Heat pump system for vehicle

Abstract

A heat pump system for a vehicle includes: a valve module configured to control a flow of an internally introduced coolant according to a mode for temperature regulation of a vehicle interior and a battery module; a first line connected to the valve module to selectively cause the coolant to flow, in which an electrical component is disposed on the first line; a second line having a first end connected to the first line and a second end connected to the valve module to selectively cause the coolant to flow, in which the radiator is disposed on the second line; a third line connected to the valve module to selectively cause the coolant to flow, in which the battery module is disposed on the third line; a fourth line having a first end connected to the third line to selectively flow the coolant; a fifth line having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively cause the coolant to flow, with a refrigerator disposed on the fifth line; a sixth pipeline; a seventh pipeline; an eighth pipeline; a connection valve; and a ninth pipeline.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0090634, filed on Jul. 12, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Generally, an air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an air conditioning unit that circulates a refrigerant to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0005] The air conditioning unit maintains the interior of the vehicle at an appropriate temperature to maintain a comfortable in-vehicle environment regardless of changes in the outside temperature. The air conditioning unit is configured to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle through heat exchange between the condenser and the evaporator as the refrigerant exhausted by the compressor circulates back to the compressor through the condenser, the receiver-dryer, the expansion valve, and the evaporator.

[0006] That is, in cooling mode, the air conditioning unit reduces the internal temperature and humidity by condensing the high-temperature and high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed from the compressor by the condenser, passing the refrigerant through the receiver-drier and the expansion valve, and then evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator.

[0007] Meanwhile, recently, with the increasing concern about energy efficiency and environmental pollution issues, there is a need to develop environmentally friendly vehicles that can basically replace internal combustion engine vehicles, and environmentally friendly vehicles are divided into electric vehicles driven using fuel cells or electricity as a power source and hybrid vehicles driven using an engine and a battery.

[0008] In an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle among these environmentally friendly vehicles, a separate heater is not used like an air conditioner of a general vehicle, and the air conditioner used in the environmentally friendly vehicle is generally called a heat pump system.

[0009] Meanwhile, electric vehicles generate driving force by converting the chemical reaction energy between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. In this process, the chemical reaction in the fuel cell generates heat energy. Therefore, in order to ensure the performance of the fuel cell, it is necessary to effectively remove the generated heat.

[0010] In addition, hybrid vehicles generate driving force by driving a motor using electricity supplied from the above-mentioned fuel cell or battery and using an engine running on ordinary fuel. Therefore, the heat generated by the fuel cell or battery and the motor should be effectively removed to ensure the performance of the motor.

[0011] Therefore, in a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle according to the related art, a cooling device, a heat pump system, and a battery cooling system should be respectively configured as separate closed loops to prevent the motor, the electric components, and the battery including the fuel cell from heating up.

[0012] Therefore, the size and weight of the cooling module provided at the front of the vehicle increase, and the layout of connection pipes that supply refrigerant and coolant to each of the heat pump system, the cooling device, and the battery cooling system in the engine compartment becomes complicated.

[0013] In addition, since a battery cooling system is separately provided for heating or cooling the battery according to the vehicle status to obtain the optimal performance of the battery, a plurality of valves are adopted for selectively interconnecting the connecting pipes, and thus noise and vibration caused by the frequent opening and closing operations of the valves may be introduced into the interior of the vehicle, thereby reducing the riding comfort.

[0014] Furthermore, when heating the interior of the vehicle, heating performance may be deteriorated due to lack of a heat source, power consumption may increase due to use of an electric heater, and power consumption of a compressor may increase.

[0015] Furthermore, in the heating mode of the vehicle, a separate heat exchanger is required to recover waste heat from various heat sources, which results in a disadvantage of increased manufacturing cost.

[0016] The above information disclosed in this background technology section is only for enhancing understanding of the background technology of the embodiments of the present invention and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute the prior art known to ordinary technicians in this field. Summary of the invention

[0017] The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. A specific embodiment relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle capable of selectively recovering waste heat of electric components, a battery module, and an autonomous driving module and using it for vehicle heating by using a single refrigerator in which a refrigerant and a coolant perform heat exchange, and capable of forming a plurality of coolant flow lines by a single valve according to a selected mode of the vehicle.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention provides a heat pump system for a vehicle that is capable of regulating the temperature of a battery module by using a single refrigerator in which a refrigerant and a coolant exchange heat and by selectively recovering waste heat from electrical components and the battery module and using it to heat the interior of the vehicle, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the system.

[0019] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention provide a heat pump system for a vehicle, which can simplify the layout of the system and reduce manufacturing costs by forming a plurality of coolant flow lines by a single valve according to a selected mode of the vehicle.

