated by the internal heat exchanger 31 and the first heater 35. Therefore, the air temperature is adjusted according to the open position of the first door 34. In the second air conditioner 40, the second evaporator 42 cools air, and the second heater 43 heats the air, thereby adjusting the temperature of the air according to whether the second evaporator 42 and the second heater 43 are operated. The air-conditioned air having the adjusted temperature is discharged to the indoor space of the vehicle or the outside according to the open position of the second door 44.

[0044] Therefore, in the present application, cooling and heating of the front row and the second row can be optimized.

[0045] A detailed description thereof is as follows.

[0046] According to the present application, the vehicle air conditioning system can further include a control unit 100 that controls the overall operation according to a desired temperature of air conditioning air discharged through the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40. The vehicle air conditioning system can also include a preset mode. In other words, the control unit 100 can control the first expansion mechanism 32, the second expansion mechanism 41, the third expansion mechanism 51, the first valve 52, the second valve 53, the first heater 35, and the second heater 43, and can provide various air conditioning air according to a desired indoor temperature or various modes.

[0047] Specifically, the control unit 100 can implement a cooling mode using the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40. As shown, the control unit 100 can flow a refrigerant through the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the third expansion mechanism 51, and the external heat exchanger 20 through the first circulation line L1, the first refrigerant line L2, and the second refrigerant line L3. The control unit 100 can also circulate the refrigerant in the first expansion mechanism 32 and the first evaporator 33 and the second expansion mechanism 41 and the second evaporator 42. In addition, the control unit 100 causes air conditioning air passing through the first evaporator 33 to bypass the internal heat exchanger 31 by adjusting the first door 34 and to be discharged to an indoor space of the vehicle. The control unit 100 also causes air conditioning air passing through the second evaporator 42 to be discharged to the indoor space of the vehicle by adjusting the second door 44. Figure 2

[0048] The control unit 100 can close the first valve 52 and the second valve 53, cause the first heater 35 and the second heater 43 not to operate, cause the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41 to expand the refrigerant, and fully open the third expansion mechanism 51 to the maximum to pass the refrigerant therethrough.

[0049] In other words, in the cooling mode, cooling of air is performed through the first evaporator 33 and the second evaporator 42. To this end, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 passes through the internal heat exchanger 31, flows through the third expansion mechanism 51 and the external heat exchanger 20, and moves to the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41. In this example, the third expansion mechanism 51 is fully open such that the refrigerant is not expanded, and the high-temperature refrigerant is cooled by the external heat exchanger 20. When the refrigerant moving to the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41 is expanded by the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41, and the refrigerant is evaporated in the first evaporator 33 and the second evaporator 42, cooling of air is performed. Accordingly, the first air conditioner 30 can generate cooling air through circulation of the refrigerant in the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the first expansion mechanism 32, and the first evaporator 33. Likewise, the second air conditioner 40 can generate cooling air through circulation of the refrigerant in the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the second expansion mechanism 41, and the second evaporator 42.​

[0050] Furthermore, in the first air conditioner 30, when the first door 34 is adjusted so that the air is not distributed to the interior heat exchanger 31, bypasses the interior heat exchanger 31, and is discharged into the interior space of the vehicle, the air cooled by the first evaporator 33 can be supplied to the front row of the interior space of the vehicle. In the second air conditioner 40, when the second door 44 is adjusted so that the air is not distributed to the outside, the air cooled by the second evaporator 42 can be supplied to the rear row of the interior space of the vehicle.

[0051] The control unit 100 may implement a heating mode using the first air conditioner 30. In this case, heated air is supplied only to the front row and not to the rear row. Figure 3 As shown, the control unit 100 can cause the refrigerant to flow through the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the third expansion mechanism 51, and the external heat exchanger 20 via the first refrigerant line L2 and the second refrigerant line L3. The control unit 100 can also recirculate the refrigerant to the compressor 10 and cause a portion of the refrigerant to circulate through the second expansion mechanism 41 and the second evaporator 42 via the third refrigerant line L4. Furthermore, the control unit 100 can adjust the first door 34 to allow the conditioned air that has passed through the first evaporator 33 to flow through the first evaporator 33, and adjust the second door 44 to allow the conditioned air that has passed through the second evaporator 42 to be discharged to the outside. Furthermore, the control unit 100 can open the first valve 52 and the second valve 53, operate the first heater 35, deactivate the first expansion mechanism 32, and cause the second expansion mechanism 41 and the third expansion mechanism 51 to expand the refrigerant. In this example, whether to operate the first heater 35 is determined based on the desired temperature of the conditioned air.

