Heat pump system for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat pump system of a vehicle. The heat pump system of the vehicle adjusts the temperature of a battery module using one chiller in which a coolant and a refrigerant perform heat exchange, and improves heating efficiency using a sub-CE module (sub-centralized energy module) and waste heat of an electrical component in a heating mode of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0045211, filed on April 7, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a vehicle heat pump system for vehicles. More specifically, it relates to a heat pump system for regulating the temperature of a battery module by utilizing a quencher in which heat exchange occurs between a refrigerant and a coolant, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving heating performance. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, a vehicle's air conditioning system includes an air conditioning system for circulating coolant or refrigerant to heat or cool the vehicle's interior.

[0005] This type of air conditioner can maintain fresh air inside the vehicle by keeping the interior temperature at a suitable temperature regardless of changes in the outside temperature. The air conditioner is configured to heat or cool the vehicle interior by exchanging heat through a condenser and an evaporator in the following process: refrigerant discharged by driving the compressor is circulated back to the compressor through the condenser, receiver dryer, expansion valve, and evaporator.

[0006] In other words, in an air conditioner, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed by the condenser, and then evaporated by the evaporator after passing through the receiver, dryer, and expansion valve, in order to reduce the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle in cooling mode.

[0007] In recent years, with increasing attention to energy efficiency and environmental pollution, there is a need to develop an environmentally friendly vehicle that can largely replace internal combustion engine vehicles. Environmentally friendly vehicles are generally divided into electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Electric vehicles typically use fuel cells or electricity as a power source, while hybrid vehicles use an engine and a battery for propulsion.

[0008] Unlike air conditioning in regular vehicles, environmentally friendly electric and hybrid vehicles do not use a separate heater, and the air conditioning systems used in environmentally friendly vehicles are usually referred to as heat pump systems.

[0009] In the case of electric vehicles utilizing fuel cells, the chemical reaction of oxygen and hydrogen can be converted into electrical energy to generate driving force. In this process, heat energy is generated through the chemical reaction in the fuel cell. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively remove the generated heat to ensure the performance of the fuel cell.

[0010] Even in hybrid vehicles, driving force is generated by a drive motor (powered by electricity supplied by a fuel cell or battery) and an engine (powered by conventional fuel). Therefore, the performance of the motor can only be ensured by effectively removing the heat generated by the fuel cell or battery and the motor.

[0011] Therefore, in existing hybrid or electric vehicles, the battery cooling system, cooling unit, and heat pump system can be configured to have their own separate circuits to prevent the motor, electrical components, and battery (including fuel cell) from generating heat.

[0012] Therefore, the size and weight of the cooling module located at the front of the vehicle increase, and the arrangement of the connecting pipelines used to supply refrigerant or coolant to the heat pump system, cooling device, and battery cooling system in the engine compartment becomes more complicated.

[0013] Furthermore, because the battery cooling system is individually configured to heat or cool the battery according to the vehicle's condition so that the battery can operate in the best condition, multiple valves are used to connect the various connecting lines, resulting in noise and vibration being transmitted into the vehicle interior, leading to poor ride comfort.

[0014] In addition, when heating the interior of a vehicle, there are drawbacks such as reduced heating performance due to lack of heat source, increased power consumption due to the use of electric heaters, and increased power consumption of the compressor.

[0015] The information included in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Various aspects of the present invention are dedicated to providing a vehicle heat pump system that regulates the temperature of a battery module by utilizing a quencher in which a coolant and a refrigerant exchange heat, and improves heating performance in the vehicle’s heating mode by simultaneously utilizing waste heat from a secondary centralized energy module and electrical components.

[0017] Various aspects of the present invention aim to provide a vehicle heat pump system comprising: an air conditioner, a refrigerant connection line, a quencher, a secondary centralized energy (CE) module, and a gas injection unit; the air conditioner is fluidly connected to a first refrigerant line and includes a first condenser, a first expansion valve, a first evaporator, and a first compressor, wherein a first refrigerant circulates through the first refrigerant line; the refrigerant connection line connects a first portion of the first refrigerant line between the first condenser and the first evaporator and a second portion of the first refrigerant line between the first evaporator and the first compressor; the quencher is disposed in the refrigerant connection line and connected to electrical components and a battery module respectively via coolant lines, and allows coolant to be introduced into the quencher. The coolant exchanges heat with the first refrigerant; the secondary centralized energy (CE) module includes a second evaporator disposed in the refrigerant connection line, which is fluidly connected to the air conditioner via the refrigerant connection line or the first refrigerant line, and regulates the temperature of the first refrigerant by selectively exchanging the heat generated during the condensation and evaporation of the second refrigerant circulating along the second refrigerant line with the first refrigerant; the gas injection unit is disposed in the air conditioner to provide the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant line by bypassing a portion of the first refrigerant to the first compressor in the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode; wherein the quencher and the second evaporator can be arranged in parallel with the first evaporator via the refrigerant connection line.

[0018] The secondary CE module may include: a second compressor, a second condenser, a secondary expansion valve, and a second evaporator; the second compressor is configured to compress a second refrigerant; the second condenser is connected to the second compressor via a second refrigerant line and is configured to condense the compressed second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor by exchanging heat with a first refrigerant; the secondary expansion valve is connected to the second condenser via a second refrigerant line and is configured to expand the second refrigerant; the second evaporator is connected to the secondary expansion valve via a second refrigerant line and is configured to evaporate the second refrigerant supplied from the secondary expansion valve by exchanging heat with a first refrigerant introduced via a refrigerant connection line, so as to supply the evaporated second refrigerant to the second compressor.

[0019] The first condenser can be detachably connected to the second condenser and is located in the first refrigerant line.

[0020] The second evaporator can be detachably connected to the quencher and can be installed in the refrigerant connection line.

[0021] The second compressor can be configured as a whole with the first compressor.

[0022] The second expansion valve can be disposed between the quencher and the second evaporator to control the flow of the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher and selectively expand the first refrigerant; the second expansion valve can be detachably connected between the quencher and the second evaporator.

[0023] When the battery module is cooled by using a coolant that has undergone heat transfer with the first refrigerant, the second expansion valve can expand the first refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant connection line and introduce it into the quencher.

[0024] The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the auxiliary expansion valve can all be electronic expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling its flow.

[0025] The gas injection unit may include: a flash tank, a bypass line, a valve, and a third expansion valve; the flash tank is disposed in a first refrigerant line between a second condenser and a first expansion valve, and is configured to separate the first refrigerant passing through the first and second condensers into gaseous and liquid refrigerant and selectively discharge the gaseous and liquid refrigerant; the bypass line connects the flash tank and a first compressor to selectively supply gaseous first refrigerant from the flash tank to the first compressor; the valve is disposed in the bypass line; the third expansion valve is disposed between the first and second condensers and is configured to selectively expand the first refrigerant.

[0026] In the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode, the third expansion valve can expand the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser.

[0027] The third expansion valve can be detachably connected to the first condenser and the second condenser.

[0028] The gas injection unit may include: a plate heat exchanger, a bypass line, and a third expansion valve; the plate heat exchanger is disposed in a first refrigerant line between a first condenser and a first expansion valve; the bypass line includes a first end connected to the first refrigerant line between the first condenser and the plate heat exchanger and a second end passing through a second condenser and the plate heat exchanger and connected to a first compressor; the third expansion valve is disposed in the bypass line at the front end of the second condenser.

[0029] The second condenser can be installed in the bypass line between the first condenser and the plate heat exchanger; in the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode, the third expansion valve can expand the first refrigerant flowing into the bypass line through the first condenser.

[0030] The second compressor can be configured to have a capacity smaller than that of the first compressor.

[0031] The quencher and the second evaporator can be connected in parallel with the first evaporator via refrigerant connection lines.

[0032] In the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode, the gas injection unit can operate simultaneously with the sub-CE module.

[0033] The first condenser can be connected to the radiator and heater via a coolant line, and the first refrigerant can be condensed by exchanging heat with the coolant introduced into the first condenser.

[0034] The first condenser can supply the heater with the coolant that has increased in temperature when condensing the first refrigerant in the vehicle's heating mode, low temperature dehumidification mode, and high temperature dehumidification mode via the coolant line.

[0035] The quencher can be connected to the electrical components and battery module via coolant lines, and can absorb waste heat from the electrical components when the coolant introduced into the quencher exchanges heat with the first refrigerant, or supply the cryogenic coolant that has exchanged heat with the first refrigerant to the battery module.

[0036] The air conditioner may further include a receiver in a first refrigerant line disposed between the first evaporator and the first compressor; the refrigerant connection line may connect the first refrigerant line between the first condenser and the first expansion valve to the receiver, so that the first refrigerant passing through the quencher is introduced into the first compressor via the receiver.

[0037] The first refrigerant and the second refrigerant can be different refrigerants.

[0038] As described above, the heat pump system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can simplify the system by controlling the temperature of the battery module using a quencher in which refrigerant and coolant exchange heat.

[0039] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by simultaneously utilizing the waste heat from the auxiliary CE module and electrical components in the vehicle's heating mode, the total amount of refrigerant can be reduced and heating performance and efficiency can be improved, while minimizing the use of the electric heater.

[0040] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, manufacturing costs can be reduced by configuring the evaporator applied to the sub-CE module as a single unit detachably connected to the quencher and the compressor and condenser of the sub-CE module as single units detachably connected to the compressor and condenser applied to the air conditioner.

