Refrigerant circulation apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

A refrigerant circulation apparatus of a vehicle includes: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; at least one heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant; at least one valve configured to selectively provide refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger; the bracket supports the compressor; and a fluid conduit plate coupled to the bracket and disposed adjacent to the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve. The fluid line plate includes a plurality of fluid lines defined inside the fluid line plate and configured to provide refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger based on operation of the at least one valve.

Description

[0001] Citations of Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0077171 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant cycle device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a refrigerant cycle device for a vehicle that is included in an air conditioning system for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a special vehicle (PVB) and is capable of minimizing the use of pipes while improving the installability of each component. Background Art

[0004] The automotive industry has introduced new concepts for future mobility visions to realize dynamic, human-centric cities of the future.

[0005] One of these future mobility solutions is purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) as purpose-based mobility tools.

[0006] PBV represents an environmentally friendly mobility solution that provides customized services to riders as they travel to their destinations on the ground, and can set the best route for each situation and perform platooning using artificial intelligence based on electric vehicles.

[0007] For example, a PBV can be a means of transportation and a fixed facility utilizing box-related technologies, and may not require a separate driver's seat because it has an autonomous driving function. In addition, the interior space of a PBV can be expandable.

[0008] In some cases, PBVs can perform the role of shuttles that move large numbers of people, and can also be converted into entertainment spaces (such as restaurants, cafes, hotels and cinemas) and infrastructure (such as hospitals and pharmacies).

[0009] In some cases, a PBV may be powered by an electric motor and may include a skateboard-type rolling chassis (referred to in the art as a lower body or skateboard) with batteries distributed over a lower portion of the rolling chassis and an upper body on which riders may ride.

[0010] In some cases, when the PBV includes an air conditioning system for controlling the indoor temperature of the upper body, it may be difficult to position components included in a refrigerant cycle device of the air conditioning system in a narrow installation space, and the layout of pipes through which the refrigerant flows may become complicated.

[0011] Furthermore, some components of the refrigerant cycle device may be mounted on the upper body due to the limitation of the installation space of the rolling chassis, and thus the inner space of the upper body is reduced.

[0012] The technology used for mounting on a rolling chassis can simplify the piping arrangement of the refrigerant cycle equipment and promote modularity. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a vehicular refrigerant cycle apparatus included in an air conditioning system for cooling and heating a vehicle interior of a special vehicle (PVB) and capable of minimizing the use of pipes while improving the mountability of each constituent element.

[0014] A refrigerant cycle device for a vehicle may include: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; at least one heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant; at least one valve configured to allow the refrigerant to selectively flow to the at least one heat exchanger; a bracket on which the compressor is mounted; and a fluid line plate on which at least one heat exchanger and at least one valve are mounted, which is connected to the bracket and has a plurality of fluid lines formed therein to allow the refrigerant to flow to the at least one heat exchanger through selective operation of the at least one valve.

[0015] The bracket may include: a mounting portion to which the compressor is seated and fixed; and a plate coupling portion which is integrally formed with the mounting portion and to which the fluid piping plate is coupled.

[0016] The mounting portion may be formed perpendicular to the board coupling portion.

[0017] The plate coupling portion may include: a plurality of first through-holes formed to supply refrigerant to the compressor or receive refrigerant from the compressor; and a plurality of first grooves selectively connected to the first through-holes on an inner surface facing the fluid piping plate.

[0018] The fluid piping plate may include: a plurality of second through-holes formed to correspond to at least one heat exchanger and at least one valve; and a plurality of second grooves selectively connected to the second through-holes on an inner surface facing the plate coupling portion.

[0019] The first groove and the second groove may be formed in the same shape.

[0020] In a state where the fluid piping plate is coupled to the plate coupling portion, the first groove and the second groove may form a plurality of fluid pipings through which the refrigerant flows.

[0021] At least one bushing unit may be provided in the mounting portion to minimize the transmission of vibration generated by the compressor.