[0052] In other words, in the heating mode using the first air conditioner 30, heating air can be formed by heating air through the internal heat exchanger 31. The air conditioner air is heated by the heat radiation of the internal heat exchanger 31 using the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10, so that the heating air can be supplied to the indoor space of the vehicle. In this example, by driving the first heater 35 according to the temperature of the air conditioner air, the temperature of the air conditioner air that cannot be achieved using only the internal heat exchanger 31 can be achieved. The refrigerant passing through the internal heat exchanger 31 moves to the second refrigerant line L3 and the third refrigerant line L4 through the first refrigerant line L2. When the third expansion mechanism 51 is controlled to expand the refrigerant, the expanded refrigerant moves to the external heat exchanger 20 and the external heat exchanger 20 absorbs external heat. In addition, when the first valve 52 is opened, the refrigerant, the temperature of which is increased after passing through the external heat exchanger 20, is circulated to the compressor 10, thereby improving the compression efficiency of the compressor 10. In addition, when the second valve 53 is opened, the portion of the refrigerant condensed by the internal heat exchanger 31 moves to the third refrigerant line L4. When the first expansion mechanism 32 is closed and the second expansion mechanism 41 is controlled to expand the refrigerant, the refrigerant is evaporated in the second evaporator 42. The second door 44 is adjusted to discharge the cooling air formed by the second expansion mechanism 41 to the outside.

[0053] In this way, in the first air conditioner 30, when the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 is supplied to the internal heat exchanger 31, heating air is formed by the internal heat exchanger 31. The first door 34 can be adjusted so that the air conditioner air passes through the internal heat exchanger 31.

[0054] In particular, when the refrigerant passing through the internal heat exchanger 31 is circulated to the third expansion mechanism 51, the external heat exchanger 20, and the compressor 10, the refrigerant, the temperature of which is increased after flowing through the external heat exchanger 20, is circulated to the compressor 10, thereby improving the efficiency of the compressor 10. In addition, a portion of the refrigerant passing through the internal heat exchanger 31 is expanded in the second expansion mechanism 41, and the second evaporator 42 absorbs the heat of the portion of the refrigerant. Therefore, the heat radiated to the outside is recovered through the second air conditioner 40, thereby improving the performance of the heat pump.

[0055] The control unit 100 can use the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40 to implement the heating mode. When the second air conditioner 40 also needs to be used in the heating mode, the second evaporator 42 should not be operated. Therefore, cooling and heating using a heat pump are not implemented.

[0056] As Figure 4As shown, the control unit 100 can cause the refrigerant to flow through the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the third expansion mechanism 51, and the external heat exchanger 20 through the first refrigerant line L2 and the second refrigerant line L3. The control unit 100 can also cause the refrigerant to be circulated to the compressor 10, can cause the second heater 43 to operate, can cause air-conditioning air passing through the first evaporator 33 to pass through the internal heat exchanger 31 by adjusting the first door 34, and can cause air-conditioning air passing through the second evaporator 42 to be discharged to the indoor space of the vehicle by adjusting the second door 44.

[0057] Further, the control unit 100 can open the first valve 52, close the second valve 53, cause the first heater 35 to operate, close the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41, and cause the third expansion mechanism 51 to expand the refrigerant.

[0058] In the heating mode using the first air conditioner 30 and the second air conditioner 40, the first air conditioner 30 can form heated air by heating air through the internal heat exchanger 31. The second air conditioner 40 can form heated air through the second heater 43. In other words, in the first air conditioner 30, air-conditioning air is heated by heat radiation of the internal heat exchanger 31 using refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10, so that heated air can be provided to the indoor space of the vehicle. In this example, by driving the first heater 35 according to the temperature of the air-conditioning air, a temperature of the air-conditioning air that cannot be achieved using only the internal heat exchanger 31 can be achieved. In the second air conditioner 40, since cooling air is generated when the second evaporator 42 is driven, the air-conditioning air is heated using only the second heater 43.