[0041] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the performance of the battery module can be optimized by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module, and the total driving range of the vehicle can be increased by effectively managing the battery module.

[0042] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, heating performance can be maximized by applying a gas injection unit to increase the refrigerant flow rate.

[0043] Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can simplify the entire system to reduce manufacturing costs and weight and improve space utilization.

[0044] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from or will be set forth in detail in or in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain the particular principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 A block diagram of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0046] Figure 2 An operational state diagram illustrating the cooling mode of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0047] Figure 3 An operational state diagram illustrating the heating modes of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0048] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle's heat pump system in a low-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle heat pump system in a high-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 6 A block diagram of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0051] Figure 7 An operational state diagram illustrating the cooling mode of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0052] Figure 8 An operational state diagram illustrating the heating modes of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0053] Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle's heat pump system in a low-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle heat pump system in a high-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] It is understood that the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but are appropriate simplified depictions to illustrate the various features of the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the invention as included herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific environment in which they are to be applied and used.

[0056] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or equivalent parts of the invention are indexed by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0058] In the following description, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Since the exemplary embodiments described in the specification and the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred exemplary embodiments and constructions of the present invention, they do not represent all the technical concepts of the present invention, and it is understood that various equivalent forms and modifications of the present invention may be substituted for the exemplary embodiments of the present invention at the time of filing this application.

[0060] For the purpose of clearly describing the invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same or similar constituent elements throughout the specification are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0061] Since the dimensions and thicknesses of each structure shown in the figures are arbitrarily illustrated for ease of description, the invention is not necessarily limited to the structures shown in the figures, and enlarged thicknesses are shown to clearly illustrate several parts and areas.

[0062] Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless explicitly described in the opposite sense, the words “comprising” and variations such as “including” or “included” will be understood to imply that the said element is included, but not to exclude any other element.

[0063] Furthermore, the terms used in the specification, such as “…unit”, “…device”, “…component” and “…building”, refer to a unit of integrated structure having at least one function or operation.

[0064] Figure 1 A block diagram of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat pump system can regulate the temperature of the battery module 9 by utilizing the quencher 25 in which the coolant and refrigerant exchange heat, and can improve the heating performance by simultaneously utilizing the waste heat of the sub-centralized energy (CE) module 30 and the electrical components 7.

[0066] Electrical component 7 may include a power control unit, an inverter, or an on-board charger (OBC). The power control unit or inverter may heat up while driving, and the charger may heat up while charging battery module 9.

[0067] Here, the heat pump system includes an air conditioner 10, a refrigerant connection line 21, a quencher 25, a secondary CE module 30, and a gas injection unit 50. The air conditioner 10 is an air conditioning device configured to cool or heat the interior of an electric vehicle.

[0068] In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the air conditioner 10 can be connected to each of the radiator 3, heater 5, electrical components 7, and battery module 9 via coolant lines 2. Here, the heater 5 may be located within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module.

[0069] The air conditioner 10 can be interconnected to a first refrigerant line 11 through which the first refrigerant circulates, and the air conditioner 10 may include a first condenser 12, a first expansion valve 14, a first evaporator 15, and a first compressor 17.

[0070] First, the first condenser 12 is connected to the first refrigerant line 11 so that the first refrigerant passes through the first condenser 12, and is connected to each of the radiator 3 and the heater 5 via the coolant line 2.

[0071] The first condenser 12 can exchange heat between the coolant flowing from the radiator 3 or heater 5 and the first refrigerant, so as to condense the first refrigerant.

[0072] In addition, the first condenser 12 can supply the coolant that has increased in temperature when condensing the first refrigerant in the vehicle's heating mode, low temperature dehumidification mode and high temperature dehumidification mode to the heater 5 through the coolant line 2.

[0073] The first condenser 12 configured in this manner can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which coolant is introduced.

[0074] The first expansion valve 14 can selectively expand the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 to introduce it into the first evaporator 15, or control the flow of the first refrigerant to the first evaporator 15.

[0075] Here, the first evaporator 15 is disposed within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module (not shown) connected to the first refrigerant line 11.

[0076] In the vehicle's cooling mode, the first evaporator 15 evaporates the first refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air. The outside air, cooled as it passes through the first evaporator 15, flows into the vehicle interior to cool it.

[0077] The first compressor 17 is connected between the first evaporator 15 and the first condenser 12 via a first refrigerant line 11. The first compressor 17 can compress the gaseous first refrigerant to supply the compressed first refrigerant to the first condenser 12.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant connection line 21 can connect the first refrigerant line 11 between the first condenser 12 and the first evaporator 15 to the first refrigerant line 11 between the first evaporator 15 and the first compressor 17.

[0079] The quencher 25 is mounted on the refrigerant connection line 21 and connected to the electrical components 7 and the battery module 9 via the coolant line 2. The quencher 25 allows the introduced coolant to exchange heat with the first refrigerant.

[0080] Furthermore, the quencher 25 can selectively introduce coolant from the electrical component 7 or battery module 9 to exchange heat with the first refrigerant in order to control the temperature of the coolant. Here, the quencher 25 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger in which coolant is introduced.

[0081] In other words, the cooler 25 can absorb the waste heat of the electrical components 7 while exchanging heat between the introduced coolant and the first refrigerant, or supply the cryogenic coolant that has undergone heat transfer with the first refrigerant to the battery module 9.

[0082] Here, the second expansion valve 23 can be installed in the refrigerant connection line 21 to control the flow of the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher 25 and selectively expand the first refrigerant.

[0083] When the battery module is cooled by using a coolant that has undergone heat transfer with the first refrigerant, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the first refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant connection line 21 and introduce it into the quencher 25.

[0084] The battery module 9 can be configured as a water-cooled type, which supplies power to the electrical equipment 7 and is cooled by the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2.

[0085] Accordingly, the low-temperature coolant that has completed heat exchange with the first refrigerant in the quencher 25 can be introduced into the battery module 9 connected via the coolant line 2, thereby effectively cooling the battery module 9.

[0086] Meanwhile, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioner 10 may further include a receiver 16 disposed in a first refrigerant line 11 between the first evaporator 15 and the first compressor 17.

[0087] On the other hand, the refrigerant connection line 21 can connect the first refrigerant line 11 to the liquid receiver 16 between the first condenser 12 and the first expansion valve 14, so that the refrigerant passing through the quencher 25 can be introduced into the first compressor 17 via the liquid receiver 16.

[0088] The receiver 16 can selectively receive the first refrigerant discharged from the first evaporator 15 or the first refrigerant passed through the quencher 25, depending on the vehicle mode.

[0089] Here, the receiver 16 is arranged in the first refrigerant line 11 between the first compressor 17 and the first evaporator 15, and can be connected to the quencher 25 via the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0090] The receiver 16 improves the efficiency and durability of the first compressor 17 by supplying only gaseous refrigerant to the first compressor 17.

[0091] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sub-CE module 30 includes a second condenser 34 disposed in the first refrigerant line 11 and a second evaporator 36 disposed in the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0092] The secondary CE module 30 is connected to the air conditioner 10 via the first refrigerant line 11, and can selectively exchange the heat generated during the condensation and evaporation of the second refrigerant circulating along the second refrigerant line 31 with the first refrigerant, thereby controlling the temperature of the first refrigerant.

[0093] Here, the secondary CE module 30 includes a second compressor 33, a second condenser 34, a secondary expansion valve 35, and a second evaporator 36 connected via a second refrigerant line 31.

[0094] First, the second compressor 33 can compress the gaseous second refrigerant to supply the compressed second refrigerant to the second condenser 34.

[0095] Here, the capacity of the second compressor 33 may be smaller than that of the first compressor 17. Furthermore, the second compressor 33 may be configured integrally with the first compressor 17.

[0096] In other words, since the flow rate of the second refrigerant circulating in the secondary CE module 30 is less than the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner 10, the capacity of the second compressor 33 can be less than the capacity of the first compressor 17.

[0097] Meanwhile, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first compressor 17 and the second compressor 33 are configured as an integral part as an exemplary embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the air conditioner 10 and the auxiliary CE module 30 can be operated using a single compressor.

[0098] In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, a second condenser 34 is connected to a second compressor 33 via a second refrigerant line 31. The second condenser 34 allows compressed second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor 33 to exchange heat with the first refrigerant to condense it.

[0099] Here, the first condenser 12 is detachably connected to the second condenser 34 and is disposed in the first refrigerant line 11.

[0100] The second condenser 34 configured as described above can be a water-cooled heat exchanger, into which each of the first and second refrigerants is introduced.

[0101] The secondary expansion valve 35 can selectively expand the second refrigerant that has passed through the second condenser 34 to introduce it into the second evaporator 36, or control the flow of the second refrigerant to the second evaporator 36.

[0102] In addition, the second evaporator 36 is connected to the secondary expansion valve 35 via the second refrigerant line 31, and is also connected to the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0103] The second evaporator 36 can evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the secondary expansion valve 35 by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant introduced via the refrigerant connection line 21, so as to supply the evaporated refrigerant to the second compressor 33.

[0104] Here, the second evaporator 36 can be detachably connected to the quencher 25 and can be located in the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0105] In addition, the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36 can be arranged in parallel with the first evaporator 15 through the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0106] Meanwhile, a second expansion valve 23 is disposed between the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36. The second expansion valve 23 can be detachably connected between the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36.

