Steam jet module and heat pump system using the same

Abstract

A steam injection module and a heat pump system using the same are provided, the steam injection module including an expansion valve allowing condensed refrigerant to pass through or expand according to an air conditioning mode, and a gas-liquid separator receiving the refrigerant transmitted from the expansion valve and separating the refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve includes a plurality of expansion regions formed therein and operates to make the refrigerant pass through the expansion valve or perform first-stage expansion or second-stage expansion according to a position in which the expansion regions are placed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a vapor injection module and a heat pump system using the same. The embodiments relate to a vapor injection module and a heat pump system using the same, which is capable of expanding a refrigerant, performing a bypass operation, and separating a gas and a liquid by using a single ball valve according to an air conditioning mode. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development and research that has been conducted on environmentally friendly technologies and alternative energy sources for replacing fossil raw materials, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are considered to be the most attractive fields in the recent automobile industry. Batteries are installed in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles to provide driving power. The power of the batteries is not only used to drive the vehicles, but also to cool or heat the interiors of the vehicles.

[0003] When the batteries are used as a heat source for cooling or heating the interiors of the vehicles that provide driving power by using the batteries, the travel distance is reduced to some extent. To solve this problem, a method of applying a heat pump system, which has been widely used as a domestic cooling or heating device in the related art, to vehicles has been proposed.

[0004] For reference, a heat pump refers to a process of absorbing low-temperature heat and transferring the absorbed heat to a high-temperature location. For example, a heat pump implements a cycle in which a liquid refrigerant becomes a gaseous refrigerant by evaporating in an evaporator and absorbing heat from the surroundings, and the gaseous refrigerant becomes a liquid refrigerant by dissipating heat to the surroundings by means of a condenser. The application of a heat pump to an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle can advantageously ensure an insufficient heat source in a general air conditioning housing in the related art.

[0005] When the outside air temperature is excessively low during a process of heating the interiors of the vehicles by using the heat pump system, the heating capacity is significantly deteriorated. This is caused by an insufficient absorption source. When the amount of the gaseous refrigerant delivered to the compressor is insufficient, the heating efficiency is deteriorated.

[0006] Various researches have been conducted by automobile manufacturers in many countries to solve the above-described problems. For example, in some cases, a method of improving heating performance by using a PTC heater and a method of improving heating performance by using waste heat of an electrical component have been used.

[0007] However, even the methods in the related art cannot effectively solve the problem of deterioration of heating performance during a heat pump defrosting operation. In addition, the method of unilaterally consuming the batteries is mainly used to improve the heating performance, but this method causes a problem of significant deterioration of the drivability of the batteries. SUMMARY

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] An object of the embodiments is to provide a steam injection module that can improve heating efficiency even in a low temperature state having a low outside air temperature.

[0010] Another object of the embodiments is to provide a steam injection module in which, in an internal cooling and non-steam injection mode, refrigerant bypasses a liquid gas separator (LGS), thereby achieving excellent heating efficiency without unnecessary pressure drop.

[0011] Still another object of the embodiments is to reduce costs and simplify the module by performing two-stage expansion by using a single ball valve and an actuator.

[0012] The technical problems to be solved by the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] The embodiments of the present application provide a steam injection module including an expansion valve configured to allow a condensed refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve or expand the condensed refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode, and a liquid gas separator configured to receive refrigerant from the expansion valve and separate the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve has a plurality of expansion regions, and according to an arrangement position of the expansion regions, the following operations are performed: allowing the refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve, performing first-stage expansion on the refrigerant, or performing second-stage expansion on the refrigerant.

[0015] In particular, the steam injection module can further include an actuator connected to the expansion valve and configured to control a position of the expansion valve.

[0016] In particular, in a cooling mode among the air conditioning modes, the expansion valve can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the liquid gas separator, while allowing the condensed refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve.

[0017] In particular, in a general heating mode (non-steam injection) among the air conditioning modes, the expansion valve can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the liquid gas separator, while expanding the condensed refrigerant.

[0018] In particular, in a steam injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the expansion valve can primary expand the condensed refrigerant and move the refrigerant to the liquid gas separator, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the liquid gas separator can be secondarily expanded while passing through the expansion valve.

[0019] In particular, the gas-liquid separator can separate the refrigerant into the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant only in a vapor injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes including a cooling mode, a general heating mode, and the vapor injection heating mode.

[0020] In particular, the expansion valve can include a ball valve connected to an inlet port and configured to be rotated, and the plurality of expansion regions can be formed in the ball valve.

[0021] In particular, the ball valve can include a connection hole connected to the inlet port, a first expansion region connected to the connection hole and configured to expand the refrigerant, and a second expansion region provided at one side of the ball valve.

[0022] The second expansion region can be formed as a through hole formed through the ball valve.

[0023] In particular, the first expansion region can have a pair of groove structures provided to face each other at end portions of the connection hole.

[0024] In particular, the expansion valve can include an outlet port, and, in a cooling mode and a general heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the ball valve can be rotated such that the second expansion region does not point to the outlet port.

[0025] In particular, the expansion valve can include an outlet port, the gas-liquid separator and the expansion valve are connected through a movement passage, and, in a vapor injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the second expansion region of the ball valve is rotated to connect the outlet port and the movement passage.

