Ball valve and vehicle thermal management device including the same

Abstract

Embodiments disclose a ball valve and a vehicle thermal management apparatus including the same, in which the ball valve controls a rotational position of a ball by using the ball having a groove and an actuator controlling rotation of the ball, thereby controlling movement of a refrigerant moving through an interior thereof or selectively expanding the moving refrigerant, and a vehicle thermal management apparatus including the same. Accordingly, the vehicle thermal management apparatus may be implemented in a compact size while improving cooling and heating performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to a ball valve and a vehicle thermal management device including the same. Specifically, embodiments relate to a ball valve including two grooves provided in a ball to expand a refrigerant provided as a heat exchange medium and a vehicle thermal management device including the same. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle is provided with an air conditioner for controlling the interior air temperature. The air conditioner keeps the interior of the vehicle warm by generating warm air, or keeps the interior of the vehicle cool by generating cold air. Here, the vehicle air conditioner may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, pipes connecting them, etc., to circulate a refrigerant as a heat exchange medium.

[0003] Most vehicles provided with such air conditioners use an internal combustion engine that uses fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel as energy to drive. Therefore, due to various reasons such as environmental pollution problems and reduced oil reserves, new energy sources are required. Therefore, environmentally friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles are emerging.

[0004] In the case of a vehicle using an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an "internal combustion engine vehicle"), cooling water that cools the internal combustion engine can be used to heat the vehicle interior. For example, the internal combustion engine vehicle may be provided with a heating system using cooling water to heat the vehicle interior using heat absorbed from the internal combustion engine.

[0005] However, since a vehicle using a fuel cell or the like does not use an internal combustion engine, there is a problem that a heating system that uses the internal combustion engine of the vehicle as a heat source cannot be used.

[0006] Therefore, vehicles using fuel cells and the like add a heat pump to the air conditioner and use the heat pump as a heat source, or are provided with a separate heat source such as an electric heater to heat the interior of the vehicle. Here, the heat pump may be a device for absorbing low-temperature heat and then transferring the absorbed heat to a high temperature. As an example, the heat pump has a cycle in which a liquid refrigerant evaporates in an evaporator, absorbs heat from the surrounding environment to become a gas, and then liquefies through a condenser while re-discharging the heat into the surrounding environment. When a heat pump is applied to an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle, it has the advantage that a heat source that is lacking in a conventional general air conditioner can be ensured.

[0007] In a heat pump system in which such a heat pump is provided, a steam injection system may be used to improve cooling and heating performance. Here, the steam injection system has a structure in which a refrigerant circulation system for cooling and heating allows gaseous refrigerant to flow back into a compressor using a gas-liquid separator, and supplies liquid refrigerant to an evaporator or a cooler.

[0008] Since the heat pump system in the related art uses a two-way expansion valve, a required amount of refrigerant cannot flow, which results in a dehumidification performance problem caused by a lack of refrigerant.

[0009] In the case of using a plurality of two-way expansion valves to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is a limitation in realizing a vehicle thermal management device of a compact size. Summary of the invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The present embodiment provides a ball valve and a vehicle thermal management device including the same, the ball valve improving performance according to an air conditioning mode by controlling a position of a ball having a groove.

[0012] The present embodiment provides a vehicle thermal management device using only a single gas-liquid separator and using a three-way type valve, thereby eliminating a check valve provided at the gas outlet side of the gas-liquid separator in the related art.

[0013] The present embodiment provides a vehicle thermal management device having a compact size through a modular steam injection module using a ball valve.

[0014] The present embodiment provides a vehicle thermal management device that provides an optimized arrangement structure for corresponding components of a steam injection module.

[0015] The present embodiment provides a vehicle thermal management device that implements a bidirectional expansion mode by using a ball valve that can expand bidirectionally.

[0016] Objects to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above-described objects, and objects not described above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

[0017] Technical Solution

[0018] The above-mentioned purpose is achieved by a ball valve, which includes: a shell, the shell including a first shell hole, a second shell hole and a third shell hole arranged to be connected to each other; a ball, the ball is rotatably arranged in the shell; and an actuator, the actuator is configured to rotate the ball, wherein the ball includes: a ball body, the ball body has a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole are arranged in the ball body and are configured to be connected to each other; and two grooves, the two grooves are formed to have a predetermined length in the circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, wherein the second hole is arranged to correspond to the third shell hole, and wherein the groove of the ball is connected to the first shell hole or the second shell hole according to the position of the ball.

[0019] In particular, the recess of the ball may be positioned by the actuator at a position that is not in communication with the first housing hole and the second housing hole.

[0020] In particular, through the actuator, an end of one of the two grooves may be arranged to communicate with the first housing hole, and an end of the other of the two grooves may be arranged to communicate with the second housing hole.

[0021] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a ball valve, which includes: a shell, the shell including a first shell hole, a second shell hole and a third shell hole arranged to be connected to each other; a ball, the ball is rotatably arranged in the shell; and an actuator, the actuator is configured to rotate the ball, wherein the ball includes: a ball body, the ball body has a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole are arranged in the ball body and are configured to be connected to each other; and two grooves, the two grooves are formed to have a predetermined length in the circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, wherein the diameter of the first hole, the diameter of the first shell hole and the diameter of the second shell hole are larger than the width of the groove, wherein the second hole is arranged to correspond to the third shell hole, and wherein the groove of the ball is positioned at a position that is not connected to the first shell hole and the second shell hole by the actuator.

[0022] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a ball valve, which includes: a housing, the housing including a first housing hole, a second housing hole and a third housing hole which are arranged to communicate with each other; a ball which is rotatably arranged in the housing; and an actuator which is configured to rotate the ball, wherein the ball includes: a ball body which has a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole which are arranged in the ball body and are configured to communicate with each other; and two grooves which are formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, wherein the diameter of the first hole, the diameter of the first housing hole and the diameter of the second housing hole are larger than the width of the grooves, wherein the second hole is arranged to correspond to the third housing hole, and wherein, by the actuator, an end of one of the two grooves is arranged to communicate with the first housing hole, and an end of the other of the two grooves is arranged to communicate with the second housing hole.

[0023] In particular, the first housing hole and the second housing hole may be disposed to face each other, and the ball may be configured to rotate around a rotation center within a range of 180 degrees.

[0024] In particular, the ball valve may include: an annular first sealing portion, which is disposed in the first housing hole and corresponds to the ball; and an annular second sealing portion, which is disposed in the second housing hole and corresponds to the ball.

[0025] In particular, the inner diameter of the first sealing portion and the inner diameter of the second sealing portion may be equal to the diameter of the first hole.

[0026] In particular, the ball valve may include: a support device configured to prevent separation of the first sealing portion, wherein the support device is detachably coupled in the first housing hole.

[0027] Meanwhile, the connection portion of the actuator may be disposed to overlap with the second hole in the axial direction.

[0028] In particular, the first hole and the second hole may be arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0029] Furthermore, the flow rate of the refrigerant moving through the grooves of the ball may be controlled according to a rotational position at which an end of one of the grooves communicates with the first housing hole or the second housing hole.

[0030] Furthermore, the diameter of the first hole may be equal to the diameter of the second hole.

[0031] Furthermore, the diameter of the first hole may be smaller than the diameter of the second hole.

[0032] Furthermore, the depth of the groove may decrease toward an end side of the groove.

[0033] The above-mentioned purpose is achieved by a ball valve, which includes: a shell, the shell including a first shell hole, a second shell hole and a third shell hole which are arranged to be connected to each other; a ball, the ball is rotatably arranged in the shell; an annular first sealing portion, the first sealing portion is arranged in the first shell hole and faces the ball; an annular second sealing portion, the second sealing portion is arranged in the second shell hole and faces the ball; and a supporting device, the supporting device is configured to support the first sealing portion, wherein the diameter of the first shell hole is larger than the diameter of the second shell hole, wherein the second sealing portion, the ball, the first sealing portion and the supporting device are sequentially arranged in the shell through the first shell hole, and wherein the supporting device is detachably connected to the shell.

[0034] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a vehicle thermal management device, which includes: a compressor, which is configured to compress a refrigerant and circulate the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger, in which the compressed refrigerant is introduced and exchanges heat with another heat exchange medium; a second heat exchanger, which is configured to exchange heat with air existing outside the passenger compartment; a third heat exchanger, which is installed in an air-conditioning device and is configured to exchange heat with air discharged into the passenger compartment; and a steam injection module, which is configured to introduce gaseous refrigerant into the compressor, wherein the steam injection module includes a first expansion device group, a second expansion device group and a gas-liquid separator, wherein the first expansion device of the first expansion device group and the third expansion device of the second expansion device group each include: a shell, the shell includes a first shell hole, a second shell hole and a third shell hole arranged to be connected to each other; a ball, the ball can rotate a first sealing portion, the first sealing portion being arranged in the first housing hole and facing the ball; and a second sealing portion, the second sealing portion being arranged in the second housing hole and facing the ball, wherein the ball comprises: a ball body, the ball body having a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole being arranged in the ball body and configured to be connected to each other; and a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove being formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, and wherein, based on the rotation center, a first angle defined between two first grooves and second grooves is smaller than a second angle defined between a point set on an inner diameter of the first sealing portion and a point set on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion to be adjacent to the point set on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion in the circumferential direction.

[0035] In particular, in cooling mode, the refrigerant having passed through the second heat exchanger may be introduced into the first expansion device group, and in heating mode, the refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchanger may be introduced into the second expansion device group.

[0036] In particular, the first expansion device group may include: the first expansion device; a second expansion device; and a third flow path, the third flow path being configured to connect the outlet of the first heat exchanger to the first expansion device and the second expansion device, and wherein the second expansion device group may include: the third expansion device; a fourth expansion device; and a fourth flow path, the fourth flow path being configured to connect the outlet of the second heat exchanger to the third expansion device and the fourth expansion device through a third branch portion.

[0037] In particular, the first expansion device and the third expansion device can be connected in parallel to the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator, the second expansion device and the fourth expansion device can be connected in parallel to the inlet of the gas-liquid separator, and the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator can be connected to the compressor.

[0038] In particular, the vehicle thermal management device may include: a first pipeline, which is configured to connect the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the steam injection module, the third heat exchanger and the accumulator; a second pipeline, which is configured to connect the steam injection module and the second heat exchanger; a third pipeline, which is configured to connect the steam injection module and the compressor; a fourth pipeline, which has one side connected to the first pipeline between the third heat exchanger and the accumulator and the other side connected to the second pipeline between the second heat exchanger and the steam injection module; and a cooler and a fifth expansion device, which are arranged on the fourth pipeline, wherein the refrigerant moving along the fourth pipeline and the coolant moving along the fifth pipeline exchange heat with each other in the cooler.

[0039] At the same time, in the cooling / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator through the first expansion device, the second heat exchanger and the fourth expansion device, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be moved to the compressor, the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be moved to the third heat exchanger through the third expansion device, the ball of the first expansion device can be rotated to the position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, and the ball of the third expansion device can be rotated to the position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other.

[0040] In the cooling mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball of the first expansion device can be rotated to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, and the ball of the third expansion device can be rotated to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, so that the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger bypasses the gas-liquid separator and is introduced into the third heat exchanger.

[0041] In the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball of the first expansion device can be rotated to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other, the ball of the third expansion device can be rotated so that both the first groove and the second groove are set in the second angle, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can be expanded by the second expansion device and then introduced into the gas-liquid separator, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be moved to the compressor, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be expanded by the first expansion device, pass through the second heat exchanger, and then move to the compressor.

[0042] In addition, in the heating mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball of the first expansion device can be rotated to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, the ball of the third expansion device can be rotated so that both the first groove and the second groove are arranged in the second angle, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can bypass the gas-liquid separator and be introduced into the liquid reservoir through the second heat exchanger and the cooler.

[0043] In addition, in the dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball of the first expansion device and the ball of the third expansion device can be rotated to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can be expanded by the second expansion device and introduced into the gas-liquid separator, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be moved to the compressor, the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator can be branched to the first expansion device and the third expansion device, the refrigerant introduced into the first expansion device and expanded can pass through the second heat exchanger and be introduced into the compressor, and the refrigerant introduced into the third expansion device and expanded can pass through the third heat exchanger and be introduced into the compressor.

[0044] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a vehicle thermal management device, which comprises: a compressor, which is configured to compress a refrigerant and circulate the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger, in which the compressed refrigerant is introduced and exchanges heat with another heat exchange medium; a second heat exchanger, which is configured to exchange heat with air existing outside the passenger compartment; a cooler; and a ball valve, which is configured to move the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger to at least any one of the second heat exchanger and the cooler, wherein the ball valve comprises: a shell, which comprises a first shell hole, a second shell hole and a third shell hole which are arranged to communicate with each other; a ball, which is rotatably arranged in the shell; an actuator, which is configured to rotate the ball; an annular first sealing portion, the first sealing portion The invention relates to a ball body having a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are arranged in the ball body and are configured to be connected to each other; and a first groove and a second groove, wherein the first groove and the second groove are formed to have a predetermined length in the circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, and wherein, based on the rotation center, a first angle defined between two first grooves and the second grooves is greater than a second angle defined between a point on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion and a point on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion that is adjacent to the point on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion in the circumferential direction.