[0020] A heat pump system, comprising: a valve module configured to control the flow of an internally introduced coolant according to at least one mode for regulating the temperature of a vehicle interior and a battery module; a first pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively allow the coolant to flow, wherein the electrical component is arranged on the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end connected to the first pipeline and a second end connected to the valve module to selectively allow the coolant to flow, wherein a radiator is arranged on the second pipeline; a third pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively allow the coolant to flow, wherein the battery module is arranged on the third pipeline; a fourth pipeline having a first end connected to the third pipeline to selectively allow the coolant to flow; a fifth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively allow the coolant to flow; a first end of the valve module to selectively allow coolant to flow, wherein a refrigerator is disposed on a fifth pipeline; a sixth pipeline having a first end connected to the first pipeline and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively allow coolant to flow; a seventh pipeline having a first end connected to the third pipeline and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively allow coolant to flow; an eighth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively allow coolant to flow, wherein an autonomous driving controller is disposed on the eighth pipeline; connecting valves connected to the second end of the fourth pipeline and the second end of the eighth pipeline, respectively; and a ninth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively allow coolant to flow and a second end connected to the connecting valve.

[0021] The valve module includes: a valve configured to control the flow of an internally introduced coolant; and at least one water pump provided in the valve.

[0022] The at least one water pump may include a first water pump installed on the valve to correspond to the first pipeline and a second water pump installed on the valve to correspond to the third pipeline.

[0023] The first water pump and the second water pump may be disposed at positions facing each other with respect to the valve.

[0024] The valve is configured to selectively exhaust coolant selectively flowing from the second line, the fifth line, the eighth line, or the ninth line through the first line or the third line based on a selected mode of the at least one mode.

[0025] At least one mode includes: a first mode, cooling electrical components, battery modules and an autonomous driving controller by using a coolant cooled at a radiator; a second mode, heating the vehicle interior and recovering waste heat from the battery modules; a third mode, heating the vehicle interior and recovering waste heat from the battery modules and the autonomous driving controller; and a fourth mode, heating the vehicle interior and recovering waste heat from electrical components.

[0026] In the first mode: the second pipeline is connected to the third pipeline through the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant cooled at the radiator can be supplied to the electrical components, the battery module and the autonomous driving controller; the fourth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline through the operation of the connecting valve; the eighth pipeline is connected to the first pipeline through the operation of the valve module; the first pipeline, the second pipeline, the third pipeline, the fourth pipeline and the eighth pipeline are interconnected through the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline, the second pipeline, the third pipeline, the fourth pipeline and the eighth pipeline; the fifth pipeline is closed by the operation of the valve module; and the sixth pipeline and the seventh pipeline are closed by the closed fifth pipeline.

[0027] In the second mode: the second pipeline is connected to the ninth pipeline through the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant cooled at the radiator can be supplied to the electrical components and the autonomous driving controller; the ninth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline through the operation of the connecting valve; the eighth pipeline is connected to the first pipeline through the operation of the valve module; the fifth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline through the operation of the valve module; the seventh pipeline is opened to connect to the third pipeline and the refrigerator; the fourth pipeline is closed by the operation of the connecting valve; the sixth pipeline is closed; the first pipeline, the second pipeline, the eighth pipeline and the ninth pipeline define a first independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline, the second pipeline, the eighth pipeline and the ninth pipeline; the third pipeline, the fifth pipeline and the seventh pipeline define a second independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline, the fifth pipeline and the seventh pipeline; and the refrigerator is configured to recover waste heat of the battery module from the coolant heated when cooling the battery module.

[0028] In the third mode: the second pipeline is connected to the first pipeline by the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant cooled at the radiator can be supplied to the electrical components; the fifth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline by the operation of the valve module; the ninth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline by the operation of the connecting valve; the seventh pipeline is opened to connect to the third pipeline and the refrigerator; the sixth pipeline is closed; the fourth pipeline is closed by the operation of the connecting valve; in a state where the first pipeline and the second pipeline are interconnected, a first independent closed loop is defined by the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline and the second pipeline; the third pipeline, the fifth pipeline, the seventh pipeline, the eighth pipeline and the ninth pipeline define a second independent closed loop by the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline, the fifth pipeline, the seventh pipeline, the eighth pipeline, and the ninth pipeline; and the refrigerator is configured to recover waste heat of the battery module and waste heat of the autonomous driving controller from the coolant heated when cooling the battery module and the autonomous driving controller.

[0029] In the fourth mode: the second pipeline is closed by the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant that has passed through the electrical component is not supplied to the radiator; the fifth pipeline is connected to the first pipeline by the operation of the valve module; the sixth pipeline is opened to connect to the first pipeline and the refrigerator; the fourth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline by the operation of the connecting valve; the eighth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline and the fourth pipeline by the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve; the seventh pipeline is closed by the operation of the valve module; the ninth pipeline is closed by the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve; the first pipeline, the fifth pipeline and the sixth pipeline define a first independent closed loop by the operation of the valve module, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline, the fifth pipeline and the sixth pipeline; the third pipeline, the fourth pipeline and the eighth pipeline define a second independent closed loop by the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline, the fourth pipeline and the eighth pipeline; and the refrigerator is configured to recover waste heat of the electrical component from the coolant heated when cooling the electrical component.

[0030] In the fourth mode, the battery modules are selectively heated.

[0031] The valve module also includes a tank disposed in the valve and connected to the second pipeline.

[0032] The chiller is connected to the air conditioning unit via a refrigerant connection line.

[0033] The refrigerator may be a water-cooled heat exchanger that exchanges heat between an internally introduced coolant and a refrigerant supplied from an air conditioning unit.

[0034] A coolant heater is provided on the third pipeline.