[0059] Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the internal heat exchanger 31 passes through the first refrigerant line L2 and moves to the second refrigerant line L3. When the third expansion mechanism 51 is controlled to expand the refrigerant, the expanded refrigerant moves to the external heat exchanger 20, and the external heat exchanger 20 absorbs external heat. Further, when the first valve 52 is open, the refrigerant, which has increased in temperature after passing through the external heat exchanger 20, is circulated to the compressor 10, thereby improving the compression efficiency in the compressor 10. The first expansion mechanism 32 is closed, so that heat absorption is not performed through the first evaporator 33. Further, the first heater 35 is operated to heat air-conditioning air together with the internal heat exchanger 31. The first door 34 is adjusted so that the air-conditioning air passes through the internal heat exchanger 31 and the first heater 35. As a result, heated air formed by the first air conditioner 30 can be provided to the front row in the indoor space of the vehicle.

[0060] Second valve 53 and second expansion mechanism 41 are closed. Consequently, refrigerant does not circulate in third refrigerant line L4, and thus does not absorb heat through second evaporator 42. In other words, in second air conditioner 40, since only second heater 43 is in operation, conditioned air is heated by second heater 43 to form heated air. When second door 44 is opened, conditioned air can flow into the vehicle's interior, providing heated air to the rear seats within the vehicle's interior.

[0061] The control unit 100 may implement a dehumidification mode using the first air conditioner 30 .

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, the control unit 100 can cause the refrigerant to pass through the first refrigerant line L2, the second refrigerant line L3, and the third refrigerant line L4 through the compressor 10, the interior heat exchanger 31, the third expansion mechanism 51, and the exterior heat exchanger 20. The control unit 100 can also cause the refrigerant to circulate through the first expansion mechanism 32 and the first evaporator 33, and through the second expansion mechanism 41 and the second evaporator 42. The control unit 100 can also cause a portion of the conditioned air that has passed through the first evaporator 33 to pass through the interior heat exchanger 31 by adjusting the first door 34. The control unit 100 can also cause the conditioned air that has passed through the second evaporator 42 to be discharged outdoors by adjusting the second door 44.

[0063] In addition, the control unit 100 may close the first valve 52 , open the second valve 53 , operate the first heater 35 , enable the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41 to expand the refrigerant, and fully open the third expansion mechanism 51 .

[0064] In other words, in dehumidification mode, dry air is generated by the first evaporator 33 and supplied to the vehicle's interior. However, when the first evaporator 33 is in operation, the air is cooled. Therefore, the temperature of the conditioned air is adjusted by the internal heat exchanger 31. The interior temperature is adjusted by operating the first heater 35 as needed and adjusting the opening position of the first door 34.

[0065] Specifically, the refrigerant passing through the internal heat exchanger 31 passes through the first refrigerant line L2 and moves to the second refrigerant line L3 and the third refrigerant line L4. In other words, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 passes through the internal heat exchanger 31, the third expansion mechanism 51, and the external heat exchanger 20, and moves to the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41. In this example, the third expansion mechanism 51 is fully opened so that the refrigerant is not expanded, and the high-temperature refrigerant is radiated by the external heat exchanger 20. When the refrigerant moving to the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41 is expanded by the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41 and the refrigerant is evaporated in the first evaporator 33 and the second evaporator 42, cooling of air is performed. Dry air can be formed by evaporating the refrigerant through the first evaporator 33. The second evaporator 42 absorbs heat of the circulating air to increase the temperature of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant with the increased temperature is circulated to the compressor 10. As a result, the efficiency of the compressor 10 is improved.

[0066] In addition, the first valve 52 is closed, and the second valve 53 is opened so that the refrigerant is also circulated to the first refrigerant line L2 and the third refrigerant line L4. As a result, the circulation of the refrigerant moving to the first expansion mechanism 32 and the second expansion mechanism 41 can become smoother.

[0067] Therefore, in the first air conditioner 30, dry air is formed, and the opening position of the first door 34 is adjusted according to the required indoor temperature so that the cooling air passing through the first evaporator 33 and the heating air passing through the internal heat exchanger 31 and the first heater 35 are combined to reach the required indoor temperature.