[0022] At least one bushing unit may include: an insulator mounted on the mounting portion; and a stud bolt coupled to a center of the insulator.

[0023] At least one opening may be formed in the mounting portion.

[0024] The at least one heat exchanger may be configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced into the interior and the coolant.

[0025] At least one heat exchanger may include: a first heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant selectively supplied through a fluid line; a second heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant selectively supplied from a compressor or the first heat exchanger through a fluid line; and a third heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant selectively supplied from a compressor or the first heat exchanger through a fluid line.

[0026] At least one valve may include two valves, namely a first valve and a second valve, which are connected between the compressor and the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger through fluid pipelines so that the refrigerant supplied from the compressor selectively flows into the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, or the third heat exchanger.

[0027] The first valve and the second valve may be configured to control the flow movement of the refrigerant or selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0028] The refrigerant cycle apparatus may further include a gas-liquid separator configured to separate gaseous refrigerant or liquid refrigerant from among the refrigerant condensed or evaporated while passing through the at least one heat exchanger.

[0029] The gas-liquid separator may be connected to the compressor and the at least one heat exchanger via fluid lines.

[0030] At least one heat exchanger, at least one valve and a gas-liquid separator are mounted on the outer surface of the fluid manifold plate.

[0031] In some implementations, utilizing a vehicle refrigerant cycle device included in an air conditioning system for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a purpose-built vehicle (PVB) can reduce manufacturing costs by minimizing the use of piping while improving the installability of each component element.

[0032] In some instances, by minimizing the use of piping through which the refrigerant circulates, heat losses that may occur as the refrigerant moves can be minimized.

[0033] In some instances, by modularizing the refrigerant cycle device, it is also possible to simplify the layout in a narrow space at the front of the vehicle and improve installability, assembly capability, and maintainability.

[0034] In some examples, by mounting a modular refrigerant cycle apparatus in a purpose built vehicle (PBV) on a vehicle body, it is possible to maximize the interior space of the vehicle that can be used for multiple purposes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a refrigerant cycle device for a vehicle.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the refrigerant cycle device viewed from another angle.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the refrigerant cycle device viewed from another angle.

[0038] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of a refrigeration cycle device.

[0039] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a bracket.

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a fluid channel plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] One or more implementations will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a refrigerant cycle device for a vehicle. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the refrigerant cycle equipment viewed from another angle. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the refrigerant cycle device viewed from another angle. Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of a refrigeration cycle device. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a bracket. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a fluid channel plate.

[0043] In some implementations, the refrigerant cycle apparatus may be applied to, for example, a purpose-based mobile tool (Purpose Built Vehicle: hereinafter referred to as PBV).

[0044] The PBV is an environmentally friendly mobility vehicle based on an electric vehicle that provides customized services to passengers as they travel to their destinations on the ground.

[0045] The PBV is able to set an optimal route for each situation and perform platoon driving, and furthermore, the PBV may be a box-type design vehicle with a large interior space.

[0046] Such a PBV comprises a skateboard-type rolling chassis (also referred to in the art as a lower body) and an upper body mounted on the rolling chassis.

[0047] The battery assembly may be mounted on a rolling chassis and may be equipped with a drive motor.

[0048] In some implementations, reference Figures 1 to 6 The refrigerant cycle device 100 may be provided in an air conditioning system for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a private vehicle (PBV), and is configured to improve the mountability of each component and simultaneously reduce manufacturing costs by minimizing the use of pipes.

[0049] In some implementations, the refrigeration cycle device 100 may include a compressor 110 , at least one heat exchanger 120 , at least one valve 130 , a bracket 140 , and a fluid piping plate 150 .

[0050] First, the compressor 110 may compress the introduced refrigerant. The at least one heat exchanger 120 may heat-exchange the introduced refrigerant with the coolant.

[0051] The at least one heat exchanger 120 condenses or evaporates the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced therein and the coolant.

[0052] In other words, the at least one heat exchanger 120 may be a water-cooling type heat exchanger for exchanging the introduced refrigerant with the coolant.

