Heat pump system for a vehicle

Abstract

The present application provides a heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system including: a cooling device configured to circulate coolant in a coolant line to cool at least one electronic component provided in the coolant line; a battery cooling device configured to circulate coolant in a battery module; a heating device configured to heat an interior of the vehicle by using the coolant; and a cooler configured to adjust a temperature of the coolant by heat exchange of the coolant with a refrigerant, wherein the cooler is connected to a cooler connection line by a third valve provided in the coolant line between a radiator and a second valve, and a reservoir is provided in the coolant line between the radiator and the second valve, and the reservoir is connected to a supply line, thereby connecting the first valve and the first water pump by the supply line.

Description

[0001] Citation of relevant applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0057606, filed on May 4, 2021, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a vehicle heat pump system for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a vehicle heat pump system that regulates the temperature of a battery module by using a single chiller (in which refrigerant and coolant exchange heat) and improves thermal efficiency by using multiple heat sources in the vehicle's heating mode. Background Technology

[0004] Generally speaking, air conditioning devices for vehicles include air conditioning systems that circulate coolant or refrigerant to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0005] This air conditioning system can maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle regardless of changes in outdoor temperature, thus ensuring a fresh interior environment. The system is configured to heat or cool the vehicle interior through a heat exchange process via an evaporator, in which refrigerant discharged from the driving compressor is recycled back to the compressor via a condenser, receiver-drier, expansion valve, and evaporator.

[0006] That is, in the summer cooling mode of the air conditioning unit, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed by the condenser, then evaporated by the evaporator and passes through the receiver-dryer and expansion valve to reduce the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle.

[0007] Recently, with increasing attention to energy efficiency and environmental pollution, there is a need to develop environmentally friendly vehicles that can largely replace vehicles with internal combustion engines. Environmentally friendly vehicles are generally classified as electric vehicles that typically use fuel cells or electricity as a power source, and hybrid vehicles that use both engines and batteries.

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

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

[0010] Even in hybrid vehicles, the driving force is generated by using electricity supplied by a fuel cell or battery to drive an electric motor together with an engine actuated by conventional fuel. As a result, the performance of the electric motor can be ensured simply by effectively removing the heat generated from the fuel cell or battery and the electric motor.

[0011] Therefore, in conventional hybrid or electric vehicles, the battery cooling system, cooling tools, and heat pump system should be configured with their own separate circuits to prevent the motor, electronic components, and the battery containing the fuel cell from generating heat.

[0012] Therefore, the size and weight of the cooling module located at the front of the vehicle have increased, and the layout of the connecting pipes for supplying refrigerant and coolant to the heat pump system, the cooling tools, and the battery cooling system in the engine compartment have all become more complex.

[0013] In addition, because the battery cooling system used to heat or cool the battery is set up individually according to the vehicle's condition so that the battery can operate in the best condition, noise and vibration are transmitted to the vehicle interior due to the use of multiple valves to connect the corresponding connecting pipes, resulting in poor ride comfort.

[0014] The information disclosed above in the background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0015] This disclosure aims to provide a heat pump system for a vehicle that regulates the temperature of a battery module by using a single cooler that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a coolant, improves heating efficiency by recovering heat from multiple heat sources, and uses that heat to heat the vehicle interior.

[0016] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a cooling device configured to include a radiator connected to a coolant line and a first water pump, and the cooling device configured to circulate coolant in the coolant line to cool at least one heating element disposed in the coolant line; a battery cooling device configured to include a second water pump connected to a battery coolant line and a battery module, and the battery cooling device configured to circulate coolant in the battery module; and a cooler connected to the battery cooling device, and the cooler being connected to a refrigerant line of an air conditioning unit via a refrigerant connection line to circulate coolant in the battery coolant line. The air conditioning system regulates the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the coolant in the ring and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning unit; wherein the air conditioning unit includes a main heat exchanger disposed therein, which is connected to the coolant line, and causes the refrigerant to condense or evaporate by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant supplied through the coolant line, depending on the vehicle cooling mode or at least one heating mode; the air conditioning system also includes a bypass line connected to the refrigerant line via a refrigerant valve to selectively introduce the refrigerant that has passed through the main heat exchanger into the compressor, and at least one heating mode is operated by selectively using heating elements, outside air or waste heat from the battery module.

[0017] The air conditioning unit may further include: an internal condenser connected to the main heat exchanger via a refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the main heat exchanger via a refrigerant line; a compressor connected to the evaporator via a refrigerant line; a first expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant line to connect the main heat exchanger and the evaporator; a second expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant connection line; and a third expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant line between the internal condenser and the main heat exchanger.

[0018] In at least one heating mode, the third expansion valve can expand the refrigerant that has passed through the internal condenser to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger.

[0019] The air conditioning unit may also include a secondary heat exchanger disposed in the refrigerant line between the main heat exchanger and the first expansion valve.

[0020] The secondary heat exchanger can exchange heat with the outside air through the refrigerant that will condense or evaporate in the primary heat exchanger, thereby causing the refrigerant to condense or evaporate further.

[0021] The first end of the refrigerant connection line can be connected to the refrigerant line between the auxiliary heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and the second end of the refrigerant connection line can be connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0022] The first end of the bypass line can be connected to a refrigerant valve located in the refrigerant line between the main heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger, and the second end of the bypass line can be connected to an accumulator located in the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0023] The cooling device may also include a branch line that is connected to the coolant line between the radiator and the first water pump via a valve located in the coolant line between the radiator and the first water pump.

[0024] When the battery module is cooled in the vehicle's cooling mode, the first water pump in the cooling system allows the coolant to circulate in the coolant lines, and the branch lines can be closed by operating the valve. In the battery cooling system, the second water pump can circulate the coolant in the battery coolant lines. In the air conditioning system, the first expansion valve can open the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator, the second expansion valve can open the refrigerant connection line, and the bypass line can be closed by operating the refrigerant valve.

[0025] At least one heating mode may include: a first heating mode that indirectly utilizes an external heat source; a second heating mode that directly and indirectly utilizes an external heat source; a third heating mode that directly utilizes an external heat source and utilizes the waste heat of the heating element; and a fourth heating mode that utilizes the waste heat source of the heating element.