[0026] In particular, the gas-liquid separator can include a housing having an internal space in which the refrigerant flows, an outflow passage provided at an upper side of the housing and configured to discharge the gaseous refrigerant, the outflow passage being provided in the form of a tube to prevent inflow of the liquid refrigerant, and a movement passage provided at a lower side of the housing and configured to discharge the liquid refrigerant to the ball valve.

[0027] In particular, a connection passage connected to the housing can be provided such that the refrigerant introduced through the ball valve is discharged toward a side wall of the housing.

[0028] A partition wall portion can be provided at one side of the housing and configured to prevent the refrigerant from being scattered.

[0029] Another embodiment of the present application provides a vapor injection heat pump system including a compressor configured to compress and discharge a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expansion valve configured to block a flow of the condensed refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode, or to expand the condensed refrigerant and deliver the refrigerant to a gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separator configured to receive the refrigerant from the expansion valve and separate the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, an external heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant delivered from the expansion valve, a second expansion valve configured to control a moving direction of the refrigerant delivered from the external heat exchanger and whether to expand the refrigerant delivered from the external heat exchanger according to the air conditioning mode, and an evaporator configured to cool an interior by using the refrigerant delivered from the second expansion valve, wherein the expansion valve uses a plurality of expansion regions to perform an operation of allowing the refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve, performing a first stage expansion on the refrigerant, or performing a second stage expansion on the refrigerant according to the air conditioning mode.

[0030] In particular, the expansion valve can include a ball valve connected to an inlet port and configured to be rotated, and the plurality of expansion regions can be formed in the ball valve.

[0031] In particular, the ball valve can include a connection hole connected to the inlet port, a first expansion region provided at an end of the connection hole, and a second expansion region provided at a side of the ball valve.

[0032] In particular, the first expansion region can have a pair of groove structures provided at the end of the connection hole to face each other.

[0033] The second expansion region can be formed as a through hole formed through the ball valve.

[0034] In particular, in a case where the air conditioning mode is a cooling mode, the expansion valve can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the gas-liquid separator, while allowing the condensed refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve.

[0035] In particular, in a case where the air conditioning mode is a general heating mode (non-vapor injection), the expansion valve can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the gas-liquid separator, while expanding the condensed refrigerant.

[0036] In particular, in a vapor injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the expansion valve can primary expand the condensed refrigerant by using the first expansion region and move the refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be secondary expanded by the second expansion region while passing through the expansion valve.

[0037] In particular, the vapor injection heat pump system can further include a third expansion valve connected in parallel to the second expansion valve, and a cooler connected to the third expansion valve and configured to allow the refrigerant and a coolant to exchange heat with each other.

[0038] In particular, the vapor injection heat pump system can further include an internal heat exchanger configured to heat an interior by using the refrigerant compressed by the compressor.

[0039] In particular, the evaporator and the internal heat exchanger can be provided in an air conditioning housing.

[0040] In particular, the refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger can exchange heat with air, and the air having exchanged heat with the refrigerant can be introduced into the interior and heat the interior.

[0041] In particular, the refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger can exchange heat with a coolant, and the coolant having exchanged heat with the refrigerant can exchange heat with air for heating the interior.

[0042] In particular, the vapor injection heat pump system can further include a water-cooled condenser configured to allow the coolant and the refrigerant discharged from the internal heat exchanger to exchange heat with each other.

[0043] Advantageous Effects

[0044] According to this embodiment, heating efficiency can be improved even in a low temperature state having a low outside air temperature.

[0045] In particular, in an internal cooling and non-vapor injection mode, the refrigerant bypasses the gas-liquid separator, which makes it possible to improve heating efficiency without unnecessary pressure drop.

[0046] Further, by improving the structure in the related art, it is possible to reduce costs and simplify the module.

[0047] Various advantageous advantages and effects of the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned contents, and can be more easily understood during the course of describing the specific embodiments of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steam injection module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of Figure 1 .

[0050] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the internal cross section of Figure 1 .

[0051] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a ball valve that is a constituent element of Figure 1 .

[0052] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the lateral side of Figure 4 .

[0053] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the case where the air conditioning mode is a general heating mode in Figure 3 .

[0054] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the case where the air conditioning mode is a steam injection heating mode in Figure 3 .

[0055] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the case where the air conditioning mode is a cooling mode in Figure 3 .

[0056] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a steam injection heat pump system according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0057] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the operating state of the system in Figure 9 in a cooling mode.

[0058] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the operating state of the system in Figure 9 in a steam injection heating mode.

[0059] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the operating state of the system in Figure 9 in a general heating mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] However, the technical spirit of the present application is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but can be implemented in various different forms. One or more of the constituent elements in the embodiments can be selectively combined and replaced within the scope of the technical spirit of the present application.

[0062] Further, unless specifically and explicitly defined and described otherwise, the terms used in the embodiments of the present application, including technical and scientific terms, can be interpreted as having a meaning that is commonly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present application pertains. The meaning of a commonly used term, such as defined in a dictionary, can be interpreted in light of a context and meaning in the relevant technical field.

[0063] Further, the terms used in the embodiments of the present application are used to explain the embodiments, not to limit the present application.

[0064] In the present specification, the singular form can include the plural form unless specifically and explicitly stated otherwise. The expression "at least one of A, B, and C (or one or more of A, B, and C)" can include one or more of all combinations of A, B, and C that can be made by combining A, B, and C.

