Heat pump system for vehicle

Abstract

An embodiment of a heat pump system for a vehicle includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser connected to the compressor, a heat exchanger connected to the condenser, a first expansion valve connected to the heat exchanger, an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve, and a second expansion valve connected to the evaporator. A first refrigerant connection line having ends connected between the compressor and the evaporator and between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, a refrigerator and a second expansion valve on the first refrigerant connection line, and a gas injection device, and a gas injection device for selectively expanding and flowing a refrigerant supplied from the condenser or the heat exchanger, and for selectively supplying a portion of the refrigerant to the compressor to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant, the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to a mode for controlling the temperature of the vehicle interior or the battery module.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0101472, filed on August 3, 2023, which is hereby 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] An air conditioning unit, which keeps the interior of a vehicle at an appropriate temperature to maintain a comfortable interior environment regardless of changes in the outside temperature, is constructed to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle through heat exchange between a condenser and an evaporator, while the refrigerant discharged by the drive of the compressor circulates back to the compressor through the condenser, receiver-drier, expansion valve and evaporator.

[0006] That is, the air conditioning unit condenses the high-temperature and high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed from the compressor through the condenser, passes the refrigerant through the receiver-drier and the expansion valve, and then evaporates the refrigerant in the evaporator in the cooling mode in summer to reduce the temperature and humidity inside.

[0007] Meanwhile, recently, with the increasing interest in energy efficiency and environmental pollution issues, an environmentally friendly vehicle that can basically replace internal combustion engine vehicles has been developed, and the environmentally friendly vehicles are generally divided into electric vehicles driven using a fuel cell 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, unlike an air conditioner of a general vehicle, a separate heater is not used, and the air conditioner used in the environmentally friendly vehicle is generally called a heat pump system.

[0009] Meanwhile, in the case of an electric vehicle driven by a fuel cell as a power source, driving force is generated by converting the chemical reaction energy of oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. In this process, heat energy is generated by the chemical reaction within the fuel cell. Effectively removing the generated heat is essential to ensure the performance of the fuel cell.

[0010] In addition, hybrid vehicles generate driving force by driving a motor using electricity supplied from the above-mentioned fuel cell or power battery together with an engine operated by general 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 an electric vehicle according to the related art, a cooling device, a heat pump system, and a battery cooling system should be constructed as separate closed loops, respectively, to prevent the motor and the battery including the fuel cell from generating heat.

[0012] Therefore, the size and weight of the cooling module disposed in the front of the vehicle increase, and the layout of connection pipes that supply refrigerant or 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 that preheats or cools the battery according to the vehicle status is separately provided so that the battery exhibits optimal performance, a plurality of valves are used to connect the respective connecting pipes to each other, and noise and vibration generated by frequent opening / closing operations of these valves are transmitted to the interior of the vehicle, thereby reducing ride comfort.

[0014] Furthermore, when heating the interior of a vehicle, there are disadvantages such as reduced heating performance due to lack of a heat source, increased power consumption due to use of an electric heater, increased power consumption of a compressor, and the like.

[0015] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the embodiments of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0016] The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. Specific embodiments relate to a heat pump system for a vehicle capable of improving cooling and heating performance by applying a gas injection device that selectively operates in a selected air conditioning mode inside the vehicle.

[0017] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat pump system for a vehicle capable of improving cooling and heating performance by applying a gas injection device that selectively operates in at least one mode selected for air conditioning inside the vehicle to increase a flow rate of a refrigerant.

[0018] According to an embodiment, a heat pump system for a vehicle includes: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser connected to the compressor through a refrigerant line, a heat exchanger that is connected to the condenser through the refrigerant line and condenses or evaporates the supplied refrigerant, a first expansion valve connected to the heat exchanger through the refrigerant line, an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve through the refrigerant line, a first refrigerant connecting line, one end of the first refrigerant connecting line being connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator, and the other end of the first refrigerant connecting line being connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and a first refrigerant connecting line provided on the first refrigerant connecting line and passing through an introduction A chiller that selectively exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the first refrigerant connecting pipeline and the introduced coolant to control the temperature of the coolant, a second expansion valve arranged on the first refrigerant connecting pipeline located at the front end of the chiller, and a gas injection device, which is connected to the refrigerant pipeline, selectively expands and moves the refrigerant supplied from the condenser or the heat exchanger, and selectively supplies some of the supplied refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline, wherein the flow of the refrigerant can be controlled according to at least one mode for controlling the temperature inside the vehicle or the temperature of the battery module.

[0019] The gas injection device may also include: a first gas-liquid separator, which is arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the heat exchanger and selectively separates gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant introduced therein and selectively discharges the separated gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, a third expansion valve arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the first gas-liquid separator, a fourth expansion valve arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the first gas-liquid separator and the heat exchanger, a second refrigerant connecting pipeline, one end of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline is connected to the first gas-liquid separator, and the other end of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline is connected to the first valve arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, a second gas-liquid separator arranged on the second refrigerant connecting pipeline, a third refrigerant connecting pipeline, one end of the third refrigerant connecting pipeline is connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the first valve and the other end of the third refrigerant connecting pipeline is connected to the second gas-liquid separator, and a fifth expansion valve arranged on the third refrigerant connecting pipeline.

[0020] The gas injection device may also include a first pipeline, which selectively supplies the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the first gas-liquid separator or the second gas-liquid separator to the compressor, one end of the first pipeline is connected to the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first gas-liquid separator and the second gas-liquid separator, and the other end of the first pipeline is connected to the compressor.