[0035] In order to increase the temperature of the battery module, the coolant heater is configured to be operated to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the third line.

[0036] The sixth line and the seventh line are connected to the fifth line through a refrigerator.

[0037] According to the heat pump system for a vehicle of an embodiment, the overall efficiency of the system can be improved by using a single refrigerator in which a refrigerant and a coolant perform heat exchange, and by selectively recovering waste heat from electrical components, a battery module, and an autonomous driving controller and using it for heating the vehicle to regulate the temperature of the battery module and the autonomous driving controller.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, by forming a plurality of coolant flow lines by a single valve according to a selected mode of a vehicle, it is possible to achieve streamlining and simplification of the system while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, by effectively regulating the temperature of the battery module, optimal performance of the battery module may be obtained, and the total driving distance of the vehicle may be increased due to effective management of the battery module.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, since the temperature of the autonomous driving controller can be effectively adjusted by using a single coolant circulation loop, the number of components can be reduced as much as possible, and packaging performance can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced by simplifying the entire system, and space utilization can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0043] Figure 2 is an operation diagram of a first mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0044] Figure 3 is an operation diagram of a second mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0045] Figure 4 is an operation diagram of a third mode of the heat pump system of a vehicle according to the embodiment;

[0046] Figure 5 is an operation diagram of a fourth mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] The exemplary embodiments disclosed in this specification and the configurations depicted in the accompanying drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not cover the entire scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalent forms and modifications may exist when applying this specification.

[0049] In order to explain the embodiments of the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and the same elements or equivalents are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0050] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily shown in the drawings, but the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited thereto, and in the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity.

[0051] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprising” or “including”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

[0052] In addition, each term described in the specification, such as “unit,” “means,” “portion,” “part,” and “member,” refers to a unit of a comprehensive element that performs at least one function or operation.

[0053] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0054] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment can effectively adjust the temperature of the battery module 30 by using a single refrigerator 40 in which the refrigerant and the coolant perform heat exchange, and can selectively recover waste heat from the electrical components 10, the battery module 30, and the autonomous driving controller 60 and use it for heating the interior of the vehicle, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the system.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the heat pump system, by forming a plurality of coolant lines by the single valve 51 according to a selected mode of the vehicle, the layout of the system can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0056] Here, according to the heat pump system, in an electric vehicle, the electric components 10 , the battery module 30 , and the autonomous driving controller 60 through which the coolant circulates may be interconnected with each other through the air conditioning unit 100 and the refrigerator 40 , thereby circulating the refrigerant to cool and heat the vehicle interior.

[0057] That is to say, reference Figure 1 The heat pump system may include a first pipeline 11 , a second pipeline 12 , a third pipeline 13 , a fourth pipeline 14 , a fifth pipeline 15 , a sixth pipeline 16 , a seventh pipeline 17 , an eighth pipeline 18 , a ninth pipeline 19 , a valve module 50 and a connecting valve 70 .

[0058] First, the valve module 50 may control the flow of the internally introduced coolant according to at least one selected mode for temperature regulation of the vehicle interior and temperature regulation of the battery module 30 .

[0059] The configuration of the valve module 50 will be described in more detail below.

[0060] In the present embodiment, a first end of the first pipeline 11 may be connected to the valve module 50 , and a coolant may selectively flow therethrough. The electric component 10 may be disposed on the first pipeline 11 .

[0061] A first end of the second line 12 may be connected to a second end of the first line 11. A second end of the second line 12 may be connected to the valve module 50, and a coolant may selectively flow therethrough.

[0062] The radiator 20 may be provided in the second line 12. The radiator 20 may be provided at the front of the vehicle, and a cooling fan (not shown) may be provided at the downstream side of the radiator 20. Therefore, the radiator 20 cools the coolant through the operation of the cooling fan and heat exchange with ambient air.

[0063] In the present embodiment, a first end of the third line 13 may be connected to the valve module 50 to selectively flow the coolant. The battery module 30 may be disposed on the third line 13 .

[0064] Here, the coolant heater 32 may be provided in the third line 13 . In order to increase the temperature of the battery module 30 , the coolant heater 32 may be operated to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module 30 along the third line 13 .

[0065] The coolant heater 32 may be an electric heater that is operated by supplying electricity.

[0066] That is, when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the battery module 30 is lower than the target temperature, the coolant heater 32 may be operated to heat the coolant flowing through the third line 13 .

[0067] Therefore, the coolant heated while passing through the coolant heater 32 is supplied to the battery module 30 along the third line 13 by the operation of the valve module 50 , and increases the temperature of the battery module 30 .

[0068] Therefore, the coolant heater 32 may be selectively operated to increase the temperature of the battery module 30 .

[0069] A first end of the fourth line 14 may be connected to the third line 13 to selectively flow the coolant.

[0070] In the present embodiment, a first end of the fifth line 15 may be connected to the valve module 50 to selectively flow the coolant. A refrigerator 40 may be provided in the fifth line 15.

[0071] Here, the refrigerator 40 may be connected to the air conditioning unit 100 through a refrigerant connecting line 101. The refrigerator 40 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between an internally introduced coolant and a refrigerant supplied from the air conditioning unit 100.

[0072] That is, the refrigerator 40 may adjust the temperature of the coolant by heat-exchanging the selectively supplied coolant with the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air-conditioning unit 100 .