[0107] Furthermore, the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant can be configured to include different refrigerants.

[0108] For example, the first refrigerant can be R1234YF or R134a, and the second refrigerant can be R290, which has better refrigerant properties than the first refrigerant.

[0109] Gas injection unit 50 is disposed in air conditioner 10. Gas injection unit 50 can increase the flow rate of first refrigerant circulating in first refrigerant line by bypassing some of the first refrigerant that has passed through first condenser 12 and second condenser 34 to first compressor 17 in vehicle heating mode or low temperature dehumidification mode.

[0110] The gas injection unit 50 configured as described above can operate simultaneously with the sub-CE module 30 in the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode.

[0111] Conversely, the gas injection unit 50 can stop working together with the sub-CE module 30 in the vehicle's cooling mode or high-temperature dehumidification mode.

[0112] Here, the gas injection unit 50 includes a flash tank 51, a bypass line 53, a valve 55, and a third expansion valve 57.

[0113] First, the flash tank 51 is installed in the first refrigerant line 11 between the second condenser 34 and the first expansion valve 14.

[0114] The flash tank 51 allows for the selective discharge of gaseous and liquid refrigerant from the first refrigerant, which has undergone heat exchange in the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0115] The bypass line 53 connects the flash tank 51 and the first compressor 17. The bypass line 53 can selectively supply gaseous first refrigerant from the flash tank 51 to the first compressor 17.

[0116] In other words, the bypass line 53 can connect the flash tank 51 and the first compressor 17, so that the gaseous refrigerant that has passed through the flash tank 51 can be selectively introduced into the first compressor 17.

[0117] In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, valve 55 is disposed in bypass line 53. Valve 55 can selectively connect bypass line 53 according to vehicle mode.

[0118] Here, the flash tank 51 can supply gaseous refrigerant to the first compressor 17 via a bypass line 53 connected by the operation of valve 55. In addition, the flash tank 51 can supply liquid refrigerant to the first evaporator 15, the quench 25, and the second evaporator 36.

[0119] In addition, a third expansion valve 57 can be disposed between the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34 to selectively expand the first refrigerant.

[0120] Here, the third expansion valve 57 can selectively expand the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 to supply it to the second condenser 34 in the vehicle's heating mode and low-temperature dehumidification mode.

[0121] The third expansion valve 57 can be detachably connected to the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0122] In other words, the first expansion valve 14, the second expansion valve 23, the auxiliary expansion valve 35, and the third expansion valve 57 can be electronic expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0123] In addition, valve 55 can be a two-way valve.

[0124] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 5 The operation and function of the heat pump system of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, configured as described above, are described in detail.

[0125] First, refer to Figure 2 The operation of cooling a battery module in a heat pump system according to a cooling mode is described according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0126] Figure 2 An operational state diagram illustrating the cooling mode of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0127] Reference Figure 2 In the air conditioning system 10, each component operates to cool the vehicle interior. Accordingly, a first refrigerant circulates along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0128] Here, the refrigerant connection line 21 is connected by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0129] Meanwhile, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 circulates through the first condenser 12 via the coolant pipeline 2.

[0130] In addition, the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 is shut off. That is, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 can be supplied to the first condenser 12 by the operation of the water pump.

[0131] Accordingly, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied via the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2.

[0132] The first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, flows through the third expansion valve 57, which is detachably connected and integrally configured with the second condenser 34, and then flows along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0133] In this case, the third expansion valve 57 can allow the first refrigerant to pass through the second condenser 34 without expanding the first refrigerant.

[0134] Through the operation of the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 23, the first refrigerant flowing along the first refrigerant line 11 is supplied to the first evaporator 15 and the quencher 25.

[0135] Here, the second expansion valve 23 causes some of the first refrigerant in the first refrigerant to expand so that the expanded first refrigerant is supplied to the quencher 25, and the second expansion valve 23 connects the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0136] Simultaneously, the coolant is cooled by heat exchange with the first refrigerant supplied to the quencher 25. The coolant cooled by the quencher 25 is supplied to the battery module 9 connected via the coolant line 2. Accordingly, the battery module 9 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0137] Accordingly, some of the first refrigerant discharged from the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34 passes through the second evaporator 36 through the operation of the second expansion valve 23, and then expands to a low temperature and low pressure state, and is introduced into the quencher 25 provided in the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0138] Subsequently, the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher 25 exchanges heat with the coolant and is introduced into the first compressor 17 via the receiver 16 connected via the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0139] In other words, the coolant, whose temperature rises when cooling the battery module 9, is cooled through heat exchange with the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in the quencher 25. The cooled coolant is then supplied back to the battery module 9 through the coolant line 2.

[0140] Therefore, when the above operation is repeated, the coolant can effectively cool the battery module 9.

[0141] On the other hand, the remaining first refrigerant, except for the first refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant connection line 21, flows along the first refrigerant line 11 to cool the interior of the vehicle, and passes in sequence through the first expansion valve 14, the first evaporator 15, the liquid receiver 16, the first compressor 17, the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0142] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is cooled by the first refrigerant at a low temperature introduced into the first evaporator 15 as it passes through the first evaporator 15.

[0143] Cooled outside air is introduced directly into the vehicle to cool the interior.

[0144] On the other hand, the first refrigerant, whose condensation amount increases after passing through the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34, can be expanded and supplied to the first evaporator 15 so that the refrigerant evaporates at a lower temperature.

[0145] Therefore, in various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the first condenser 12 primarily condenses the first refrigerant, and the second condenser 34 further condenses the first refrigerant, thereby advantageously performing secondary cooling of the first refrigerant.

[0146] Accordingly, since the first refrigerant in the secondary cooling evaporates at a lower temperature in the first evaporator 15, the temperature of the external air undergoing heat exchange in the first evaporator 15 can be further reduced, thereby improving cooling performance and efficiency.

[0147] At the same time, the sub-CE module 30 and the gas injection unit 50 stop working.

[0148] In other words, when the above process is repeated, in the vehicle's cooling mode, the first refrigerant cools the vehicle interior and can simultaneously cool the coolant through heat exchange when passing through the quencher 25.

[0149] The coolant cooled in the quencher 25 flows along the coolant line 2 and is introduced into the battery module 9. Accordingly, the battery module 9 can be effectively cooled by the low-temperature coolant supplied to the coolant line 2.

[0150] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 3 The operation of the heating mode of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is described.

[0151] Figure 3 An operational state diagram illustrating the heating modes of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0152] Reference Figure 3 When the waste heat of electrical component 7 is sufficient, the heat pump system can recover the waste heat of electrical component 7 and use it for vehicle interior heating.

[0153] First, in the air conditioning 10, each component works to heat the interior of the vehicle, causing the first refrigerant to circulate along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0154] Here, the first refrigerant line 11, connecting the first condenser 12, the second condenser 34, and the first evaporator 15, is shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve 14. The refrigerant line 21, connected to the quencher 25, is turned on by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0155] Accordingly, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34, travels along the refrigerant connection line 21 through the second evaporator 36 and is introduced into the second expansion valve 23.

[0156] In this case, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the first refrigerant to supply it to the quencher 25.

[0157] The quencher 25 evaporates the first refrigerant by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2 and whose temperature rises when recovering waste heat from the electrical components 7.

[0158] In other words, since the coolant introduced into the quencher 25 fully absorbs the waste heat from the electrical components 7 and enters a high-temperature state, the quencher 25 can increase the evaporation rate of the first refrigerant.

[0159] Subsequently, the first refrigerant from the quencher 25 is supplied to the receiver 16 along the connected refrigerant connection line 21.

[0160] The first refrigerant supplied to the receiver 16 is separated into gaseous and liquid states. Of the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17.

[0161] The first refrigerant, compressed to a high-temperature, high-pressure state by the first compressor 17, is introduced into the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0162] Here, the first condenser 12 allows the coolant supplied via the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 to exchange heat with the high-temperature, high-pressure first refrigerant supplied from the first compressor 17.

[0163] The coolant, whose temperature rises during heat exchange with the first refrigerant, can be supplied to the heater 5 connected via coolant line 2. Here, coolant line 2 connected to radiator 3 is shut off.

[0164] Accordingly, the coolant whose temperature rises after passing through the first condenser 12 is supplied to the heater 5 by the operation of a water pump.

[0165] In other words, outside air is introduced from the outside and passes through the first evaporator 15, which is not supplied with the first refrigerant. The outside air is introduced at room temperature without being cooled. The introduced outside air can be heated to a high temperature when it passes through the heater 5 and then introduced into the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0166] Meanwhile, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied through the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant supplied to the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5.

[0167] The first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, passes through the third expansion valve 57 and the second condenser 34. Accordingly, the first refrigerant is introduced into the second evaporator 36 and the quencher 25 along the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0168] In other words, the first refrigerant is supplied to the second evaporator 36 and the quencher 25 along the refrigerant connection line 21, which is connected by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0169] Here, the first refrigerant, after passing through the quencher 25, flows along the refrigerant connection line 21 and the first refrigerant line 11 to heat the interior of the vehicle, and passes sequentially through the receiver 16, the first compressor 17, the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0170] Meanwhile, in the sub-CE module 30, each component operates to circulate the second refrigerant along the second refrigerant line 31. Furthermore, each component in the gas injection unit 50 can also operate.

[0171] Accordingly, the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 flows into the second condenser 34 in an expanded state through the operation of the third expansion valve 57.