[0021] When the third expansion valve expands and supplies refrigerant while the vehicle interior is heated, the first gas-liquid separator may be operated and supply gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the first pipeline to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

[0022] When the fifth expansion valve expands and supplies refrigerant while the vehicle interior is heated, the second gas-liquid separator may be operated and supply gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the first pipeline to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

[0023] The gas injection device may further include a second pipeline connected between the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve and selectively bypassing the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to the heat exchanger without passing through the first gas-liquid separator according to operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve.

[0024] The gas injection device may further include a second valve disposed on the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first gas-liquid separator and the second gas-liquid separator, and a third pipeline having one end connected to the second valve and the other end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0025] At least one mode may include: a first mode in which the gas injection device is operated and the battery module is cooled while cooling the vehicle interior; a second mode in which the gas injection device is operated and the vehicle interior is heated; a third mode in which the gas injection device is not operated and the battery module is cooled while cooling the vehicle interior, a fourth mode in which the gas injection device is not operated and the vehicle interior is heated, and a fifth mode in which the vehicle interior is heated and dehumidified.

[0026] In the case of the first mode, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by the operation of the first valve, the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by the operation of the fifth expansion valve, a part of the refrigerant pipeline connecting the third refrigerant connecting pipeline and the first valve can be closed by the operation of the first valve, the first pipeline can be opened by the operation of the second valve, the second pipeline can be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the third pipeline can be closed by the operation of the second valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator and the fourth expansion valve can be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, and the first expansion valve can expand the refrigerant introduced from the second gas-liquid separator along the refrigerant pipeline The first refrigerant connecting line is connected to the condenser through the first valve and the second refrigerant connecting line is connected to the condenser through the first valve. The second refrigerant connecting line is connected to the condenser through the first valve and the second refrigerant connecting line is connected to the condenser through the first valve. The refrigerant supplied from the condenser into the second line without expanding the refrigerant, the fourth expansion valve allows the refrigerant supplied through the second line to flow into the heat exchanger without expanding the refrigerant, the fifth expansion valve can expand the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger through the third refrigerant connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the second gas-liquid separator, and the second gas-liquid separator can supply the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line to the compressor through the opened second refrigerant connecting line and the first line, and can discharge the liquid refrigerant to the refrigerant line through the first valve.

[0027] In the case of the second mode, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed by operating the second expansion valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline can open the part connecting the first gas-liquid separator and the first pipeline and the part connecting the second gas-liquid separator and the third pipeline, the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by operating the fifth expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator from the rear end of the heat exchanger can be closed relative to the third refrigerant connecting pipeline, the first pipeline can be opened and the second pipeline can be closed by operating the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the third pipeline can be opened by operating the second valve, and the refrigerant pipeline connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator and the fourth expansion valve can be opened by operating the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve. Open, the operation of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve can be stopped, the third expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser and supply the expanded refrigerant to the first gas-liquid separator, the fourth expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied from the first gas-liquid separator and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger, the fifth expansion valve can supply the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger through the third refrigerant connecting pipeline to the second gas-liquid separator without expanding the refrigerant, the first gas-liquid separator can supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the opened first pipeline, and the second gas-liquid separator can supply the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting pipeline to the compressor through the opened third pipeline.

[0028] In the case of the third mode, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed by the operation of the first valve, the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed by the operation of the fifth expansion valve, the first pipeline can be closed and the second pipeline can be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator and the fourth expansion valve can be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the first expansion valve can expand the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger along the refrigerant pipeline and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator, the second expansion valve can expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting pipeline and supply the expanded refrigerant to the refrigerator, the third expansion valve can allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second pipeline without expanding the refrigerant, the fourth expansion valve can allow the refrigerant supplied through the second pipeline to flow into the heat exchanger without expanding the refrigerant, and the operation of the fifth expansion valve can be stopped.

[0029] In the fourth mode, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed by operating the second expansion valve, a part of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline connecting the second gas-liquid separator and the third pipeline can be opened by operating the second valve, the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by operating the fifth expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator from the rear end of the heat exchanger relative to the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed, the first pipeline can be closed and the second pipeline can be opened by operating the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the third pipeline can be opened by operating the second valve, and the control line connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator and the fourth expansion valve can be opened. The refrigerant pipeline can be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the operation of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve can be stopped, the third expansion valve can allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second pipeline without expanding the refrigerant, the fourth expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied through the second pipeline and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the heat exchanger, the fifth expansion valve can supply the refrigerant introduced into the third refrigerant connecting pipeline to the second gas-liquid separator without expanding the refrigerant, and the second gas-liquid separator can supply the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting pipeline to the compressor through the opened third pipeline.

[0030] In the case of the fifth mode, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed by the operation of the second expansion valve, a part of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline connecting the second gas-liquid separator and the third pipeline can be opened by the operation of the second valve, the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by the operation of the fifth expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator from the rear end of the heat exchanger relative to the third refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by the operation of the first valve and the first expansion valve, the first pipeline can be closed and the second pipeline can be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve, the third pipeline can be opened by the operation of the second valve, and the refrigerant pipeline connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator and the fourth expansion valve can be opened by The operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve are closed, the first expansion valve can selectively expand the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator, the operation of the second expansion valve can be stopped, the third expansion valve can allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second pipeline without expanding the refrigerant, the fourth expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied through the second pipeline and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the heat exchanger, the fifth expansion valve can supply the refrigerant introduced into the third refrigerant connecting pipeline to the second gas-liquid separator without expanding the refrigerant, and the second gas-liquid separator can supply the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting pipeline to the compressor through the opened third pipeline.