[0073] Here, to cool the battery module 30 or to heat the vehicle interior, the refrigerator 40 may be operated to recover heat from the coolant heated by waste heat of the electric component 10 , the battery module 30 , or the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0074] In this embodiment, a first end of the sixth pipeline 16 may be connected to a second end of the first pipeline 11. A second end of the sixth pipeline 16 may be connected to a refrigerator 40.

[0075] The coolant may selectively flow along the sixth line 16 according to the operation of the valve module 50 .

[0076] In addition, a first end of the seventh line 17 may be connected to a second end of the third line 13. A second end of the seventh line 17 may be connected to the refrigerator 40.

[0077] The coolant may selectively flow along the seventh line 17 according to the operation of the valve module 50 .

[0078] Here, the second end of the sixth pipeline 16 and the second end of the seventh pipeline 17 may be connected to the refrigerator 40 , respectively, so that the sixth pipeline 16 and the seventh pipeline 17 may be connected to the fifth pipeline 15 through the refrigerator 40 , respectively.

[0079] A first end of the eighth line 18 may be connected to the valve module 50 to selectively flow the coolant. An autonomous driving controller 60 may be provided in the eighth line 18 .

[0080] Meanwhile, a second end of the fourth pipeline 14 and a second end of the eighth pipeline 18 may be connected to the connection valves 70 , respectively.

[0081] A first end of the ninth line 19 may be connected to the valve module 50 to selectively flow the coolant, and a second end of the ninth line 19 may be connected to the connection valve 70 .

[0082] Here, the connection valve 70 may be a three-way valve capable of distributing a flow rate while controlling the flow of the coolant.

[0083] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the valve module 50 may include a valve 51 for controlling a flow rate of the internally introduced coolant and at least one water pump provided in the valve 51 .

[0084] The valve module 50 may be provided in the valve 51 , and may further include a storage tank 53 connected to the second pipeline 12 .

[0085] Here, the at least one water pump may include a first water pump 54 and a second water pump 55 .

[0086] First, the first water pump 54 may be installed on the valve 51 corresponding to the first pipeline 11 .

[0087] In addition, a second water pump 55 may be installed on the valve 51 corresponding to the third pipeline 13 .

[0088] Here, the first water pump 54 and the second water pump 55 may be disposed at positions facing each other with respect to the valve 51 .

[0089] In the present embodiment, the valve 51 may selectively discharge the coolant selectively introduced from the second line 12 , the fifth line 15 , the eighth line 18 , or the ninth line 19 through the first line 11 or the third line 13 depending on a mode selected from at least one mode.

[0090] Here, the at least one mode may include first to fourth modes.

[0091] First, the first mode may cool the electric component 10 , the battery module 30 , and the autonomous driving controller 60 by using the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 .

[0092] In the second mode, the vehicle interior may be heated, and waste heat of the battery module 30 may be recovered.

[0093] In the third mode, the vehicle interior may be heated, and waste heat of the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60 may be recovered.

[0094] Furthermore, in the fourth mode, the vehicle interior can be heated, and waste heat of the electric component 10 can be recovered.

[0095] Below, reference Figures 2 to 5 The operation and action of the heat pump system of the vehicle in each mode according to the embodiment configured as described above are described in detail.

[0096] First, refer to Figure 2 Operation in the first mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment using the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 to cool the electric component 10 , the battery module 30 , and the autonomous driving controller 60 is described.

[0097] Figure 2 is an operation diagram of a first mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0098] refer to Figure 2 In the first mode, the second line 12 may be connected to the third line 13 by operation of the valve 51 , so that the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 may be supplied to the electric component 10 , the battery module 30 , and the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0099] The fourth line 14 may be connected to the eighth line 18 by operation of the connecting valve 70 .

[0100] The eighth pipeline 18 may be connected to the first pipeline 11 through operation of a valve 51 .

[0101] At the same time, the fifth pipeline 15 may be closed by the operation of the valve 51. At the same time, the sixth pipeline 16 and the seventh pipeline 17 may be closed by the fifth pipeline 15 being closed.

[0102] Therefore, the first pipeline 11, the second pipeline 12, the third pipeline 13, the fourth pipeline 14 and the eighth pipeline 18 can be interconnected by operation of the valve 51 and the connecting valve 70, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline 11, the second pipeline 12, the third pipeline 13, the fourth pipeline 14 and the eighth pipeline 18.

[0103] In this state, when both the first water pump 54 and the second water pump 55 are operated, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 flows into the valve 51 along the second line 12 and is then discharged through the third line 13 .

[0104] The coolant discharged to the third line 13 may cool the battery module 30 while passing through the battery module 30. The coolant that has cooled the battery module 30 flows along the fourth line 14.

[0105] Then, the coolant may cool the autonomous driving controller 60 while passing through the autonomous driving controller 60 along the eighth line 18 connected through the connecting valve 70. The coolant that has cooled the autonomous driving controller 60 may flow back to the valve 51.

[0106] The coolant introduced into the valve 51 through the eighth line 18 is discharged through the first line 11 .

[0107] The coolant discharged to the first line 11 may cool the electric component 10 while passing through the electric component 10. The coolant having cooled the electric component 10 flows into the radiator 20 along the second line 12.