[0172] Accordingly, the second condenser 34 condenses the second refrigerant by exchanging heat between the second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31 and the first refrigerant from the first condenser 12 that expands upon passing through the third expansion valve 57.

[0173] The second refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, expands through the operation of the secondary expansion valve 35 and is introduced into the second evaporator 36.

[0174] Subsequently, the second refrigerant evaporates in the second evaporator 36 by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant introduced along the refrigerant connection line 21 and is supplied to the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31.

[0175] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, is separated into gaseous and liquid states in the flash tank 51. Of the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17 via a bypass line 53 connected by the operation of valve 55.

[0176] In other words, by guiding the gaseous refrigerant in the first refrigerant, which is condensed when passing through the first condenser 12 and evaporated when passing through the second condenser 34, back to the first compressor 17 via the bypass line 53, the gas injection unit 50 can increase the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant line 11.

[0177] Accordingly, in the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states in the flash tank 51, the liquid refrigerant is further condensed by exchanging heat with the second refrigerant when passing through the second evaporator 36.

[0178] Accordingly, the first refrigerant passing through the second evaporator 36 expands through the operation of the second expansion valve 23 and passes through the quencher 25 to be introduced into the receiver 16 connected via the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0179] In other words, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first condenser 12 can primarily condense the first refrigerant, and the first refrigerant can be further evaporated or condensed in the second condenser 34 and the second evaporator 36 by utilizing the second refrigerant circulating in the sub-CE module 30.

[0180] Subsequently, the first refrigerant can be further condensed by exchanging heat with the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 36, thereby increasing the condensation capacity of the first refrigerant.

[0181] Furthermore, the increased condensation capacity of the first refrigerant allows for efficient recovery of waste heat from the coolant supplied from the electrical assembly 7 within the quencher 25, thereby improving heating performance and efficiency.

[0182] In other words, in the vehicle's heating mode, by utilizing the heat energy generated during the phase change of the second refrigerant in the sub-CE module 30 and the waste heat from the electrical components 7, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment can improve heating performance and efficiency while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0183] In addition, the gas injection unit 50 increases the flow rate of the first refrigerant, thereby reducing the power consumption of the first compressor 17 and maximizing the heating performance.

[0184] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 4 The operation of a low-temperature dehumidification mode for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is described.

[0185] Figure 4The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle's heat pump system in a low-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0186] Here, the low-temperature dehumidification mode is the mode that operates when the vehicle's heating mode requires dehumidification of the vehicle's interior.

[0187] Reference Figure 4 When the waste heat of electrical component 7 is sufficient, the heat pump system can recover the waste heat of electrical component 7 and use it for vehicle interior heating.

[0188] First, in the air conditioning 10, each component works to heat the interior of the vehicle, causing the first refrigerant to circulate along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0189] Here, the first refrigerant line 11, which connects the first condenser 12, the second condenser 34, and the first evaporator 15, is connected by the operation of the first expansion valve 14.

[0190] Furthermore, the refrigerant connection line 21 connected to the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36 is activated by the operation of the second expansion valve 23. In this case, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the first refrigerant to supply it to the quencher 25.

[0191] In other words, some of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34 passes through the second evaporator 36. Afterward, the first refrigerant can expand upon passing through the second expansion valve 23 and can then be supplied to the quencher 25.

[0192] Accordingly, the quencher 25 evaporates the first refrigerant by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2 and whose temperature rises when recovering waste heat from the electrical components 7.

[0193] In other words, since the coolant introduced into the quencher 25 fully absorbs the waste heat from the electrical components 7 and enters a high-temperature state, the quencher 25 can increase the evaporation rate of the first refrigerant.

[0194] Subsequently, the first refrigerant from the quencher 25 is supplied to the receiver 16 along the connected refrigerant connection line 21.

[0195] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant line 11, which connects the first condenser 12, the second condenser 34, and the first evaporator 15, is activated by the operation of the first expansion valve 14 to dehumidify the interior of the vehicle.

[0196] Accordingly, the remaining first refrigerant after passing through the second condenser 34 can be supplied to the first evaporator 15 in an expanded state through the operation of the first expansion valve 14 to dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0197] Subsequently, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first evaporator 15, is supplied to the liquid receiver 16 along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0198] The first refrigerant supplied to the receiver 16 is separated into gaseous and liquid states. Of the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17.

[0199] The first refrigerant, compressed to a high temperature and high pressure state by the first compressor 17, flows into the first condenser 12.

[0200] Here, the first condenser 12 allows the coolant supplied via the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 to exchange heat with the high-temperature, high-pressure first refrigerant supplied from the first compressor 17.

[0201] The coolant, whose temperature rises during heat exchange with the first refrigerant, can be supplied to the heater 5 connected via coolant line 2. Here, coolant line 2 connected to radiator 3 is shut off.

[0202] Accordingly, the coolant whose temperature rises after passing through the first condenser 12 is supplied to the heater 5 by the operation of a water pump.

[0203] Meanwhile, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied via the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant supplied to the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5.

[0204] The first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, passes through the third expansion valve 57 and the second condenser 34. Accordingly, the first refrigerant is introduced into the second evaporator 36 and the quencher 25 along the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0205] In other words, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34, is supplied to the first evaporator 15 and the quencher 25 respectively via the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21, which are connected by the operation of the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 23.

[0206] The first refrigerant flows along the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21 to heat and dehumidify the interior of the vehicle, and passes sequentially through the quencher 25, the first evaporator 15, the receiver 16, the first compressor 17, the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0207] Meanwhile, in the sub-CE module 30, each component operates to circulate the second refrigerant along the second refrigerant line 31. Furthermore, each component in the gas injection unit 50 can also operate.

[0208] Accordingly, the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 flows into the second condenser 34 in an expanded state through the operation of the third expansion valve 57.

[0209] Accordingly, the second condenser 34 condenses the second refrigerant by exchanging heat between the second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31 and the first refrigerant from the first condenser 12 that expands upon passing through the third expansion valve 57.

[0210] The second refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, expands through the operation of the secondary expansion valve 35 and is introduced into the second evaporator 36.

[0211] Subsequently, the second refrigerant evaporates in the second evaporator 36 by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant introduced along the refrigerant connection line 21 and is supplied to the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31.

[0212] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, is separated into gaseous and liquid states in the flash tank 51. Of the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17 via a bypass line 53 connected by the operation of valve 55.

[0213] In other words, by guiding the gaseous refrigerant in the first refrigerant, which is condensed when passing through the first condenser 12 and evaporated when passing through the second condenser 34, back to the first compressor 17 via the bypass line 53, the gas injection unit 50 can increase the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant line 11.

[0214] Accordingly, in the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states in the flash tank 51, the liquid refrigerant is further condensed by exchanging heat with the second refrigerant when passing through the second evaporator 36.

[0215] Accordingly, the first refrigerant passing through the second evaporator 36 expands through the operation of the second expansion valve 23 and passes through the quencher 25 to be introduced into the receiver 16 connected via the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0216] In other words, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first condenser 12 can primarily condense the first refrigerant, and the first refrigerant can be further evaporated or condensed in the second condenser 34 and the second evaporator 36 by utilizing the second refrigerant circulating in the sub-CE module 30.

[0217] Subsequently, the first refrigerant can be further condensed by exchanging heat with the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 36, thereby increasing the condensation capacity of the first refrigerant.

[0218] Furthermore, the increased condensation capacity of the first refrigerant allows for efficient recovery of waste heat from the coolant supplied from the electrical assembly 7 within the quencher 25, thereby improving heating performance and efficiency.

[0219] Meanwhile, the outside air introduced from the outside is dehumidified as it passes through the first evaporator 15, which is supplied with the first refrigerant.

[0220] The outside air that has been dehumidified by the first evaporator 15 is transformed into a high-temperature state when it passes through the heater 5 and is introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0221] Accordingly, in low-temperature dehumidification mode, by utilizing the heat energy generated during the phase change of the second refrigerant in the sub-CE module 30 and the waste heat of the electrical components 7, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment can improve heating performance and efficiency while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0222] Furthermore, by increasing the flow rate of the first refrigerant through the gas injection unit 50, the power consumption of the first compressor 17 can be reduced, the heating performance can be maximized, and the expanded first refrigerant can be supplied to the first evaporator 15 to simultaneously dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0223] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 5 The operation of a high-temperature dehumidification mode for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is described.

[0224] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle heat pump system in a high-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0225] Here, the high-temperature dehumidification mode is the mode that operates when the vehicle's interior needs to be dehumidified while it is in cooling mode.

[0226] Reference Figure 5 In the air conditioning system 10, each component operates to cool the vehicle interior. Accordingly, a first refrigerant circulates along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0227] Here, the refrigerant connection line 21 is shut off by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0228] Meanwhile, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 circulates through the first condenser 12 via the coolant line 2. Furthermore, the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 is switched on.

[0229] In other words, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 can be supplied to the first condenser 12 by the operation of the water pump.

[0230] Accordingly, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied via the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2.

[0231] In addition, the coolant whose temperature rises during the condensation of the first refrigerant can be supplied to the heater 5 via the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5.

[0232] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, flows through the third expansion valve 57 and the second condenser 34, which are detachably connected and integrally configured, and then flows along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0233] In this case, the third expansion valve 57 can allow the first refrigerant to pass through the second condenser 34 without expanding the first refrigerant.