[0053] In some implementations, at least one valve 130 may be provided to selectively allow the refrigerant to flow through the at least one heat exchanger 120. The at least one valve 130 may control the flow of the refrigerant or may selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0054] The bracket 140 may be installed in the vehicle body. The compressor 110 may be installed on the bracket 140 .

[0055] Here, the bracket 140 may include a mounting portion 142 and a board coupling portion 144 .

[0056] First, the compressor 110 may be seated and fixed on the mounting portion 142 .

[0057] At least one opening 142 a may be formed in the mounting portion 142. The at least one opening 142 a may be used to reduce the overall weight of the bracket 140.

[0058] Furthermore, the board coupling portion 144 is formed integrally with the mounting portion 142 .

[0059] Here, the mounting portion 142 may be formed perpendicular to the board coupling portion 144 .

[0060] The plate coupling portion 144 may include a plurality of first through-holes 146 and a plurality of first grooves 148 .

[0061] A plurality of first penetration holes 146 may be formed in the plate coupling portion 144 to supply refrigerant to the compressor 110 or receive refrigerant from the compressor 110 .

[0062] In other words, the compressor 110 is mounted on the mounting portion 142 and may be connected to the first penetration hole 146 on the outer surface of the plate coupling portion 144 through the connection member 112 .

[0063] In addition, the first groove 148 is provided in plural and may be selectively connected to the first penetration hole 146 on the inner surface of the plate coupling portion 144 facing the fluid piping plate 150 .

[0064] In some implementations, at least one heat exchanger 120 and at least one valve 130 are mounted on an outer surface of the fluid piping plate 150. The fluid piping plate 150 may be coupled to the plate coupling portion 144.

[0065] Here, the fluid piping plate 150 may be formed in a shape similar to that of the plate coupling portion 144 .

[0066] In a state where the fluid piping plate 150 and the plate coupling portion 144 are coupled to each other, a plurality of fluid pipes 160 may be formed in the interior of the fluid piping plate so that refrigerant flows to at least one heat exchanger 120 through selective operation of at least one valve 130 .

[0067] Here, the fluid piping plate 150 may include a plurality of second through-holes 152 and a plurality of second grooves 154 .

[0068] First, the second through-hole 152 is provided in plural and may be formed on the fluid piping plate 150 to correspond to at least one heat exchanger 120 and at least one valve 130 .

[0069] Here, at least one heat exchanger 120 and at least one valve 130 may be installed on the outer surface of the fluid piping plate 150 through a plurality of second penetration holes 152 .

[0070] Furthermore, a plurality of second grooves 154 may be selectively connected to the second through-holes 152 on the inner surface of the fluid piping plate facing the plate coupling portion 144 .

[0071] In some implementations, the first groove 148 and the second groove 154 may be formed to have the same shape as each other.

[0072] Furthermore, the first groove 148 and the second groove 154 may form a plurality of fluid lines 160 through which the refrigerant flows in a state in which the plate coupling portion 144 and the fluid-line plate 150 are coupled.

[0073] In some implementations, the at least one heat exchanger 120 may include a first heat exchanger 122 , a second heat exchanger 124 , and a third heat exchanger 126 .

[0074] First, the first heat exchanger 122 may condense or evaporate the refrigerant selectively supplied from the compressor 110 through the fluid line 160 .

[0075] The second heat exchanger 124 and the third heat exchanger 126 may condense or evaporate the refrigerant selectively supplied from the compressor 110 or the first heat exchanger 122 through the fluid line 160 .

[0076] Here, the first heat exchanger 122 , the second heat exchanger 124 , and the third heat exchanger 126 may be selectively supplied with the refrigerant from the fluid line 160 by operation of at least one valve 130 .

[0077] In other words, the compressor 110 , the first heat exchanger 122 , the second heat exchanger 124 , and the third heat exchanger 126 may be connected to each other through the fluid line 160 according to the selective operation of at least one valve 130 .