[0108] The coolant introduced into the radiator 20 may be cooled by exchanging heat with ambient air.

[0109] At the same time, the air conditioning unit 100 may stop operating.

[0110] That is, while the above-described process is repeatedly performed, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 may cool the electric component 10 , the battery module 30 , and the autonomous driving controller 60 to prevent overheating.

[0111] Here, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 may first pass through the battery module 30 through the operation of the valve module 50 to more effectively cool the battery module 30 .

[0112] In this embodiment, reference Figure 3 The operation in the second mode for heating the vehicle interior and for recovering waste heat of the battery module 30 is described.

[0113] Figure 3 is an operation diagram of a second mode of the heat pump system of a vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0114] refer to Figure 3 In the second mode, the second line 12 may be connected to the ninth line 19 by operation of the valve 51 , so that the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 may be supplied to the electric component 10 and the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0115] The ninth pipeline 19 may be connected to the eighth pipeline 18 by operation of the connection valve 70. The eighth pipeline 18 may be connected to the first pipeline 11 by operation of the valve 51.

[0116] The fifth pipeline 15 may be connected to the third pipeline 13 through the operation of a valve 51 .

[0117] The seventh line 17 may be opened to be connected to the third line 13 and the refrigerator 40. The fourth line 14 may be closed by operation of the connection valve 70.

[0118] At the same time, the fifth pipeline 15 may be closed by the operation of the valve 51 .

[0119] Therefore, the first pipeline 11, the second pipeline 12, the eighth pipeline 18 and the ninth pipeline 19 can form an independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module 50 and the connecting valve 70, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline 11, the second pipeline 12, the eighth pipeline 18 and the ninth pipeline 19.

[0120] Furthermore, the third line 13 , the fifth line 15 , and the seventh line 17 may form an independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module 50 , so that the coolant may circulate along the third line 13 , the fifth line 15 , and the seventh line 17 .

[0121] In this state, when the first water pump 54 is operated, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 flows into the valve 51 along the second line 12 and is then discharged through the ninth line 19 .

[0122] The coolant discharged to the ninth line 19 flows to the eighth line 18 connected through the connecting valve 70 , and may cool the autonomous driving controller 60 while passing through the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0123] The coolant that has cooled the autonomous driving controller 60 flows into the valve 51 and is then discharged through the first line 11 .

[0124] The coolant discharged to the first line 11 may cool the electric component 10 while passing through the electric component 10. The coolant having cooled the electric component 10 flows into the radiator 20 along the second line 12.

[0125] Meanwhile, when the second water pump 55 is operated, the coolant discharged to the third line 13 may cool the battery module 30 while passing through the battery module 30 .

[0126] The coolant that has cooled the battery module 30 may flow along the opened seventh line 17 . The coolant flowing through the seventh line 17 may pass through the refrigerator 40 and then flow along the fifth line 15 .

[0127] Here, the air conditioning unit 100 may be operated so that refrigerant may be supplied to the refrigerator 40 through the refrigerant connection line 101 .

[0128] Then, the refrigerator 40 may recover waste heat of the battery module 30 from the coolant heated by cooling the battery module 30 .

[0129] In more detail, the coolant heated by absorbing the waste heat of the battery module 30 is recovered while heating the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator 40 while passing through the refrigerator 40 .

[0130] That is, the refrigerator 40 may heat the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the coolant and the refrigerant so as to recover waste heat from the coolant heated while passing through the battery module 30. The heated refrigerant may be supplied to the air conditioning unit 100.

[0131] In this way, while the above-mentioned process is repeatedly performed, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 can effectively cool the electric component 10 and the autonomous driving controller 60. In addition, the refrigerator 40 can smoothly recover the waste heat of the battery module 30.

[0132] Therefore, in the second mode, by absorbing waste heat of the battery module 30 at the refrigerator 40 and using it to heat the refrigerant, the power consumption of the compressor provided in the air conditioning unit 100 may be reduced and the heating efficiency thereof may be improved.

[0133] In this embodiment, reference Figure 4 Operation of the third mode for heating the vehicle interior and recovering waste heat of the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60 is described.

[0134] Figure 4 is an operation diagram of a third mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0135] refer to Figure 4 , the second line 12 may be connected to the first line 11 by operation of the valve 51 , so that the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 may be supplied to the electric component 10 .

[0136] The fifth pipeline 15 may be connected to the eighth pipeline 18 by operation of the valve 51. The ninth pipeline 19 may be connected to the eighth pipeline 18 by operation of the connection valve 70.

[0137] The seventh line 17 may be opened to be connected to the third line 13 and the refrigerator 40. The fourth line 14 may be closed by the operation of the connection valve 70, and the sixth line 16 may be closed.

[0138] Therefore, in a state where the first pipeline 11 and the second pipeline 12 are interconnected, an independent closed loop may be formed by the operation of the valve module 50 , so that the coolant may circulate along the first pipeline 11 and the second pipeline 12 .

[0139] In addition, the third pipeline 13, the fifth pipeline 15, the seventh pipeline 17, the eighth pipeline 18 and the ninth pipeline 19 can form an independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module 50 and the connecting valve 70, so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline 13, the fifth pipeline 15, the seventh pipeline 17, the eighth pipeline 18 and the ninth pipeline 19.