[0234] Through the operation of the first expansion valve 14, the first refrigerant flowing along the first refrigerant line 11 is supplied to the first evaporator 15.

[0235] In other words, the first refrigerant flows through the first refrigerant line 11 to cool the interior of the vehicle, and passes in sequence through the first expansion valve 14, the first evaporator 15, the receiver 16, the first compressor 17, the first condenser 12, and the second condenser 34.

[0236] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is cooled by the first refrigerant at a low temperature introduced into the first evaporator 15 as it passes through the first evaporator 15.

[0237] The outside air cooled by the first evaporator 15 is dehumidified by the heater 5, which is supplied with high-temperature coolant from the first condenser 12, and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0238] At the same time, the sub-CE module 30 and the gas injection unit 50 stop working.

[0239] In other words, according to the vehicle's high-temperature dehumidification mode, when repeating the above process, the vehicle interior can be cooled by using the first refrigerant, and the interior dehumidification can be carried out simultaneously by supplying the coolant, which has been heated by heat exchange with the first refrigerant in the first condenser 12, to the heater 5.

[0240] Therefore, as described above, when a vehicle heat pump system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied, the quencher 25 in which the coolant and the first refrigerant exchange heat is used to control the temperature of the battery module 9 according to the vehicle mode in the electric vehicle, thereby simplifying the system.

[0241] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in the vehicle's heating mode, by simultaneously utilizing the waste heat of the auxiliary CE module 30 and the electrical components 7, the total amount of refrigerant can be reduced and heating performance and efficiency can be improved, while minimizing the use of the electric heater.

[0242] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, manufacturing costs can be reduced by configuring the second evaporator 36 applied to the sub-CE module 30 as a single unit detachably connected to the quencher 25, configuring the first compressor 17 applied to the air conditioner 10 as an integral unit with the second compressor 33, and configuring the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34 as a single unit detachably connected.

[0243] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the performance of the battery module 9 can be optimized by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module 9, and the total driving range of the vehicle can be increased by effectively managing the battery module 9.

[0244] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by applying the gas injection unit 50 to increase the refrigerant flow rate, the power consumption of the first compressor 17 can be reduced and the heating performance can be maximized.

[0245] Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can simplify the entire system to reduce manufacturing costs and weight and improve space utilization.

[0246] At the same time, it will refer to Figure 6 A heat pump system for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described.

[0247] Figure 6 A block diagram of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0248] The heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can regulate the temperature of the battery module 9 by utilizing the quencher 25 in which the coolant and refrigerant exchange heat, and can improve heating performance by simultaneously utilizing the waste heat of the secondary centralized energy (CE) module 30 and the electrical components 7.

[0249] Electrical component 7 may include a power control unit, an inverter, or an on-board charger (OBC). The power control unit or inverter may heat up while driving, and the charger may heat up while charging battery module 9.

[0250] Here, the heat pump system includes an air conditioner 10, a refrigerant connection line 21, a quencher 25, a secondary CE module 30, and a gas injection unit 150. The air conditioner 10 is an air conditioning device configured to cool or heat the interior of an electric vehicle.

[0251] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the air conditioner 10 can be connected to each of the radiator 3, heater 5, electrical components 7, and battery module 9 via coolant lines 2. Here, the heater 5 can be located within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module.

[0252] The air conditioner 10 can be interconnected to a first refrigerant line 11 through which the first refrigerant circulates, and the air conditioner 10 may include a first condenser 12, a first expansion valve 14, a first evaporator 15, and a first compressor 17.

[0253] First, the first condenser 12 is connected to the first refrigerant line 11 so that the first refrigerant passes through the first condenser 12, and is connected to each of the radiator 3 and the heater 5 via the coolant line 2.

[0254] The first condenser 12 can exchange heat between the coolant flowing from the radiator 3 or heater 5 and the first refrigerant, so as to condense the first refrigerant.

[0255] In addition, the first condenser 12 can supply the coolant that has increased in temperature when condensing the first refrigerant in the vehicle's heating mode, low temperature dehumidification mode and high temperature dehumidification mode to the heater 5 through the coolant line 2.

[0256] The first condenser 12 configured in this manner can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which coolant is introduced.

[0257] The first expansion valve 14 can selectively expand the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 to introduce it into the first evaporator 15, or control the flow of the first refrigerant to the first evaporator 15.

[0258] Here, the first evaporator 15 is disposed within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module (not shown) connected to the first refrigerant line 11.

[0259] In the vehicle's cooling mode, the first evaporator 15 evaporates the first refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air. The outside air, cooled as it passes through the first evaporator 15, flows into the vehicle interior to cool it.

[0260] The first compressor 17 is connected between the first evaporator 15 and the first condenser 12 via a first refrigerant line 11. The first compressor 17 can compress the gaseous first refrigerant to supply the compressed first refrigerant to the first condenser 12.

[0261] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant connection line 21 can connect the first refrigerant line 11 between the first condenser 12 and the first evaporator 15 to the first refrigerant line 11 between the first evaporator 15 and the first compressor 17.

[0262] The quencher 25 is mounted on the refrigerant connection line 21 and connected to the electrical components 7 and the battery module 9 via the coolant line 2. The quencher 25 allows the introduced coolant to exchange heat with the first refrigerant.

[0263] Furthermore, the quencher 25 can selectively introduce coolant from the electrical component 7 or battery module 9 to exchange heat with the first refrigerant in order to control the temperature of the coolant. Here, the quencher 25 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger in which coolant is introduced.

[0264] In other words, the cooler 25 can absorb the waste heat of the electrical components 7 while exchanging heat between the introduced coolant and the first refrigerant, or supply the cryogenic coolant that has undergone heat transfer with the first refrigerant to the battery module 9.

[0265] Here, the second expansion valve 23 can be installed in the refrigerant connection line 21 to control the flow of the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher 25 and selectively expand the first refrigerant.

[0266] When the battery module is cooled by using a coolant that has undergone heat transfer with the first refrigerant, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the first refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant connection line 21 and introduce it into the quencher 25.

[0267] The battery module 9 can be configured as a water-cooled type, which supplies power to the electrical equipment 7 and is cooled by the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2.

[0268] Accordingly, the low-temperature coolant that has completed heat exchange with the first refrigerant in the quencher 25 can be introduced into the battery module 9 connected via the coolant line 2, thereby effectively cooling the battery module 9.

[0269] Meanwhile, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner 10 may further include a receiver 16 disposed in a first refrigerant line 11 between the first evaporator 15 and the first compressor 17.

[0270] Here, the refrigerant connection line 21 can connect the first refrigerant line 11 to the receiver 16 between the first condenser 12 and the first expansion valve 14, so that the refrigerant passing through the quencher 25 can be introduced into the first compressor 17 via the receiver 16.

[0271] The receiver 16 can selectively receive the first refrigerant discharged from the first evaporator 15 or the first refrigerant passed through the quencher 25, depending on the vehicle mode.

[0272] Here, the receiver 16 is arranged in the first refrigerant line 11 between the first compressor 17 and the first evaporator 15, and can be connected to the quencher 25 via the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0273] The receiver 16 improves the efficiency and durability of the first compressor 17 by supplying only gaseous refrigerant to the first compressor 17.

[0274] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sub-CE module 30 includes a second condenser 34 disposed in the first refrigerant line 11 and a second evaporator 36 disposed in the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0275] The secondary CE module 30 is connected to the air conditioner 10 via the first refrigerant line 11, and can selectively exchange the heat generated during the condensation and evaporation of the second refrigerant circulating along the second refrigerant line 31 with the first refrigerant, thereby controlling the temperature of the first refrigerant.

[0276] Here, the secondary CE module 30 includes a second compressor 33, a second condenser 34, a secondary expansion valve 35, and a second evaporator 36 connected via a second refrigerant line 31.

[0277] First, the second compressor 33 can compress the gaseous second refrigerant to supply the compressed second refrigerant to the second condenser 34.

[0278] Here, the capacity of the second compressor 33 may be smaller than that of the first compressor 17. Furthermore, the second compressor 33 may be configured integrally with the first compressor 17.

[0279] In other words, since the flow rate of the second refrigerant circulating in the secondary CE module 30 is less than the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner 10, the capacity of the second compressor 33 can be less than the capacity of the first compressor 17.

[0280] Meanwhile, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first compressor 17 and the second compressor 33 are configured as an integral part of the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the air conditioner 10 and the auxiliary CE module 30 can be operated using a single compressor.

[0281] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second condenser 34 is connected to the second compressor 33 via a second refrigerant line 31. The second condenser 34 allows the compressed second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor 33 to exchange heat with the first refrigerant to condense it.

[0282] Here, the second condenser 34 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can receive the first refrigerant through the gas injection unit 150.

[0283] The second condenser 34 configured as described above can be a water-cooled heat exchanger, into which each of the first and second refrigerants is introduced.

[0284] The secondary expansion valve 35 can selectively expand the second refrigerant that has passed through the second condenser 34 to introduce it into the second evaporator 36, or control the flow of the second refrigerant to the second evaporator 36.

[0285] In addition, the second evaporator 36 is connected to the secondary expansion valve 35 via the second refrigerant line 31, and is also connected to the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0286] The second evaporator 36 can evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the secondary expansion valve 35 by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant introduced via the refrigerant connection line 21, so as to supply the evaporated refrigerant to the second compressor 33.