[0026] When the first heating mode is in operation, the coolant can be circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump in the cooling device, and the branch pipeline can be closed by operating the valve. In the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator can be closed by operating the first expansion valve, the refrigerant connection pipeline can be closed by operating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the main heat exchanger and the evaporator can be closed by operating the refrigerant valve, and the bypass pipeline can be opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

[0027] When the second heating mode is in operation, in the cooling device, the coolant can be circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump, and the branch pipeline can be closed by operating the valve. In the air conditioning device, the refrigerant pipeline connected to the evaporator can be closed by operating the first expansion valve, the refrigerant connection pipeline can be opened by operating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the main heat exchanger and the refrigerant connection pipeline can be opened by operating the refrigerant valve, and the bypass pipeline can be opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

[0028] When the third heating mode is in operation, in the cooling unit, the coolant can be circulated in the coolant line by operating the first water pump, the branch line can be opened by operating the valve, and the coolant line connected to the radiator can be closed by operating the valve based on the branch line. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator can be closed by operating the first expansion valve, the refrigerant connection line can be opened by operating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant line connecting the main heat exchanger and the refrigerant connection line can be opened by operating the refrigerant valve, and the bypass line can be opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

[0029] When the fourth heating mode is in operation, in the cooling unit, the coolant can be circulated in the coolant line by operating the first water pump, the branch line can be opened by operating the valve, and the coolant line connected to the radiator can be closed by operating the valve based on the branch line. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator can be closed by operating the first expansion valve, the refrigerant connection line can be closed by operating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant line connecting the main heat exchanger and the evaporator can be closed by operating the refrigerant valve, and the bypass line can be opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

[0030] When waste heat generated from the battery module is selectively recovered in the second and third heating modes, the coolant can circulate through the battery coolant pipeline by operating the second water pump in the battery cooling device.

[0031] In the third and fourth heating modes, when the heating element overheats, the valve can open the coolant line connected to the radiator, introducing some coolant that has already passed through the main heat exchanger into the radiator and introducing other coolant into the heating element.

[0032] Each of the valves and refrigerant valves can be a three-way valve capable of distributing fluid flow.

[0033] Each of the cooler and the main heat exchanger can be a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the auxiliary heat exchanger can be an air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0034] Heating elements may include power control devices, inverters, on-board chargers (OBCs), power conversion devices, electronic components including autonomous driving controllers, or oil coolers.

[0035] As described above, when a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied, the temperature of the battery module can be regulated by using a single cooler to exchange heat between the coolant and refrigerant according to the vehicle's mode, and the vehicle interior can be heated by recovering heat from multiple heat sources, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0036] In addition, according to this disclosure, heating efficiency can be improved by selectively recovering waste heat generated from external heat sources, heating elements or battery modules and using the waste heat to heat the vehicle interior in at least one heating mode.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, it is possible to optimize the performance of the battery module by effectively controlling its temperature, and to increase the overall driving range of the vehicle by effectively managing the battery module.

[0038] Furthermore, the entire system can be simplified to reduce manufacturing costs and weight, and improve space utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 A block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figure 2 An operational state diagram of the cooling mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Figure 3 An operational state diagram of a vehicle's first heating mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 4 An operational state diagram of a second heating mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0043] Figure 5 An operational state diagram of a third heating mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] Figure 6 An operational state diagram of a fourth heating mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Since the embodiments described in the specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments and configurations of this disclosure, they do not represent all the technical ideas of this disclosure, and it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications of the embodiments are possible when submitting this application.

[0047] For the sake of clarity in describing this disclosure, parts that are not relevant to the description have been omitted, and the same or similar components throughout the specification are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0048] For ease of description, the dimensions and thicknesses of each configuration shown in the figures are arbitrarily illustrated, and therefore this disclosure is not limited to the configurations shown in the figures, and the figures show enlarged thicknesses to clearly illustrate the various parts and areas.

[0049] Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word “comprising” and variations such as “including” or “containing” shall be understood to imply inclusion of the stated element but not exclusion of any other element.

[0050] In addition, terms such as “unit,” “tool,” “part,” and “component” used in the specification refer to a unit of integrated configuration having at least one function or operation.

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

[0052] According to this embodiment, the heat pump system can regulate the temperature of the battery module 23 by using a cooler 30 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the coolant, and can recover heat from multiple heat sources for internal heating.

[0053] Such heat pump systems can be applied to electric vehicles.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 The heat pump system may include a cooling device 10, a battery cooling device 20, and a cooler 30.

[0055] First, the cooling device 10 includes a radiator 12, a first water pump 14, and a heating element 15 connected to each other via coolant pipes 11.

[0056] The radiator 12 is located at the front of the vehicle, and the cooling fan 13 is located behind the radiator 12, so that the coolant is cooled by the operation of the cooling fan 13 and exchanges heat with the outside air.

[0057] Additionally, the heating element 15 may include a power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, or an on-board charger (OBC), and an oil cooler connected to the motor.

[0058] The heating element 15 configured as described above can be cooled by water in the coolant line 11.

[0059] Therefore, when the waste heat of the heating element 15 is recovered in the vehicle's heating mode, the heat generated from the EPCU, motor, inverter, or OBC can be recovered.

[0060] Additionally, a coolant reservoir (not shown) is provided in the coolant line 11 between the radiator 12 and the first water pump 14. The coolant cooled by the radiator 12 can be stored in the coolant reservoir (not shown).

[0061] The cooling device 10 can circulate the coolant in the coolant line 11 through the operation of the first water pump 14, so that the coolant is supplied to the heating element 15 provided in the coolant line 11.

[0062] Meanwhile, the cooling device 10 may also include a branch pipe 18, which is connected to the coolant pipe 11 between the radiator 12 and the first water pump 14 by a valve 16 disposed in the coolant pipe 11 between the radiator 12 and the first water pump 14.

[0063] The first end of the branch pipe 18 can be connected to the coolant pipe 11 via the valve 16, and the second end of the branch pipe 18 can be connected to the coolant pipe 11 that connects the heating element 15 and the radiator 12.