[0031] The heat exchanger may condense the supplied refrigerant in the first mode and the third mode.

[0032] The heat exchanger may evaporate the supplied refrigerant in the second mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode.

[0033] Each of the first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the fifth expansion valve may be a two-way expansion valve that selectively operates in at least one mode and selectively expands the refrigerant while controlling a flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0034] Each of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve may be a three-way electronic expansion valve that selectively operates in at least one mode and selectively expands the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0035] The refrigerator may be connected to the battery module via coolant lines through which a coolant circulates.

[0036] When cooling the battery module, the coolant line may be opened to connect the refrigerator and the battery module.

[0037] As described above, according to the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, cooling and heating performance can be improved by applying a gas injection device that selectively operates to increase the flow rate of refrigerant in at least one mode selected for air conditioning inside the vehicle.

[0038] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, the system can be simplified by maximizing system performance while minimizing components using a gas injection device.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce weight, and improve space utilization by simplifying the entire system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0041] Figure 2 is an operation state diagram according to a first mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3 is an operation state diagram according to a second mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 is an operation state diagram according to a third mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 is an operation state diagram according to a fourth mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 is an operation state diagram according to a fifth mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Since the exemplary embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, they do not represent the entire spirit of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that at the time of filing the application, various equivalents and modifications may replace the exemplary embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0048] In order to clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention, descriptions of contents not related to the embodiments of the present invention will be omitted, and the same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the specification.

[0049] Since the size and thickness of each component are arbitrarily shown in the drawings for the convenience of explanation, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the contents shown in the drawings. In addition, in order to clearly show several parts and regions, the thickness is exaggerated.

[0050] In addition, throughout the specification, 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.

[0051] In addition, the terms “unit,” “means,” “part,” and “member” described in the specification refer to comprehensive configuration units for performing at least one function and operation.

[0052] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0053] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may improve cooling and heating performance by applying the gas injection device 50 that selectively operates in at least one mode selected for air conditioning of the interior of the vehicle.

[0054] Here, the heat pump system may be interconnected with a cooling device that circulates a coolant in the electric vehicle and an air conditioning device that is an air conditioning device for cooling and heating the interior.

[0055] That is to say, reference Figure 1The heat pump system may include an air conditioning device, which includes a cooling device, a compressor 10, a condenser 12, a heat exchanger 14, a first expansion valve 16, an evaporator 18, a first refrigerant connecting pipeline 21, a refrigerator 24, a second expansion valve 26 and a gas injection device 50.

[0056] First, the cooling device may include electric components (not shown) and the battery module 3 through which a coolant circulates.

[0057] The cooling device may further include a radiator (not shown). The radiator is disposed in front of the vehicle. A cooling fan (not shown) is disposed behind the radiator. Therefore, the radiator can cool the coolant by operation of the cooling fan and heat exchange with the outside air.

[0058] Here, the electric components may be connected to the heat exchanger 14 or a line through which the coolant circulates to the refrigerator 24 , and the battery module 3 may be connected to the refrigerator 24 and a coolant line 5 through which the coolant circulates.

[0059] Here, when cooling the battery module 3 or recovering waste heat from the battery module 3 when heating the interior of the vehicle, the coolant line 5 may be opened to connect the refrigerator 24 and the battery module 3 .

[0060] Here, the coolant may be selectively circulated in the coolant line 5 by operating a water pump (not shown).

[0061] Meanwhile, electrical components may include an electric power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, an on-board charger (OBC), an autonomous driving controller, and the like.

[0062] The power control unit, the inverter, the motor, or the autonomous driving controller may generate heat when driving, and the on-board charger may generate heat when charging the battery module 3 .

[0063] That is, when waste heat generated from electrical components is recovered during vehicle interior heating, heat generated from a power control unit, a motor, an inverter, an on-board charger, or an autonomous driving controller may be recovered.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the compressor 10 may compress the supplied refrigerant.

[0065] The condenser 12 is connected to the compressor 10 through a refrigerant line 11. Here, the condenser 12 and the evaporator 18 may be disposed inside an HVAC module (not shown).

[0066] Furthermore, the interior of the HVAC module may further include an opening / closing door that controls air passing through the evaporator 18 to be selectively introduced into the condenser 12 when cooling or heating the vehicle interior.

[0067] That is, when heating the vehicle interior, the open / close door is opened to allow outside air passing through the evaporator 18 to be introduced into the condenser 12 .

[0068] On the other hand, when cooling the vehicle interior, opening / closing the door closes the condenser 12 side so that the outside air cooled while passing through the evaporator 18 is directly introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 14 may be connected to the condenser 12 through the refrigerant line 11. The heat exchanger 14 may exchange heat between the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 and the air or the coolant to condense or evaporate the refrigerant.

[0070] That is, the heat exchanger 14 may be configured as an air-cooled heat exchanger that is disposed behind the radiator at the front of the vehicle and exchanges heat between the air and the refrigerant. On the other hand, the heat exchanger 14 may be configured as a water-cooled heat exchanger that is connected to a separate line through which the coolant circulates inside the vehicle to exchange heat between the coolant and the refrigerant.

[0071] The first expansion valve 16 may be disposed on the refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 14 and the evaporator 18 .