[0078] The first heat exchanger 122 , the second heat exchanger 124 , and the third heat exchanger 126 may be selectively supplied with the refrigerant from the compressor 110 through at least one valve 130 that is operated according to a heating mode or a cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0079] For example, when the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 110 to the first heat exchanger 122 , the refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchanger 122 may be introduced into the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126 .

[0080] In some implementations, the at least one valve 130 may include a first valve 132 and a second valve 134 .

[0081] The first valve 132 and the second valve 134 may be connected between the compressor 110 and the first heat exchanger 122 , the second heat exchanger 124 , and the third heat exchanger 126 through a fluid line 160 to allow the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 110 to selectively flow into the first heat exchanger 122 , the second heat exchanger 124 , or the third heat exchanger 126 .

[0082] Here, the first valve 132 and the second valve 134 may control the flow movement of the refrigerant or selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0083] In other words, the first valve 132 and the second valve 134 may control the flow movement of the refrigerant introduced from the compressor 110 or the at least one heat exchanger 120 , and selectively expand the introduced refrigerant and flow the expanded refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger 120 .

[0084] The first valve 132 and the second valve 134 may be mounted on an outer surface of the fluid manifold plate 150 .

[0085] In some implementations, at least one bushing unit 170 may be provided to the mounting portion 142 of the bracket 140 to minimize the transmission of vibration generated by the compressor 110 to the vehicle body.

[0086] In other words, the bushing unit 170 may minimize the transmission of vibration generated by the compressor 110 through the bracket 140 and to the vehicle body frame.

[0087] The bushing unit 170 may include a spacer 172 and a stud 174 .

[0088] First, the outer periphery of the spacer 172 may be hardened and bonded to the bushing hole formed in the mounting portion 142. The spacer 172 may be formed in a bridge shape and a column shape having a through hole, and the material of the spacer may be made of a rubber material.

[0089] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the stud 174 may be hardened and bonded to the center of the spacer 172 and fastened to the vehicle body frame.

[0090] Therefore, when the compressor 110 generates vibration in the vertical direction, the insulator 172 may absorb the vertical vibration of the compressor 110 .

[0091] Furthermore, the remaining vibrations except for the vibration in the vertical direction generated by the compressor 110 are transferred to the insulator 172 through the stud 174 , and can be effectively insulated by using the elastic force of the insulator 172 .

[0092] In some implementations, the studs 174 are described as being hardened and bonded to the spacers 172 of the bushing unit 170 , but are not limited thereto.

[0093] In other words, instead of the stud bolts 174 , an inner ring that can be bolted to the center of the bushing unit 170 may also be hardened and bonded to the spacer 172 .

[0094] In some implementations, the refrigeration cycle device 100 may further include a gas-liquid separator 180 configured to separate gaseous refrigerant or liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant condensed or evaporated while passing through the first heat exchanger 122 , the second heat exchanger 124 , or the third heat exchanger 126 .

[0095] In some implementations, the gas-liquid separator 180 may be mounted on an outer surface of the fluid piping plate 150 between the first heat exchanger 122 and the second heat exchanger 124 .

[0096] The refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 122 or the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126 and flowing into the fluid line 160 may be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 180 .

[0097] The gas-liquid separator 180 may be connected to the at least one valve 130 through the fluid line 160 , and to the compressor 110 .

[0098] In other words, the gas-liquid separator 180 may separate the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchanger 122 or the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126 .

[0099] The gas-liquid separator 180 may supply gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 122 or the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126 to the compressor 110 .

[0100] Therefore, the gas-liquid separator 180 may supply only the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 110 , thereby improving the efficiency and durability of the compressor 110 .

[0101] By using a refrigerant cycle device included in an air conditioning system for cooling and heating a vehicle interior of a personal vehicle (PVB), it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs by minimizing the use of piping while improving mountability of each constituent element.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, by minimizing the use of pipes through which the refrigerant circulates, heat loss that may occur when the refrigerant moves can be minimized.