[0140] In this state, when the first water pump 54 is operated, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 flows into the valve 51 along the second line 12 and is then discharged through the first line 11 .

[0141] The coolant discharged to the first line 11 may cool the electric component 10 while passing through the electric component 10. The coolant having cooled the electric component 10 flows into the radiator 20 along the second line 12.

[0142] Meanwhile, when the second water pump 55 is operated, the coolant discharged to the third line 13 may cool the battery module 30 while passing through the battery module 30 .

[0143] The coolant that has cooled the battery module 30 may flow along the opened seventh line 17 . The coolant flowing through the seventh line 17 may pass through the refrigerator 40 and then flow along the fifth line 15 .

[0144] That is, the coolant having passed through the refrigerator 40 flows into the valve 51 along the fifth line 15 and may then be discharged to the eighth line 18 .

[0145] The coolant exhausted to the eighth line 18 may cool the autonomous driving controller 60 while passing through the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0146] The coolant that has cooled the autonomous driving controller 60 flows into the valve 51 along the ninth line 19. Thereafter, the coolant is discharged to the third line 13 connected by the operation of the valve 51, and the system can repeatedly perform the above process.

[0147] Here, the air conditioning unit 100 may be operated so that refrigerant may be supplied to the refrigerator 40 through the refrigerant connection line 101 .

[0148] Then, the refrigerator 40 may recover waste heat of the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60 from the coolant that is heated while cooling the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0149] In more detail, the coolant heated by absorbing the waste heat of the battery module 30 and the waste heat of the autonomous driving controller 60 is recovered while heating the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator 40 while passing through the refrigerator 40 .

[0150] That is, the refrigerator 40 may heat the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the coolant and the refrigerant so as to recover waste heat from the coolant heated while passing through the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60. The heated refrigerant may be supplied to the air conditioning unit 100.

[0151] In this way, by repeatedly performing the above process, the coolant cooled at the radiator 20 can effectively cool the electric component 10. In addition, the refrigerator 40 can smoothly recover the waste heat of the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60.

[0152] Therefore, in the third mode, by absorbing waste heat of the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60 at the refrigerator 40 and using it to heat the refrigerant, power consumption of the compressor provided in the air conditioning unit 100 may be reduced and heating efficiency thereof may be improved.

[0153] In addition, reference Figure 5 The operation of the fourth mode of the heat pump system for heating the vehicle interior and for recovering waste heat of the electric component 10 is described.

[0154] Figure 5 is an operation diagram of a fourth mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0155] refer to Figure 5 , the second line 12 may be closed by operation of the valve 51 so that the coolant having passed through the electric component 10 is not supplied to the radiator 20 .

[0156] The fifth line 15 may be connected to the first line 11 by operation of the valve 51. The sixth line 16 may be opened to be connected to the first line 11 and the refrigerator 40.

[0157] In addition, the fourth line 14 may be connected to the third line 13 by operation of the connection valve 70. The eighth line 18 may be connected to the third line 13 and the fourth line 14 by operation of the valve 51 and the connection valve 70, respectively.

[0158] Meanwhile, both the seventh pipeline 17 and the ninth pipeline 19 may be closed by the operation of the valve module 50 and the connecting valve 70 .

[0159] Therefore, the first pipeline 11 , the fifth pipeline 15 , and the sixth pipeline 16 may form an independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module 50 , so that the coolant may circulate along the first pipeline 11 , the fifth pipeline 15 , and the sixth pipeline 16 .

[0160] In addition, the third pipeline 13 , the fourth pipeline 14 and the eighth pipeline 18 can form an independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module 50 and the connecting valve 70 , so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline 13 , the fourth pipeline 14 and the eighth pipeline 18 .

[0161] In this state, when the first water pump 54 is operated, the coolant discharged to the first line 11 may cool the electric component 10 while passing through the electric component 10 .

[0162] The coolant that has cooled the electric component 10 may flow along the opened sixth line 16. The coolant flowing to the sixth line 16 may pass through the refrigerator 40, and then may flow into the valve 51 along the fifth line 15.

[0163] Then, the coolant flowing into the valve 51 may be discharged back to the first line 11 .

[0164] Here, the air conditioning unit 100 may be operated so that refrigerant may be supplied to the refrigerator 40 through the refrigerant connection line 101 .

[0165] Then, the refrigerator 40 may recover waste heat of the electric component 10 from the coolant heated by cooling the electric component 10 .

[0166] In more detail, the coolant heated by absorbing the waste heat of the electric component 10 is recovered while heating the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerator 40 while passing through the refrigerator 40 .

[0167] That is, the refrigerator 40 may heat the coolant and the refrigerant to heat the refrigerant so as to recover waste heat from the coolant heated while passing through the electric component 10. The heated refrigerant may be supplied to the air conditioning unit 100.

[0168] Meanwhile, when the second water pump 55 is operated, the coolant discharged to the third line 13 may circulate along the third line 13 , the fourth line 14 , and the eighth line 18 .

[0169] Here, in order to heat the battery module 30 , waste heat generated from the autonomous driving controller 60 may be used, or the coolant heater 32 may be operated.