[0072] The evaporator 18 is connected to the heat exchanger 14 through the refrigerant line 11. When the refrigerant expanded by the first expansion valve 16 is introduced, the evaporator 18 may evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat with air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0073] In this embodiment, one end of the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the compressor 10 and the evaporator 18. The other end of the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 14 and the first expansion valve 16.

[0074] The refrigerator 24 is disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line 21. The refrigerator 24 can selectively circulate the coolant through the coolant line 5 inside.

[0075] That is, the refrigerator 24 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which a coolant is introduced.

[0076] Therefore, the refrigerator 24 may control the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and the coolant selectively introduced through the coolant line 5 .

[0077] In this embodiment, the second expansion valve 26 may be disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line 21 at the front end of the refrigerator 24 .

[0078] The second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line 21 when cooling the battery module 3 using the coolant having exchanged heat with the refrigerant during vehicle interior cooling, and may introduce the expanded refrigerant into the refrigerator 24 .

[0079] That is, when cooling the battery module 3 during cooling inside the vehicle, the second expansion valve 26 can expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and introduce the expanded refrigerant into the refrigerator 24 while the temperature of the expanded refrigerant is reduced, thereby further reducing the water temperature of the coolant passing through the inside of the refrigerator 24.

[0080] Therefore, the coolant whose water temperature is lowered while passing through the refrigerator 24 is introduced into the battery module 3 , and thus, the battery module 3 can be cooled more efficiently.

[0081] The gas injection device 50 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11. The gas injection device 50 may selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 or the heat exchanger 14, and may selectively supply some of the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 to increase the total flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11.

[0082] Here, the gas injection device 50 may include a first gas-liquid separator 51 , a third expansion valve 52 , a fourth expansion valve 53 , a second refrigerant connecting line 54 , a second gas-liquid separator 55 , a third refrigerant connecting line 56 , and a fifth expansion valve 57 .

[0083] First, the first gas-liquid separator 51 may be provided on the refrigerant line 11 between the condenser 12 and the heat exchanger 14. The first gas-liquid separator 51 may separate gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant introduced therein, and selectively discharge the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant.

[0084] In this embodiment, the third expansion valve 52 may be disposed on the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the condenser 12 and the first gas-liquid separator 51 .

[0085] The fourth expansion valve 53 may be disposed on the refrigerant line 11 between the first gas-liquid separator 51 and the heat exchanger 14 .

[0086] One end of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 may be connected to the first gas-liquid separator 51. The other end of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 may be connected to the first valve V1 disposed on the refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 14 and the first expansion valve 16.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may be provided on the second refrigerant connecting line 54. The second gas-liquid separator 55 may separate gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant introduced therein, and may selectively discharge the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant.

[0088] One end of the third refrigerant connecting line 56 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 14 and the first valve V1 . The other end of the third refrigerant connecting line 56 may be connected to the second gas-liquid separator 55 .

[0089] A fifth expansion valve 57 may be disposed on the third refrigerant connecting line 56 .

[0090] The gas injection device 50 configured as described above may further include a first pipeline 61 , a second pipeline 62 , a second valve V2 , and a third pipeline 63 .

[0091] First, one end of the first pipeline 61 may be connected to the second refrigerant connecting pipeline 54 between the first gas-liquid separator 51 and the second gas-liquid separator 55. The other end of the first pipeline 61 may be connected to the compressor 10.

[0092] The first pipeline 61 configured as described above may selectively supply the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the first gas-liquid separator 51 or the second gas-liquid separator 55 to the compressor 10 .

[0093] That is, when the third expansion valve 52 expands and supplies refrigerant while the vehicle interior is heated, the first gas-liquid separator 51 may be operated.

[0094] Here, the first gas-liquid separator 51 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the first pipeline 61 to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0095] Meanwhile, when the fifth expansion valve 57 expands and supplies refrigerant while the vehicle interior is cooled, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may be operated.

[0096] Here, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the first line 61 to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0097] In this embodiment, the second pipeline 62 may connect the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0098] The second line 62 may selectively bypass the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 to the heat exchanger 14 without passing through the first gas-liquid separator 51 according to operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0099] The second valve V2 may be disposed on the second refrigerant connecting line 54 between the first gas-liquid separator 51 and the second gas-liquid separator 55 .

[0100] Here, each of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 may be a three-way valve capable of distributing a flow rate while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0101] One end of the third line 63 may be connected to the second valve V2 , and the other end of the third line 63 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the evaporator 18 and the compressor 10 .

[0102] The heat pump system configured as described above may control the flow of the refrigerant according to at least one mode for controlling the temperature of the vehicle interior or the temperature of the battery module.

[0103] Here, the first expansion valve 16 , the second expansion valve 26 , and the fifth expansion valve 57 may be selectively operated in at least one mode.

[0104] That is, the first expansion valve 16 , the second expansion valve 26 , and the fifth expansion valve 57 are two-way expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0105] The third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be selectively operated in at least one mode. That is, the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be three-way electronic expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0106] Here, the at least one mode may include first to fifth modes.

[0107] First, in the first mode, the gas injection device 50 may be operated, and the battery module 3 may be cooled while the interior of the vehicle is cooled.

[0108] In the second mode, the gas injection device 50 may be operated and the interior of the vehicle may be heated.

[0109] In the third mode, the gas injection device 50 may not be operated, and the battery module 3 may be cooled while the vehicle interior is cooled.

[0110] In the present embodiment, in the fourth mode, the gas injection device 50 may not be operated, and the vehicle interior may be heated.

[0111] The fifth mode can heat and dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0112] Here, the heat exchanger 14 may condense the supplied refrigerant in the first mode and the third mode.