[0103] According to the present disclosure, by modularizing the refrigerant cycle device 100 , it is also possible to simplify the layout in a narrow space in the front of the vehicle and to improve the installability, assembling ability, and maintainability.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, by mounting the modularized refrigerant cycle apparatus 100 in a private vehicle (PBV) on a vehicle body, it is possible to maximize the interior space of the vehicle that can be used for various purposes.

[0105] While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical implementations, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but on the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerant cycle device for a vehicle, include: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; at least one heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant; at least one valve configured to selectively provide the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger; a bracket supporting the compressor; as well as a fluid piping plate coupled to the bracket and arranged adjacent to the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve, the fluid piping plate comprising a plurality of fluid pipings defined in an interior of the fluid piping plate and configured to provide the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger based on operation of the at least one valve.

2. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 1, in, The support comprises: a mounting portion to which the compressor is fixed; and A plate coupling portion is connected to the mounting portion and coupled to the fluid piping plate.

3. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 2, in, The mounting portion is arranged perpendicular to the board coupling portion.

4. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 2, in, The plate connection portion defines: a plurality of first through holes configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor or receive the refrigerant from the compressor; as well as A plurality of first grooves are defined at an inner surface of the plate coupling portion, the inner surface of which faces the fluid piping plate, and connected to one or more first through-holes of the plurality of first through-holes.

5. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 4, in, The fluid manifold plate defines: a plurality of second through holes configured to communicate with the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve; and A plurality of second grooves are defined at an inner surface of the fluid piping plate, the inner surface of the fluid piping plate facing the plate coupling portion, and are connected to one or more second through-holes of the plurality of second through-holes.

6. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 5, in, The shapes of the plurality of first grooves are respectively the same as the shapes of the plurality of second grooves.

7. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 5, in, In a state in which the fluid piping plate is coupled to the plate coupling portion, the plurality of first grooves are coupled to the plurality of second grooves, respectively, thereby defining the plurality of fluid pipings.

8. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 2, further comprising: include: At least one bushing unit is disposed at the mounting portion and is configured to reduce transmission of vibration generated by the compressor.

9. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 8, in, The at least one bushing unit comprises: a spacer disposed at the mounting portion; and A stud is coupled to the center of the spacer.

10. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 2, in, The mounting portion defines at least one opening.

11. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 1, in, The at least one heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between the coolant and the refrigerant in the plurality of fluid lines, thereby condensing or evaporating the refrigerant.

12. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 1, in, The at least one heat exchanger comprises: a first heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate a refrigerant supplied through the plurality of fluid lines; a second heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the compressor or the first heat exchanger through the plurality of fluid lines; and The third heat exchanger is configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the compressor or the first heat exchanger through the plurality of fluid lines.

13. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 12, in, The at least one valve includes a first valve and a second valve, the first valve and the second valve are connected to the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger via the plurality of fluid lines, and The first valve and the second valve are configured to selectively supply the refrigerant from the compressor to at least one of the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger.

14. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 13, in, The first valve and the second valve are configured to control movement of refrigerant or expand the refrigerant introduced into the plurality of fluid lines.

15. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 1, further comprising: include: A gas-liquid separator is configured to separate gaseous refrigerant or liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant condensed or evaporated while passing through the at least one heat exchanger.

16. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 15, in, The gas-liquid separator is connected to the compressor and the at least one heat exchanger through the plurality of fluid lines.

17. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 16, in, The at least one heat exchanger, the at least one valve, and the gas-liquid separator are arranged at an outer surface of the fluid manifold plate.

18. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 1, in, An inner surface of the fluid piping plate and an inner surface of the bracket face and contact each other, thereby defining the plurality of fluid pipings between the inner surface of the fluid piping plate and the inner surface of the bracket.

19. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 1, in, The bracket has an L-shape defining a first surface and a second surface orthogonal to the first surface, and wherein the fluid manifold plate has a planar shape and is coupled to one of the first surface and the second surface of the bracket.

20. The refrigerant cycle device according to claim 19, in, The compressor includes one or more connection members connecting the compressor to the first surface and the second surface of the bracket.

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