[0287] Here, the second evaporator 36 can be detachably connected to the quencher 25 and can be located in the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0288] In addition, the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36 can be arranged in parallel with the first evaporator 15 through the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0289] Meanwhile, a second expansion valve 23 is disposed between the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36. The second expansion valve 23 can be detachably connected between the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36.

[0290] Furthermore, the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant can be configured to include different refrigerants.

[0291] For example, the first refrigerant can be R1234YF or R134a, and the second refrigerant can be R290, which has better refrigerant properties than the first refrigerant.

[0292] Gas injection unit 150 is disposed in air conditioner 10. Gas injection unit 150 can increase the flow rate of first refrigerant circulating in first refrigerant line 11 by bypassing some of the first refrigerant that has passed through first condenser 12 to first compressor 17 in vehicle heating mode or low temperature dehumidification mode.

[0293] The gas injection unit 150 configured as described above can operate simultaneously with the sub-CE module 30 in the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode.

[0294] Conversely, the gas injection unit 150 can stop operating together with the sub-CE module 30 in the vehicle's cooling mode or high-temperature dehumidification mode.

[0295] Here, the gas injection unit 150 may include a plate heat exchanger 151, a bypass line 153, and a third expansion valve 155.

[0296] First, the plate heat exchanger 151 can be installed in the first refrigerant line 11 between the first condenser 12 and the first expansion valve 14.

[0297] The first end of the bypass line 153 is connected to the first refrigerant line 11 between the first condenser 12 and the plate heat exchanger 151. The second end of the bypass line 153 may extend through the second condenser 34 and the plate heat exchanger 151 to connect to the first compressor 17.

[0298] Here, the second condenser 34 can be installed in the bypass line 153 between the first condenser 12 and the plate heat exchanger 151.

[0299] In other words, some of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 can flow into the bypass line 153, while the rest of the first refrigerant can be introduced into the plate heat exchanger 151 via the first refrigerant line 11.

[0300] In addition, the third expansion valve 155 can be installed in the bypass line 153 at the front end of the second condenser 34.

[0301] In the vehicle's heating mode and low-temperature dehumidification mode, the third expansion valve 155 can expand the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 and been introduced into the bypass line 153 to supply it to the second condenser 34.

[0302] Accordingly, the plate heat exchanger 151 can be introduced through the bypass line 153 and expanded by the operation of the third expansion valve 155 to allow heat exchange between the first refrigerant that has passed through the second condenser 34 and the first refrigerant discharged from the first condenser 12.

[0303] In other words, the bypass line 153 can selectively supply the gaseous first refrigerant in the first refrigerant that has undergone heat transfer when passing through the second condenser 34 and the plate heat exchanger 151 to the first compressor 17.

[0304] Here, the plate heat exchanger 151 can supply gaseous refrigerant to the first compressor 17 via a bypass line 153 connected by the operation of the third expansion valve 155. Furthermore, the plate heat exchanger 151 can supply liquid refrigerant to the first evaporator 15 and the second evaporator 36.

[0305] Meanwhile, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first expansion valve 14, the secondary expansion valve 35, and the third expansion valve 155 may be electronic expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the refrigerant flow.

[0306] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 7 to 10 The operation and function of the heat pump system of the vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, configured as described above, are described in detail.

[0307] First, refer to Figure 7 The operation of cooling a battery module in a heat pump system according to a cooling mode is described according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0308] Figure 7 An operational state diagram illustrating the cooling mode of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0309] Reference Figure 7 In the air conditioning system 10, each component operates to cool the vehicle interior. Accordingly, a first refrigerant circulates along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0310] Here, the refrigerant connection line 21 is connected by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0311] Meanwhile, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 circulates through the first condenser 12 via the coolant line 2. Furthermore, the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 is shut off.

[0312] In other words, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 can be supplied to the first condenser 12 by the operation of the water pump.

[0313] Accordingly, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied via the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2.

[0314] The first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, flows along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0315] Through the operation of the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 23, the first refrigerant flowing along the first refrigerant line 11 is supplied to the first evaporator 15 and the quencher 25, respectively.

[0316] Here, the second expansion valve 23 causes some of the first refrigerant in the first refrigerant to expand so that the expanded first refrigerant is supplied to the quencher 25, and the second expansion valve 23 connects the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0317] Simultaneously, the coolant is cooled by heat exchange with the first refrigerant supplied to the quencher 25. The coolant cooled by the quencher 25 is supplied to the battery module 9 connected via the coolant line 2. Accordingly, the battery module 9 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0318] Accordingly, some of the first refrigerant discharged from the first condenser 12 passes through the second evaporator 36 through the operation of the second expansion valve 23, then expands to a low temperature and low pressure state, and is introduced into the quencher 25 provided in the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0319] Subsequently, the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher 25 exchanges heat with the coolant and is introduced into the first compressor 17 via the receiver 16 connected via the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0320] In other words, the coolant, whose temperature rises when cooling the battery module 9, is cooled through heat exchange with the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in the quencher 25. The cooled coolant is then supplied back to the battery module 9 through the coolant line 2.

[0321] Therefore, when the above operation is repeated, the coolant can effectively cool the battery module 9.

[0322] On the other hand, the remaining first refrigerant, except for the first refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant connection line 21, flows along the first refrigerant line 11 to cool the interior of the vehicle, and passes in sequence through the first expansion valve 14, the first evaporator 15, the receiver 16, the first compressor 17, and the first condenser 12.

[0323] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is cooled by the first refrigerant at a low temperature introduced into the first evaporator 15 as it passes through the first evaporator 15.

[0324] Cooled outside air is introduced directly into the vehicle interior to cool the interior.

[0325] At the same time, the sub-CE module 30 and the gas injection unit 50 cease operation.

[0326] In other words, when the above process is repeated, in the vehicle's cooling mode, the first refrigerant cools the vehicle interior and can simultaneously cool the coolant through heat exchange when passing through the quencher 25.

[0327] The coolant cooled in the quencher 25 flows along the coolant line 2 and is introduced into the battery module 9. Accordingly, the battery module 9 can be effectively cooled by the low-temperature coolant supplied to the coolant line 2.

[0328] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 8The operation of the vehicle's heating mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described.

[0329] Figure 8 An operational state diagram illustrating the heating modes of a vehicle heat pump system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0330] Reference Figure 8 When the waste heat of electrical component 7 is sufficient, the heat pump system can recover the waste heat of electrical component 7 and use it for vehicle interior heating.

[0331] First, in the air conditioning 10, each component works to heat the interior of the vehicle, causing the first refrigerant to circulate along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0332] Here, the first refrigerant line 11 connecting the first condenser 12 and the first evaporator 15 is shut off by the operation of the first expansion valve 14. The refrigerant line 21 connecting the quencher 25 is turned on by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0333] Accordingly, the first refrigerant passing through the first condenser 12 travels along the refrigerant connection line 21 through the second evaporator 36 and is introduced into the second expansion valve 23.

[0334] In this case, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the first refrigerant to supply it to the quencher 25.

[0335] The quencher 25 evaporates the first refrigerant by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2 and whose temperature rises when recovering waste heat from the electrical components 7.

[0336] In other words, since the coolant introduced into the quencher 25 fully absorbs the waste heat from the electrical components 7 and enters a high-temperature state, the quencher 25 can increase the evaporation rate of the first refrigerant.

[0337] Subsequently, the first refrigerant from the quencher 25 is supplied to the receiver 16 along the connected refrigerant connection line 21.

[0338] The first refrigerant supplied to the receiver 16 is separated into gaseous and liquid states. Of the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17.

[0339] The first refrigerant, compressed to a high-temperature, high-pressure state by the first compressor 17, is introduced into the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34.

[0340] Here, the first condenser 12 allows the coolant supplied via the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 to exchange heat with the high-temperature, high-pressure first refrigerant supplied from the first compressor 17.

[0341] The coolant, whose temperature rises during heat exchange with the first refrigerant, can be supplied to the heater 5 connected via coolant line 2. Here, coolant line 2 connected to radiator 3 is shut off.

[0342] Accordingly, the coolant whose temperature rises after passing through the first condenser 12 is supplied to the heater 5 by the operation of a water pump.

[0343] In other words, outside air is introduced from the outside and passes through the first evaporator 15, which is not supplied with the first refrigerant. The outside air is introduced at room temperature without being cooled. The introduced outside air can be heated to a high temperature when it passes through the heater 5 and then introduced into the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0344] Meanwhile, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied through the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant supplied to the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5.

[0345] The first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, is introduced into the second evaporator 36 and the quencher 25 along the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21.

[0346] In other words, the first refrigerant is supplied to the second evaporator 36 and the quencher 25 along the refrigerant connection line 21 that is activated by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0347] Here, the first refrigerant, after passing through the quencher 25, flows along the refrigerant connection line 21 and the first refrigerant line 11 to heat the interior of the vehicle, and passes sequentially through the receiver 16, the first compressor 17 and the first condenser 12.

[0348] Meanwhile, in the sub-CE module 30, each component operates to circulate the second refrigerant along the second refrigerant line 31. Furthermore, each component in the gas injection unit 150 can also operate.

[0349] Accordingly, some of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 is introduced into the bypass line 153, which is connected by the operation of the third expansion valve 155.

[0350] The first refrigerant introduced into the bypass line 153 is introduced into the second condenser 34 in an expanded state through the operation of the third expansion valve 155.