[0113] On the other hand, the heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the supplied refrigerant in the second mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode.

[0114] Reference Figures 2 to 6 The operation and effect of each mode of the heat pump system according to the embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above are described in detail.

[0115] First, in the heat pump system according to the embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to Figure 2 The operation according to the first mode is described, in which the gas injection device 50 is operated and the battery module 3 is cooled while the vehicle interior is cooled.

[0116] Figure 2 is an operation state diagram according to a first mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] refer to Figure 2 In the case of the first mode, the compressor 10 is operated to allow the refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11 so as to cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0118] Here, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 is opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 26. The second refrigerant connecting line 54 may be opened by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0119] The third refrigerant connecting line 56 is opened by the operation of the fifth expansion valve 57. Here, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third refrigerant connecting line 56 and the first valve V1 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0120] That is, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third refrigerant connecting line 56 and the first valve V1 from the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 with respect to the third refrigerant connecting line 56 is closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0121] Here, the front end of the heat exchanger 14 and the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0122] That is, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the front end of the heat exchanger 14 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 .

[0123] In the present embodiment, the first pipeline 61 is opened by the operation of the second valve V2 . The second pipeline 62 may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0124] The third line 63 is closed by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0125] In this case, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third expansion valve 52 , the first gas-liquid separator 51 , and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be closed by the operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0126] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 is introduced into the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0127] The third expansion valve 52 may allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 to flow into the second line 62 without expanding the refrigerant.

[0128] The fourth expansion valve 53 allows the refrigerant supplied through the second line 62 to flow into the heat exchanger 14 without expanding the refrigerant.

[0129] The heat exchanger 14 condenses the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with a working fluid such as air or coolant. The refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger 14 is introduced into the third refrigerant connecting line 56.

[0130] In this case, the fifth expansion valve 57 may expand the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger 14 through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 , and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the second gas-liquid separator 55 .

[0131] Here, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 to the compressor 10 through the opened second refrigerant connecting line 54 and the first line 61 .

[0132] That is, the gas injection device 50 may introduce the gaseous refrigerant separated when passing through the second gas-liquid separator 55 back into the compressor 10 through the first pipeline 61 , thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating on the refrigerant pipeline 11 .

[0133] Meanwhile, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may discharge liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 to the connected refrigerant line 11 through the second refrigerant connecting line 54 and the first valve V1 .

[0134] Some of the refrigerant discharged to the refrigerant line 11 may be introduced into the opened first refrigerant connecting line 21 , and the remaining refrigerant may be introduced into the first expansion valve 16 .

[0135] Here, the second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 , and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the refrigerator 24 .

[0136] The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerator 24 may cool the coolant by exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the battery module 3 through the coolant line 5 .

[0137] The coolant cooled in the refrigerator 24 is supplied to the battery module 3 along the coolant line 5. Therefore, the battery module 3 can be efficiently cooled by the coolant cooled in the refrigerator 24.

[0138] That is, the coolant circulating through the coolant line 5 can effectively cool the battery module 3 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0139] Meanwhile, the first expansion valve 16 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 15 .

[0140] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is introduced into the evaporator 18 and is cooled by the refrigerant in a low temperature state while passing through the evaporator 18 .

[0141] In this case, the opening / closing door of the HVAC module closes the portion passing through the condenser 12 so that the cooled outside air does not pass through the condenser 12. Therefore, the cooled outside air can be directly introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0142] Meanwhile, the refrigerant having respectively passed through the evaporator 18 and the refrigerator 24 may be introduced into the compressor 10 together with the refrigerant moving along the first line 61 .

[0143] That is, the refrigerants respectively passing through the evaporator 18 and the refrigerator 24 and the refrigerant supplied from the second gas-liquid separator 55 through the first line 61 are introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerants may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0144] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 passes through the condenser 12 and is then supplied to the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0145] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0146] That is, the heat pump system may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant moving along the refrigerant line 11 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0147] Furthermore, the heat pump system may improve overall cooling performance and efficiency by increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant moving along the refrigerant line 11 and effectively cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0148] Meanwhile, the heat pump system may effectively cool the battery module 3 using the low-temperature coolant cooled in the refrigerator 24 .

[0149] In this embodiment, reference will be made to Figure 3 The operation according to the second mode is described, in which the gas injection device 50 is operated and the vehicle interior is heated.

[0150] Figure 3 is an operation state diagram according to a second mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] refer to Figure 3 In case of the second mode, the compressor 10 is operated to allow the refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11 so as to heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0152] Here, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 26 .

[0153] The second refrigerant connecting line 54 may have a portion connecting the first gas-liquid separator 51 and the first line 61 and a portion connecting the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the third line 63 opened.

[0154] The third refrigerant connecting line 56 is opened by the operation of the fifth expansion valve 57 .

[0155] Here, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the evaporator 18 from the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 with respect to the third refrigerant connecting line 56 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0156] In addition, a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the first valve V1 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1 .

[0157] Here, the front end of the heat exchanger 14 and the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0158] That is, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the front end of the heat exchanger 14 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 .

[0159] At the same time, the first pipeline 61 may be opened. The second pipeline 62 may be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53.

[0160] In this case, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third expansion valve 52 , the first gas-liquid separator 51 , and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be opened by the operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0161] Here, a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the first gas-liquid separator 51 and the first line 61 may be opened.

[0162] The third pipeline 63 can be opened by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0163] In this case, a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the second valve V2 and the first line 61 with respect to the first line 61 may be closed.