[0064] When the temperature of the coolant increases by absorbing the waste heat generated by the heating element 15, the branch line 18 is selectively opened by the operation of the valve 16. In this case, the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 is closed by the operation of the valve 16.

[0065] In this embodiment, the battery cooling device 20 includes: a battery coolant pipeline 21; a battery module 23 connected to the battery coolant pipeline 21; and a second water pump 25.

[0066] The battery cooling device 20 can selectively circulate coolant in the battery module 23 by operating the second water pump 25.

[0067] In this embodiment, the cooler 30 is connected to the battery cooling device 20 and the battery coolant pipeline 21. That is, the cooler 30 is disposed in the battery coolant pipeline 21.

[0068] The cooler 30 is connected to the refrigerant line 51 of the air conditioner 50 via a refrigerant connection line 61. That is, the cooler 30 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger in which refrigerant flows.

[0069] Therefore, the cooler 30 can regulate the temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, which is selectively supplied to the battery coolant line 21 and selectively supplied from the air conditioner 50.

[0070] Here, both the first water pump 14 and the second water pump 25 can be electric water pumps.

[0071] In this embodiment, the air conditioning unit 50 includes an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) module (not shown), an internal condenser 52, a main heat exchanger 53, a secondary heat exchanger 54, a first expansion valve 55, an evaporator 56, a compressor 59, a second expansion valve 63, and a third expansion valve 65, all connected via a refrigerant line 51.

[0072] First, the HVAC module includes an evaporator 56 connected to the HVAC module via a refrigerant line 51, and a switch (not shown) for controlling the selective flow of outside air through the evaporator 56 into the internal condenser 52 according to the vehicle's cooling mode, at least one heating mode, or dehumidification mode.

[0073] That is, in the vehicle's heating mode, the door (not shown) is opened to allow outside air to pass through the evaporator 56 and be introduced into the internal condenser 52.

[0074] Conversely, in the vehicle's cooling mode, opening and closing the door (not shown) shuts off the internal condenser 52, allowing outside air cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56 to flow directly into the vehicle.

[0075] Here, the internal condenser 52 can condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59 by exchanging heat with the outside air. The internal condenser 52 is connected to the main heat exchanger 53 via refrigerant piping 51.

[0076] In this embodiment, the main heat exchanger 53 is connected to the refrigerant line 51 to allow refrigerant to pass through the refrigerant line. The main heat exchanger 53 is disposed in the coolant line 11 between the heating element 15 and the radiator 12 so that the coolant circulating in the cooling device 10 can pass through the main heat exchanger.

[0077] That is, depending on the vehicle's cooling mode or at least one heating mode, the main heat exchanger 53 can cause the refrigerant to condense or evaporate by exchanging heat with the coolant supplied through the coolant line 11.

[0078] The main heat exchanger 53 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which coolant flows.

[0079] Here, at least one heating mode can be operated by selectively using the heating element 15, external air, or the waste heat of the battery module 23.

[0080] In this embodiment, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can be installed in the refrigerant pipeline 51 between the main heat exchanger 53 and the evaporator 56.

[0081] Here, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can further condense or evaporate the refrigerant that has already been condensed or evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 through heat exchange with the outside air. That is, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 is arranged in front of the radiator 12 to exchange heat between the refrigerant introduced into the auxiliary heat exchanger and the outside air.

[0082] As a result, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger that uses outside air to condense the refrigerant.

[0083] Similarly, while the main heat exchanger 53 condenses the refrigerant, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 further condenses the refrigerant that has already been condensed in the main heat exchanger 53, thereby increasing the coefficient of performance (COP), which is a coefficient of cooling capacity relative to the power required by the compressor.

[0084] Conversely, while the main heat exchanger 53 evaporates the refrigerant, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can additionally evaporate the refrigerant that has evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53.

[0085] A first expansion valve 55 is disposed in the refrigerant line 51 between the secondary heat exchanger 54 and the evaporator 56. The first expansion valve 55 receives refrigerant passing through the secondary heat exchanger 54 and causes the refrigerant to expand.

[0086] In this embodiment, in vehicle cooling mode, the evaporator 56 evaporates the refrigerant through heat exchange with outside air. The outside air cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56 can be introduced into the vehicle interior to cool the vehicle interior.

[0087] Here, the air conditioning unit may also include a liquid receiver 57.

[0088] The receiver 57 is disposed in the refrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59, and the receiver is connected to the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0089] The receiver 57 improves the efficiency and durability of the first compressor 59 by supplying only gaseous refrigerant to the first compressor 59.

[0090] Compressor 59 is connected between evaporator 56 and internal condenser 52 via refrigerant line 51. Compressor 59 can compress gaseous refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerant to internal condenser 52.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first end of the refrigerant connection line 61 is connected to the refrigerant line 51 between the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 and the first expansion valve 55. The second end of the refrigerant connection line 61 can be connected to the refrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

[0092] Here, a second expansion valve 63 is provided in the refrigerant connection line 61. When the battery module 23 is cooled by heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant connection line 61 to introduce the refrigerant into the cooler 30.

[0093] That is, when the battery module 23 is cooled by heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 63 operates to expand the refrigerant.

[0094] While the refrigerant temperature is reduced by expanding the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 63 can introduce the refrigerant discharged from the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 into the cooler 30 to further reduce the temperature of the coolant passing through the interior of the cooler 30.

[0095] As a result, coolant that has cooled down while passing through cooler 30 is introduced into battery module 23, thereby making cooling more efficient.

[0096] The third expansion valve 65 is installed in the refrigerant line 51 between the internal condenser 52 and the main heat exchanger 53.

[0097] Here, the third expansion valve 65 can expand the refrigerant that has passed through the internal condenser 52 in at least one heating mode to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0098] Therefore, in at least one heating mode, the main heat exchanger 53 can evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the coolant supplied by the coolant line 11.

[0099] The air conditioning unit 50 configured in this way also includes a bypass line 73, which is connected to the refrigerant line 51 via a refrigerant valve 71 to selectively introduce refrigerant that has already passed through the main heat exchanger 53 into the compressor 59.

[0100] The first end of the bypass line 73 is connected to the refrigerant valve 71 in the refrigerant line 51 located between the main heat exchanger 53 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 54.