[0351] Accordingly, the second condenser 34 condenses the second refrigerant by exchanging heat between the second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31 and the first refrigerant that expands upon passing through the third expansion valve 155 from the bypass line 153.

[0352] The second refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, expands through the operation of the secondary expansion valve 35 and is introduced into the second evaporator 36.

[0353] Subsequently, the second refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant in the second evaporator 36 via the plate heat exchanger 151 and is supplied to the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31.

[0354] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, enters the gaseous state and exchanges heat with the remaining first refrigerant introduced from the first condenser 12 via the first refrigerant line 11 in the plate heat exchanger 151.

[0355] The gaseous first refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17 via the connected bypass line 153.

[0356] In other words, by guiding the gaseous first refrigerant, which has undergone heat transfer as it passes through each of the first condenser 12, the second condenser 34, and the plate heat exchanger 151, back to the first compressor 17 via the bypass line 153, the gas injection unit 150 can increase the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant line 11.

[0357] Accordingly, the first refrigerant discharged from the plate heat exchanger 151 via the first refrigerant line 11 is further condensed as it passes through the second evaporator 36.

[0358] That is, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first condenser 12 may primarily condense the first refrigerant, and the first refrigerant may be further evaporated or condensed in the second condenser 34 and the second evaporator 36 by utilizing the second refrigerant circulating in the sub-CE module 30.

[0359] Furthermore, in the gas injection unit 150, the plate heat exchanger 151 can enable heat exchange between the first refrigerant introduced via the bypass line 153 and the first refrigerant introduced via the first refrigerant line 11, and the plate heat exchanger 151 can bypass the gaseous first refrigerant to the first compressor 17 via the bypass line 153.

[0360] Accordingly, the condensation capacity of the first refrigerant can be increased.

[0361] Furthermore, the increased condensation capacity of the first refrigerant allows for efficient recovery of waste heat from the coolant supplied from the electrical assembly 7 within the quencher 25, thereby improving heating performance and efficiency.

[0362] In other words, in the vehicle's heating mode, by utilizing the heat energy generated during the phase change of the second refrigerant in the sub-CE module 30 and the waste heat from the electrical components 7, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment can improve heating performance and efficiency while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0363] In addition, the gas injection unit 150 increases the flow rate of the first refrigerant, thereby maximizing the heating performance.

[0364] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 9 The operation of a low-temperature dehumidification mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described.

[0365] Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle's heat pump system in a low-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0366] Here, the low-temperature dehumidification mode is the mode that operates when the vehicle's heating mode requires dehumidification of the vehicle's interior.

[0367] Reference Figure 9 When the waste heat of electrical component 7 is sufficient, the heat pump system can recover the waste heat of electrical component 7 and use it for vehicle interior heating.

[0368] First, in the air conditioning 10, each component works to heat the interior of the vehicle, causing the first refrigerant to circulate along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0369] Here, the first refrigerant line 11, which connects the first condenser 12, the second condenser 34, and the first evaporator 15, is connected by the operation of the first expansion valve 14.

[0370] Furthermore, the refrigerant connection line 21 connected to the quencher 25 and the second evaporator 36 is activated by the operation of the second expansion valve 23. In this case, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the first refrigerant to supply it to the quencher 25.

[0371] In other words, some of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 passes through the second evaporator 36. Afterward, the first refrigerant can expand upon passing through the second expansion valve 23 and can then be supplied to the quencher 25.

[0372] Accordingly, the quencher 25 evaporates the first refrigerant by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2 and whose temperature rises when recovering waste heat from the electrical components 7.

[0373] In other words, since the coolant introduced into the quencher 25 fully absorbs the waste heat from the electrical components 7 and enters a high-temperature state, the quencher 25 can increase the evaporation rate of the first refrigerant.

[0374] Subsequently, the first refrigerant from the quencher 25 is supplied to the receiver 16 along the connected refrigerant connection line 21.

[0375] At the same time, the first refrigerant line 11 connecting the first condenser 12 and the first evaporator 15 is connected by the operation of the first expansion valve 14 to dehumidify the interior of the vehicle.

[0376] Accordingly, the remaining first refrigerant after passing through the first condenser 12 can be supplied to the first evaporator 15 in an expanded state through the operation of the first expansion valve 14 to dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0377] Subsequently, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first evaporator 15, is supplied to the liquid receiver 16 along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0378] The first refrigerant supplied to the receiver 16 is separated into gaseous and liquid states. Of the first refrigerant separated into gaseous and liquid states, the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17.

[0379] The first refrigerant, compressed to a high temperature and high pressure state by the first compressor 17, flows into the first condenser 12.

[0380] Here, the first condenser 12 allows the coolant supplied via the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 to exchange heat with the high-temperature, high-pressure first refrigerant supplied from the first compressor 17.

[0381] The coolant, whose temperature rises during heat exchange with the first refrigerant, can be supplied to the heater 5 connected via coolant line 2. Here, coolant line 2 connected to radiator 3 is shut off.

[0382] Accordingly, the coolant whose temperature rises after passing through the first condenser 12 is supplied to the heater 5 by the operation of a water pump.

[0383] Meanwhile, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied via the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant supplied to the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5.

[0384] In other words, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 34, is supplied to the first evaporator 15 and the quencher 25 respectively via the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21, which are connected by the operation of the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 23.

[0385] The first refrigerant flows along the first refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant connection line 21 to heat and dehumidify the interior of the vehicle, and passes sequentially through the quencher 25, the first evaporator 15, the receiver 16, the first compressor 17 and the first condenser 12.

[0386] Meanwhile, in the sub-CE module 30, each component operates to circulate the second refrigerant along the second refrigerant line 31. Furthermore, each component in the gas injection unit 150 can also operate.

[0387] Accordingly, some of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser 12 is introduced into the bypass line 153, which is connected by the operation of the third expansion valve 155.

[0388] The first refrigerant introduced into the bypass line 153 is introduced into the second condenser 34 in an expanded state through the operation of the third expansion valve 155.

[0389] Accordingly, the second condenser 34 condenses the second refrigerant by exchanging heat between the second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31 and the first refrigerant that expands upon passing through the third expansion valve 155 from the bypass line 153.

[0390] The second refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, expands through the operation of the secondary expansion valve 35 and is introduced into the second evaporator 36.

[0391] Subsequently, the second refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant in the second evaporator 36 via the plate heat exchanger 151 and is supplied to the second compressor 33 via the second refrigerant line 31.

[0392] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant, after passing through the second condenser 34, enters the gaseous state and exchanges heat with the remaining first refrigerant introduced from the first condenser 12 via the first refrigerant line 11 in the plate heat exchanger 151.

[0393] The gaseous first refrigerant is supplied to the first compressor 17 via the connected bypass line 153.

[0394] In other words, by guiding the gaseous first refrigerant, which has undergone heat transfer as it passes through each of the first condenser 12, the second condenser 34, and the plate heat exchanger 151, back to the first compressor 17 via the bypass line 153, the gas injection unit 150 can increase the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant line 11.

[0395] Accordingly, the first refrigerant discharged from the plate heat exchanger 151 via the first refrigerant line 11 is further condensed as it passes through the second evaporator 36.

[0396] That is, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first condenser 12 may primarily condense the first refrigerant, and the first refrigerant may be further evaporated or condensed in the second condenser 34 and the second evaporator 36 by utilizing the second refrigerant circulating in the sub-CE module 30.

[0397] Furthermore, in the gas injection unit 150, the plate heat exchanger 151 can enable heat exchange between the first refrigerant introduced via the bypass line 153 and the first refrigerant introduced via the first refrigerant line 11, and the plate heat exchanger 151 can bypass the gaseous first refrigerant to the first compressor 17 via the bypass line 153.

[0398] Accordingly, the condensation capacity of the first refrigerant can be increased.

[0399] Furthermore, the increased condensation capacity of the first refrigerant allows for efficient recovery of waste heat from the coolant supplied from the electrical assembly 7 within the quencher 25, thereby improving heating performance and efficiency.

[0400] Meanwhile, the outside air introduced from the outside is dehumidified as it passes through the first evaporator 15, which is supplied with the first refrigerant.

[0401] The outside air that has been dehumidified by the first evaporator 15 is transformed into a high-temperature state when it passes through the heater 5 and is introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0402] Accordingly, in low-temperature dehumidification mode, by utilizing the heat energy generated during the phase change of the second refrigerant in the sub-CE module 30 and the waste heat of the electrical components 7, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment can improve heating performance and efficiency while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0403] Furthermore, by increasing the flow rate of the first refrigerant through the gas injection unit 150, the power consumption of the first compressor 17 can be reduced, the heating performance can be maximized, and the expanded first refrigerant can be supplied to the first evaporator 15 to simultaneously dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0404] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 10 The operation of a high-temperature dehumidification mode according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described.

[0405] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates the operating state of a vehicle heat pump system in a high-temperature dehumidification mode, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0406] Here, the high-temperature dehumidification mode is the mode that operates when the vehicle's interior needs to be dehumidified while it is in cooling mode.

[0407] Reference Figure 10 In the air conditioning system 10, each component operates to cool the vehicle interior. Accordingly, a first refrigerant circulates along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0408] Here, the refrigerant connection line 21 is shut off by the operation of the second expansion valve 23.

[0409] Meanwhile, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 circulates through the first condenser 12 via the coolant line 2. Furthermore, the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5 is switched on.