[0065] Further, the terms first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) can be used to describe the constituent elements of the embodiments of the present application.

[0066] These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent element from another constituent element, and the nature, sequence, or order of the constituent elements are not limited by the terms.

[0067] Further, when one constituent element is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "attached" to another constituent element, the one constituent element can be directly connected, coupled, or attached to the other constituent element, or connected, coupled, or attached to the other constituent element through another constituent element interposed therebetween.

[0068] Further, the description "one constituent element is formed or disposed above (on) or below (under) another constituent element" includes not only the case where the two constituent elements are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other constituent elements are formed or disposed between the two constituent elements. Further, the expressions "above (on) or below (under)" can include the meaning based on the downward direction and the upward direction of one constituent element.

[0069] Hereinbelow, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, the same or corresponding constituent elements are given the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] Figures 1 to 12Only the main features for conceptually and clearly understanding the present application are clearly shown. As a result, various modifications to the drawings are expected, and the scope of the present application is not necessarily limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings.

[0071] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steam injection module according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 is a view showing Figure 1 an internal structure of Figure 3 is a view showing Figure 1 an internal cross section of Figure 4 is a view showing a structure of a ball valve which is a constituent element of Figure 1 Figure 5 is a view showing Figure 4 a lateral side of Figure 6 is a view showing a flow of refrigerant in a case where an air conditioning mode is a general heating mode in Figure 3 Figure 7 is a view showing a flow of refrigerant in a case where an air conditioning mode is a steam injection heating mode in Figure 3 Figure 8 is a view showing a flow of refrigerant in a case where an air conditioning mode is a cooling mode in Figure 3

[0072] With reference to Figures 1 to 9 , a steam injection module 1 according to an embodiment of the present application can include an expansion valve 30, a gas-liquid separator 10, and an actuator 50.

[0073] The steam injection module 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is characterized in that: an arrangement position of a plurality of expansion regions provided in the expansion valve 30 is adjusted by using a single actuator 50 according to an air conditioning mode; and according to the arrangement position of the expansion regions, an operation of allowing refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve 30, performing a first-stage expansion on the refrigerant, or performing a second-stage expansion on the refrigerant is performed.

[0074] The expansion valve 30 can allow condensed refrigerant to pass therethrough or expand the condensed refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode.

[0075] The expansion valve 30 can include: an inlet port 32 into which refrigerant is introduced; a ball valve 31 provided in the expansion valve 30; an outlet port 33 through which the refrigerant that has passed through the ball valve 31 is discharged; a connection passage 34 through which the refrigerant introduced through the inlet port 32 flows to the gas-liquid separator 10; and a movement passage 35 through which the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 flows into the ball valve 31.

[0076] ​​​​The ball valve 31 can have a plurality of expansion regions. The ball valve 31 can allow the refrigerant introduced through the inlet port 32 to pass (bypass) through the ball valve or expand the refrigerant introduced through the inlet port 32. The ball valve 31 can adjust the moving direction of the refrigerant.

[0077] In one embodiment, the ball valve 31 can include a connection hole 31a connected to the inlet port 32 and configured to serve as a passage for the refrigerant to flow through, a first expansion region 31b provided at an end of the connection hole 31a, and a second expansion region 31c provided at one side of the ball valve 31.

[0078] The connection hole 31a provides a passage for the condensed refrigerant introduced from the outside to flow through. In one embodiment, the connection hole 31a can have a shape bent at 90 degrees, but the present application is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made according to the arrangement positions of the connection passage 34 and the outlet port 33.

[0079] The first expansion region 31b and the second expansion region 31c defined in the ball valve 31 serve to expand the refrigerant.

[0080] The first expansion region 31b can be connected with the connection hole 31a. The first expansion region 31b can expand the refrigerant introduced through the inlet port 32 and discharge the refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 10 or the flow-out hole.

[0081] In one embodiment, the first expansion region 31b can have a groove structure. The first expansion region 31b having the groove structure can define a passage and an inner wall around the ball valve 31 and expand the refrigerant by using a change in pressure when the refrigerant flows.

[0082] Further, the first expansion region 31b can be provided as a pair of first expansion regions 31b facing the end of the connection hole 31a. When the ball valve 31 rotates, the first expansion region 31b provided to face the end of the connection hole 31a can expand the refrigerant, and the first expansion region 31b can discharge the refrigerant to the connection passage 34 or the outlet port 33. The first expansion regions 31b formed at both opposite sides can reduce the movement of the ball valve 31.

[0083] A groove structure is shown in the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. A hole structure can be formed through one side of the connection hole 31a.

[0084] A second expansion region 31c can be provided at one side of the ball valve 31. In one embodiment, the second expansion region 31c can be formed as a through-hole formed through the ball valve 31. The second expansion region 31c can be provided to be eccentric from the center of the ball valve 31 and have a straight structure to not obstruct the flow of the refrigerant. Also, the second expansion region 31c having a through-hole structure is smaller in diameter than the moving passage 35, so that the refrigerant can be expanded by pressure when passing through the moving passage 35.

[0085] When the ball valve 31 is rotated at a preset angle, the second expansion region 31c can connect the outlet port 33 and the moving passage 35 through which the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 flows, so that the refrigerant can be expanded and discharged to the outlet port 33.