[0164] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 is introduced into the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0165] The third expansion valve 52 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the first gas-liquid separator 51 .

[0166] The first gas-liquid separator 51 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the opened first line 61 .

[0167] That is, the gas injection device 50 may introduce the gaseous refrigerant separated when passing through the first gas-liquid separator 51 back into the compressor 10 through the first pipeline 61 , thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating on the refrigerant pipeline 11 .

[0168] Meanwhile, the first gas-liquid separator 51 supplies liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant supplied from the third expansion valve 52 to the fourth expansion valve 53 through the refrigerant line 11 .

[0169] The fourth expansion valve 53 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the first gas-liquid separator 51 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 14 .

[0170] The heat exchanger 14 evaporates the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with a working fluid such as air or coolant. The refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger 14 is introduced into the third refrigerant connecting line 56.

[0171] In this case, the fifth expansion valve 57 may supply the refrigerant to the second gas-liquid separator 55 without expanding the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger 14 through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 .

[0172] Here, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 to the compressor 10 through the opened second refrigerant connecting line 54 and the opened third line 63 .

[0173] At the same time, the operations of the first expansion valve 16 and the second expansion valve 26 may be stopped.

[0174] That is, the refrigerant discharged from the first gas-liquid separator 51 and the refrigerant discharged from the second gas-liquid separator 55 may be introduced together into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0175] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 is supplied to the condenser 12 along the refrigerant line 11. Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 12 may increase the temperature of the outside air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0176] The open / close door is opened to allow outside air introduced into the HVAC module and passing through the evaporator 18 to pass through the condenser 12 .

[0177] Therefore, the outside air introduced from the outside is introduced in an uncooled room temperature state when passing through the evaporator 18 to which the refrigerant is not supplied. The introduced outside air becomes a high temperature state when passing through the condenser 12 and is then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating of the vehicle interior.

[0178] In this way, the heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention can improve the overall heating performance and efficiency when the gas injection device 50 is operated together.

[0179] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may improve heating efficiency and performance while minimizing the use of separate electric heaters.

[0180] Furthermore, the gas injection device 50 may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating on the refrigerant line 11 , thereby maximizing the heating performance.

[0181] In this embodiment, reference will be made to Figure 4 The operation according to the third mode is described in which the gas injection device 50 is not operated and the battery module 3 is cooled while the vehicle interior is cooled.

[0182] Figure 4 is an operation state diagram according to a third mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0183] refer to Figure 4 In case of the third mode, the compressor 10 is operated to allow the refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11 so as to cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0184] Here, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 is opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 26. The second refrigerant connecting line 54 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0185] The third refrigerant connecting line 56 is closed by the operation of the fifth expansion valve 57. Here, the operation of the fifth expansion valve 57 may be stopped.

[0186] In this embodiment, the first pipeline 61 is closed. The second pipeline may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53.

[0187] The third line 63 is closed by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0188] In this case, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third expansion valve 52 , the first gas-liquid separator 51 , and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be closed by the operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0189] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 is introduced into the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0190] The third expansion valve 52 may allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 to flow into the second line 62 without expanding the refrigerant.

[0191] The fourth expansion valve 53 allows the refrigerant supplied through the second line 62 to flow into the heat exchanger 14 without expanding the refrigerant.

[0192] The heat exchanger 14 condenses the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with a working fluid such as air or coolant. The refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 14 flows along the refrigerant line 11.

[0193] Some of the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 14 may be introduced into the opened first refrigerant connecting line 21 , and the rest of the refrigerant may be introduced into the first expansion valve 16 .

[0194] Here, the second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 , and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the refrigerator 24 .

[0195] The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerator 24 may cool the coolant by exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the battery module 3 through the coolant line 5 .

[0196] The coolant cooled in the refrigerator 24 is supplied to the battery module 3 along the coolant line 5. Therefore, the battery module 3 can be efficiently cooled by the coolant cooled in the refrigerator 24.

[0197] That is, the coolant circulating through the coolant line 5 can effectively cool the battery module 3 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0198] Meanwhile, the first expansion valve 16 may expand the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger 14 through the refrigerant line 11 , and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 18 .

[0199] Here, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is introduced into the evaporator 18 and is cooled by the refrigerant in a low temperature state while passing through the evaporator 18 .

[0200] In this case, the opening / closing door of the HVAC module closes the portion passing through the condenser 12 so that the cooled outside air does not pass through the condenser 12. Therefore, the cooled outside air can be directly introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0201] Meanwhile, the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 18 and the refrigerator 24 , respectively, may be introduced into the compressor 10 .

[0202] That is, the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 18 and the refrigerator 24, respectively, may be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0203] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 passes through the condenser 12 and is then supplied to the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0204] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0205] That is, the heat pump system can cool the vehicle interior without operating the gas injection device 50 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0206] Meanwhile, the heat pump system may effectively cool the battery module 3 using the low-temperature coolant cooled in the refrigerator 24 .

[0207] In this embodiment, reference will be made to Figure 5 The operation according to the fourth mode is described in which the gas injection device 50 is not operated and the vehicle interior is heated.

[0208] Figure 5 is an operation state diagram according to a fourth mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0209] refer to Figure 5 In case of the fourth mode, the compressor 10 is operated to allow the refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11 so as to heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0210] Here, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 26 .

[0211] A portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the third line 63 may be opened by operation of the second valve V2.

[0212] The third refrigerant connecting line 56 is opened by the operation of the fifth expansion valve 57 .