[0101] The second end of the bypass line 73 can be connected to the receiver 57 in the refrigerant line 51 located between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59.

[0102] Here, the first expansion valve 55, the second expansion valve 63, and the third expansion valve 65 can be electronic expansion valves, which selectively expand the coolant while controlling the flow of refrigerant through the refrigerant line 51 or the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0103] In addition, each of valve 16 and refrigerant valve 71 may be a three-way valve capable of distributing fluid flow.

[0104] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, at least one heating mode may include a first, second, third, and fourth heating mode.

[0105] Firstly, the first heating mode can indirectly use an external heat source.

[0106] That is, in the first mode, the cooling device 10 can cool the coolant in the radiator 12 by exchanging heat with the outside air, while recovering heat from the outside air heat source.

[0107] Heat recovered from an external heat source can be indirectly recovered through heat exchange between the refrigerant and coolant in the main heat exchanger 53.

[0108] Therefore, the first heating mode can heat the vehicle interior indirectly by using an external heat source.

[0109] In this embodiment, the second heating mode can use an external heat source directly or indirectly.

[0110] That is, in the second heating mode, the cooling device 10 can cool the coolant in the radiator 12 by heat exchange with the outside air, while recovering heat from the outside air heat source.

[0111] In addition, as the refrigerant evaporates through heat exchange with the outside air, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 recovers heat from the external heat source.

[0112] Heat from the external heat source recovered from the cooling device 10 is indirectly recovered through heat exchange between the refrigerant and coolant in the main heat exchanger 53. Additionally, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can directly recover heat from the external heat source through heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air.

[0113] Therefore, the second heating mode can heat the vehicle interior by using external heat sources directly and indirectly.

[0114] In this embodiment, the third heating mode can directly use an external heat source and can directly use the waste heat of the heating element 15.

[0115] That is, in the third heating mode, the cooling device 10 cools the heating element 15 with coolant while recovering the waste heat of the heating element 15.

[0116] The coolant whose temperature rises when cooling the heating element 15 can be restored by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the main heat exchanger 53, without passing through the radiator 12.

[0117] In addition, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 directly recovers heat from the external heat source while the refrigerant evaporates through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0118] Therefore, the third heating mode can directly use an external heat source and can use the heat from the waste heat source of the heating element 15 to heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0119] In addition, the fourth heating mode can use waste heat from the heating element 15.

[0120] That is, in the fourth heating mode, the cooling device 10 cools the heating element 15 with coolant while recovering the waste heat of the heating element 15.

[0121] The coolant whose temperature rises when cooling the heating element 15 can be restored by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the main heat exchanger 53, without passing through the radiator 12.

[0122] Therefore, in the fourth heating mode, the interior of the vehicle can be heated by using the waste heat source from the heating element 15.

[0123] Meanwhile, when the waste heat generated from the battery module 23 is selectively recovered in the second heating mode and the third heating mode, the coolant can be circulated through the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 25 in the battery cooling device 20.

[0124] Additionally, when the heating element 15 overheats in the third and fourth heating modes, the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 can be opened to introduce some of the coolant that has already passed through the main heat exchanger 53 into the radiator 12, and other coolant enters the heating element 15.

[0125] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 6 The operation and function of a heat pump system for a vehicle configured as described above according to embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail.

[0126] In this embodiment, reference will be made to Figure 2 Describes the operation used to cool battery module 23 in cooling mode.

[0127] Figure 2 An operational state diagram of a vehicle cooling mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0128] Reference Figure 2 In the cooling device 10, the coolant circulates in the coolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0129] In this situation, branch line 18 is closed by operating valve 16.

[0130] Therefore, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 can be circulated along the coolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14 to cool the heating element 15.

[0131] The coolant that has passed through the heating element 15 can be supplied to the main heat exchanger 53 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0132] In this case, in the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 25 is operated to cool the battery module 23.

[0133] Then, in the battery cooling device 20, the coolant can be circulated in the battery coolant line 21 by the operation of the second water pump 25.

[0134] Therefore, in the battery cooling device 20, the coolant that has passed through the cooler 30 can be supplied to the battery module 23 along the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 25.

[0135] In the air conditioning unit 50, each component operates to cool the interior of the vehicle. Therefore, refrigerant circulates along refrigerant lines 51.

[0136] Here, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 and the evaporator 56 is opened by the operation of the first expansion valve 55. The refrigerant connection line 61 is opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0137] Bypass line 73 is closed by operating refrigerant valve 71.

[0138] Then, the refrigerant that has passed through the main heat exchanger 53 flows into the secondary heat exchanger 54 along the refrigerant line 51. After that, the refrigerant through the secondary heat exchanger 54 can circulate along the refrigerant line 51 and the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0139] Here, the first expansion valve 55 and the second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant, so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 56 and the cooler 30 respectively.

[0140] In addition, the third expansion valve 65 can supply refrigerant that has passed through the internal condenser 52 to the main heat exchanger 53 without causing the refrigerant to expand.

[0141] Therefore, the main heat exchanger 53 condenses the refrigerant by using the coolant flowing along the coolant line 11.

[0142] In addition, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can further condense the refrigerant flowing out of the main heat exchanger 53 through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0143] Meanwhile, through the operation of the second water pump 25, the coolant passing through the cooler 30 circulates in the battery coolant pipeline 21 to cool the battery module 23.

[0144] The coolant passing through cooler 30 is cooled by heat exchange with the expanded refrigerant supplied to cooler 30. The coolant cooled in cooler 30 is supplied to battery module 23. Therefore, battery module 23 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0145] That is, the second expansion valve 63 expands some of the refrigerant that has passed through the secondary heat exchanger 54 to supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 30, and opens the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0146] Therefore, some of the refrigerant discharged from the secondary heat exchanger 54 expands through the operation of the second expansion valve 63 to enter a low temperature and low pressure state, and the refrigerant flows into the cooler 30 connected to the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0147] After that, the refrigerant flowing into the cooler 30 exchanges heat with the coolant, and then flows into the compressor 59 after passing through the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0148] Therefore, the coolant whose temperature rises during the cooling of battery module 23 is cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant within cooler 30. The cooled coolant is then supplied back to battery module 23 along battery coolant line 21.