[0086] The structure or shape of the connection passage 34 and the moving passage 35 is not limited. The connection passage 34 can operate as a passage through which the refrigerant expanded by the ball valve 31 passes to flow to the gas-liquid separator 10. The moving passage 35 can operate as a passage through which the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 passes to flow to the ball valve.

[0087] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 When the inlet of the connection hole 31a of the ball valve 31 is directed to the inlet port 32, the outlet of the connection hole 31a can be provided at a position bent by 90 degrees. The first expansion region 31b can be provided to face each other at the end of the outlet of the connection hole 31a.

[0088] Also, the second expansion region 31c can be provided to be opposite to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The second expansion region 31c can have a through-hole structure formed through one side of the ball valve 31.

[0089] The gas-liquid separator 10 can receive the refrigerant from the expansion valve 30 and separate the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator 10 can move the separated gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 100 and move the liquid refrigerant to the ball valve 31.

[0090] The gas-liquid separator 10 can include a housing 11, an outflow passage 12, and a moving passage 35.

[0091] The housing 11 provides an internal space in which the refrigerant flows. The housing 11 has a cylindrical structure, and an inner wall of the housing 11 can have an inclination. The inclination can reduce the radius of the housing toward the lower side of the housing, thereby providing an effect of correcting the flow rate.

[0092] The outflow hole can be provided at the upper side of the housing 11, and the moving passage 35 can be formed at the lower side of the housing 11.

[0093] The outflow passage 12 can be connected to the outflow hole, and the gaseous refrigerant can flow through the outflow passage 12 to the outflow hole.

[0094] The connection passage 34 can be connected to one region of the upper side of the housing 11. The connection passage 34 can be provided such that the refrigerant is discharged toward the sidewall of the housing 11, thereby defining circulation of the refrigerant. The refrigerant discharged from the connection passage 34 flows downward while spirally flowing along the sidewall of the outflow passage 12.

[0095] The movement passage 35 can provide a passage through which the refrigerant liquefied in the housing 11 flows toward the second expansion region 31c provided in the ball valve 31.

[0096] The partition wall portion 13 can be provided at one side of the movement passage 35, i.e., one side of the housing 11, and prevent the refrigerant from being scattered.

[0097] The partition wall portion 13 can be positioned at a central portion of the housing 11, i.e., the lower side of the outflow passage 12, and prevent the refrigerant flowing through the movement passage from being scattered and introduced into the outflow passage 12. In one embodiment, the partition wall portion 13 can have a structure of a circular plate and have a diameter greater than that of the outflow passage 12. The shape of the partition wall portion 13 is not limited, but the cross section of the partition wall portion 13 can be greater than that of the outflow passage 12. The partition wall portion 13 can be variously modified according to the cross-sectional shape of the outflow passage 12.

[0098] In addition, a fixing portion can be connected to the partition wall portion 13 such that the partition wall portion 13 can be fixed to the housing 11. In one embodiment, the fixing portion can have a rod structure. The fixing portion can be fixed by a structure in which one side is connected to the partition wall portion 13 and the other side is fixed to the housing 11.

[0099] The actuator 50 can be connected to the expansion valve 30 and control the position of the expansion valve 30. In one embodiment, the actuator 50 can control the position of the first expansion region 31b and the position of the second expansion region 31c by rotating the ball valve 31 provided in the expansion valve 30.

[0100] The structure or operation of the actuator 50 is not limited, and the structure or operation of the actuator 50 can be variously modified.

[0101] Hereinafter, the operation of the steam injection module 1 according to the air conditioning mode will be described.

[0102] Figure 6 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in the case where the air conditioning mode is the general heating mode. Figure 3

[0103] Referring to Figure 6 ​In a case where the air conditioning mode is a general heating mode (non-vapor injection), the expansion valve 30 can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the gas-liquid separator 10, expand the condensed refrigerant, and discharge the condensed refrigerant.

[0104] A detailed operation will be described. The refrigerant is introduced through the inlet port 32, and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet of the connection hole 31a flows to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The actuator 50 can adjust the arrangement position of the first expansion region 31b formed at the end of the outlet port 33 by rotating the ball valve 31, and operates to discharge the refrigerant toward the outlet port 33 through the first expansion region 31b.

[0105] In this case, the position of the second expansion region 31c can be controlled so that the inlet or the outlet of the second expansion region 31c does not point to the outlet port 33. In one embodiment, the inlet and the outlet of the second expansion region 31c can be disposed to point to the connection passage 34 and the moving passage 35, in which case the inflow and outflow of the refrigerant do not occur.

[0106] Figure 7 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the air conditioning mode is a vapor injection heating mode. Figure 3 is a view illustrating the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the air conditioning mode is a vapor injection heating mode.

[0107] Referring to Figure 7 In a case where the air conditioning mode is a vapor injection heating mode, the expansion valve 30 can primary expand the condensed refrigerant and move the refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 10, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 10 can be secondary expanded while passing through the expansion valve 30.

[0108] A detailed operation will be described. The refrigerant is introduced through the inlet port 32, and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet of the connection hole 31a flows to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The actuator 50 can adjust the arrangement position of the first expansion region 31b formed at the end of the outlet port 33 by rotating the ball valve 31, and allow the refrigerant to flow to the connection passage 34 through the first expansion region 31b. The refrigerant flowing through the connection passage 34 is expanded to a medium pressure while passing through the first expansion region 31b, and is introduced into the gas-liquid separator 10. The first expansion region 31b can expand the introduced refrigerant to a medium pressure and reduce a load applied to the compressor 100, thereby improving a heat exchange efficiency in the evaporator 600.