[0045] In addition, in the outdoor unit heat absorption mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball can be rotated to a position where the first shell hole and the first groove partially face each other and are connected to each other, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can bypass the cooler, expand in the ball valve, and then be introduced into the second heat exchanger.

[0046] In addition, in the waste heat absorption mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball can be rotated to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can bypass the second heat exchanger, expand in the ball valve, and then be introduced into the cooler, and the refrigerant and the coolant moving along the fifth pipeline can exchange heat with each other in the cooler.

[0047] In addition, in the parallel heat absorption mode of the vehicle thermal management device, the ball can rotate to a position where the first shell hole and the first groove are partially connected to each other and the second shell hole and the second groove are partially connected to each other, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger can achieve bidirectional expansion in the ball valve, and then be introduced into the second heat exchanger and the coolant, and the refrigerant and the coolant moving along the fifth pipeline can exchange heat with each other in the cooler.

[0048] Beneficial Effects

[0049] According to an embodiment, by controlling the rotational position of the ball using a ball having a groove and an actuator configured to control the rotation of the ball, the movement of the refrigerant moving along the inside of the ball valve can be controlled or the moving refrigerant can be selectively expanded.

[0050] According to an embodiment, a vehicle thermal management device to which a ball valve is applied may be implemented so that refrigerant may be selectively expanded or movement of refrigerant may be controlled according to an air conditioning mode.

[0051] Therefore, according to the embodiment, the refrigerant is selectively expanded or the movement of the refrigerant is controlled according to the air conditioning mode of the vehicle thermal management device, so that the air conditioning performance can be improved.

[0052] In addition, by improving the size of the thermal management device using a plurality of two-way valves to use a ball valve, a vehicle thermal management device having a compact size can be realized. In this case, according to an embodiment, one of the heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger and the heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger is selectively supplied to a single gas-liquid separator, so that a check valve that has been provided at the gas outlet side of the gas-liquid separator in the related art is eliminated, which can improve air conditioning performance and realize a more compact vehicle thermal management device.

[0053] According to an embodiment, with the steam injection module commonly using only a single gas-liquid separator connected to a plurality of expansion devices, a compact size of a vehicle thermal management device may be achieved, which may increase the degree of freedom in designing the vehicle thermal management device.

[0054] According to an embodiment, maintenance and repair may be effectively managed by means of a steam injection module modularized for each component.

[0055] According to an embodiment, in a heating or dehumidification mode, heat generated and discarded from a battery (hereinafter referred to as “waste heat”) may be used to improve thermal management efficiency.

[0056] According to an embodiment, by controlling the rotational position of the ball using a ball having a groove and an actuator configured to control the rotation of the ball, bidirectional expansion of the refrigerant moving along the inside of the ball valve can be achieved. Therefore, by using the waste heat generated from the battery with the ball valve capable of bidirectional expansion, thermal management efficiency can be improved.

[0057] Various useful advantages and effects of the present embodiment are not limited to the above and will be more easily understood through the description of the specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Figure 1 : is a diagram showing a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0059] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0060] Figure 3 : is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship among a ball, a sealing portion, and a supporting device provided in a housing of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0061] Figure 4 The first embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0062] Figure 5 : is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the arrangement relationship among a ball, a sealing portion, and a supporting device provided in a housing of a ball valve according to a first embodiment.

[0063] Figure 6 The first embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0064] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a housing of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0065] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a ball of the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0066] Fig. 9 is a front view showing a ball of the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0067] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view showing a ball of the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0068] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the ball of the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0069] Fig.12 is a perspective view showing a sealing portion of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0070] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing portion of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0071] Fig.14 is a perspective view showing a support device of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0072] Fig.15 is a diagram showing a first position of a ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0073] Fig.16 is a diagram showing a second position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0074] Fig.17 is a diagram showing a third position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0075] Fig.18 is a diagram showing a fourth position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0076] Fig.19 is a diagram showing a fifth position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment.

[0077] Fig. 20 : is a diagram showing a vehicle thermal management device according to a first embodiment to which a ball valve according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0078] Fig.21 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship between constituent elements of a vapor injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0079] Fig. 22 : is a diagram showing a coolant circulation structure of a cooler connected to the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0080] Fig.23 is a perspective view showing a steam injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0081] Fig.24 is a bottom perspective view showing a steam injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0082] Fig.25 is a perspective view showing a first expansion device group and a second expansion device group of a steam injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0083] Fig.26 is a diagram showing a cooling / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0084] Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a cooling mode of the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0085] Fig.28 is a diagram showing a heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0086] Fig.29 is a diagram showing a heating mode of the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0087] Fig.30 : is a diagram showing a dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0088] Fig.31 The second embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0089] Fig.32 The second embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0090] Fig.33 is a front view showing a ball of a ball valve according to a second embodiment.

[0091] Fig.34 : is a diagram showing a vehicle thermal management device according to a second embodiment to which a ball valve according to the second embodiment is applied.

[0092] Fig.35 is a diagram showing an outdoor unit heat absorption mode of the vehicle heat management device according to the second embodiment.

[0093] Fig.36 is a diagram showing a first heat absorbing position of a ball provided in a ball valve according to a second embodiment.

[0094] Fig.37 is a diagram showing a waste heat absorption mode of the vehicle thermal management device according to the second embodiment.

[0095] Fig.38 is a diagram showing a second heat absorbing position of a ball provided in the ball valve according to the second embodiment.

[0096] Fig.39 is a diagram illustrating a parallel heat absorption mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to a second embodiment.

[0097] Fig.40 is a diagram showing a third heat absorbing position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] Since the present invention allows various changes and has many embodiments, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and described. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that all changes, equivalents and substitutes falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0099] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various elements in this article, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second element may be referred to as the first element, and the first element may be similarly referred to as the second element. The term "and / or" includes any one or any combination of a plurality of associated listed items.

[0100] When an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or other elements may exist between them. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, it should be understood that there are no intermediate elements.

[0101] In the description of the present embodiment, in the case where any one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such description includes a case where the two elements are formed in direct contact with each other and a case where the two elements are indirectly in contact with each other (with one or more other elements interposed between the two elements). In addition, when one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such description may include a case where one element is formed at the upper side or the lower side relative to the other element.

[0102] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is intended to include the plural form. In this specification, it should also be understood that the terms "include", "comprise", "contain" and / or "have" are used in this specification to specify the presence of the features, quantities, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups.

[0103] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this article have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant field, and unless explicitly defined herein, they should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0104] Hereinafter, when the embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, components identical or corresponding to each other will be denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0105] The drawings of the present invention clearly illustrate only the main features for conceptual and clear understanding of the present invention. As a result, various modifications to the drawings are expected, and the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings.

[0106] The vehicle may be provided with an air conditioner for controlling air temperature, humidity, cleanliness, ventilation, etc., and the air conditioner may be used to create a comfortable environment inside the vehicle. Here, the air conditioner may be referred to as heating / ventilation / air conditioning (HVAC).

[0107] Furthermore, the air conditioning device may include an expansion device configured to expand a refrigerant provided as a heat exchange medium. For example, a three-way valve may be used as the expansion device.

[0108] Therefore, the thermal management device according to the embodiment (which is provided in the vehicle) can realize a more compact vehicle thermal management device capable of improving air conditioning performance by using the ball valve according to the embodiment, which controls the movement of the refrigerant by rotating the ball or expands the refrigerant moving along the groove. In this case, the ball valve can be a three-way valve.

[0109] The components of the ball valve according to the embodiment except the ball are configured to be commonly used, which can improve productivity. In addition, only by replacing the ball, the flow of the refrigerant as the heat exchange medium can be blocked, or a two-way expansion mode can be realized in a thermal management device to which the ball valve is applied.

[0110] Specifically, components (except the ball) are configured to be commonly used by improving a structure provided to selectively replace only the ball, which can improve productivity of the ball valve according to the embodiment.

[0111] Furthermore, the ball valve according to the embodiment may be applied to various thermal management systems simply by replacing the ball, which may improve the versatility of the ball valve according to the embodiment.

[0112] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a ball valve based on the shape of a ball will be described, and an operation of controlling a thermal management device to which the ball valve is applied will be described.

[0113] First embodiment

[0114] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a ball valve according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball valve according to an embodiment, Figure 3is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship among a ball, a sealing portion, and a supporting device provided in a housing of a ball valve according to an embodiment, Figure 4 The first embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing an arrangement relationship among a ball, a sealing portion, and a supporting device provided in a housing of a ball valve according to a first embodiment, and Figure 6 The first embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view taken along line BB in

[0115] in this case, Figure 3 The X direction shown in may refer to the axial direction, and the Y direction may refer to the radial direction. In addition, the axial direction and the radial direction may be perpendicular to each other. In addition, Figure 3 The reference symbol “C” shown in may refer to an axial center (rotation center) disposed along the X direction. In addition, a direction defined along an imaginary circle having a radius in a radial direction based on the axial center may be referred to as a circumferential direction or a rotation direction.

[0116] In the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, a groove 240 having a predetermined length may be formed in the ball 200 to block the movement of the refrigerant. In this case, the range of forming the groove 240 is limited so that the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment can be rotated by the actuator 300 to a position where the ball valve 1 blocks the movement of the refrigerant.

[0117] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may include a housing 100, a ball 200 rotatably provided in the housing 100, and an actuator 300 configured to rotate the ball 200. In this case, the ball valve 1 may be a three-way valve.

[0118] In addition, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may include an annular first sealing portion 400 and an annular second sealing portion 500, wherein the first sealing portion is arranged in the first housing hole 120 of the housing 100 so as to correspond to the hole of the ball 200, and the second sealing portion is arranged in the second housing hole 130 so as to correspond to the ball 200.

[0119] In addition, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may include a support device 600 configured to prevent separation of the first sealing portion 400. In this case, since the support device 600 is detachably provided in the housing 100, the ball 200 may be easily replaced.

[0120] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a housing of a ball valve according to an embodiment. In this case, Figure 7A cross-sectional view may be along Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0121] Reference Figure 7 , the housing 100 may include a housing body 110 and a first housing hole 120 , a second housing hole 130 , and a third housing hole 140 formed in the housing body 110 and configured to communicate with each other.

[0122] Furthermore, the housing 100 may include a space S formed at an intersection between the first housing hole 120 , the second housing hole 130 , and the third housing hole 140 in order to dispose the ball 200 .

[0123] The housing body 110 may define an outer shape of the housing 100. In addition, a first housing hole 120, a second housing hole 130, and a third housing hole 140 may be formed in the housing body 110 so that a refrigerant as a heat exchange medium may flow in the housing body 110.

[0124] In this case, the first housing hole 120, the second housing hole 130, and the third housing hole 140 may be provided as a flow path through which the refrigerant flows. In this case, the size of the flow path may be changed by the first sealing portion 400 and the supporting device 600 provided in the first housing hole 120 and the second sealing portion 500 provided in the second housing hole 130.

[0125] In addition, the first housing hole 120, the second housing hole 130, and the third housing hole 140 may be formed in a "T" shape in the housing body 110. For example, the first housing hole 120 and the second housing hole 130 may be arranged in a radial direction and face each other. In addition, the third housing hole 140 may be arranged to be orthogonal to the first housing hole 120 and the second housing hole 130.

[0126] At the same time, in order to set the ball 200, the first sealing part 400, the second sealing part 500 and the supporting device 600 in the shell 100, the diameter of any one of the first shell hole 120 and the second shell hole 130 can be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of each of the ball 200, the first sealing part 400, the second sealing part 500 and the supporting device 600.

[0127] In this case, since the diameter of the first shell hole 120 can be larger than the diameter of the second shell hole 130 to enable the assembly process, considering the accurate detection of the flow rate and expansion rate of the moving refrigerant, the first sealing part 400 and the second sealing part 500 of equal size can be arranged in the shell body 110.

[0128] For example, the diameter of the first housing hole 120 may be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of each of the ball 200, the first sealing portion 400, the second sealing portion 500, and the supporting device 600. Therefore, the second sealing portion 500, the ball 200, the first sealing portion 400, and the supporting device 600 may be sequentially assembled in the housing body 110 through the first housing hole 120. In this case, the first sealing portion 400 may be inserted into the housing 100 in a state where the first sealing portion 400 is coupled to the supporting device 600.

[0129] Meanwhile, the housing 100 may include a fourth housing hole 150 formed in the housing body 110 to define a connection portion 310 of the actuator 300 coupled to the ball 200 .

[0130] In addition, a fourth housing hole 150 may be formed in the housing body 110 and face the third housing hole 140. Specifically, the fourth housing hole 150 may be arranged along the axial direction to overlap with the third housing hole 140 in the axial direction. Therefore, the first housing hole 120, the second housing hole 130, the third housing hole 140, and the fourth housing hole 150 may be arranged in the housing body 110 in a "+" shape.

[0131] The space S may be formed in the housing body 110. In addition, the space S may be provided to communicate with the intersections between the first housing hole 120, the second housing hole 130, the third housing hole 140, and the fourth housing hole 150. In this case, since the space S is formed, the housing body 110 may include an inner wall 111 defining the space S.