[0149] As a result, the coolant circulating in the battery cooling device 20 can effectively cool the battery module 23 while repeating the above operations.

[0150] Meanwhile, other refrigerant discharged from the secondary heat exchanger 54 flows through the refrigerant line 51 to cool the interior of the vehicle, and sequentially passes through the first expansion valve 55, evaporator 56, receiver 57, compressor 59, internal condenser 52 and main heat exchanger 53.

[0151] Here, the outside air flowing into the HVAC module (not shown) is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 56 as it passes through the evaporator 56.

[0152] In this configuration, a portion of the internal condenser 52 through which the cooled outside air passes is closed by a switch door (not shown), preventing outside air from passing through the internal condenser 52. Therefore, the cooled outside air flows directly into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle's interior.

[0153] Meanwhile, the amount of coolant condensed increases as it passes sequentially through the main heat exchanger 53 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 54, allowing the coolant to expand and be supplied to the evaporator 56, thereby allowing the refrigerant to be evaporated to a lower temperature.

[0154] As a result, in this embodiment, the main heat exchanger 53 condenses the refrigerant, and the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 further condenses the refrigerant, which is advantageous for subcooling the refrigerant.

[0155] In addition, since the subcooled refrigerant is evaporated to an even lower temperature in the evaporator 56, the temperature of the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 can be further reduced, thereby improving cooling performance and efficiency.

[0156] In the vehicle's cooling mode, the refrigerant can cool the vehicle interior while repeating the above process, and at the same time, the refrigerant can be cooled by heat exchange as it passes through the cooler 30.

[0157] The low-temperature coolant, which is cooled in the cooler 30, is introduced into the battery module 23. Therefore, the battery module 23 can be effectively cooled by the low-temperature coolant supplied thereto.

[0158] The following will refer to Figure 3 Describe the operation of the vehicle's first heating mode.

[0159] Figure 3 An operational state diagram of a vehicle's first heating mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0160] Reference Figure 3 The first heating mode can heat the vehicle interior indirectly by using an external heat source.

[0161] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 operates to circulate the coolant.

[0162] In this situation, branch line 18 is closed by operating valve 16.

[0163] Therefore, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 can circulate along the coolant line 11 through the operation of the first water pump 14 to cool the heating element 15.

[0164] The coolant that has passed through the heating element 15 can be supplied to the main heat exchanger 53 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0165] That is, in the first heating mode, the cooling device 10 can cool by exchanging heat between the coolant in the radiator 12 and the outside air, while recovering heat from the outside air heat source.

[0166] In the air conditioning unit 50, each component operates to heat the vehicle interior. Therefore, refrigerant circulates along refrigerant lines 51.

[0167] Here, the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is closed by the operation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0168] In addition, the refrigerant connection line 61 is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0169] At the same time or approximately at the same time, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the main heat exchanger 53, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 and the evaporator 56 is closed based on the operation of the refrigerant valve 71.

[0170] Bypass line 73 can be opened by operating refrigerant valve 71.

[0171] That is, the refrigerant compressed by the operation of the compressor 59 passes through the internal condenser 52 and then flows into the third expansion valve 65.

[0172] In this case, the third expansion valve 65 expands the refrigerant supplied from the internal condenser 52 to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0173] The main heat exchanger 53 can evaporate the refrigerant supplied by the third expansion valve 65 by exchanging heat with the coolant supplied by the coolant line 11.

[0174] The refrigerant evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 is supplied to the receiver 57 along the open bypass line 73.

[0175] The refrigerant supplied to the receiver 57 is separated into gaseous, liquid, and intermediate states; the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 59. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 59 is supplied to the internal condenser 52.

[0176] Here, the heat from the external heat source recovered from the cooling device 10 can be indirectly recovered through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant in the main heat exchanger 53.

[0177] At the same time, the switch door (not shown) is open, allowing outside air to flow into the HVAC module (not shown) and pass through the evaporator 56 to the internal condenser 52.

[0178] Therefore, the outside air introduced from the outside flows at a normal temperature without being cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56, which is not supplied with refrigerant. The introduced outside air can be converted to a high temperature state when passing through the internal condenser 52 and then flow into the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0179] That is, the heat pump system according to this embodiment can indirectly recover heat from the external heat source recovered from the cooling device 10 from the main heat exchanger 53 in the first heating mode of the vehicle, and use the heat to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the power loss of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0180] See below for reference Figure 4 Describe the operation of the vehicle's second heating mode.

[0181] Figure 4 An operational state diagram of a second heating mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0182] Reference Figure 4 The second heating mode can heat the vehicle interior by using external heat sources directly or indirectly.

[0183] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 is operated to circulate the coolant.

[0184] In this situation, branch line 18 is closed by operating valve 16.

[0185] Therefore, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 can circulate along the coolant line 11 through the operation of the first water pump 14 to cool the heating element 15.

[0186] The coolant that has passed through the heating element 15 can be supplied to the main heat exchanger 53 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0187] That is, in the second heating mode, the cooling device 10 can recover heat from the external air heat source while cooling the coolant in the radiator 12 through heat exchange with the external air.

[0188] In the air conditioning unit 50, each component operates to heat the vehicle interior. Therefore, refrigerant circulates along refrigerant lines 51.

[0189] Here, the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is closed by the operation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0190] At the same time, the refrigerant connection line 61 is opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0191] At the same time or approximately at the same time, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the main heat exchanger 53 and the refrigerant connection line 61 is opened by the operation of the refrigerant valve 71.

[0192] Bypass line 73 is opened by operating refrigerant valve 71.

[0193] That is, the refrigerant compressed by the operation of the compressor 59 passes through the internal condenser 52 and then flows into the third expansion valve 65.

[0194] In this case, the third expansion valve 65 expands the refrigerant supplied from the internal condenser 52 to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0195] The main heat exchanger 53 can evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied by the third expansion valve 65 and the coolant supplied by the coolant line 11.

[0196] Some of the refrigerant evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 is supplied to the receiver 57 along the open bypass line 73.

[0197] The refrigerant supplied to the receiver 57 is in gaseous, liquid, and intermediate forms, with the gaseous refrigerant being supplied to the compressor 59.