[0109] The refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator 10 can flow downward while circulating along the sidewall of the housing 11 of the gas-liquid separator 10. The liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 can flow toward the moving passage 35, and the separated gaseous refrigerant can be discharged through the outflow passage 12.

[0110] The liquid refrigerant flowing through the moving passage 35 is secondarily expanded when passing through the second expansion region 31c of the ball valve 31. The refrigerant passing through the second expansion region 31c can be expanded to a low pressure and discharged to the outlet port 33.

[0111] In the present application, the first expansion region 31b and the second expansion region 31c are provided in a single ball valve 31, and the position of the ball valve 31 is controlled by the actuator 50, so that the second stage expansion is performed by the single ball valve 31, which can reduce the cost.

[0112] Further, in order to perform two-stage expansion, in a structure using a plurality of expansion valves 30 and a plurality of actuators 50 for operating the expansion valves 30, the second stage expansion is performed using a single expansion valve 30 and a single actuator, which makes it possible to reduce the cost.

[0113] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the operation state of the system in the cooling mode in the steam jet module 1 according to the present application, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode of the air conditioning mode.

[0114] Referring to Figure 8 , in the cooling mode of the air conditioning mode, the expansion valve 30 can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the gas-liquid separator 10, while allowing the condensed refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve.

[0115] The detailed operation will be described. The refrigerant is introduced through the inlet port 32, and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet of the connection hole 31a flows to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The actuator 50 rotates the ball valve 31 so that the outlet of the connection hole 31a is disposed to point to the outlet port 33, so that the introduced refrigerant can be subjected to a bypass operation.

[0116] In this case, the position of the second expansion region 31c can be controlled so that the inlet or outlet of the second expansion region 31c does not point to the outlet port 33. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the second expansion region 31c can be disposed to point to the side wall on which the ball valve 31 is disposed.

[0117] Meanwhile, another embodiment of a steam jet heat pump system using a steam jet module 1 according to the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the configuration of the steam jet module 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present application will be omitted.

[0118] Figure 9 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump system using a steam jet module 1 according to another embodiment of the present application, Figure 10 is a diagram showing the operation state of the system in the cooling mode in the steam jet module 1 according to the present application, Figure 9 is a diagram showing the operation state of the system in the cooling mode in the steam jet module 1 according to the present application, Figure 11 is a diagram showing the operation state of the system in the steam jet heating mode in the steam jet module 1 according to the present application, and Figure 9 is a diagram showing the operation state of the system in the steam jet heating mode in the steam jet module 1 according to the present application, and Figure 12is shown Figure 9 a graph showing an operating state of the system in a general heating mode in Figures 1 to 8 Similar reference numerals refer to similar components described in the description of Figures 9 to 12 the description, and detailed descriptions of the same components will be omitted.

[0119] Referring to Figure 9 , a vapor injection heat pump system according to another embodiment of the present application can include a compressor 100, a condenser 300, an internal heat exchanger 200, an expansion valve 30, a gas-liquid separator 10, an external heat exchanger 400, a second expansion valve 500, an evaporator 600, a third expansion valve 700, a cooler 800, and an accumulator 900.

[0120] The compressor 100 operates by receiving power from an engine (an internal combustion engine) or a motor. The compressor sucks refrigerant, compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and then discharges the refrigerant to the condenser 300.

[0121] The internal heat exchanger 200 can heat the interior by allowing the refrigerant introduced from the compressor 100 to exchange heat with air conditioning air. The internal heat exchanger 200, together with the evaporator 600 which will be described below, can be provided in an air conditioning housing of a vehicle and heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0122] In one embodiment, the internal heat exchanger 200 can use the condenser 300 as a heat exchanger for heating the interior.

[0123] The refrigerant flowing through the internal heat exchanger 200 can exchange heat with air, and the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant can be introduced into the interior and heat the interior.

[0124] Further, the refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger 200 can exchange heat with coolant, and the coolant that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant can exchange heat with air for heating the interior.

[0125] As described above, an air-cooled heat exchanger or a water-cooled heat exchanger can be used as the internal heat exchanger 200.

[0126] In one embodiment, the internal heat exchanger 200 can further include a water-cooled condenser 300 configured to allow the discharged refrigerant and the coolant to exchange heat with each other. The water-cooled condenser 300 included in the internal heat exchanger 200 can exchange heat with the coolant flowing through a coolant line, and the coolant that has exchanged heat with the water-cooled condenser can heat the interior.

[0127] The condenser 300 functions as the condenser 300 in both the cooling mode and the heating mode. The condenser 300 can condense compressed refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed by the condenser 300 flows along a line and is supplied to the vapor injection module 1. In one embodiment, a water-cooled condenser 300 can be used as the condenser 300.

[0128] The vapor injection module 1 can include an expansion valve 30 and a gas-liquid separator 10 therein.

[0129] According to the air conditioning mode, the expansion valve 30 can block the flow of condensed refrigerant, or expand the condensed refrigerant and deliver the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 10. The expansion valve 30 can be connected to the gas-liquid separator 10 and determine the moving direction of the refrigerant and whether to expand the refrigerant by passing through a ball valve 31 provided in the expansion valve 30.