[0068] In the second air conditioner 40, the second door 44 is adjusted so that the cooling air formed by the second evaporator 42 is discharged to the outside.

[0069] Therefore, in the dehumidification mode, dehumidified air can be formed by using the first evaporator 33 in the first air conditioner 30. As the dehumidification proceeds, the cooled air is reheated by the internal heat exchanger 31 and the first heater 35 to adjust the indoor temperature. In addition, the second evaporator 42 is operated to increase the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the internal heat exchanger 31, and thus the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the compressor 10 is increased, and the amount of heat radiation of the internal heat exchanger 31 is increased, so that the use of the first heater 35 can be reduced.

[0070] The control unit 100 can implement a defrosting mode. In the case of low outside temperature, heating is performed, and thus the internal heat exchanger 31 is not operated. As a result, frost is formed on the internal heat exchanger 31 due to the influence of the outside weather. To solve such a problem, the defrosting mode is provided in the control unit 100.

[0071] AsFigure 6 As shown, in the defrosting mode, the control unit 100 can circulate the refrigerant through the first refrigerant line L2 and the third refrigerant line L4 in the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the second expansion mechanism 41, and the second evaporator 42. The control unit 100 can also pass the air-conditioning air passing through the first evaporator 33 through the internal heat exchanger 31 by adjusting the first door 34. The control unit 100 can also discharge the air-conditioning air passing through the second evaporator 42 to the outside by adjusting the second door 44.

[0072] Further, the control unit 100 can close the first valve 52, open the second valve 53, operate the first heater 35, close the first expansion mechanism 32 and the third expansion mechanism 51, and cause the second expansion mechanism 41 to expand the refrigerant.

[0073] In other words, when the outside temperature is low, the defrosting mode can be activated, and the internal heat exchanger 31 is operated to remove frost.

[0074] Specifically, the refrigerant passes through the first circulation line L1 and the first refrigerant line L2, and moves to the third refrigerant line L4. In other words, when the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 passes through the internal heat exchanger, the temperature of the internal heat exchanger 31 increases, so that the frost is removed. When the first valve 52, the first expansion mechanism 32, and the third expansion mechanism 51 are closed and the second valve 53 is opened, the refrigerant flowing through the internal heat exchanger 31 moves to the second expansion mechanism 41. After the second expansion mechanism 41 expands the refrigerant, the refrigerant moves to the second evaporator 42. Thus, when the refrigerant circulates in the compressor 10, the internal heat exchanger 31, the second expansion mechanism 41, and the second evaporator 42, the frost can be removed by the heat generated by the internal heat exchanger 31.

[0075] The vehicle air conditioning system having the above-described structure optimizes the refrigeration and heating efficiency by air-conditioning the front and rear rows using a heat pump, thereby preventing the refrigeration and heating energy from being wasted.

[0076] While the present application has been shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a compressor compressing a refrigerant; an external heat exchanger condensing the refrigerant; a first air conditioner including an internal heat exchanger performing heat exchange of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a first expansion mechanism expanding the refrigerant transferred from the external heat exchanger, and a first evaporator evaporating the refrigerant passing through the first expansion mechanism to provide air conditioning air to an indoor space of the vehicle; and a second air conditioner including a second expansion mechanism expanding the refrigerant transferred from the external heat exchanger, and a second evaporator evaporating the refrigerant passing through the second expansion mechanism to provide air conditioning air to the indoor space of the vehicle at a position different from that of the first air conditioner, the vehicle air conditioning system further comprising: a first circulation line connecting from the compressor to the internal heat exchanger; a first refrigerant line connecting from the internal heat exchanger to the external heat exchanger, and including a third expansion mechanism provided at a front end of the external heat exchanger; a second refrigerant line connecting from the external heat exchanger to the compressor, the first expansion mechanism, and the second expansion mechanism, and in which a first valve is provided on a line connected to the compressor; a third refrigerant line branching from the first refrigerant line at a front end of the third expansion mechanism, connecting with the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism, and on which a second valve is provided; and a second circulation line connecting from the first evaporator and the second evaporator to the compressor.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein, the first air conditioner further comprising: a first door for controlling air conditioning air passing through the first evaporator to pass through the internal heat exchanger or bypass the internal heat exchanger; and a first heater disposed adjacent to the internal heat exchanger and generating heat.

3. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 2, wherein, the second air conditioner further comprising: a second heater providing heat to air conditioning air passing through the second evaporator; and a second door for controlling air conditioning air passing through the second evaporator and the second heater to be discharged to the indoor space of the vehicle or the outside.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 3, further comprising: a control unit controlling overall operation according to a required temperature and a preset mode of air conditioning air discharged through the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner.

5. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein, In a heating mode using the first air conditioner, the control unit circulates refrigerant through the first refrigerant line and the second refrigerant line, through the compressor, the interior heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the exterior heat exchanger and back to the compressor, the control unit circulates a portion of the refrigerant through the third refrigerant line, through the second expansion mechanism and the second evaporator, the control unit causes air-conditioned air passing through the first evaporator to flow through the first evaporator by adjusting the first door, and the control unit causes air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator to be discharged to the outside by adjusting the second door.

6. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 5, wherein, The control unit: opens the first valve and the second valve, causes the first heater to operate, closes the first expansion mechanism, and causes the second expansion mechanism and the third expansion mechanism to expand refrigerant.

7. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein, In a heating mode using the first air conditioner, the control unit circulates refrigerant through the first refrigerant line and the second refrigerant line, through the compressor, the interior heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the exterior heat exchanger and back to the compressor, the control unit circulates a portion of the refrigerant through the third refrigerant line, through the second expansion mechanism and the second evaporator, the control unit causes air-conditioned air passing through the first evaporator to flow through the first evaporator by adjusting the first door, and the control unit causes air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator to be discharged to the outside by adjusting the second door.

8. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 7, wherein, The control unit: opens the first valve and the second valve, causes the first heater to operate, closes the first expansion mechanism, and causes the second expansion mechanism and the third expansion mechanism to expand refrigerant.

9. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein, In a heating mode using the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner, the control unit circulates refrigerant through the first refrigerant line and the second refrigerant line, through the compressor, the interior heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the exterior heat exchanger and back to the compressor, the control unit causes the second heater to operate, the control unit causes air-conditioned air passing through the first evaporator to flow through the interior heat exchanger by adjusting the first door, and the control unit causes air-conditioned air passing through the second evaporator to be discharged to the indoor space of the vehicle by adjusting the second door.

10. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 9, wherein, The control unit: opens the first valve, closes the second valve, causes the first heater to operate, closes the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism, and causes the third expansion mechanism to expand refrigerant.

11. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein, In a dehumidification mode of use of the first air conditioner, the control unit circulates refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the third expansion mechanism, and the external heat exchanger through the first refrigerant line, the second refrigerant line, and the third refrigerant line, and the control unit circulates refrigerant in the first expansion mechanism and the first evaporator and in the second expansion mechanism and the second evaporator, the control unit causes a portion of air-conditioned air that passes through the first evaporator to pass through the internal heat exchanger by adjusting the first door, and the control unit causes air-conditioned air that passes through the second evaporator to be discharged to the outside by adjusting the second door.

12. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 11, wherein, The control unit: closes the first valve, opens the second valve, causes the first heater to operate, causes the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism to expand refrigerant, and fully opens the third expansion mechanism.

13. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein, In a defrost mode, the control unit circulates refrigerant through the compressor, the internal heat exchanger, the second expansion mechanism, and the second evaporator through the first refrigerant line and the third refrigerant line, the control unit causes air-conditioned air that passes through the first evaporator to pass through the internal heat exchanger by adjusting the first door, and the control unit causes air-conditioned air that passes through the second evaporator to be discharged to the outside by adjusting the second door.

14. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 13, wherein, The control unit: closes the first valve, opens the second valve, closes the first expansion mechanism and the third expansion mechanism, and causes the second expansion mechanism to expand refrigerant.

15. The vehicle air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein, The first air conditioner is configured to provide air-conditioned air to a front row of the vehicle, and the second air conditioner is configured to provide air-conditioned air to a rear row of the vehicle.

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