[0198] Here, the heat from the external heat source recovered from the cooling device 10 can be indirectly recovered through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant in the main heat exchanger 53.

[0199] Meanwhile, the remaining refrigerant evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 is supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 along the open refrigerant line 51.

[0200] The auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can recover heat directly from an external heat source while the supplied refrigerant is further evaporated through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0201] The refrigerant that has passed through the secondary heat exchanger 54 can be supplied to the receiver 57 after passing through the cooler 30 via the open refrigerant line 51 and refrigerant connection line 61.

[0202] Here, the second expansion valve 63 expands the refrigerant passing through the secondary heat exchanger 54 to supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 30 and opens the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0203] Meanwhile, when the waste heat generated from the battery module 23 is selectively recovered in the second heating mode, the coolant can be circulated through the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 25 in the battery cooling device 20.

[0204] Therefore, the cooler 30 can recover the waste heat generated in the battery module 23 through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigerant whose temperature rises when cooling the battery module 23.

[0205] That is, the coolant passing through the cooler 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the expanded refrigerant supplied to the cooler 30. Therefore, the cooler 30 can recover the waste heat generated in the battery module 23 through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heated coolant.

[0206] The refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 30 flows through the refrigerant connection line 61 and then through the receiver 57, before flowing into the compressor 59. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 59 is then supplied to the internal condenser 52.

[0207] At the same time, the switch door (not shown) is open to allow outside air to flow into the HVAC module (not shown) and through the evaporator 56 to the internal condenser 52.

[0208] Therefore, the outside air introduced from the outside flows at a normal temperature without being cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56, which is not supplied with refrigerant. The introduced outside air can be converted to a high temperature state while passing through the internal condenser 52 and then flow into the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0209] That is, in the second heating mode of the vehicle, the heat pump system according to this embodiment can indirectly recover heat from the external heat source recovered from the cooling device 10 from the main heat exchanger 53, and the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can directly recover heat from the external heat source to increase the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0210] In addition, the waste heat generated from the battery module 23 can be selectively recovered by the cooler 30 and can be used to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the power loss of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0211] The following will refer to Figure 5 Describe the operation of the vehicle's third heating mode.

[0212] Figure 5 An operational state diagram of a third heating mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0213] Reference Figure 5 The third heating mode can directly use an external heat source and can also use heat from the waste heat source of the heating element 15 to heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0214] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 14 is operated to circulate the coolant.

[0215] In this situation, branch line 18 is opened by operating valve 16.

[0216] At the same time or approximately at the same time, valve 16 can close the coolant line 11 connecting the heating element 15 and the radiator 12.

[0217] That is, the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 is closed by the operation of the valve 16 based on the branch line 18.

[0218] Therefore, the coolant passing through the heating element 15 continues to circulate along the coolant line 11 without passing through the radiator 12, and the coolant absorbs residual heat from the heating element 15 to increase its temperature.

[0219] The increased temperature of the coolant can be supplied to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0220] That is, the residual heat generated by the heating element 15 increases the temperature of the coolant circulating in the coolant line 11.

[0221] Heat can be recovered from the refrigerant whose temperature has been raised, while the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the main heat exchanger 53 is also raised, and the refrigerant passes through the main heat exchanger 53 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0222] In the air conditioning unit 50, each component operates to heat the vehicle interior. Therefore, refrigerant circulates along refrigerant lines 51.

[0223] Here, the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is closed by the operation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0224] At the same time, the refrigerant connection line 61 is opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0225] At the same time or approximately at the same time, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the main heat exchanger 53 and the refrigerant connection line 61 is opened by the operation of the refrigerant valve 71.

[0226] Bypass line 73 is opened by operating refrigerant valve 71.

[0227] That is, the refrigerant compressed by the operation of the compressor 59 passes through the internal condenser 52 and then flows into the third expansion valve 65.

[0228] In this case, the third expansion valve 65 expands the refrigerant supplied from the internal condenser 52 to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0229] The main heat exchanger 53 can evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied by the third expansion valve 65 and the coolant whose temperature has been raised by the waste heat of the heating element 15.

[0230] Therefore, the main heat exchanger 53 can successfully recover the waste heat of the heating element 15.

[0231] Some of the refrigerant evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 is supplied to the receiver 57 along the open bypass line 73.

[0232] The refrigerant supplied to the receiver 57 is in gaseous, liquid, and intermediate forms, with the gaseous refrigerant being supplied to the compressor 59.

[0233] Meanwhile, other refrigerant evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 is supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 along the open refrigerant line 51.

[0234] The secondary heat exchanger 54 can directly recover heat from an external heat source, while further evaporating the supplied refrigerant through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0235] The refrigerant that has passed through the secondary heat exchanger 54 can be supplied to the receiver 57 after passing through the cooler 30 along the open refrigerant line 51 and refrigerant connection line 61.

[0236] Here, the second expansion valve 63 expands the refrigerant passing through the secondary heat exchanger 54 to supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 30 and opens the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0237] Meanwhile, when the waste heat generated from the battery module 23 is selectively recovered in the second heating mode, the coolant can be circulated through the battery coolant pipeline 21 by the operation of the second water pump 25 in the battery cooling device 20.

[0238] Therefore, the cooler 30 can recover the waste heat generated in the battery module 23 through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigerant whose temperature rises when cooling the battery module 23.

[0239] That is, the coolant passing through the cooler 30 is cooled by exchanging heat with the expanded refrigerant supplied to the cooler 30. Therefore, the cooler 30 can recover the waste heat generated in the battery module 23 through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heated coolant.

[0240] The refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 30 flows through the refrigerant connection line 61 and then through the receiver 57, before flowing into the compressor 59. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 59 is then supplied to the internal condenser 52.

[0241] At the same time, the switch door (not shown) is open to allow outside air to flow into the HVAC module (not shown) and through the evaporator 56 to the internal condenser 52.