[0130] The expansion valve 30 can determine the flow direction of the introduced refrigerant, determine whether to expand the refrigerant, and control the flow rate.

[0131] The gas-liquid separator 10 can separate the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 30 into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, move the separated liquid refrigerant back to the expansion valve 30, and move the gaseous refrigerant back to the compressor 100.

[0132] The gas-liquid separator 10 can be used to separate the refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant together with the accumulator 900 provided before the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant line and entering the compressor 100. However, the accumulator 900 supplies the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 100, whereas the gas-liquid separator 10 allows the separated liquid refrigerant to flow as it is.

[0133] The liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 10 can be supplied back to the ball valve 31 in the expansion valve 30, and the ball valve 31 can additionally decompress the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 10.

[0134] The external heat exchanger 400 is a finned heat exchanger and is installed at the front side of the engine room of the vehicle. The external heat exchanger 400 is provided in a straight line with the radiator in the flow direction of air blown by a blower fan. In addition, the external heat exchanger 400 can exchange heat with low-temperature coolant discharged from the radiator.

[0135] In addition, the external heat exchanger 400 can perform different functions according to the air conditioning mode. In the cooling mode, the external heat exchanger 400 functions as the condenser 300 the same as the water-cooled condenser 300. In the heating mode, the external heat exchanger 400 functions as an evaporator 600 that performs a different function from the water-cooled condenser 300.

[0136] The second expansion valve 500 can be provided at a side adjacent to an inlet of the evaporator 600, and performs a function of expanding the refrigerant, controlling a flow rate, and controlling opening and closing operations.

[0137] The evaporator 600 is installed in an air conditioning case, and is provided in the refrigerant circulation line. During a process in which the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant discharged from the second expansion valve 500 is supplied to the evaporator 600 and air flowing in the air conditioning case by a blower passes through the evaporator 600, the air exchanges heat with the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in the evaporator 600 and is converted into cold air. Then, the cold air is discharged into a vehicle interior and cools a passenger compartment. That is, the evaporator 600 functions as an evaporator 600 in the refrigerant circulation line.

[0138] The third expansion valve 700 can be connected in parallel to the second expansion valve 500, and performs a function of expanding the circulating refrigerant, controlling a flow rate, and controlling opening and closing operations.

[0139] The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant discharged from the third expansion valve 700 can be supplied to the cooler 800, and exchange heat with a coolant flowing in the coolant circulation line.

[0140] Meanwhile, the cool coolant generated by heat exchange in the cooler 800 can circulate through the coolant circulation line, and exchange heat with a high-temperature battery.

[0141] The accumulator 900 is installed in the refrigerant circulation line at a side adjacent to an inlet of the compressor 100. The refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 600 and / or the cooler 800 is merged into the accumulator 900. The accumulator 900 can separate the refrigerant into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant, supply only the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 100, and store the excess refrigerant.

[0142] The suction port of the compressor 100 can be connected to a gaseous refrigerant outlet of the accumulator 900. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor 100.

[0143] In the embodiment of the present application, the expansion valve 30, the second expansion valve 500, and the third expansion valve 700 can perform expansion, communication, and blocking functions according to respective modes. In other words, the respective expansion valves 30 can have three functions of expanding the refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant to pass through without being expanded, and blocking the refrigerant.

[0144] Figure 10 is a view showing an operation state of a system in Figure 9 in a cooling mode.

[0145] Referring to Figure 10In the cooling mode, the compressor 100 operates, and high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 100. The compressed refrigerant flows to the inner heat exchanger 200 and is introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 by bypassing the non-operated inner heat exchanger 200.

[0146] The refrigerant introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 is cooled by exchanging heat with a coolant, and the cooled refrigerant is introduced into the steam ejector module 1 along a line.

[0147] The compressed refrigerant flows to the inner heat exchanger 200 and is introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 by bypassing the non-operated inner heat exchanger 200. That is, both the water-cooled condenser 300 and the outer heat exchanger 400 are used as a condenser 300 and condense the refrigerant.

[0148] A detailed operation of the expansion valve 30 will be described. The refrigerant is introduced through the inlet port 32 provided in the expansion valve 30, and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet of the connection hole 31a flows to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The actuator 50 rotates the ball valve 31 so that the outlet of the connection hole 31a is disposed to point to the outlet port 33, so that the introduced refrigerant can be subjected to a bypass operation.

[0149] In this case, the position of the second expansion area 31c can be controlled so that the inlet or outlet of the second expansion area 31c does not point to the outlet port 33. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the second expansion area 31c can be disposed to point to the side wall on which the ball valve 31 is disposed.

[0150] After that, the condensed refrigerant is throttled while passing through the second expansion valve 500, so that the refrigerant is expanded.

[0151] After that, the expanded refrigerant passes through the evaporator 600 while exchanging heat with air blown by a blower (not shown) of an air conditioning housing, so that the refrigerant is evaporated, and the air is cooled. The cooled air is supplied to the vehicle interior and used to cool the vehicle interior. In addition, the refrigerant evaporated through the evaporator 600 flows back into the compressor 100 via the accumulator 900 (90).

[0152] The remaining portion of the refrigerant branched from the refrigerant branch portion passes through the third expansion valve 700.