[0170] That is, the coolant circulating along the third line 13 , the fourth line 14 , and the eighth line 18 may be heated by absorbing waste heat of the autonomous driving controller 60 while cooling the autonomous driving controller 60 .

[0171] The heated coolant may effectively increase the temperature of the battery module 30 while passing through the battery module 30 along the third line 13 .

[0172] Meanwhile, when it is necessary to further increase the temperature of the battery module 30 , the coolant heater 32 may be operated.

[0173] The coolant heater 32 may heat the coolant circulating along the third line 13 , the fourth line 14 , and the eighth line 18 through the operation of the valve module 50 , thereby quickly and efficiently raising the temperature of the battery module 30 .

[0174] In this way, by repeatedly performing the above-mentioned process, the refrigerator 40 can smoothly recover the waste heat of the electric component 10 from the coolant heated by cooling the electric component 10 .

[0175] That is, in the fourth mode, waste heat of the electric component 10 is absorbed by the refrigerator 40 to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, and thus, power consumption of the compressor provided in the air conditioning unit 100 is reduced while improving heating efficiency.

[0176] Furthermore, in the fourth mode, when the temperature of the battery module 30 needs to be increased, waste heat of the autonomous driving controller 60 may be used or the coolant heater 32 may be selectively operated, thereby effectively adjusting the temperature of the battery module 30 .

[0177] Therefore, according to the heat pump system for a vehicle of the embodiment, the overall efficiency of the system can be improved by adjusting the temperature of the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60 using a single refrigerator 40 and by selectively recovering and using the waste heat of the electrical components 10, the battery module 30 and the autonomous driving controller 60.

[0178] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by forming a plurality of coolant flow lines by a single valve 51 according to a selected mode of the vehicle, it is possible to achieve streamlining and simplification of the system while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0179] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, by effectively regulating the temperature of the battery module 30 , optimal performance of the battery module 30 may be achieved, and the overall driving distance of the vehicle may be increased due to the effective management of the battery module 30 .

[0180] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, since the temperature of the autonomous driving controller can be effectively adjusted by using a single coolant circulation loop, the number of components can be reduced as much as possible, and packaging performance can be improved.

[0181] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced by simplifying the entire system, and space utilization can be improved.

[0182] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with what are currently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, they are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump system, comprising: a valve module configured to control a flow of an internally introduced coolant according to a mode for temperature regulation of the vehicle interior and the battery module; a first pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein an electrical component is disposed on the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end connected to the first pipeline and a second end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein a radiator is disposed on the second pipeline; a third pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the battery module is disposed on the third pipeline; a fourth line having a first end connected to the third line to selectively flow a coolant; a fifth line having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein a refrigerator is disposed on the fifth line; a sixth line having a first end connected to the first line and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively flow a coolant; a seventh line having a first end connected to the third line and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively flow a coolant; an eighth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the autonomous driving controller is disposed on the eighth pipeline; connecting valves, connected to the second end of the fourth pipeline and the second end of the eighth pipeline respectively; as well as A ninth line has a first end connected to the valve module to selectively allow the coolant to flow and a second end connected to the connection valve.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The valve module comprises: a valve configured to control the flow of the internally introduced coolant; and A water pump is arranged in the valve.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The valve is configured to selectively exhaust coolant selectively flowing through the first line or the third line from the second line, the fifth line, the eighth line, or the ninth line based on the mode.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The valve module further includes a tank disposed in the valve and connected to the second pipeline.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The valve module comprises: a valve configured to control the flow of the internally introduced coolant; a first water pump installed on the valve to correspond to the first pipeline; and A second water pump is installed on the valve to correspond to the third pipeline.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein: The first water pump and the second water pump are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to the valve.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigerator is connected to the air conditioning unit via a refrigerant connecting line.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein: The refrigerator includes a water-cooling type heat exchanger that exchanges heat between an internally introduced coolant and a refrigerant supplied from the air conditioning unit. 9 . The heat pump system according to claim 1 , further comprising a coolant heater disposed on the third line.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 9, wherein: In order to increase the temperature of the battery module, the coolant heater is configured to be operated to heat the coolant supplied to the battery module along the third line.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The sixth line and the seventh line are connected to the fifth line through the refrigerator.