[0132] Through the structure and rotation of the ball 200, the refrigerant can be allowed to flow through any of the first flow path defined by the first shell hole 120 and the third shell hole 140 and the second flow path defined by the second shell hole 130 and the third shell hole 140, or the flow of the refrigerant can be blocked by the structure and rotation of the ball 200.

[0133] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a ball of a ball valve according to a first embodiment, Fig. 9 is a front view showing a ball of the ball valve according to the first embodiment, and Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view showing a ball of a ball valve according to a first embodiment. In this case, Figures 8 to 10 A ball according to a first embodiment may be shown.

[0134] Reference Figures 8 to 10, the ball 200 may include a ball body 210 having a predetermined radius R, a first hole 220 and a second hole 230 provided in the ball body 210 and configured to communicate with each other, and two grooves 240 formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body 210 and connected to the first hole 220. In this case, the groove 240 may include a first groove 240a provided to correspond to the first housing hole 120 and a second groove 240b provided to correspond to the second housing hole 130.

[0135] The ball body 210 may be formed in a spherical shape, and a groove may be formed at one side of the ball body 210 such that the connection portion 310 of the actuator 300 is coupled to the groove.

[0136] The first hole 220 and the second hole 230 may be formed in the ball body 210 and serve as a flow path for the refrigerant to flow through. In this case, the first hole 220 and the second hole 230 may be provided in the ball body 210 and be orthogonal to each other. For example, the first hole 220 may be provided in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial center, and the second hole 230 may be provided in an axial direction.

[0137] Furthermore, the first diameter D1 of the first hole 220 may be equal to the second diameter D2 of the second hole 230 in consideration of the amount of refrigerant moving along the first and second holes 220 and 230. Furthermore, the first diameter D1 of the first hole 220 may be equal to the inner diameter of each of the first and second sealing parts 400 and 500.

[0138] Through the rotation of the ball body 210 , the first hole 220 may be disposed to face the first housing hole 120 , the second housing hole 130 , or the inner wall 111 of the housing body 110 .

[0139] Even if the ball body 210 rotates, the second hole 230 may be disposed to face the third housing hole 140 .

[0140] In addition, the second hole 230 may be disposed to overlap with the connection portion 310 in the axial direction.

[0141] The grooves 240 may be provided on the spherical surface of the ball body 210 along the circumferential direction.

[0142] In this case, the two grooves 240 may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the center of the first hole 220. For example, the grooves 240 may include a first groove 240a and a second groove 240b, and the first groove 240a and the second groove 240b may be symmetrically disposed on the spherical surface of the ball body 210.

[0143] In addition, the groove 240 may be formed to communicate with the first hole 220. For example, the groove 240 may extend from the outer diameter of the first hole 220 in the circumferential direction.

[0144] In addition, the groove 240 may be provided as a groove having a predetermined length L, a predetermined width W, and a predetermined depth D, and the refrigerant may move along the groove 240. In this case, the length L of the groove 240 formed in the ball 200 provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment may be referred to as a first length.

[0145] The length L, width W, and depth D of the groove 240 may serve as important factors related to the expansion of the refrigerant moving along the groove 240 .

[0146] For example, since the degree to which the groove 240 and the first housing hole 120 communicate with each other or the degree to which the groove 240 and the second housing hole 130 communicate with each other may vary according to the degree to which the ball 200 rotates, the flow rate of the refrigerant moving through the groove 240 may vary. Therefore, the length L of the groove 240 may be as long as possible to make it easy to control the expansion of the refrigerant.

[0147] However, since there are limitations in designing the length L due to the size of the ball 200 , the first diameter D1 of the first hole 220 , and blocking of the refrigerant according to the rotation range of the ball 200 , the length L needs to be designed in consideration of the above factors.

[0148] Furthermore, since the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing along the groove 240 is related to the expansion rate of the refrigerant, the width W and the depth D of the groove 240 are also set as main design factors.

[0149] Specifically, since the refrigerant moving along the groove 240 may expand after flowing toward the first housing hole 120 or the first hole 220, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first groove 240a defined by the width W and the depth D needs to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first hole 220 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first housing hole 120. In this case, since the refrigerant may flow toward the first housing hole 120 or the first hole 220 by means of the first sealing portion 400, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first groove 240a needs to be smaller than the cross-sectional area defined by the first inner diameter MD of the first sealing portion 400.

[0150] That is, since the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment achieves expansion of the refrigerant by using the groove 240 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove 240 needs to be smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the first hole 220 and the first housing hole 120 .

[0151] Meanwhile, the same design standard as that of the first groove 240 a may also be applied to the second groove 240 b provided to correspond to the second housing hole 130 or the second sealing portion 500 .

[0152] In addition, considering the change of expansion of the refrigerant in the groove 240, the depth D may be reduced from the first hole 220 toward the end of the groove 240. Therefore, the groove 240 may be formed in a shape having a maximum depth and a minimum depth. In this case, the maximum depth of the groove 240 may be about 2 mm. Specifically, the depth of the groove 240 at the side of the first hole 220 may be about 2 mm.

[0153] In addition, the width W may also decrease from the first hole 220 toward the end of the groove 240 .

[0154] The first groove 240a may be provided to correspond to the first housing hole 120 by the actuator 300. Therefore, the refrigerant moving along the first groove 240a may expand.

[0155] In addition, the second groove 240b may be provided to correspond to the second housing hole 130 by the actuator 300. Therefore, the refrigerant moving along the second groove 240b may expand.

[0156] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the ball of the ball valve according to the first embodiment, and may show the ball according to the second embodiment.

[0157] Reference Fig.11 , the size of the diameter D1 of the first hole 220 of the ball 200 a may be different from the size of the diameter D2 of the second hole 230 .

[0158] Specifically, the diameter D1 of the first hole of the ball 200a may be greater than the diameter D2 of the second hole. Therefore, the ball 200a according to the second embodiment may further ensure the length L of the groove 240 compared to the ball 200 according to the first embodiment. In this case, the diameter D1 of the first hole 220 of the ball 200a according to the second embodiment may be smaller than the inner diameter of each of the first sealing part 400 and the second sealing part 500.

[0159] Therefore, since the ball 200a according to the second embodiment may have a longer length L of the groove 240 than the ball 200 according to the first embodiment, expansion of the refrigerant may be more easily adjusted.

[0160] The actuator 300 may rotate the ball 200 about the rotation center C within a predetermined rotation range.

[0161] In this case, the connection portion 310 of the actuator 300 may be coupled to the ball 200, and the connection portion 310 may be a rotation shaft whose rotation is controlled by the actuator 300. In this case, the ball 200 may include a groove formed to be coupled to the connection portion 310.

[0162] Therefore, the ball 200 may rotate along with the rotation of the rotation shaft. The rotation range of the rotation shaft may be defined within a range of 180 degrees based on the rotation center C in consideration of the position of the first housing hole 120 and the position of the second housing hole 130 .

[0163] In this case, the ball 200 may include a groove formed to be coupled to the connection portion 310 .

[0164] The sealing parts 400 and 500 may be disposed in the housing 100 and correspond to the ball 200 .

[0165] The sealing portions 400 and 500 may include a first sealing portion 400 configured to correspond to the first housing hole 120 and the first hole 220 , and a second sealing portion 500 configured to correspond to the second housing hole 130 and the first hole 220 .

[0166] In this case, in order to dispose the ball 200 , the first sealing portion 400 and the second sealing portion 500 in the housing 100 , the diameter of the first housing hole 120 may be greater than the diameter of the second housing hole 130 .

[0167] Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the first housing hole 120, the first groove 240a and the first hole 220 and the refrigerant passing through the second housing hole 130, the second groove 240b and the first hole 220 may define different movement amounts, which makes it difficult to calculate an accurate expansion ratio, etc.

[0168] Therefore, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may allow a preset amount of refrigerant to move through the first and second sealing portions 400 and 500 having the same shape.

[0169] Fig.12 is a perspective view showing a sealing portion of a ball valve according to an embodiment, and Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing portion of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0170] Reference Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the sealing parts 400 and 500 may include main bodies 410 and 510 and O-rings 420 and 520 disposed outside the main bodies 410 and 510. In this case, the main bodies 410 and 510 may be referred to as sealing part main bodies.

[0171] The bodies 410 and 510 may each be formed in a ring shape having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Therefore, the bodies 410 and 510 may include holes 411 and 511 formed to move the refrigerant. In this case, the holes 411 and 511 may be referred to as sealing body holes.

[0172] In addition, when the ball 200 rotates, the holes 411 and 511 may communicate with the first hole 220 or the groove 240 of the ball 200 .

[0173] In addition, the bodies 410 and 510 may include curved surfaces 412 and 512 corresponding to the ball 200 .

[0174] The curved surfaces 412 and 512 may be surfaces disposed to face the ball 200 and to be in contact with the spherical surface of the ball body 210 .

[0175] O-rings 420 and 520 may be disposed on outer circumferential surfaces of the bodies 410 and 510 .

[0176] In addition, the O-ring 420 provided on the first sealing portion 400 may be in contact with the supporting device 600 .

[0177] In addition, the O-ring 520 provided on the second sealing portion 500 may be in contact with an inner wall of the housing body 110 defining the second housing hole 130 .

[0178] The support device 600 may be provided in the first housing hole 120, and prevent the separation of the first sealing portion 400. In this case, the support device 600 may be detachably provided in the housing 100, and make it easy to replace the ball 200.

[0179] Fig.14 is a perspective view showing a support device of a ball valve according to an embodiment.

[0180] Reference Fig.14 The supporting device 600 may be formed in a tubular shape having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. Therefore, a hole 610 may be formed in the supporting device 600 , and the hole 610 may communicate with the hole 411 of the first sealing part 400 .

[0181] In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the supporting device 600 may be formed in a multi-stage shape, and the O-ring 620 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface.

[0182] Furthermore, a thread may be formed on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the support device 600. Furthermore, the thread may be threadably coupled to an inner wall of the housing body 110 defining the first housing hole 120. Therefore, the support device 600 may be detachably coupled to the housing 100.

[0183] At the same time, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, considering the relationship with the sealing parts 400 and 500, the length L of the groove 240 of the ball 200 or 200a can be limited by design, so that the ball 200 or 200a rotated by the actuator 300 can be positioned at a position where the ball 200 or 200a blocks the movement of the refrigerant.

[0184] For example, since the ball 200 or 200a can rotate within a range of 180 degrees and the inner diameter of the sealing part 400 and 500 can be set to a preset value, the groove 240 is formed in the ball 200 or 200a so that the range of movement of the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment to block the refrigerant is restricted.

[0185] Therefore, a formation range will be defined based on a relationship with the sealing portions 400 and 500 , and a control position of the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment according to the movement of the refrigerant will be described with reference to the formation range.

[0186] Fig.15 is a diagram showing a first position of a ball provided in a ball valve according to a first embodiment, Fig.16 is a diagram showing a second position of a ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment, Fig.17 is a diagram showing a third position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment, Fig.18 is a diagram showing a fourth position of the ball provided in the ball valve according to the first embodiment, and Fig.19 is a diagram showing a fifth position of the ball set in the ball valve according to the first embodiment. In this case, Figures 16 to 19 The arrows shown in may indicate the movement of the refrigerant.

[0187] Hereinafter, in the description of the rotational position of the ball 200 or 200a, the formation range of the grooves of the ball 200 or 200a according to the first and second embodiments may be constrained in the same manner. Therefore, the description will focus on the ball 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0188] Reference Fig.15 , based on the rotation center C, a first angle θ1 defined between the two grooves 240 may be smaller than a second angle θ2 defined between a point P1 disposed on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion 400 and another point P2 disposed on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion 500. In this case, a point P1 disposed on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion 400 may be referred to as a first point, a point P2 disposed on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion 500 may be referred to as a second point, and the first point and the second point may be two points closest to each other along the circumferential direction based on the rotation center C.

[0189] That is, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the formation range of the groove 240 may be defined by the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2.

[0190] like Fig.15As shown in, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 can be set at the first position by the actuator 300. Specifically, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 can be positioned at the first position where both grooves 240 are set in the second angle θ2. In this case, the first position can be referred to as a blocking position or a standby position.

[0191] Therefore, the ball 200 may block movement of the refrigerant by being positioned in a closed state in which the first housing hole 120 and the second housing hole 130 are closed. In this case, the first hole 220 of the ball 200 may be disposed to face the inner wall 111 defining the space S of the housing 100 .

[0192] like Fig.16 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be disposed at the second position by the actuator 300. Specifically, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be positioned at the second position where the first housing hole 120 is disposed in the first angle θ1.

[0193] That is, the ball 200 is positioned at the second position where the first housing hole 120 and the first hole 220 face each other and communicate with each other so that the ball 200 can be positioned in an open state in which the first housing hole 120 is open. In this case, the second position can be referred to as the first open position.

[0194] Therefore, the refrigerant may sequentially move through the first housing hole 120, the first hole 220, and the second hole 230, or sequentially move through the second hole 230, the first hole 220, and the first housing hole 120. In this case, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment controls the movement of the refrigerant only at the second position without expanding the refrigerant.