[0153] In this case, the third expansion valve 700 is closed, so that the refrigerant can be introduced into the evaporator 600, and the refrigerant can be expanded and enter the chiller 800.

[0154] After the refrigerant is throttled and expanded by the third expansion valve 700, the expanded refrigerant can exchange heat with the coolant while passing through the cooler 800, so that the refrigerant can be evaporated, and the coolant can be cooled. Also, the refrigerant evaporated in the cooler 800 flows back into the compressor 100 via the accumulator 900. As described above, the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 600 and the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 800 are merged with each other in the accumulator 900 and flow into the compressor 100. As the above-described process is repeated, the refrigerant circulates.

[0155] Figure 11 is a view illustrating an operating state of a system in the steam-ejection heating mode in the water-cooled chiller 1. Figure 9

[0156] Referring to Figure 11 In the steam-ejection heating mode, the compressor 100 operates, and high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 100. The compressed refrigerant flows to the inner heat exchanger and is introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 by bypassing the non-operated inner heat exchanger 200.

[0157] The refrigerant introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 is cooled by exchanging heat with the coolant, and the cooled refrigerant is introduced into the steam-ejection module 1 along the line.

[0158] The refrigerant introduced into the steam-ejection module 1 is introduced into the expansion valve 30 through the inlet port 32 and is expanded to a medium pressure by the first expansion region 31b formed in the ball valve 31.

[0159] The expanded refrigerant flows toward the gas-liquid separator 10. The liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 flows back to the expansion valve 30. The liquid refrigerant is additionally decompressed to a low pressure and then introduced into the outer heat exchanger 400.

[0160] In the steam-ejection heating mode, when the expansion valve 30 performs a second-stage expansion on the refrigerant introduced into the steam-ejection module 1 in a stepwise manner, the expansion pressure of the refrigerant is adjusted, which can improve efficiency.

[0161] Referring to the operation of the expansion valve 30 in the steam-ejection module 1, the expansion valve 30 can initially expand the condensed refrigerant and move the refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 10, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 10 can be secondarily expanded while passing through the expansion valve 30.

[0162] ​A detailed operation will be described. The refrigerant is introduced through the inlet port 32, and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet of the connection hole 31a flows to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The actuator 50 can adjust the arrangement position of the first expansion region 31b formed at the end of the outlet port 33 by rotating the ball valve 31, and allow the refrigerant to flow through the first expansion region 31b to the connection passage 34. The refrigerant flowing through the connection passage 34 is expanded to a medium pressure when passing through the first expansion region 31b, and is introduced into the gas-liquid separator 10. The first expansion region 31b can expand the introduced refrigerant to a medium pressure, and reduce the load applied to the compressor 100, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency in the evaporator 600.

[0163] The refrigerant introduced into the gas-liquid separator 10 can flow downward while circulating along the sidewall of the housing 11 of the gas-liquid separator 10. The liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 can flow toward the moving passage 35, and the separated gaseous refrigerant can be discharged through the outflow passage 12.

[0164] The liquid refrigerant flowing through the moving passage 35 is secondarily expanded when passing through the second expansion region 31c of the ball valve 31. The refrigerant passing through the second expansion region 31c can be expanded to a low pressure, discharged to the outlet port 33, and supplied to the external heat exchanger 400.

[0165] The gaseous refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator 10 can flow back into the compressor 100. Accordingly, because the refrigerant having a temperature higher than that of the refrigerant introduced from the accumulator 900 can flow back into the compressor 100, the heating efficiency is improved.

[0166] The refrigerant having passed through the external heat exchanger 400 absorbs the heat of the external air while being evaporated by exchanging heat with the external air. Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the refrigerant branch portion and the fully opened third expansion valve 700, and flows into the cooler 800. In the cooler 800, the refrigerant can be heated by exchanging heat with the coolant. Next, the refrigerant having passed through the cooler 800 flows back into the compressor 100 via the accumulator 900. In this case, the second expansion valve 500 is closed so that the refrigerant can not flow to the evaporator 600. Accordingly, as the above-described process is repeated, the refrigerant circulates.

[0167] Figure 12 is a view showing an operation state of the system in the general heating mode of Figure 9 .

[0168] Referring to Figure 12In the general heating mode (non-steam injection mode), the compressor 100 operates, and high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 100. The compressed refrigerant flows to the inner heat exchanger 200 and is introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 by bypassing the non-operated inner heat exchanger 200.

[0169] The refrigerant introduced into the water-cooled condenser 300 is cooled by exchanging heat with a coolant, and the cooled refrigerant is introduced into the steam injection module 1 while flowing along a line.

[0170] The expansion valve 30 provided in the steam injection module 1 can prevent the condensed refrigerant from flowing to the gas-liquid separator 10, expand the condensed refrigerant, and discharge the refrigerant.

[0171] A detailed operation will be described. The refrigerant is introduced through the inlet port 32, and the refrigerant introduced into the inlet of the connection hole 31a flows to the outlet of the connection hole 31a. The actuator 50 can adjust the arrangement position of the first expansion area 31b formed at the end of the outlet port 33 by rotating the ball valve 31, and operates to discharge the refrigerant toward the outlet port 33 through the first expansion area 31b.