[0213] Here, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the evaporator 18 from the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 with respect to the third refrigerant connecting line 56 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0214] In addition, a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the first valve V1 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1 .

[0215] Here, the front end of the heat exchanger 14 and the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0216] That is, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the front end of the heat exchanger 14 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 .

[0217] In this embodiment, the first pipeline 61 is closed. The second pipeline 62 may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53.

[0218] The third pipeline 63 can be opened by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0219] In this case, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third expansion valve 52 , the first gas-liquid separator 51 , and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be closed by the operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0220] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 is introduced into the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0221] The third expansion valve 52 may allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 to flow into the second line 62 without expanding the refrigerant.

[0222] The fourth expansion valve 53 may expand the refrigerant supplied through the second line 62 , and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 14 .

[0223] The heat exchanger 14 evaporates the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with a working fluid such as air or coolant. The refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger 14 is introduced into the third refrigerant connecting line 56.

[0224] In this case, the fifth expansion valve 57 may supply the refrigerant to the second gas-liquid separator 55 without expanding the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger 14 through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 .

[0225] Here, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 to the compressor 10 through the opened second refrigerant connecting line 54 and the opened third line 63 .

[0226] At the same time, the operations of the first expansion valve 16 and the second expansion valve 26 may be stopped.

[0227] That is, the refrigerant discharged from the second gas-liquid separator 55 may be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0228] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 is supplied to the condenser 12 along the refrigerant line 11. Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 12 may increase the temperature of the outside air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0229] The open / close door is opened to allow outside air introduced into the HVAC module and passing through the evaporator 18 to pass through the condenser 12 .

[0230] Therefore, the outside air introduced from the outside is introduced in an uncooled room temperature state when passing through the evaporator 18 to which the refrigerant is not supplied. The introduced outside air becomes a high temperature state when passing through the condenser 12 and is then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating of the vehicle interior.

[0231] The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 12 may be supplied to the heat exchanger 14 along the second line 62 and the refrigerant line 11 opened by operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0232] That is, the heat pump system can heat the vehicle interior without operating the gas injection device 50 while repeatedly performing the operations.

[0233] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may recover waste heat sources from the air or electrical components in the condenser 12 and heat exchanger 14, thereby improving heating efficiency and performance while minimizing the use of separate electric heaters.

[0234] Reference Figure 6 The operation according to the fifth mode is described, in which the interior of the vehicle is heated and dehumidified.

[0235] Figure 6 is an operation state diagram according to a fifth mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0236] refer to Figure 6 In case of the fifth mode, the compressor 10 is operated to allow the refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11 so as to heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0237] Here, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 26 .

[0238] A portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the third line 63 may be opened by operation of the second valve V2.

[0239] The third refrigerant connecting line 56 is opened by the operation of the fifth expansion valve 57 .

[0240] Here, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the evaporator 18 from the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 with respect to the third refrigerant connecting line 56 may be opened by operations of the first valve V1 and the first expansion valve 16 .

[0241] In addition, a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 54 connecting the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the first valve V1 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1 .

[0242] Here, the front end of the heat exchanger 14 and the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0243] That is, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the front end of the heat exchanger 14 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the heat exchanger 14 may be defined as the rear end of the heat exchanger 14 .

[0244] In this embodiment, the first pipeline 61 is closed. The second pipeline 62 may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53.

[0245] The third pipeline 63 can be opened by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0246] In this case, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third expansion valve 52 , the first gas-liquid separator 51 , and the fourth expansion valve 53 may be closed by the operations of the third expansion valve 52 and the fourth expansion valve 53 .

[0247] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 is introduced into the third expansion valve 52 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0248] The third expansion valve 52 may allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 to flow into the second line 62 without expanding the refrigerant.

[0249] The fourth expansion valve 53 may expand the refrigerant supplied through the second line 62 , and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 14 .

[0250] The heat exchanger 14 evaporates the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with a working fluid such as air or coolant. Some of the refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger 14 is introduced into the opened third refrigerant connecting line 56.

[0251] In this case, the fifth expansion valve 57 may supply the refrigerant to the second gas-liquid separator 55 without expanding the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger 14 through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 .

[0252] Here, the second gas-liquid separator 55 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line 56 to the compressor 10 through the opened second refrigerant connecting line 54 and the opened third line 63 .

[0253] At the same time, the remaining refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 14 is introduced into the first expansion valve 16 along the opened refrigerant line 11 .

[0254] The first expansion valve 16 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 14, and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 18. The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 18 may be supplied to the compressor 10.

[0255] That is, the refrigerant discharged from the second gas-liquid separator 55 and the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 18 may be introduced into the compressor 10 together. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0256] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 is supplied to the condenser 12 along the refrigerant line 11. Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 12 may increase the temperature of the outside air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0257] The open / close door is opened to allow outside air introduced into the HVAC module and passing through the evaporator 18 to pass through the condenser 12 .

[0258] Therefore, the outside air introduced into the HVAC module is introduced into the evaporator 18 and the refrigerant in a low temperature state is dehumidified while passing through the evaporator 18. Thereafter, the outside air becomes a high temperature state while passing through the condenser 12 and is introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby smoothly heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0259] Therefore, as described above, according to the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, cooling and heating performance can be improved by applying the gas injection device 50, which selectively operates in at least one mode selected for air conditioning inside the vehicle to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant.

[0260] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, one refrigerator 24 that performs heat exchange using a coolant and a refrigerant may selectively and effectively control the temperature of the battery module 3 in at least one mode.