[0195] like Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be disposed at the third position by the actuator 300. Specifically, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be positioned at the third position where the second housing hole 130 is disposed in the first angle θ1.

[0196] That is, the ball 200 is positioned at a third position where the second housing hole 130 and the first hole 220 face each other and communicate with each other, so that the ball 200 can be positioned in an open state in which the second housing hole 130 is open. In this case, the third position can be referred to as a second open position.

[0197] Therefore, the refrigerant may sequentially move through the second housing hole 130, the first hole 220, and the second hole 230, or sequentially move through the second hole 230, the first hole 220, and the second housing hole 130. In this case, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment controls the movement of the refrigerant only at the third position without expanding the refrigerant.

[0198] like Fig.18 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be disposed at the fourth position by the actuator 300. Specifically, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be positioned at the fourth position where a portion of the first housing hole 120 is disposed in the first angle θ1. Therefore, a portion of the end side of the first groove 240a may be disposed to communicate with the first housing hole 120.

[0199] That is, the ball 200 can rotate to a fourth position where the first housing hole 120 and a portion of the first groove 240a face each other and communicate with each other. For example, the ball 200 can rotate to a position where the refrigerant moves along the first groove 240a and expands. In this case, the fourth position can be referred to as the first expansion position.

[0200] Therefore, the refrigerant may sequentially move through the first housing hole 120, the first groove 240a, the first hole 220, and the second hole 230, or sequentially move through the second hole 230, the first hole 220, the first groove 240a, and the first housing hole 120. In this case, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment expands the refrigerant at the fourth position while moving the refrigerant.

[0201] like Fig.19 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be disposed at the fifth position by the actuator 300. Specifically, in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment, the ball 200 may be positioned at the fifth position where a portion of the second housing hole 130 is disposed in the first angle θ1. Therefore, a portion of the end side of the second groove 240b may be disposed to communicate with the second housing hole 130.

[0202] That is, the ball 200 can be rotated to a fifth position where the second housing hole 130 and a portion of the second groove 240b face each other and communicate with each other. For example, the ball 200 can be rotated to a position where the refrigerant moves along the second groove 240b and expands. In this case, the fifth position can be referred to as a second expansion position.

[0203] Therefore, the refrigerant may sequentially move through the second housing hole 130, the second groove 240b, the first hole 220, and the second hole 230, or sequentially move through the second hole 230, the first hole 220, the second groove 240b, and the second housing hole 130. In this case, the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment expands the refrigerant at the fifth position while moving the refrigerant.

[0204] The vehicle thermal management device S1 applying the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment can use a single gas-liquid separator in common by using a flow path structure connecting a plurality of expansion devices, gas-liquid separators and expansion devices, and excludes a check valve that has been provided at the gas outlet side of the gas-liquid separator. Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can be implemented to have a compact size while improving the quality and performance of cooling and heating the interior of the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can be called a steam jet heat pump system. In addition, the flow path structure can be a channel through which a heat exchange medium moves.

[0205] In particular, the present embodiment can provide a vehicle thermal management device S1 having a compact size while improving cooling / heating performance by controlling a steam injection module including a plurality of expansion devices and a gas-liquid separator and a heat exchange medium moving in the steam injection module. In this case, the expansion device can be an expansion valve.

[0206] In addition, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can improve design freedom with the help of modular steam injection modules and is easy to maintain and repair.

[0207] In addition, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can optimize the flow of the heat exchange medium by providing an optimized arrangement relationship between the components of the steam injection module. Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can further improve the cooling / heating performance.

[0208] Furthermore, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can improve thermal management efficiency by implementing a heat pump structure that uses heat discarded from a battery coolant circulation structure (hereinafter referred to as “waste heat”) in the air conditioning device.

[0209] In this case, an example is described in which the vehicle thermal management device S1 according to the embodiment uses waste heat from a battery. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a vehicle may include electrical components such as a motor, an inverter, a laser radar, a radar, and a sensor, and the vehicle thermal management device S1 according to the embodiment may use waste heat from these electrical components.

[0210] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a vehicle thermal management device according to a first embodiment to which a ball valve according to the first embodiment is applied, Fig.21is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship between constituent elements of a vapor injection module provided in a vehicle thermal management device according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 22 : is a diagram showing a coolant circulation structure of a cooler connected to the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment.

[0211] Reference Figure 20 to Figure 22 , the vehicle thermal management device S1 according to the first embodiment may include: a first line L1 configured to connect the compressor 1100, the internal heat exchanger 1200, the steam injection module 1300, the evaporator 1400, and the accumulator 1500 so that a heat exchange medium moves; a second line L2 configured to connect the steam injection module 1300 and the external heat exchanger 1600; a third line L3 configured to connect the steam injection module 1300 and the compressor 1100; and a fourth line L4 having one side connected to the first line L1 between the evaporator 1400 and the accumulator 1500 and the other side connected to the second line L2 between the external heat exchanger 1600 and the steam injection module 1300. In this case, the heat exchange medium moving along the first line L1, the second line L2, the third line L3, and the fourth line L4 may be a refrigerant, and is referred to as a first heat exchange medium.

[0212] In addition, the steam injection module 1300 may include: a first expansion device group G1 connected to a first pipeline L1 at an outlet side of the internal heat exchanger 1200 based on the flow of a heat exchange medium; a second expansion device group G2 connected to a second pipeline L2 at an outlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600 based on the flow of a heat exchange medium; and a first flow path CH1 configured to connect the first expansion device group G1, the second expansion device group G2, and an inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 by means of one gas-liquid separator 1310 and a first merging portion 1320; and a second flow path CH2 configured to connect the gas-liquid separator 1310, the first expansion device group G1, and the second expansion device group G2 through a first branch portion 1330 provided at a liquid outlet 1312 side of the gas-liquid separator 1310. In this case, the first flow path CH1 may be referred to as a first internal flow path, and the second flow path CH2 may be referred to as a second internal flow path. In this case, since the first expansion device group G1 can be used in the heating mode, the first expansion device group G1 can be referred to as a first expansion device group for heating, and since the second expansion device group G2 can be used in the cooling mode, the second expansion device group G2 can be referred to as a second expansion device group for cooling.

[0213] In addition, the first expansion device group G1 may include a third flow path CH3, which is configured to connect the first line L1, the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 at the outlet side of the internal heat exchanger through a three-way valve type first expansion device 1340 including two inlets and one outlet, a two-way valve type second expansion device 1350 and a second branch portion 1360. In this case, the third flow path CH3 may be referred to as a third internal flow path. In addition, the first expansion device 1340 may be an electromagnetic three-way expansion valve, and the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may be used as the first expansion device 1340. In addition, the second expansion device 1350 may be an electromagnetic two-way expansion valve.

[0214] In addition, the second expansion device group G2 may include a fourth flow path CH4, which is configured to connect the second pipeline L2, the third expansion device 1370, and the fourth expansion device 1380 at the outlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600 through a three-way valve type third expansion device 1370 including two inlets and one outlet, a two-way valve type fourth expansion device 1380, and a third branch portion 1390. In this case, the fourth flow path CH4 may be referred to as a fourth internal flow path. In addition, the third expansion device 1370 may be an electromagnetic three-way expansion valve, and the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may be used as the third expansion device 1370. In addition, the fourth expansion device 1380 may be an electromagnetic two-way expansion valve.

[0215] Therefore, in the vehicle thermal management device S1, based on the gas-liquid separator 1310, two two-way expansion valves are arranged in parallel at the front end of the inlet 1311, and two three-way expansion valves are arranged in parallel at the rear end of the liquid outlet 1312, so that a single gas-liquid separator 1310 can be used together.

[0216] Furthermore, the vehicle thermal management device S1 may include a cooler 1700 and a fifth expansion device 1800 disposed in the fourth line L4.

[0217] In addition, the vehicle thermal management device S1 may include a fifth line L5 connected to the cooler 1700 so that waste heat from the battery B is used, and a battery B disposed in the fifth line L5 .

[0218] In this case, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can be implemented as a vehicle thermal management device having a compact size while regulating cooling and heating in the passenger compartment by controlling the movement of the heat exchange medium with the aid of a modular steam injection module 1300 and a first pipeline L1, a second pipeline L2, a third pipeline L3 and a fourth pipeline L4 connected to the steam injection module 1300.

[0219] Specifically, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can adjust cooling and heating in the passenger compartment according to the air conditioning mode by adjusting the heat exchange medium moving in the steam injection module 1300. In addition, by optimizing and modularizing the arrangement structure of the steam injection module 1300, a vehicle thermal management device with a compact size can be implemented.

[0220] The first line L1 may be a pipe provided to circulate the first heat exchange medium based on the steam injection module 1300 .

[0221] In addition, based on the flow of the first heat exchange medium, the compressor 1100, the internal heat exchanger 1200, the steam injection module 1300, the evaporator 1400, and the accumulator 1500 may be disposed in the first line L1.

[0222] The compressor 1100 may compress the first heat exchange medium moving along the first pipeline L1 and discharge the first heat exchange medium in a high-temperature and high-pressure gas state toward the internal heat exchanger 1200. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium may circulate in the vehicle heat exchange device. In this case, the compressor 1100 may be referred to as a compressor.

[0223] The internal heat exchanger 1200 may be provided in the air conditioning housing AC of the air conditioning device, and enables air as a heat exchange medium different from the first heat exchange medium and the first heat exchange medium compressed by the compressor 1100 and introduced into the internal heat exchanger 1200 to exchange heat with each other. Therefore, the internal heat exchanger 1200 may heat the interior of the vehicle. In this case, the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be referred to as a first heat exchanger or a first condenser, and is used as a condenser according to an air conditioning mode. In addition, the air that exchanges heat with the first heat exchange medium in the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be air introduced into the vehicle.

[0224] In the description of the internal heat exchanger 1200, the heat exchange between air and the first heat exchange medium is described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a separate coolant line may be provided, and the coolant moving along the coolant line may exchange heat with the first heat exchange medium, so that the interior of the passenger compartment may be heated. Specifically, the interior of the passenger compartment may be heated by heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant (i.e., the first heat exchange medium) using a water condenser type heat exchanger.

[0225] The steam injection module 1300 may control the moving direction of the first heat exchange medium according to whether to expand the first heat exchange medium, a distinction between the gaseous first heat exchange medium and the liquid first heat exchange medium, and an air conditioning mode.

[0226] In particular, the steam injection module 1300 may include a first expansion device group G1 and a second expansion device group G2, each of which includes a three-way valve type expansion device and a two-way valve type expansion device, a single gas-liquid separator 1310, and a plurality of internal flow paths. Therefore, the steam injection module 1300 controls the expansion and movement of the first heat exchange medium introduced into the steam injection module 1300, and supplies one of the gaseous first heat exchange medium and the liquid first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 to at least any one of the first pipeline L1, the second pipeline L2, and the third pipeline L3. In this case, the first expansion device group G1 may include a first expansion device 1340 and a second expansion device 1350, and the second expansion device group G2 may include a third expansion device 1370 and a fourth expansion device 1380.

[0227] The gas-liquid separator 1310 may separate the introduced first heat exchange medium into a gaseous first heat exchange medium and a liquid first heat exchange medium, and discharge the gaseous first heat exchange medium and the liquid first heat exchange medium in stages.

[0228] Reference Fig.21 The gas-liquid separator 1310 may include an inlet 1311 through which the first heat exchange medium is introduced, a liquid outlet 1312 through which the liquid first heat exchange medium is discharged, and a gas outlet 1313 through which the gaseous first heat exchange medium is discharged.

[0229] The inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be connected to the first expansion device group G1 and the second expansion device group G2 through the first flow path CH1 .

[0230] Specifically, the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be connected to the second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380 through the first merging portion 1320 of the first flow path CH1. In addition, by controlling the second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380 according to the air conditioning mode, one of the first heat exchange medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 and the first heat exchange medium that has passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 may be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310. In addition, the first heat exchange medium introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 into a gaseous first heat exchange medium and a liquid first heat exchange medium.

[0231] In this case, based on the flow of the first heat exchange medium, the two-way valve type second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380 are provided at the upstream side of the gas-liquid separator 1310, and the first heat exchange medium having passed through any one of the second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380 is selectively supplied to the gas-liquid separator 1310, so that the vehicle thermal management device S1 can configure the third line L3 by excluding the check valve already provided in the third line L3 connected to the gas outlet 1313 by using only the pipe. Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can improve thermal efficiency by preventing pressure loss caused by the check valve, etc. In addition, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can use the space already occupied by the check valve, thereby improving the degree of freedom in design.

[0232] The liquid outlet 1312 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be connected to the first expansion device 1340 of the first expansion device group G1 and the third expansion device 1370 of the second expansion device group G2 through the second flow path CH2. In this case, the liquid outlet 1312 may be disposed in the lower portion of the gas-liquid separator 1310 and improve the efficiency of discharging the liquid refrigerant.

[0233] Specifically, the liquid outlet 1312 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be connected to the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370 through the first branch portion 1330 of the second flow path CH2. In this case, one side of the first expansion device 1340 may be connected to the second pipeline L2, and one side of the third expansion device 1370 may be connected to the first pipeline L1.