12. A heat pump system, comprising: a valve module configured to control a flow of an internally introduced coolant according to a selected mode among a plurality of modes for temperature regulation of a vehicle interior and a battery module; a first pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein an electrical component is disposed on the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end connected to the first pipeline and a second end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein a radiator is disposed on the second pipeline; a third pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the battery module is disposed on the third pipeline; a fourth line having a first end connected to the third line to selectively flow a coolant; a fifth line having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein a refrigerator is disposed on the fifth line; a sixth line having a first end connected to the first line and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively flow a coolant; a seventh line having a first end connected to the third line and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively flow the coolant; an eighth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the autonomous driving controller is disposed on the eighth pipeline; a connecting valve, connecting the second end of the fourth pipeline and the second end of the eighth pipeline respectively; as well as a ninth line having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant and a second end connected to the connection valve; and The multiple modes include: a first mode configured to cool the electrical components, the battery module, and the autonomous driving controller by using a coolant cooled at the radiator; a second mode configured to heat the vehicle interior and recover waste heat from the battery module; a third mode configured to heat the vehicle interior and recover waste heat from the battery module and waste heat from the autonomous driving controller; and A fourth mode is configured to heat the vehicle interior and recover waste heat from the electrical components.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: In the first mode: The second line is connected to the third line through the operation of the valve module so that the coolant cooled at the radiator can be supplied to the electric components, the battery module, and the autonomous driving controller; The fourth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline by operation of the connecting valve; The eighth pipeline is connected to the first pipeline through the operation of the valve module; The first line, the second line, the third line, the fourth line, and the eighth line are interconnected by operation of the valve module and operation of the connecting valve so that a coolant can circulate along the first line, the second line, the third line, the fourth line, and the eighth line; The fifth pipeline is closed by operation of the valve module; and The sixth line and the seventh line are closed by closing the fifth line.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: In the second mode: the second line is connected to the ninth line through the operation of the valve module so that the coolant cooled at the radiator can be supplied to the electric components and the autonomous driving controller; The ninth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline by operation of the connecting valve; The eighth pipeline is connected to the first pipeline through the operation of the valve module; The fifth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline through the operation of the valve module; The seventh pipeline is opened to be connected to the third pipeline and the refrigerator; The fourth pipeline is closed by operation of the connecting valve; The sixth pipeline is closed; The first pipeline, the second pipeline, the eighth pipeline, and the ninth pipeline define a first independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the first pipeline, the second pipeline, the eighth pipeline, and the ninth pipeline; The third line, the fifth line, and the seventh line define a second independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module, so that a coolant can circulate along the third line, the fifth line, and the seventh line; and The refrigerator is configured to recover waste heat of the battery module from a coolant that is heated when cooling the battery module.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: In the third mode: the second line is connected to the first line by operation of the valve module so that the coolant cooled at the radiator can be supplied to the electric component; The fifth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline through the operation of the valve module; The ninth pipeline is connected to the eighth pipeline by operation of the connecting valve; The seventh pipeline is opened to be connected to the third pipeline and the refrigerator; The sixth pipeline is closed; The fourth pipeline is closed by operation of the connecting valve; In a state where the first pipeline and the second pipeline are interconnected, a first independent closed loop is defined by operation of the valve module, so that a coolant can circulate along the first pipeline and the second pipeline; The third pipeline, the fifth pipeline, the seventh pipeline, the eighth pipeline, and the ninth pipeline define a second independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline, the fifth pipeline, the seventh pipeline, the eighth pipeline, and the ninth pipeline; and The refrigerator is configured to recover waste heat of the battery module and waste heat of the autonomous driving controller from a coolant that is heated when cooling the battery module and the autonomous driving controller.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: In the fourth mode: The second line is closed by operation of the valve module so that the coolant having passed through the electric component is not supplied to the radiator; The fifth pipeline is connected to the first pipeline through the operation of the valve module; The sixth pipeline is opened to be connected to the first pipeline and the refrigerator; The fourth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline by operation of the connecting valve; The eighth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline and the fourth pipeline through the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connection valve; The seventh pipeline is closed by operation of the valve module; The ninth pipeline is closed by the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve; The first pipeline, the fifth pipeline, and the sixth pipeline define a first independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module, so that a coolant can circulate along the first pipeline, the fifth pipeline, and the sixth pipeline; The third pipeline, the fourth pipeline, and the eighth pipeline define a second independent closed loop through the operation of the valve module and the operation of the connecting valve, so that the coolant can circulate along the third pipeline, the fourth pipeline, and the eighth pipeline; and The refrigerator is configured to recover waste heat of the electric component from a coolant that is heated when cooling the electric component.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: In the fourth mode, the battery module is selectively heated.

18. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: The valve module comprises: a valve configured to selectively exhaust coolant selectively flowing from the second line, the fifth line, the eighth line, or the ninth line through the first line or the third line based on the selected mode; and A water pump is arranged in the valve.

19. The heat pump system according to claim 12, wherein: The refrigerator is connected to an air conditioning unit through a refrigerant connection line, and wherein the refrigerator includes a water-cooled heat exchanger that exchanges heat between an internally introduced coolant and a refrigerant supplied from the air conditioning unit.

20. A heat pump system, comprising: a body having a vehicle interior; Battery modules; Electrical components; heat sink; Refrigerator; Autonomous driving controller; a valve module configured to control a flow of an internally introduced coolant according to a temperature regulation mode of the vehicle interior and the battery module; a first pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the electrical component is disposed on the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end connected to the first pipeline and a second end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the radiator is disposed on the second pipeline; a third pipeline connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the battery module is disposed on the third pipeline; a fourth line having a first end connected to the third line to selectively flow a coolant; a fifth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the refrigerator is disposed on the fifth pipeline; a sixth line having a first end connected to the first line and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively flow a coolant; a seventh line having a first end connected to the third line and a second end connected to the refrigerator to selectively flow a coolant; an eighth pipeline having a first end connected to the valve module to selectively flow a coolant, wherein the autonomous driving controller is disposed on the eighth pipeline; connecting valves, connected to the second end of the fourth pipeline and the second end of the eighth pipeline respectively; as well as A ninth line has a first end connected to the valve module to selectively allow the coolant to flow and a second end connected to the connection valve.

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