[0242] Therefore, the outside air introduced from the outside flows at a normal temperature without being cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56, which is not supplied with refrigerant. The introduced outside air is converted to a high temperature as it passes through the internal condenser 52 and flows into the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0243] That is, in the third heating mode of the vehicle, the heat pump system according to this embodiment can recover heat from the external heat source generated by the heating element 15 from the main heat exchanger 53, while the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 can directly recover heat from the external heat source to increase the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0244] Furthermore, the waste heat generated from the battery module 23 can be selectively recovered by the cooler 30, and this heat can be used to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the power loss of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0245] Meanwhile, when the heating element 15 overheats during the third heating mode operation, the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 is opened by the operation of the valve 16.

[0246] Here, branch pipe 18 can remain open.

[0247] Therefore, some of the coolant that did not flow into the branch pipe 18 was cooled as it passed through the radiator 12.

[0248] The coolant, which has been completely cooled, can recover heat together with the cooling water circulating along the branch pipe 18 as it passes through the heating element 15, and can continuously and effectively cool the heating element 15.

[0249] That is, when the heating element 15 overheats, the valve 16 can open the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 so that some of the coolant that has passed through the heating element 15 can enter the branch line 18 and allow other coolant to enter the radiator 12.

[0250] As a result, some of the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 can be supplied to the heating element 15, thereby preventing the heating element 15 from overheating.

[0251] That is, according to this disclosure, it is possible to recover the waste heat generated in the heating element 15 and use the waste heat to heat the interior, thereby reducing power loss and improving overall heating efficiency.

[0252] Meanwhile, according to this disclosure, some coolant can be introduced into the radiator 12 by controlling the operation of the valve 16 which is capable of distributing fluid flow, thereby being cooled, and then the coolant is supplied to the heating element 15, thereby effectively cooling the heating element 15 and ensuring the cooling performance of the heating element 15.

[0253] The following will refer to Figure 6 Describe the operation of the vehicle's fourth heating mode.

[0254] Figure 6 An operational state diagram of a fourth heating mode of a vehicle in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0255] Reference Figure 6 In the fourth operating mode, the interior of the vehicle can be heated by using the residual heat of the heating element 15.

[0256] First, in the cooling device 10, the first water pump 1 operates 4 to circulate the coolant.

[0257] In this situation, branch line 18 is opened by operating valve 16.

[0258] At the same time or approximately at the same time, valve 16 can close the coolant line 11 connecting the heating element 15 and the radiator 12.

[0259] That is, the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 is closed by the operation of the valve 16 based on the branch line 18.

[0260] Therefore, the coolant passing through the heating element 15 continues to circulate along the coolant line 11 without passing through the radiator 12, and the coolant absorbs residual heat from the heating element 15 to increase its temperature.

[0261] The increased temperature of the coolant can be supplied to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0262] That is, the residual heat generated by the heating element 15 increases the temperature of the coolant circulating in the coolant line 11.

[0263] Heat can be recovered from the refrigerant whose temperature has been raised, while the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the main heat exchanger 53 is also raised, and the refrigerant passes through the main heat exchanger 53 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0264] In the air conditioning unit 50, each component operates to cool the interior of the vehicle. Therefore, refrigerant circulates along refrigerant lines 51.

[0265] Here, the refrigerant line 51 connected to the evaporator 56 is closed by the operation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0266] In addition, the refrigerant connection line 61 is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0267] At the same time or approximately at the same time, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the main heat exchanger 53, the auxiliary heat exchanger 54 and the evaporator 56 is closed by the operation of the refrigerant valve 71.

[0268] Bypass line 73 is opened by operating refrigerant valve 71.

[0269] That is, the refrigerant compressed by the operation of the compressor 59 passes through the internal condenser 52 and then flows into the third expansion valve 65.

[0270] In this case, the third expansion valve 65 expands the refrigerant supplied from the internal condenser 52 to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger 53.

[0271] The main heat exchanger 53 can evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the third expansion valve 65 and the coolant whose temperature has been raised by the residual heat of the heating element 15.

[0272] Therefore, the main heat exchanger 53 can successfully recover the waste heat of the heating element 15.

[0273] The refrigerant evaporated in the main heat exchanger 53 is supplied to the receiver 57 along the open bypass line 73.

[0274] The refrigerant supplied to the receiver 57 is in gaseous, liquid, and intermediate forms, with the gaseous refrigerant being introduced into the compressor 59.

[0275] The refrigerant compressed in compressor 59 is supplied to internal condenser 52.

[0276] At the same time, the switch door (not shown) is open to allow outside air to flow into the HVAC module (not shown) and through the evaporator 56 to the internal condenser 52.

[0277] Therefore, the outside air introduced from the outside flows at a normal temperature without being cooled when passing through the evaporator 56, which is not supplied with refrigerant. The introduced outside air is converted to a high temperature state when passing through the internal condenser 52 and flows into the vehicle, thereby heating the vehicle interior.

[0278] That is, in the fourth heating mode of the vehicle, the heat pump system according to this embodiment can recover the waste heat generated from the heating element 15 from the main heat exchanger 53 and use the heat to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the power loss of the compressor 59 and improving the heating efficiency.

[0279] Meanwhile, when the heating element 15 operating in the fourth heating mode overheats, the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 is opened by the operation of the valve 16.

[0280] Here, branch pipe 18 can remain open.

[0281] Therefore, some of the coolant that did not flow into branch pipe 18 was cooled as it passed through radiator 12.

[0282] The coolant, which has been completely cooled, can recover heat together with the cooling water circulating along the branch pipe 18 as it passes through the heating element 15, and can continuously and effectively cool the heating element 15.

[0283] That is, when the heating element 15 overheats, the valve 16 can open the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 so that some of the coolant that has passed through the heating element 15 can enter the branch line 18, and other coolant can enter the radiator 12.

[0284] As a result, some of the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 can be supplied to the heating element 15, thereby preventing the heating element 15 from overheating.

[0285] That is, according to this disclosure, it is possible to recover the waste heat generated in the heating element 15 and use the waste heat to heat the interior, thereby reducing power loss and improving overall heating efficiency.

[0286] Meanwhile, according to this disclosure, some coolant can be introduced into the radiator 12 by controlling the operation of the valve 16 which is capable of distributing fluid flow, thereby being cooled, and then supplied to the heating element 15, thereby effectively cooling the heating element 15 and ensuring the cooling performance of the heating element 15.