[0234] Furthermore, according to the air conditioning mode, the liquid first heat exchange medium may move to the evaporator 1400 , the external heat exchanger 1600 , or both the evaporator 1400 and the external heat exchanger 1600 by being controlled by the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370 .

[0235] The gas outlet 1313 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be connected to the third flow path CH3. In this case, the steam injection module 1300 may include a fifth flow path CH5 and connect the gas outlet 1313 and the third flow path CH3. In this case, the fifth flow path CH5 may be referred to as a fifth internal flow path.

[0236] Therefore, the gaseous first heat exchange medium discharged through the gas outlet 1313 may be supplied to the compressor 1100 .

[0237] The first merging portion 1320 may be disposed in the first flow path CH1 disposed to be connected to the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 .

[0238] In this case, the first merging portion 1320 may be a merging point at which the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 and the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 merge.

[0239] The first branch portion 1330 may be disposed in the second flow path CH2 disposed to be connected to the liquid outlet 1312 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 .

[0240] In this case, the first branch portion 1330 may be a branch point at which the liquid first heat exchange medium branches and moves.

[0241] The first expansion device 1340 may constitute a first expansion device group G1 together with the second expansion device 1350 and may be provided as a three-way valve type valve. Therefore, the first expansion device 1340 may control the moving direction of the first heat exchange medium and whether to expand the first heat exchange medium.

[0242] Furthermore, the first expansion device 1340 may include two inlets and one outlet.

[0243] The first inlet 1341 as one of the two inlets of the first expansion device 1340 may be connected to the first line L1 disposed at the outlet side of the internal heat exchanger 1200 through the second branch portion 1360 disposed in the third flow path CH3. In this case, the first inlet 1341 may correspond to the first housing hole 120 of the ball valve 1.

[0244] In addition, the second inlet 1342 as the other of the two inlets of the first expansion device 1340 may be connected to a portion of the second flow path CH2 branched from the second branch portion 1360. In this case, the second inlet 1342 may correspond to the second housing hole 130 of the ball valve 1.

[0245] In addition, the first outlet 1343 as the outlet of the first expansion device 1340 may be connected to the second line L2 at the inlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600. In this case, the first outlet 1343 may correspond to the third housing hole 140 of the ball valve 1.

[0246] Therefore, according to the air conditioning mode, the first heat exchange medium introduced through the first inlet 1341 may be discharged to the first outlet 1343 through the first expansion device 1340, and supplied to the external heat exchanger 1600. In addition, according to the air conditioning mode, the first heat exchange medium introduced through the second inlet 1342 may be discharged to the first outlet 1343 through the first expansion device 1340, and supplied to the external heat exchanger 1600.

[0247] The second expansion device 1350 may constitute a first expansion device group G1 together with the first expansion device 1340, and may be provided as a two-way valve type valve. Therefore, the second expansion device 1350 may control whether to move and expand the first heat exchange medium.

[0248] The inlet of the second expansion device 1350 may be connected to the first line L1 provided at the outlet side of the internal heat exchanger 1200 through the second branch portion 1360 provided in the third flow path CH3 .

[0249] In addition, the outlet of the second expansion device 1350 may be connected to the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the first merging portion 1320 provided in the first flow path CH1 .

[0250] The second expansion device 1350 may control movement and expansion of the first heat exchange medium supplied to the gas-liquid separator 1310 according to the air conditioning mode.

[0251] The second branch portion 1360 may be provided in a third flow path CH3 provided to be connected to the first line L1 at the outlet side of the internal heat exchanger 1200 .

[0252] In this case, the second branch portion 1360 may be a branch point at which the first heat exchange medium discharged from the internal heat exchanger 1200 branches and moves.

[0253] The third expansion device 1370 may constitute a second expansion device group G2 together with the fourth expansion device 1380 and may be provided as a three-way valve type valve. Therefore, the third expansion device 1370 may control the moving direction of the first heat exchange medium and whether to expand the first heat exchange medium.

[0254] Furthermore, the third expansion device 1370 may include two inlets and one outlet.

[0255] The third inlet 1371 as one of the two inlets of the third expansion device 1370 may be connected to the second line L2 disposed at the outlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600 through the third branch portion 1390 disposed in the third flow path CH3. In this case, the third inlet 1371 may correspond to the first housing hole 120 of the ball valve 1.

[0256] In addition, the fourth inlet 1372 as the other of the two inlets of the third expansion device 1370 may be connected to a portion of the second flow path CH2 branched from the second branch portion 1360. In this case, the fourth inlet 1372 may correspond to the second housing hole 130 of the ball valve 1.

[0257] In addition, the second outlet 1373 as the outlet of the third expansion device 1370 may be connected to the first line L1 at the inlet side of the evaporator 1400. In this case, the second outlet 1373 may correspond to the third housing hole 140 of the ball valve 1.

[0258] Therefore, according to the air conditioning mode, the first heat exchange medium introduced through the third inlet 1371 may be discharged to the second outlet 1373 through the third expansion device 1370, and supplied to the evaporator 1400. In addition, according to the air conditioning mode, the first heat exchange medium introduced through the fourth inlet 1372 may be discharged to the second outlet 1373 through the third expansion device 1370, and supplied to the evaporator 1400.

[0259] The fourth expansion device 1380 may constitute the second expansion device group G2 together with the third expansion device 1370, and may be provided as a two-way valve type valve. Therefore, the fourth expansion device 1380 may control whether to move and expand the first heat exchange medium.

[0260] The inlet of the fourth expansion device 1380 may be connected to the second line L2 disposed at the outlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600 through the third branch portion 1390 disposed in the fourth flow path CH4 .

[0261] In addition, the outlet of the fourth expansion device 1380 may be connected to the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the first merging portion 1320 provided in the first flow path CH1 .

[0262] The second expansion device 1350 may control movement and expansion of the first heat exchange medium supplied to the gas-liquid separator 1310 according to the air conditioning mode.

[0263] The third branch portion 1390 may be provided in a fourth flow path CH4 provided to be connected to the second line L2 at the outlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600 .

[0264] In this case, the third branch portion 1390 may be a branch point at which the first heat exchange medium discharged from the external heat exchanger 1600 branches and moves.

[0265] The first flow path CH1 , the second flow path CH2 , the third flow path CH3 , the fourth flow path CH4 , and the fifth flow path CH5 may be channels provided in the steam injection module 1300 and configured to allow the first heat exchange medium to move therethrough.

[0266] The first flow path CH1 may connect the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310, the outlet of the second expansion device 1350, and the outlet of the fourth expansion device 1380 by using the first merging portion 1320. In this case, by controlling the second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380, one of the first heat exchange medium having passed through the second expansion device 1350 and the first heat exchange medium having passed through the fourth expansion device 1380 may be supplied to the gas-liquid separator 1310.

[0267] The second flow path CH2 may connect the liquid outlet 1312 of the gas-liquid separator 1310, the second inlet 1342 of the first expansion device 1340, and the fourth inlet 1372 of the third expansion device 1370 by using the first branch portion 1330. In this case, the liquid first heat exchange medium discharged from the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be supplied to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340, supplied to the evaporator 1400 through the third expansion device 1370, or supplied to both the evaporator 1400 and the external heat exchanger 1600 by being controlled by the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370.

[0268] The third flow path CH3 may connect the outlet of the internal heat exchanger 1200, the first inlet 1341 of the first expansion device 1340, and the inlet of the second expansion device 1350 by using the second branch portion 1360. In this case, the first heat exchange medium discharged from the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be supplied to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340 by being controlled by the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350, or may be supplied to the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the second expansion device 1350.

[0269] The fourth flow path CH4 may connect the outlet of the external heat exchanger 1600, the third inlet 1371 of the third expansion device 1370, and the inlet of the fourth expansion device 1380 by using the third branch portion 1390. In this case, the first heat exchange medium discharged from the external heat exchanger 1600 may be supplied to the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the fourth expansion device 1380 by being controlled by the third expansion device 1370 and the fourth expansion device 1380.

[0270] The fifth flow path CH5 may connect the gas outlet 1313 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 and the third line L3 connected to the inlet side of the compressor 1100. Therefore, the gaseous first heat exchange medium discharged from the gas outlet 1313 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be supplied to the compressor 1100.

[0271] The steam injection module 1300 optimizes the flow of the heat exchange medium by providing an arrangement relationship between the optimized components of the first expansion device group G1 including the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350, the second expansion device group G2 including the third expansion device 1370 and the fourth expansion device 1380, the gas-liquid separator 1310, and the first branch portion 1330. In addition, the steam injection module 1300 can improve the degree of freedom of design of the vehicle thermal management device by achieving a compact size by means of the arrangement relationship. In addition, by modularizing the components of the first expansion device group G1, the second expansion device group G2, the gas-liquid separator 1310, and the first branch portion 1330, the assembly and maintenance processes can be easily performed.

[0272] Fig.23 is a perspective view showing a steam injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment, Fig.24 is a bottom perspective view showing a steam injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment, and Fig.25 is a perspective view showing a first expansion device group and a second expansion device group of a steam injection module provided in the vehicle thermal management device according to the first embodiment. Figure 23 to Figure 25 The first direction, the second direction and the third direction shown in the drawings can represent different directions and are perpendicular to each other. In addition, the first direction can be an upward / downward direction or a vertical direction. In this case, considering the position of the gas outlet 1313 of the gas-liquid separator 1310, the upward direction based on the drawings can be an upward direction, and the downward direction based on the drawings can be a downward direction. In addition, in a plan view, the second direction and the third direction can be horizontal directions and are perpendicular to each other. In addition, the second direction can be an axial direction.

[0273] Reference Figure 23 to Figure 25 , the steam injection module 1300 may include a first expansion device group G1 including a first expansion device 1340 and a second expansion device 1350, a second expansion device group G2 including a third expansion device 1370 and a fourth expansion device 1380, a gas-liquid separator 1310, and an optimized component of a first branch portion 1330. In this case, the first merging portion 1320 may be disposed in a unit (i.e., a gas-liquid separator housing) constituting the gas-liquid separator 1310. In addition, the second branch portion 1360 may be disposed in a unit (i.e., a second expansion device housing) constituting the second expansion device 1350. In addition, the third branch portion 1390 may be disposed in a unit (i.e., a fourth expansion device housing) constituting the fourth expansion device 1380.

[0274] In addition, the steam injection module 1300 may include an actuator that is disposed corresponding to the first expansion device 1340, the second expansion device 1350, the third expansion device 1370, and the fourth expansion device 1380. Therefore, the first expansion device 1340, the second expansion device 1350, the third expansion device 1370, and the fourth expansion device 1380 may be independently operated by the actuator.

[0275] In this case, an example is described in which the first expansion device 1340, the second expansion device 1350, the third expansion device 1370, the fourth expansion device 1380, the gas-liquid separator 1310, and the first branch portion 1330 can all be set as hexahedral units. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to this. The first expansion device 1340, the second expansion device 1350, the third expansion device 1370, the fourth expansion device 1380, the gas-liquid separator 1310, and the first branch portion 1330 can be formed in various shapes as long as the arrangement relationship between them is satisfied.

[0276] Meanwhile, the steam injection module 1300 is disposed below the gas-liquid separator 1310, and the first branch portion 1330 connected to the liquid outlet 1312 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 is constituted as a separate unit, thereby optimizing the flow of the liquid first heat exchange medium by using its weight. In this case, the gas outlet 1313 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be disposed to point upward because the gas outlet 1313 is an outlet from which the gaseous first heat exchange medium is discharged.

[0277] Reference Figure 6 , the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 may be arranged to overlap each other in the upward / downward direction (i.e., the first direction). In this case, considering the weight of the first heat exchange medium according to the phase in the gas-liquid separator 1310, the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be arranged to be higher than the liquid outlet 1312. Therefore, the second expansion device 1350 connected to the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be arranged above the first expansion device 1340.

[0278] In addition, the third expansion device 1370 and the fourth expansion device 1380 may be arranged to overlap each other in the upward / downward direction (i.e., the first direction). In this case, considering the weight of the first heat exchange medium according to the phase in the gas-liquid separator 1310, the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be arranged to be higher than the liquid outlet 1312. Therefore, the fourth expansion device 1380 connected to the inlet 1311 of the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be arranged above the third expansion device 1370.

[0279] In this case, the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370 may be disposed to overlap each other in the second direction, and the second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380 may be disposed to overlap each other in the second direction, which may provide an optimized arrangement relationship.

[0280] In addition, in a plan view, the second expansion device 1350 and the fourth expansion device 1380 may be arranged to overlap the gas-liquid separator 1310 in the third direction. In this case, the inlet 1351 of the second expansion device 1350 may be arranged to be directed upward, and the outlet 1352 of the second expansion device 1350 may be arranged to be directed to the gas-liquid separator 1310. In addition, the inlet 1381 of the fourth expansion device 1380 may be arranged to be directed upward, and the outlet 1382 of the fourth expansion device 1380 may be arranged to be directed to the gas-liquid separator 1310. In this case, the inlet 1351 of the second expansion device 1350 may be connected to the outlet side of the internal heat exchanger 1200. In addition, the inlet 1381 of the fourth expansion device 1380 may be connected to the outlet side of the external heat exchanger 1600.