[0172] In this case, the position of the second expansion area 31c can be controlled so that the inlet or outlet of the second expansion area 31c does not point to the outlet port 33. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the second expansion area 31c can be provided to point to the connection passage 34 and the movement passage 35, in which case the inflow and outflow of the refrigerant do not occur.

[0173] The expansion valve 30 expands the introduced refrigerant to a low pressure, and introduces the refrigerant into the outer heat exchanger 400, and the refrigerant is cooled by exchanging heat with the outside air in the outer heat exchanger 400. That is, both the water-cooled condenser 300 and the outer heat exchanger 400 are used as the condenser 300 and condense the refrigerant.

[0174] The refrigerant that has passed through the outer heat exchanger 400 absorbs the heat of the outside air while being evaporated by exchanging heat with the outside air. Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the refrigerant branch part and the fully opened third expansion valve 700, and flows into the chiller 800. In the chiller 800, the refrigerant can be heated by exchanging heat with a coolant. Next, the refrigerant that has passed through the chiller 800 flows back into the compressor 100 via the accumulator 900. In this case, the second expansion valve 500 is closed so that the refrigerant can not flow to the evaporator 600. Therefore, as the above-described process is repeated, the refrigerant circulates.

[0175] The embodiments of the present application are specifically described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0176] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present application, and those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains will understand that various modifications, changes, and substitutions can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present application. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present application and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit but to describe the technical spirit of the present application, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present application is not limited by the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The scope of protection of the present application should be interpreted based on the claims, and all technical spirits within the equivalent scope thereof should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present application.

[0177] [Description of reference numerals] 1: vapor injection module, 10: gas-liquid separator, 11: housing, 12: outflow passage, 13: partition wall portion, 30: expansion valve, 31: ball valve, 31a: connection hole, 31b: first expansion region, 32c: second expansion region, 32: inlet port, 33: outlet port, 34: connection passage, 35: movement passage, 50: actuator, 100: compressor, 200: internal heat exchanger, 300: condenser, 400: external heat exchanger, 500: second expansion valve, 600: evaporator, 700: third expansion valve, 800: cooler, 900: accumulator.

Claims

1. A vapor injection module comprising: an expansion valve configured to allow condensed refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve or expand the condensed refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode; and a gas-liquid separator configured to receive refrigerant from the expansion valve and separate the refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve has a plurality of expansion zones, and according to an arrangement position of the expansion zones, the following operations are performed: allowing the refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve, performing first-stage expansion on the refrigerant, or performing second-stage expansion on the refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve includes a ball valve connected to an inlet port and configured to rotate, and the plurality of expansion zones are formed in the ball valve, wherein the ball valve includes: a connection hole connected to the inlet port; a first expansion zone connected to the connection hole and configured to expand the refrigerant; and a second expansion zone provided at one side of the ball valve, wherein the expansion valve includes an outlet port, and wherein, in a cooling mode and a general heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the ball valve is rotated so that the second expansion zone does not point to the outlet port. 2.The vapor injection module of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator connected to the expansion valve and configured to control a position of the expansion valve. In a vapor injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the expansion valve first expands the condensed refrigerant and moves the refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator is secondarily expanded while passing through the expansion valve.

3. The steam injection module of claim 1, wherein, The gas-liquid separator separates the refrigerant into the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant only in the vapor injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes including a cooling mode, a general heating mode, and the vapor injection heating mode.

4. The steam injection module of claim 1, wherein, The second expansion zone is formed as a through hole formed through the ball valve.

5. The steam injection module of claim 1, wherein, The first expansion zone has a pair of groove structures provided at end portions of the connection hole to face each other.

6. The steam injection module of claim 1, wherein, The gas-liquid separator includes:

7. The steam injection module of claim 1, wherein, a housing having an internal space in which the refrigerant flows; an outflow passage provided at an upper side of the housing and configured to discharge the gaseous refrigerant, the outflow passage being provided in the form of a tube to prevent inflow of the liquid refrigerant; and a movement passage provided at a lower side of the housing and configured to discharge the liquid refrigerant to the ball valve. A connection passage connected to the housing is provided so that the refrigerant introduced through the ball valve is discharged toward a side wall of the housing.

8. The steam injection module of claim 7, wherein, A partition wall portion is provided at one side of the housing and is configured to prevent the refrigerant from spilling.

9. The steam injection module of claim 7, wherein, 10.A vapor injection module comprising: ​ an expansion valve configured to allow condensed refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve or expand the condensed refrigerant according to an air conditioning mode; and a gas-liquid separator configured to receive refrigerant from the expansion valve and separate the refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve has a plurality of expansion regions, and according to an arrangement position of the expansion regions, the following operations are performed: allowing the refrigerant to pass through the expansion valve, performing first-stage expansion on the refrigerant, or performing second-stage expansion on the refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve includes a ball valve connected to an inlet port and configured to rotate, and the plurality of expansion regions are formed in the ball valve, wherein the ball valve includes: a connection hole connected to the inlet port; a first expansion region connected to the connection hole and configured to expand the refrigerant; and a second expansion region provided at one side of the ball valve, wherein the expansion valve includes an outlet port, wherein the gas-liquid separator and the expansion valve are connected through a movement passage, and wherein, in a vapor injection heating mode among the air conditioning modes, the second expansion region of the ball valve is rotated to connect the outlet port and the movement passage.

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