[0287] Therefore, as described above, when the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied, the temperature of the battery module 23 can be regulated by using a single cooler 30 to perform heat exchange between the coolant and refrigerant according to the vehicle's mode, and the interior of the vehicle can be heated by recovering heat from multiple heat sources, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0288] In addition, according to this disclosure, heating efficiency can be improved by selectively recovering waste heat generated from external heat sources, heating element 15 or battery module 23 and using this waste heat to heat the vehicle interior in the first, second, third and fourth heating modes.

[0289] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the performance of the battery module 23 can be optimized by effectively controlling the temperature of the battery module 23, and the total driving range of the vehicle can be increased by effectively managing the battery module 23.

[0290] Furthermore, the entire system can be simplified to reduce manufacturing costs and weight, and improve space utilization.

[0291] Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with embodiments that are now considered practical, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to these disclosed embodiments, but rather is intended to cover a variety of modifications and equivalent arrangements that include the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: A cooling device is configured to include a radiator connected to a coolant line and a first water pump, and the cooling device is configured to circulate coolant in the coolant line to cool at least one heating element disposed in the coolant line. A battery cooling device is configured to include a second water pump connected to a battery coolant line and a battery module, and the battery cooling device is configured to circulate the coolant in the battery module; as well as A cooler is connected to the battery cooling device, and the cooler is connected to the refrigerant line of the air conditioning unit via a refrigerant connection line to regulate the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the coolant circulating in the battery coolant line and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning unit. The air conditioning unit includes a main heat exchanger disposed therein, the main heat exchanger being connected to the coolant piping, and, depending on the vehicle's cooling mode or at least one heating mode, causing the refrigerant to condense or evaporate by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant supplied through the coolant piping; The air conditioning unit also includes a bypass line, which is connected to the refrigerant line via a refrigerant valve to selectively introduce the refrigerant that has already passed through the main heat exchanger into the compressor. The at least one heating mode is operated by selectively using the heating element, external air, or the waste heat of the battery module; Wherein, the at least one heating mode includes: The first heating mode indirectly uses an external heat source; The second heating mode uses external heat sources directly and indirectly; The third heating mode directly uses an external heat source and the waste heat of the heating element; and The fourth heating mode uses the waste heat source of the heating element.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The air conditioning unit also includes: An internal condenser is connected to the main heat exchanger via the refrigerant piping. The evaporator is connected to the main heat exchanger via the refrigerant piping. The compressor is connected to the evaporator via the refrigerant piping; A first expansion valve is disposed in the refrigerant line to connect the main heat exchanger and the evaporator; A second expansion valve is provided in the refrigerant connection line; and The third expansion valve is located in the refrigerant line between the internal condenser and the main heat exchanger.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, In at least one heating mode, the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant that has passed through the internal condenser to supply the refrigerant to the main heat exchanger.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The air conditioning unit also includes a secondary heat exchanger, which is disposed in the refrigerant pipeline between the main heat exchanger and the first expansion valve.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein, The auxiliary heat exchanger further condenses or evaporates the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the outside air after the refrigerant has been condensed or evaporated in the main heat exchanger.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein, The first end of the refrigerant connection pipe is connected to the refrigerant pipe between the auxiliary heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and The second end of the refrigerant connection line is connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein, The first end of the bypass pipeline is connected to the refrigerant valve, which is located in the refrigerant pipeline between the main heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger. The second end of the bypass line is connected to a liquid receiver, which is located in the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The cooling device further includes a branch line, which is connected to the coolant line between the radiator and the first water pump via a valve disposed in the coolant line between the radiator and the first water pump.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, When the battery module is cooled in the vehicle's cooling mode, In the cooling device, the coolant is circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump. By operating the valve, the branch line is closed. In the battery cooling device, the coolant is circulated in the battery coolant pipeline by operating the second water pump. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator is opened by operating the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection line is opened by operating the second expansion valve. The bypass line is closed by operating the refrigerant valve.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, When the first heating mode is in operation In the cooling device, the coolant is circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump. By operating the valve, the branch line is closed. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator is closed by operating the first expansion valve. By operating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant connection line is closed. By operating the refrigerant valve, the refrigerant line connecting the main heat exchanger and the evaporator is closed, and The bypass line is opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, When the second heating mode is in operation In the cooling device, the coolant is circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump. By operating the valve, the branch line is closed. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator is closed by operating the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection line is opened by operating the second expansion valve. By operating the refrigerant valve, the refrigerant line connecting the main heat exchanger and the refrigerant connection line is opened, and The bypass line is opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, When the third heating mode is in operation In the cooling device, the coolant is circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump. The branch pipeline is opened by operating the valve. By operating the valve based on the branch line, the coolant line connected to the radiator is closed. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator is closed by operating the first expansion valve, and the refrigerant connection line is opened by operating the second expansion valve. By operating the refrigerant valve, the refrigerant line connecting the main heat exchanger and the refrigerant connection line is opened, and The bypass line is opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, When the fourth heating mode is in operation In the cooling device, the coolant is circulated in the coolant pipeline by operating the first water pump. The branch pipeline is opened by operating the valve. By operating the valve based on the branch line, the coolant line connected to the radiator is closed. In the air conditioning unit, the refrigerant line connected to the evaporator is closed by operating the first expansion valve. By operating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant connection line is closed. By operating the refrigerant valve, the refrigerant line connecting the main heat exchanger and the evaporator is closed, and The bypass line is opened by operating the refrigerant valve.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, When selectively recovering waste heat generated from the battery module in the second heating mode and the third heating mode, The coolant is circulated through the battery coolant pipeline by the operation of the second water pump in the battery cooling device.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, In the third and fourth heating modes, when the heating element overheats, the valve opens the coolant line connected to the radiator, introducing some of the coolant that has already passed through the main heat exchanger into the radiator, and introducing the remaining coolant into the heating element.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein, Each of the valves and the refrigerant valve is a three-way valve capable of distributing fluid flow.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the cooler and the main heat exchanger is a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the auxiliary heat exchanger is an air-cooled heat exchanger.

18. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The heating element includes a power control device, an inverter, or an on-board charger, or a power conversion device, or electronic components including an autonomous driving controller, or an oil cooler.

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