[0281] In addition, in a plan view, the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370 may be arranged to overlap the first branch portion 1330 in the third direction. In this case, the second inlet 1342 of the first expansion device 1340 may be arranged to point to the first branch portion 1330. In addition, the fourth inlet 1372 of the third expansion device 1370 may be arranged to point to the first branch portion 1330.

[0282] As described above, the steam injection module 1300 can define an optimally arranged module by providing an arrangement relationship between the first expansion device 1340 , the second expansion device 1350 , the third expansion device 1370 , and the fourth expansion device 1380 based on the arrangement relationship between the gas-liquid separator 1310 and the first branch portion 1330 .

[0283] The evaporator 1400 is installed in the air conditioning casing AC of the air conditioning device, is provided in the first line L1, and is supplied with the low-temperature and low-pressure first heat exchange medium discharged from the third expansion device 1370. In this case, the air flowing in the air conditioning casing AC by the blower becomes cold air by exchanging heat with the first heat exchange medium in the evaporator 1400 while passing through the evaporator 1400, and then the cold air is discharged into the interior of the vehicle and cools the interior of the passenger compartment. That is, the evaporator 1400 can cool the interior of the passenger compartment by causing heat exchange between the first heat exchange medium and the air discharged into the passenger compartment. In this case, the evaporator can be called a third heat exchanger.

[0284] In this case, the internal heat exchanger 1200 and the evaporator 1400 can be provided together in the air conditioning casing AC, and control the cooling and heating of the interior. In addition, the temperature adjustment door TD provided in the air conditioning casing AC can adjust the temperature of the vehicle interior by adjusting the amount of air that has performed heat exchange with the internal heat exchanger 1200 and the evaporator 1400.

[0285] The accumulator 1500 may be installed on the first pipeline L1 at the inlet side of the compressor 1100. In addition, the first heat exchange medium introduced into the accumulator 1500 may be separated into a liquid first heat exchange medium and a gaseous first heat exchange medium, and the liquid first heat exchange medium or the gaseous first heat exchange medium may be selectively discharged.

[0286] In this case, the second merging portion 2000 in which the first heat exchange medium having moved along the first line L1 and the fourth line L4 merges may be provided at the inlet side of the reservoir 1500. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the evaporator 1400 through the third expansion device 1370 may be supplied to the reservoir 1500, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the cooler 1700 through the fifth expansion device 1800 may be supplied to the reservoir 1500, or the first heat exchange medium having passed through the evaporator 1400 and the first heat exchange medium having passed through the cooler 1700 may be merged and supplied to the reservoir 1500.

[0287] The external heat exchanger 1600 may be disposed at the front side of the vehicle, and dissipates heat by allowing the air introduced into the vehicle (air existing outside the interior of the vehicle) and the first heat exchange medium to exchange heat with each other to condense the first heat exchange medium. In this case, the external heat exchanger 1600 may be referred to as a second heat exchanger or a second condenser.

[0288] In this case, the external heat exchanger 1600 may be provided on the second line L2. In addition, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the first expansion device 1340 may be supplied.

[0289] The cooler 1700 and the fifth expansion device 1800 may be provided on the fourth pipeline L4 to use waste heat. In this case, the fifth expansion device 1800 may be provided as a two-way valve type. For example, the fifth expansion device 1800 may be a two-way expansion valve.

[0290] The fourth line L4 may connect the first line L1 between the evaporator 1400 and the accumulator 1500 and the second line L2 between the external heat exchanger 1600 and the steam injection module 1300 by using the fourth branch portion 900 and the second merging portion 2000. Therefore, a portion of the first heat exchange medium that has passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 may move to the fourth line L4. In addition, the first heat exchange medium that has passed through the cooler 1700 and the fifth expansion device 1800 may move to the accumulator 1500.

[0291] The cooler 1700 may be a heat exchanger configured to enable the first heat exchange medium having passed through the fifth expansion device 1800 and the second heat exchange medium moving along the fifth pipeline L5 to exchange heat with each other. In this case, the cooler 1700 may be referred to as a fourth heat exchanger. In addition, the second heat exchange medium may be a coolant.

[0292] Since the first heat exchange medium can exchange heat with the second heat exchange medium in cooler 1700, the vehicle thermal management device can use waste heat from battery B as a heat source.

[0293] The fifth expansion device 1800 may be provided at the inlet side of the cooler 1700. In addition, the fifth expansion device 1800 may control whether to expand and move the first heat exchange medium moving along the fourth pipeline L4. In this case, the fifth expansion device 1800 may be an electromagnetic two-way expansion valve.

[0294] The vehicle heat exchange device may include a battery cooling device configured to use waste heat from battery B.

[0295] Reference Fig. 20 and Fig. 22 The battery cooling device may include a fifth line L5 in which the second heat exchange medium circulates, and a battery B and a pump P provided on the fifth line L5. In addition, the battery cooling device may further include a first heater H1.

[0296] The fifth pipeline L5 may be provided in the vehicle so that the second heat exchange medium may circulate. Therefore, the second heat exchange medium circulating through the fifth pipeline L5 may remove heat generated from the battery B. In this case, the fifth pipeline L5 may be provided as a pipe or the like.

[0297] In addition, the fifth line L5 may be provided to pass through the cooler 1700. Therefore, in the cooler 1700, the second heat exchange medium transmitted along the fifth line L5 may exchange heat with the first heat exchange medium flowing along the fourth line L4. That is, the heat generated from the battery B may be transferred from the cooler 1700 to the reservoir 1500.

[0298] The pump P transfers the second heat exchange medium along the fifth line L5. Therefore, the high-temperature second heat exchange medium that has absorbed the heat generated from the battery B may circulate through the pump P and exchange heat with the first heat exchange medium while passing through the cooler 1700.

[0299] The first heater H1 can heat the second heat exchange medium transmitted along the fifth pipeline L5. Figure 3 As shown in , based on the flow of the second heat exchange medium, the first heater H1 may be disposed at the outlet side of the battery B. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. In this case, the first heater H1 may be referred to as a first heater.

[0300] Meanwhile, the vehicle thermal management device may further include a second heater H2 disposed in the air conditioning housing AC. In this case, a positive temperature coefficient heater (PTC heater) may be used as the second heater H2. Therefore, the PTC heater may improve the quality of cooling and heating the interior of the vehicle by assisting in cooling and heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0301] The vehicle thermal management apparatus according to the embodiment may include a plurality of air conditioning modes.

[0302] Fig.26 is a diagram showing a cooling / dehumidification mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to an embodiment. In this case, Fig.26 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0303] In the cooling / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the vehicle thermal management device S1 can cool and dehumidify the interior of the vehicle.

[0304] Reference Fig. 20 , Fig.21 and Fig.26 In the cooling / dehumidification mode, the first heat exchange medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the first expansion device 1340, the external heat exchanger 1600 and the fourth expansion device 1380, the gaseous first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be moved to the compressor 1100 through the third pipeline L3, and the liquid first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be moved to the evaporator 1400 through the third expansion device 1370.

[0305] Specifically, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the compressor 1100 and the internal heat exchanger 1200 may move to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 .

[0306] In this case, the second inlet 1342 of the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 are in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the second position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 and move to the external heat exchanger 1600. In the cooling / dehumidification mode, the first expansion device 1340 may be operated in a bypass mode because the first expansion device 1340 may perform control to allow the first heat exchange medium to bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 without expanding the first heat exchange medium.

[0307] In addition, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 may move to the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the third expansion device 1370 , the fourth expansion device 1380 , and the fifth expansion device 1800 .

[0308] In this case, the third inlet 1371 of the third expansion device 1370 and the fifth expansion device 1800 are in a closed state.

[0309] Furthermore, in the gas-liquid separator 1310, the first heat exchange medium is separated into a gaseous first heat exchange medium and a liquid first heat exchange medium.

[0310] In addition, the liquid first heat exchange medium is expanded by the third expansion device 1370 and then moves to the evaporator 1400, the accumulator 1500 and the compressor 1100 in sequence. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the third expansion device 1370 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the fifth position. Therefore, the liquid first heat exchange medium may be expanded by the third expansion device 1370 and then move to the evaporator 1400, i.e., the third heat exchanger. In the cooling mode, the third expansion device 1370 may be operated in the steam injection mode because the third expansion device 1370 expands the first heat exchange medium and provides the first heat exchange medium to the evaporator 1400.

[0311] In addition, the gaseous first heat exchange medium may move to the compressor 1100 through the third line L3.

[0312] That is, in the cooling / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, the refrigerant that has passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 (i.e., the first heat exchanger) can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the first expansion device 1340, the external heat exchanger 1600 (i.e., the second heat exchanger) and the fourth expansion device 1380, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be moved to the compressor 1100, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be expanded through the third expansion device 1370 and then moved to the evaporator 1400 (i.e., the third heat exchanger).

[0313] In this case, the refrigerant that has passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 (i.e., the first heat exchanger) can expand only through the fourth expansion device 1380 without expanding through the first expansion device 1340 while moving to the first expansion device 1340, the external heat exchanger 1600 (i.e., the second heat exchanger), the fourth expansion device 1380 and the gas-liquid separator 1310.

[0314] Therefore, in the cooling / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, a single gas-liquid separator 1310 of the vehicle thermal management device S1 can improve the cooling efficiency by about 10% while improving the cooling performance by about 15% compared to the prior art heat pump system using a steam injection system.

[0315] Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a cooling mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to an embodiment. In this case, Fig. 27 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0316] In the cooling mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the vehicle thermal management device S1 may cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0317] Reference Fig. 20 , Fig.21 and Fig. 27 In the cooling mode, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 is introduced into the evaporator 1400 through the first expansion device 1340, the external heat exchanger 1600, and the third expansion device 1370, and then circulates while passing through the accumulator 1500 and the compressor 1100 to move back to the internal heat exchanger 1200. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 and be introduced into the evaporator 1400.

[0318] Specifically, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the compressor 1100 and the internal heat exchanger 1200 may move to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 .

[0319] In this case, the second inlet 1342 of the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 are in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the second position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 and move to the external heat exchanger 1600. In the cooling mode, the first expansion device 1340 may be operated in a bypass mode because the first expansion device 1340 may perform control to allow the first heat exchange medium to bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 without expanding the first heat exchange medium.

[0320] In addition, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 may move to the evaporator 1400 through the third expansion device 1370 , the fourth expansion device 1380 , and the fifth expansion device 1800 .

[0321] In this case, the fourth inlet 1372 of the third expansion device 1370, the fourth expansion device 1380, and the fifth expansion device 1800 are in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the third expansion device 1370 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the second position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 may bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 and move to the evaporator 1400. In the cooling mode, the third expansion device 1370 may be operated in the non-steam injection mode because the third expansion device 1370 may perform control to allow the first heat exchange medium to bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 without expanding the first heat exchange medium and without using the gaseous first heat exchange medium.

[0322] That is, in the cooling mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, the refrigerant having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 can bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 while passing through the first expansion device 1340, the external heat exchanger 1600, and the third expansion device 1370 to move to the evaporator 1400. Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S1 can cool the interior of the passenger compartment.

[0323] Fig.28 is a diagram showing a heating / dehumidification mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to an embodiment. In this case, Fig.28 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0324] In the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the vehicle thermal management device can heat and dehumidify the interior of the vehicle.

[0325] Reference Fig. 20 , Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.28 In the heating / dehumidification mode, the first heat exchange medium that has passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the second expansion device 1350, the gaseous first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be moved to the compressor 1100 through the third pipeline L3, and the liquid first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be moved to the external heat exchanger 1600, the fifth expansion device 1800, the cooler 1700, the liquid reservoir 1500 and the compressor 1100 in sequence through the first expansion device 1340.

[0326] Specifically, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the compressor 1100 and the internal heat exchanger 1200 may move to the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the first expansion device 1340 , the second expansion device 1350 , and the fourth expansion device 1380 .

[0327] In this case, the first inlet 1341 of the first expansion device 1340 and the fourth expansion device 1380 are in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the fifth position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may move to the gas-liquid separator 1310.

[0328] In addition, the first heat exchange medium is separated into a gaseous first heat exchange medium and a liquid first heat exchange medium in the gas-liquid separator 1310 .

[0329] In addition, the liquid first heat exchange medium moves to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370. In this case, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 set as the third expansion device 1370 according to the first embodiment is positioned at the first position, and the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 set as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment is positioned at the fifth position. Therefore, the liquid first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 can be expanded by the first expansion device 1340 and then moved to the external heat exchanger 1600, that is, the second heat exchanger. In the heating / dehumidification mode, the first expansion device 1340 can be operated in the steam injection mode because the first expansion device 1340 expands the first heat exchange medium and provides the first heat exchange medium to the external heat exchanger 1600, and the third expansion device 1370 can be operated in the closed mode in which the movement of the first heat exchange medium is blocked.

[0330] In addition, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 is expanded by the fifth expansion device 1800, and then sequentially moves to the cooler 1700, the accumulator 1500, and the compressor 1100. When the first heat exchange medium passes through the cooler 1700, the first heat exchange medium exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium moving along the fifth line L5 in the cooler 1700, so that the waste heat from the battery B can be used.