[0410] In other words, the coolant cooled by the radiator 3 can be supplied to the first condenser 12 by the operation of the water pump.

[0411] Accordingly, the first condenser 12 condenses the first refrigerant supplied via the first refrigerant line 11 by utilizing the coolant flowing along the coolant line 2.

[0412] In addition, the coolant whose temperature rises during the condensation of the first refrigerant can be supplied to the heater 5 via the coolant line 2 connected to the heater 5.

[0413] Meanwhile, the first refrigerant, after passing through the first condenser 12, flows along the first refrigerant line 11.

[0414] Through the operation of the first expansion valve 14, the first refrigerant flowing along the first refrigerant line 11 is supplied to the first evaporator 15.

[0415] In other words, the first refrigerant flows through the first refrigerant line 11 to cool the interior of the vehicle, and passes in sequence through the first expansion valve 14, the first evaporator 15, the liquid receiver 16, the first compressor 17, and the first condenser 12.

[0416] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is cooled by the first refrigerant at a low temperature introduced into the first evaporator 15 as it passes through the first evaporator 15.

[0417] The outside air cooled by the first evaporator 15 is dehumidified by the heater 5, which is supplied with high-temperature coolant from the first condenser 12, and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0418] At the same time, the sub-CE module 30 and the gas injection unit 150 cease operation.

[0419] In other words, according to the vehicle's high-temperature dehumidification mode, when repeating the above process, the interior of the vehicle can be cooled by using the first refrigerant, and the interior can be dehumidified simultaneously by supplying the coolant, which has been heated by heat exchange with the first refrigerant in the first condenser 12, to the heater 5.

[0420] Therefore, as described above, when a vehicle heat pump system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied, the quencher 25 in which the coolant and the first refrigerant exchange heat is used to control the temperature of the battery module 9 according to the vehicle mode in the electric vehicle, thereby simplifying the system.

[0421] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in the vehicle's heating mode, by simultaneously utilizing the waste heat of the auxiliary CE module 30 and the electrical components 7, the total amount of refrigerant can be reduced and heating performance and efficiency can be improved, while minimizing the use of the electric heater.

[0422] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by configuring the second evaporator 36 applied to the sub-CE module 30 as a single unit detachably connected to the quencher 25, and by configuring the second compressor 33 integrally with the first compressor 17 applied to the air conditioner 10, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0423] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the performance of the battery module 9 can be optimized by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module 9, and the total driving range of the vehicle can be increased by effectively managing the battery module 9.

[0424] Furthermore, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by applying the gas injection unit 150 to increase the refrigerant flow rate, the power consumption of the first compressor 17 can be reduced and the heating performance can be maximized.

[0425] Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can simplify the entire system to reduce manufacturing costs and weight and improve space utilization.

[0426] In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the controller is connected to at least one component of the heat pump system (e.g., a first expansion valve 14, a second expansion valve 23, and a third expansion valve 57 or 155, and an auxiliary expansion valve 35, but not limited thereto) to control its operation.

[0427] Furthermore, terms related to control devices (e.g., “controller,” “control unit,” “control device,” or “control module,” etc.) refer to hardware devices including a memory and a processor configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmic structure. The memory stores the algorithmic steps, and the processor executes these steps to perform one or more processes according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. A control device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention can be implemented using non-volatile memory and a processor configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of a vehicle or data regarding software commands for executing the algorithms, the processor being configured to perform the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. The memory and processor can be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be integrated into a single chip. The processor can be implemented as one or more processors. The processor can include various logic and arithmetic circuits, can process data according to a program provided from the memory, and can generate control signals based on the processing results.

[0428] The control device may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program, which may include a series of commands for performing methods included in the foregoing various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0429] The invention described above can also be implemented as computer-readable code in a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that can subsequently be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical non-volatile data storage devices, and so on, and are implemented as carrier waves (e.g., transmitted over the Internet).

[0430] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the above operations can be performed by a control device, and the control device can be configured by multiple control devices or an integrated single control device.

[0431] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the control device may be implemented in hardware or software, or in a combination of hardware and software.

[0432] For ease of interpretation and precise definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “upward,” “downward,” “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “back,” “inner side,” “outer side,” “inward,” “outer,” “inner,” “outer,” “forward,” and “backward” are used to describe these features with reference to their location in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connection” or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0433] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention is for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many modifications and variations can be made in light of the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain the specific principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to implement and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as their various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: An air conditioner is fluidly connected to a first refrigerant line and includes a first condenser, a first expansion valve, a first evaporator, and a first compressor, wherein the first refrigerant circulates through the first refrigerant line; A refrigerant connection line, comprising a first portion of a first refrigerant line connecting the first condenser and the first evaporator, and a second portion of a first refrigerant line connecting the first evaporator and the first compressor; A quencher is installed in the refrigerant connection line. The quencher is connected to the electrical components and the battery module respectively through the coolant line, and the coolant introduced into the quencher exchanges heat with the first refrigerant. A secondary centralized energy module includes a second evaporator disposed in a refrigerant connection line. The secondary centralized energy module is fluidly connected to an air conditioner via a refrigerant connection line or a first refrigerant line. The temperature of the first refrigerant is regulated by selectively exchanging heat energy generated during the condensation and evaporation of the second refrigerant circulating along the second refrigerant line with the first refrigerant. as well as A gas injection unit, which is located in the air conditioning system, increases the flow rate of the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant line by bypassing a portion of the first refrigerant to the first compressor in the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode. The quencher and the second evaporator are arranged in parallel with the first evaporator via refrigerant connection lines.

2. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary centralized energy module further comprises: The second compressor is configured to compress the second refrigerant; A second condenser is connected to the second compressor via a second refrigerant line and is configured to condense compressed second refrigerant supplied from the second compressor by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant; A secondary expansion valve, which is connected to the second condenser via a second refrigerant line and is configured to expand the second refrigerant; as well as A second evaporator is connected to a secondary expansion valve via a second refrigerant line. The second evaporator is connected to a refrigerant connection line and configured to evaporate a second refrigerant supplied from the secondary expansion valve by exchanging heat with a first refrigerant introduced via the refrigerant connection line, so as to supply the evaporated second refrigerant to a second compressor.

3. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The second condenser is detachably connected to the first condenser and is disposed in the first refrigerant line.

4. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The second evaporator is detachably connected to the quencher and is located in the refrigerant connection line.

5. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The second compressor is integrally formed with the first compressor.

6. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The second expansion valve is disposed between the second evaporator and the quencher to control the flow of the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher and to selectively expand the first refrigerant. The second expansion valve is detachably connected between the second evaporator and the quencher.

7. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein, When the battery module is cooled by using a coolant that exchanges heat with the first refrigerant introduced into the quencher, the second expansion valve causes the first refrigerant in the refrigerant connection line to expand.

8. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein, The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the auxiliary expansion valve are all electronic expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling its flow.

9. The heat pump system of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, The gas injection unit includes: A flash tank is disposed in a first refrigerant line between a second condenser and a first expansion valve. The flash tank is configured to separate the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser and the second condenser into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and to selectively discharge the gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. A bypass line connects the flash tank and the first compressor to selectively supply gaseous first refrigerant from the flash tank to the first compressor; A valve, which is disposed in the bypass line; and A third expansion valve is disposed between the first condenser and the second condenser and configured to selectively expand the first refrigerant.

10. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 9, wherein, In the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode, the third expansion valve causes the first refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser to expand.

11. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 9, wherein, The third expansion valve can be detachably connected to the first condenser and the second condenser.

12. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The gas injection unit includes: A plate heat exchanger is disposed in the first refrigerant line between the first condenser and the first expansion valve; A bypass line, the first end of which is connected to a first refrigerant line between a first condenser and a plate heat exchanger, and the second end of which passes through a second condenser and a plate heat exchanger and connects to a first compressor; and The third expansion valve is located in the bypass line at the front end of the second condenser.

13. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein, The second condenser is installed in the bypass line between the first condenser and the plate heat exchanger; In the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode, the third expansion valve causes the first refrigerant introduced into the bypass line through the first condenser to expand.

14. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The second compressor is configured to have a capacity smaller than that of the first compressor.

15. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, In the vehicle's heating mode or low-temperature dehumidification mode, the gas injection unit and the sub-centralized energy module work simultaneously.

16. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The first condenser is connected to the radiator and heater via a coolant line and condenses the first refrigerant by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant through the coolant introduced into the first condenser.

17. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 16, wherein, The first condenser supplies the coolant, which has increased in temperature when condensing the first refrigerant in the vehicle's heating mode, low-temperature dehumidification mode, and high-temperature dehumidification mode, to the heater via a coolant line.

18. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The quencher is connected to the electrical components and the battery module via coolant pipelines. When the coolant introduced into the quencher exchanges heat with the first refrigerant, it absorbs the waste heat of the electrical components, or supplies the low-temperature coolant that has undergone heat transfer with the first refrigerant to the battery module.

19. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The air conditioner further includes a liquid receiver disposed in a first refrigerant line between the first evaporator and the first compressor; The refrigerant connection line connects the first refrigerant line between the first condenser and the first expansion valve to the liquid receiver, so that the first refrigerant after passing through the quencher is introduced into the first compressor via the liquid receiver.

20. The vehicle heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The first refrigerant and the second refrigerant are different refrigerants.

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