[0331] In addition, the gaseous first heat exchange medium moves to the compressor 1100 through the third line L3 and then merges with the first heat exchange medium that has moved into the compressor 1100 through the accumulator 1500 .

[0332] That is, in the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, the refrigerant having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 (i.e., the first heat exchanger) is expanded by the second expansion device 1350 and then introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310. In addition, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 moves to the compressor 1100. In addition, the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be expanded by the first expansion device 1340, pass through the external heat exchanger 1600 (i.e., the second heat exchanger), and then pass through the cooler 1700 and move to the compressor 1100.

[0333] Therefore, in the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, compared with the heat pump system of the prior art using a steam injection system, the single gas-liquid separator 1310 of the vehicle thermal management device S1 can reduce the power required for the heating / dehumidification mode by approximately 10% while improving the heating performance by approximately 20%.

[0334] Fig.29 is a diagram showing a heating mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to an embodiment. In this case, Fig.29 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0335] In the heating mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the vehicle thermal management device S1 may heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0336] Reference Fig. 20 , Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.29 In the heating mode, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 circulates while moving back to the internal heat exchanger 1200 through the first expansion device 1340 , the external heat exchanger 1600 , the cooler 1700 , the accumulator 1500 , and the compressor 1100 .

[0337] Specifically, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the compressor 1100 and the internal heat exchanger 1200 may move to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 .

[0338] In this case, the second inlet 1342 of the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350 are in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the second position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 and move to the external heat exchanger 1600. In the heating mode, the first expansion device 1340 may be operated in the non-steam injection mode because the first expansion device 1340 may perform control to allow the first heat exchange medium to bypass the gas-liquid separator 1310 without expanding the first heat exchange medium.

[0339] Furthermore, the first heat exchanging medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 moves to the cooler 1700 .

[0340] In this case, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 configured as the third expansion device 1370 according to the first embodiment is positioned at the first position, and the fourth expansion device 1380 is in a closed state. In the heating mode, the third expansion device 1370 can operate in a closed mode in which the movement of the first heat exchange medium is blocked.

[0341] Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 is expanded by the fifth expansion device 1800, and then sequentially moves to the cooler 1700, the accumulator 1500, and the compressor 1100. When the first heat exchange medium passes through the cooler 1700, the first heat exchange medium exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium moving along the fifth line L5 in the cooler 1700, so that the waste heat from the battery B can be used.

[0342] That is, in the heating mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, the refrigerant that has passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 (i.e., the first heat exchanger) moves to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the first expansion device 1340 and the second expansion device 1350, and circulates through the third expansion device 1370, the fourth expansion device 1380 and the fifth expansion device 1800, while using the waste heat from the cooler 1700, which can improve the heating performance and quality of the vehicle thermal management device S1.

[0343] Meanwhile, in the heating / dehumidification mode and the heating mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the second heater H2 may be operated.

[0344] Fig.30is a diagram showing a dehumidification mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to an embodiment. In this case, Fig.30 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0345] In the dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the vehicle thermal management device S1 can dehumidify the interior of the vehicle.

[0346] Reference Fig. 20 , Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.30 , in the dehumidification mode, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 is introduced into the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the second expansion device 1350. In addition, the gaseous first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be moved to the compressor 1100 through the third pipeline L3, a portion of the liquid first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be moved to the external heat exchanger 1600, the fifth expansion device 1800, the cooler 1700, the liquid accumulator 1500, and the compressor 1100 through the first expansion device 1340, and another portion of the liquid first heat exchange medium separated by the gas-liquid separator 1310 may be moved to the evaporator 1400 through the third expansion device 1370.

[0347] Specifically, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the compressor 1100 and the internal heat exchanger 1200 may move to the gas-liquid separator 1310 through the first expansion device 1340, the second expansion device 1350, and the fourth expansion device 1380. In this case, the first inlet 1341 of the first expansion device 1340 and the fourth expansion device 1380 are in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment may be positioned at the fifth position.

[0348] In addition, the first heat exchange medium is separated into a gaseous first heat exchange medium and a liquid first heat exchange medium in the gas-liquid separator 1310 .

[0349] In addition, a portion of the liquid first heat exchange medium moves to the external heat exchanger 1600, and another portion of the liquid first heat exchange medium moves to the evaporator 1400 through the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370. In this case, the third inlet 1371 of the third expansion device 1370 is in a closed state. For example, the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the first expansion device 1340 according to the first embodiment is positioned at the fifth position, and the ball 200 of the ball valve 1 provided as the third expansion device 1370 according to the first embodiment is also positioned at the fifth position, so that the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370 can operate in a steam injection mode in which the first expansion device 1340 and the third expansion device 1370 expand and move the first heat exchange medium.

[0350] Therefore, a portion of the first heat exchange medium branched from the first branch portion 1330 and the first heat exchange medium having passed through the external heat exchanger 1600 is expanded by the fifth expansion device 1800, and then sequentially moves to the cooler 1700, the accumulator 1500, and the compressor 1100. When the first heat exchange medium passes through the cooler 1700, the first heat exchange medium exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium moving along the fifth line L5 in the cooler 1700, so that the waste heat from the battery B can be used.

[0351] In addition, another portion of the first heat exchange medium branched from the first branch portion 1330 is expanded by the third expansion device 1370 and then moves to the evaporator 1400 , the accumulator 1500 , and the compressor 1100 in sequence.

[0352] In addition, the gaseous first heat exchange medium moves to the compressor 1100 through the third line L3 and then merges with the first heat exchange medium that has moved into the compressor 1100 through the accumulator 1500 .

[0353] Therefore, in the dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1, the single gas-liquid separator 1310 of the vehicle thermal management device S1 may improve the dehumidification efficiency compared to the related art heat pump system in which the steam injection system is used.

[0354] Meanwhile, in the dehumidification mode of the vehicle thermal management device S1 , the second heater H2 may be operated.

[0355] Second embodiment

[0356] Fig.31 The second embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Fig.32 The second embodiment of the ball valve is shown along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. Fig.33 is a front view showing a ball of a ball valve according to a second embodiment, and Fig.34 : is a diagram showing a vehicle thermal management device according to a second embodiment to which a ball valve according to the second embodiment is applied.

[0357] The ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment and the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment differ in the length of the groove formed in the ball having the predetermined radius R, and the formation range of the groove may vary due to the difference according to the relationship between the sealing parts 400 and 500. Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S2 to which the ball valve 2 of the second embodiment is applied also differs.

[0358] In the description of the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment and the vehicle thermal management device S2 according to the second embodiment, the same constituent elements as those of the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment and the vehicle thermal management device S1 according to the first embodiment will be given the same figure marks and their detailed description will be omitted.

[0359] Reference Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 31 to Figure 33 , the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment may include a housing 100, a ball 200b rotatably provided in the housing 100, and an actuator 300 configured to rotate the ball 200b.

[0360] In addition, the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment may include: an annular first sealing portion 400, which is arranged in the first housing hole 120 of the housing 100 so as to correspond to the hole of the ball 200b; and an annular second sealing portion 500, which is arranged in the second housing hole 130 so as to correspond to the ball 200b.

[0361] In addition, the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment may include a support device 600 configured to prevent separation of the first sealing portion 400. In this case, the support device 600 may be detachably provided in the housing 100.

[0362] Therefore, in addition to the ball 200 b applied to the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment, the constituent elements of the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment may be used as constituent elements.

[0363] That is, components of the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment and the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment except the ball may be commonly used, which can reduce production costs.

[0364] The ball 200b may include: a spherical ball body 210 having a predetermined radius R; a first hole 220 and a second hole 230 provided in the ball body 210 and configured to communicate with each other; and two grooves 240 formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body 210 and connected to the first hole 220. In this case, the size of the first hole 220 of the ball 200b may be equal to or smaller than the size of the second hole 230.

[0365] In this case, the groove 240 may include a first groove 240 a disposed to correspond to the first housing hole 120 and a second groove 240 b disposed to correspond to the second housing hole 130 .

[0366] In addition, each of the first groove 240a and the second groove 240b may be provided as a groove having a predetermined length La, a width W, and a depth D. In this case, the length La of each of the first groove 240a and the second groove 240b formed in the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment may be longer than the length L of each of the first groove 240a and the second groove 240b formed in the ball valve 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0367] The formation ranges of the first and second grooves 240 a and 240 b of the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment may be defined based on the relationship between the sealing parts 400 and 500 .

[0368] Reference Fig.32 Based on the rotation center C, a first angle θ1 defined between the two grooves 240 may be greater than a second angle θ2 defined between a point P1 disposed on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion 400 and a point P2 disposed on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion 500 .

[0369] That is, in the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment, the formation range of the groove 240 may be defined by the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2.

[0370] Therefore, when the ball 200b is positioned at a predetermined rotational position, the first groove 240a may be arranged to communicate with the first housing hole 120, and the second groove 240b may be arranged to communicate with the second housing hole 130. Therefore, the ball valve 2 can bidirectionally expand the refrigerant at a predetermined rotational position.

[0371] Reference Fig.34, the vehicle thermal management device S2 according to the second embodiment may include a compressor 1100, an internal heat exchanger 1200, a ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment, a accumulator 1500, an external heat exchanger 1600, and a cooler 1700. In addition, the vehicle thermal management device S2 may include a sixth pipeline L6 configured to connect the compressor 1100, the internal heat exchanger 1200, the ball valve 2 according to the second embodiment, the external heat exchanger 1600, and the cooler 1700. In this case, the external heat exchanger 1600 and the cooler 1700 may be connected in parallel between the valve 2 and the accumulator 1500. In this case, the sixth pipeline L6 may be a pipe configured to circulate a refrigerant provided as a first heat exchange medium.

[0372] In addition, the vehicle thermal management device S2 may include a fifth line L5 connected to the cooler 1700 so that waste heat from the battery B is used, and a battery B provided in the fifth line L5.

[0373] Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S2 can improve the thermal management performance and quality by using at least one of the heat absorption by the external heat exchanger 1600 and the waste heat used by the cooler 1700. In this case, the valve 2 can also improve the thermal management efficiency and quality by expanding the refrigerant moved to at least any one of the external heat exchanger 1600 and the cooler 1700.

[0374] In this case, the valve 2 applied to the vehicle thermal management device S2 may be a three-way valve having one inlet port 2 a and two outlet ports 2 b and 2 c .

[0375] Specifically, the valve 2 may include an inlet port 2a, a first outlet port 2b, and a second outlet port 2c.

[0376] The inlet port 2 a may be configured to correspond to the third housing hole 140 of the valve 2 .

[0377] Furthermore, the first outlet port 2 b may be configured to correspond to the first housing hole 120 of the valve 2 .

[0378] Furthermore, the second outlet port 2 c may be configured to correspond to the second housing hole 130 of the valve 2 .

[0379] Fig.35 is a diagram showing a heat absorption mode of an outdoor unit of a vehicle thermal management device according to a second embodiment, and Fig.36 : is a diagram showing a first heat absorption position of a ball provided in a ball valve according to a second embodiment. In this case, Fig.35 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0380] Reference Fig.35 and Fig.36 , in the outdoor unit heat absorption mode, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be moved to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the valve 2 .

[0381] In this case, the second outlet port 2c enters a closed state by the rotation of the ball 200b. Fig.36 As shown in FIG. 2 , the ball 200 b may be positioned at the first heat absorbing position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be expanded through the valve 2 and then move to the external heat exchanger 1600 .

[0382] In this case, the first heat absorption position may be defined as a rotation position where a portion of the first housing hole 120 of the ball 200b is disposed in the first angle θ1. Therefore, a portion of the end side of the first groove 240a may be disposed to communicate with the first housing hole 120. Specifically, a portion of the end side of the first groove 240a may be disposed to communicate with the first sealing portion 400.

[0383] That is, the ball 200b may rotate to the first heat absorbing position where the first housing hole 120 and the first groove 240a partially face each other and communicate with each other, and the refrigerant moves along the first groove 240a and expands.

[0384] Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S2 supplies the first heat exchange medium expanded by the valve 2 to the external heat exchanger 1600. In addition, the external heat exchanger 1600 dissipates heat by allowing air (air existing outside the interior of the vehicle) to exchange heat with the first heat exchange medium, so that the first heat exchange medium can be condensed and then supplied to the reservoir 1500.

[0385] Fig.37 is a diagram showing a waste heat absorption mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to a second embodiment, and Fig.38 : is a diagram showing a second heat absorption position of a ball provided in a ball valve according to a second embodiment. In this case, Fig.37 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0386] Reference Fig.37 and Fig.38 , in the waste heat absorption mode, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be moved to the cooler 1700 through the valve 2 .

[0387] In this case, the second outlet port 2c enters a closed state by the rotation of the ball 200b. Fig.38As shown in FIG. 2 , the ball 200 b may be positioned at the second heat absorbing position. Therefore, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be expanded through the valve 2 and then move to the cooler 1700 .

[0388] In this case, the second heat absorption position may be defined as a rotation position where a portion of the second housing hole 130 of the ball 200b is disposed in the first angle θ1. Therefore, a portion of the end side of the second groove 240b may be disposed to communicate with the second housing hole 130. Specifically, a portion of the end side of the second groove 240b may be disposed to communicate with the second sealing portion 500.

[0389] That is, the ball 200b may rotate to the second heat absorbing position where the second housing hole 130 and the second groove 240b partially face each other and communicate with each other, and the refrigerant moves along the second groove 240b and expands.

[0390] Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S2 supplies the first heat exchange medium expanded by valve 2 to the cooler 1700. In addition, the cooler 1700 allows the expanded first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium moving along the fifth line L5 to exchange heat with each other, so that the condensed first heat exchange medium can be supplied to the reservoir 1500.

[0391] Fig.39 is a diagram showing a parallel heat absorption mode of a vehicle thermal management device according to a second embodiment, and Fig.40 is a diagram showing a third heat absorbing position of a ball provided in a ball valve according to the second embodiment. In this case, Fig.39 The arrows shown in FIG. 5 may indicate the flow of the heat exchange medium.

[0392] Reference Fig.39 and Fig.40 , in the parallel heat absorption mode, the first heat exchange medium having passed through the internal heat exchanger 1200 may be moved to both the external heat exchanger 1600 and the cooler 1700 through the valve 2 .

[0393] In this case, the first outlet port 2b and the second outlet port 2c enter an open state by the rotation of the ball 200b. Fig.40 As shown in , the ball 200b may be positioned at the third heat absorbing position. Therefore, a portion of the first heat exchange medium may be supplied to the external heat exchanger 1600 through the valve 2, and the remaining portion of the first heat exchange medium may be supplied to the cooler 1700 through the valve 2.

[0394] In this case, the third heat absorption position may be defined as a rotation position where a portion of the first housing hole 120 and a portion of the second housing hole 130 of the ball 200b are disposed in the first included angle θ1. Therefore, a portion of the end side of the first groove 240a may be disposed to communicate with the first housing hole 120, and a portion of the end side of the second groove 240b may be disposed to communicate with the second housing hole 130. Specifically, a portion of the end side of the first groove 240a may be disposed to communicate with the first sealing portion 400, and a portion of the end side of the second groove 240b may be disposed to communicate with the second sealing portion 500.

[0395] That is, the ball 200b can rotate to the third heat absorbing position. In addition, since the refrigerant moves and expands along the first groove 240a and the second groove 240b, the valve 2 realizes bidirectional expansion of the refrigerant.

[0396] Therefore, the vehicle thermal management device S2 supplies the first heat exchange medium expanded by the valve 2 to the external heat exchanger 1600, and supplies the expanded first heat exchange medium to the cooler 1700. In addition, the external heat exchanger 1600 dissipates heat by allowing air (air existing outside the interior of the vehicle) to exchange heat with the first heat exchange medium, so that the first heat exchange medium can be condensed and then supplied to the reservoir 1500. In addition, the cooler 1700 allows the expanded first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium moving along the fifth line L5 to exchange heat with each other, so that the condensed first heat exchange medium can be supplied to the reservoir 1500.

[0397] That is, the vehicle thermal management device S2 can realize bidirectional expansion of the refrigerant by means of the valve 2, thereby realizing simultaneous heat absorption in the external heat exchanger 1600 and the cooler 1700. Therefore, the thermal efficiency of the vehicle thermal management device S2 can be improved.

[0398] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that the differences associated with modifications and changes fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0399] <Description of Reference Numerals>

[0400] 1, 2: ball valve, 100: housing, 200, 200a, 200b: ball, 300: actuator, 400: first sealing part, 500: second sealing part, 600: supporting device, 1100: compressor, 1200: internal heat exchanger, 1300: steam injection module, 1310: gas-liquid separator, 1320: first merging part, 1330: first branch part, 1340: first expansion device, 1350: second expansion device, 1360: second branch part, 1370: third expansion device, 1380: fourth expansion device, 1390: third branch part, 1400: evaporator, 1500: liquid storage device, 1600: external heat exchanger, 1700: cooler, 1800: fifth expansion device, 1900: fourth branch part, 2000: second merging part, B: battery, S1, S2: vehicle thermal management device

Claims

1. A ball valve, comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a first housing hole, a second housing hole, and a third housing hole arranged to communicate with each other; a ball rotatably disposed in the housing; as well as an actuator configured to rotate the ball, Wherein, the ball comprises: a ball body, the ball body having a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole being provided in the ball body and configured to communicate with each other; and two grooves formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, wherein the second hole is arranged to correspond to the third shell hole, and Wherein, the groove of the ball is connected to the first shell hole or the second shell hole according to the position of the ball.

2. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein: The recess of the ball is positioned at a position that is not in communication with the first housing hole and the second housing hole.

3. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein: An end portion of one of the two grooves is arranged to communicate with the first housing hole, and an end portion of the other of the two grooves is arranged to communicate with the second housing hole.

4. The ball valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The first housing hole and the second housing hole are disposed to face each other, and the ball is configured to rotate around a rotation center within a range of 180 degrees.

5. The ball valve according to claim 4, comprising: An annular first sealing portion, the first sealing portion is arranged in the first housing hole and corresponds to the ball; as well as An annular second sealing portion is disposed in the second housing hole and corresponds to the ball.

6. The ball valve according to claim 5, wherein: An inner diameter of the first sealing portion and an inner diameter of the second sealing portion are equal to a diameter of the first hole.

7. The ball valve according to claim 5, comprising: a supporting device configured to prevent separation of the first sealing portion, Wherein, the supporting device is detachably connected to the first housing hole.

8. The ball valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The connecting portion of the actuator is arranged to overlap with the second hole in the axial direction.

9. The ball valve according to claim 8, wherein: The first hole and the second hole are disposed perpendicular to each other.

10. The ball valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The flow rate of the refrigerant moving through the groove is controlled according to the rotational position at which an end of one of the grooves of the ball communicates with the first housing hole or the second housing hole.

11. The ball valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The diameter of the first hole is equal to the diameter of the second hole.

12. The ball valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: A diameter of the first hole is smaller than a diameter of the second hole.

13. The ball valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The depth of the groove decreases toward an end side of the groove.

14. A ball valve, comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a first housing hole, a second housing hole, and a third housing hole arranged to communicate with each other; a ball rotatably disposed in the housing; an annular first sealing portion, the first sealing portion being disposed in the first housing hole and facing the ball; an annular second sealing portion, the second sealing portion being disposed in the second housing hole and facing the ball; as well as a supporting device configured to support the first sealing portion, wherein the diameter of the first shell hole is greater than the diameter of the second shell hole, wherein the second sealing portion, the ball, the first sealing portion and the supporting device are sequentially arranged in the housing through the first housing hole, and Wherein, the supporting device is detachably connected to the housing.

15. A vehicle thermal management device, the vehicle thermal management device comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant and circulate the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger in which the compressed refrigerant is introduced and exchanges heat with another heat exchange medium; a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air present outside the passenger compartment; a third heat exchanger installed in the air conditioning device and configured to exchange heat with air discharged into the passenger compartment; and a steam injection module configured to introduce gaseous refrigerant into the compressor, The steam injection module includes a first expansion device group, a second expansion device group and a gas-liquid separator. Wherein, the first expansion device of the first expansion device group and the third expansion device of the second expansion device group both include: a housing, the housing comprising a first housing hole, a second housing hole, and a third housing hole arranged to communicate with each other; a ball rotatably disposed in the housing; an actuator configured to rotate the ball; an annular first sealing portion, the first sealing portion being disposed in the first housing hole while facing the ball; and an annular second sealing portion, the second sealing portion being arranged in the second housing hole and facing the ball, Wherein, the ball comprises: a ball body, the ball body having a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole being provided in the ball body and configured to communicate with each other; and a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove being formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, and Wherein, based on the rotation center, a first angle defined between the first groove and the second groove is smaller than a second angle defined between a point arranged on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion and a point on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion arranged to be adjacent to the point on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion in the circumferential direction.

16. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 15, wherein: In a cooling mode, the refrigerant having passed through the second heat exchanger is introduced into the first expansion device group, and in a heating mode, the refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchanger is introduced into the second expansion device group.

17. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 16, wherein: The first expansion device group comprises: the first expansion device; a second expansion device; and a third flow path configured to connect an outlet of the first heat exchanger to the first expansion device and the second expansion device, and Wherein, the second expansion device group comprises: the third expansion device; a fourth expansion device; and A fourth flow path is configured to connect the outlet of the second heat exchanger to the third expansion device and the fourth expansion device through a third branch portion.

18. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 17, wherein: The first expansion device and the third expansion device are connected in parallel to the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator, the second expansion device and the fourth expansion device are connected in parallel to the inlet of the gas-liquid separator, and the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the compressor.

19. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 18, comprising: a first pipeline configured to connect the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the steam injection module, the third heat exchanger, and a liquid reservoir; a second pipeline configured to connect the steam injection module and the second heat exchanger; a third pipeline configured to connect the steam injection module and the compressor; a fourth pipeline having one side connected to the first pipeline between the third heat exchanger and the liquid reservoir and another side connected to the second pipeline between the second heat exchanger and the steam injection module; as well as a cooler and a fifth expansion device, wherein the cooler and the fifth expansion device are arranged on the fourth pipeline, The refrigerant moving along the fourth line and the coolant moving along the fifth line exchange heat with each other in the cooler.

20. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 19, wherein: In the cooling / dehumidification mode, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger is introduced into the gas-liquid separator through the first expansion device, the second heat exchanger and the fourth expansion device, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator moves to the compressor, the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator moves to the third heat exchanger through the third expansion device, the ball of the first expansion device rotates to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, and the ball of the third expansion device rotates to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other.

21. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 19, wherein: In the cooling mode, the ball of the first expansion device rotates to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, and the ball of the third expansion device rotates to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, so that the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger bypasses the gas-liquid separator and is introduced into the third heat exchanger.

22. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 19, wherein: In the heating / dehumidification mode, the ball of the first expansion device rotates to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other, the ball of the third expansion device rotates so that both the first groove and the second groove are set in the second angle, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger is expanded by the second expansion device and then introduced into the gas-liquid separator, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator moves to the compressor, and the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator expands through the first expansion device, passes through the second heat exchanger, and then moves to the compressor.

23. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 19, wherein: In the heating mode, the ball of the first expansion device rotates to a position where the first shell hole and the first hole face each other and are connected to each other, the ball of the third expansion device rotates so that both the first groove and the second groove are arranged in the second angle, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger bypasses the gas-liquid separator and is introduced into the liquid reservoir through the second heat exchanger and the cooler.

24. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 19, wherein: In the dehumidification mode, the ball of the first expansion device and the ball of the third expansion device rotate to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and are connected to each other, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger is expanded through the second expansion device and is introduced into the gas-liquid separator, the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator moves to the compressor, the liquid refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator is branched to the first expansion device and the third expansion device, the refrigerant introduced into the first expansion device and expanded passes through the second heat exchanger and is introduced into the compressor, and the refrigerant introduced into the third expansion device and expanded passes through the third heat exchanger and is introduced into the compressor.

25. A vehicle thermal management device, the vehicle thermal management device comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant and circulate the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger in which the compressed refrigerant is introduced and exchanges heat with another heat exchange medium; a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air present outside the passenger compartment; Cooler; as well as a ball valve configured to move the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger to at least any one of the second heat exchanger and the cooler, Wherein, the ball valve comprises: a housing, the housing comprising a first housing hole, a second housing hole, and a third housing hole arranged to communicate with each other; a ball rotatably disposed in the housing; an actuator configured to rotate the ball; an annular first sealing portion, the first sealing portion being disposed in the first housing hole while facing the ball; and an annular second sealing portion, the second sealing portion being arranged in the second housing hole and facing the ball, Wherein, the ball comprises: a ball body, the ball body having a spherical shape; a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole being provided in the ball body and configured to communicate with each other; and a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove being formed to have a predetermined length in a circumferential direction of the ball body so as to be connected to the first hole, and In which, based on the rotation center, a first angle defined between the first groove and the second groove is greater than a second angle defined between a point arranged on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion and a point on the inner diameter of the second sealing portion arranged to be adjacent to the point on the inner diameter of the first sealing portion in the circumferential direction.

26. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 25, wherein: In the outdoor unit heat absorption mode, the ball rotates to a position where the first shell hole and the first groove partially face each other and communicate with each other, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger bypasses the cooler, expands in the ball valve, and is then introduced into the second heat exchanger.

27. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 25, wherein: In the waste heat absorption mode, the ball rotates to a position where the second shell hole and the second groove partially face each other and communicate with each other, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger bypasses the second heat exchanger, expands in the ball valve, and is then introduced into the cooler, and the refrigerant and the coolant moving along the fifth line exchange heat with each other in the cooler.

28. The vehicle thermal management device according to claim 25, wherein: In the parallel heat absorption mode, the ball rotates to a position where the first shell hole and the first groove are partially connected to each other and the second shell hole and the second groove are partially connected to each other, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger realizes bidirectional expansion in the ball valve, and is then introduced into the second heat exchanger and the cooler, and the refrigerant and the coolant moving along the fifth pipeline exchange heat with each other in the cooler.

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