[0261] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the system can be simplified by maximizing system performance while minimizing components by using the gas injection device 50 .

[0262] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, by effectively adjusting the temperature of the battery module 3 , the optimal performance of the battery module 3 can be exhibited, and by effectively managing the battery module 3 , the overall driving distance of the vehicle can be increased.

[0263] Furthermore, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce weight, and improve space utilization by simplifying the entire system.

[0264] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, but various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure defined in the claims.

[0265] The following figure identifiers may be used in conjunction with the figures to describe various features of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0266] 3: Battery module

[0267] 5: Coolant lines

[0268] 10: Compressor

[0269] 11: Refrigerant pipeline

[0270] 12: Condenser

[0271] 14: Heat exchanger

[0272] 16: First expansion valve

[0273] 18: Evaporator

[0274] 21: First refrigerant connecting pipeline

[0275] 24: Refrigerator

[0276] 26: Second expansion valve

[0277] 50: Gas injection device

[0278] 51: The first gas-liquid separator

[0279] 52: The third expansion valve

[0280] 53: Fourth expansion valve

[0281] 54: Second refrigerant connecting pipeline

[0282] 55: Second gas-liquid separator

[0283] 56: Third refrigerant connecting pipeline

[0284] 57: Fifth expansion valve

[0285] 61: First Pipeline

[0286] 62: Second pipeline

[0287] 63: The third pipeline

[0288] V1, V2: first valve and second valve.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; a heat exchanger connected to the condenser through the refrigerant line and configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant; a first expansion valve connected to the heat exchanger through the refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve via the refrigerant line; a first refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a refrigerator provided on the first refrigerant connecting line and configured to control a temperature of a coolant by selectively exchanging heat between a refrigerant and a coolant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line; a second expansion valve, the second expansion valve being arranged on the first refrigerant connecting pipeline at the front end of the refrigerator; as well as a gas injection device connected to the refrigerant line and configured to selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser or the heat exchanger, and selectively supply a portion of the refrigerant to the compressor to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line, wherein the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to a mode for controlling the temperature of the interior of the vehicle or the temperature of a battery module.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The gas injection device also includes: a first gas-liquid separator, which is disposed on the refrigerant line between the condenser and the heat exchanger and is configured to selectively separate the refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant and selectively discharge the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant; a third expansion valve, the third expansion valve being arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the first gas-liquid separator; a fourth expansion valve, the fourth expansion valve being arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the first gas-liquid separator and the heat exchanger; a second refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the first gas-liquid separator and a second end connected to a first valve disposed on the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a second gas-liquid separator, the second gas-liquid separator being arranged on the second refrigerant connecting pipeline; a third refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first valve and a second end connected to the second gas-liquid separator; and A fifth expansion valve is provided on the third refrigerant connecting pipeline.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The gas injection device also includes a first pipeline, which is configured to selectively supply the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the first gas-liquid separator or the second gas-liquid separator to the compressor, and the first pipeline has a first end connected to the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first gas-liquid separator and the second gas-liquid separator and a second end connected to the compressor.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein: The first gas-liquid separator is configured to be operated in a state where the third expansion valve expands and supplies refrigerant while the interior of the vehicle is heated, and supplies the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the first pipeline to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein: The second gas-liquid separator is configured to be operated in a state where the fifth expansion valve expands and supplies refrigerant while the interior of the vehicle is cooled, and supplies the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the first pipeline to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein: The gas injection device further includes a second pipeline connected between the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve and configured to selectively bypass the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to the heat exchanger without passing through the first gas-liquid separator according to operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: The gas injection device also includes: a second valve disposed on the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first gas-liquid separator and the second gas-liquid separator; and A third line has a first end connected to the second valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein: The mode is selected from a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising: a first mode in which the gas injection device is operated and the battery module is cooled while cooling the interior of the vehicle; a second mode in which the gas injection device is operated and the interior of the vehicle is heated; a third mode in which the gas injection device is not operated and the battery module is cooled while cooling the interior of the vehicle; a fourth mode in which the gas injection device is not operated and the interior of the vehicle is heated; and A fifth mode in which the interior of the vehicle is heated and dehumidified.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: When the selected mode is the first mode: the first refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the first valve; the third refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the fifth expansion valve; a portion of the refrigerant line connecting the third refrigerant connection line and the first valve is configured to be closed by operation of the first valve; the first pipeline being configured to be opened by operation of the second valve; the second pipeline being configured to be opened by operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the third line being configured to be closed by operation of the second valve; a refrigerant line connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator, and the fourth expansion valve configured to be closed by operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the first expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the second gas-liquid separator along the refrigerant line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator; the second expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the refrigerator; the third expansion valve being configured to allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second line without expanding the refrigerant; the fourth expansion valve being configured to allow the refrigerant supplied through the second line to flow into the heat exchanger without expanding the refrigerant; the fifth expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger through the third refrigerant connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the second gas-liquid separator; and The second gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line to the compressor through the opened second refrigerant connecting line and the first line, and discharge the liquid refrigerant to the refrigerant line through the first valve.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: When the selected mode is the second mode: the first refrigerant connecting line being configured to be closed by operation of the second expansion valve; The second refrigerant connecting line has a portion connecting the first gas-liquid separator and the first line and a portion connecting the second gas-liquid separator and the third line configured to be opened; the third refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the fifth expansion valve; The refrigerant line connecting the evaporator from the rear end of the heat exchanger relative to the third refrigerant connecting line is configured to be closed; The first pipeline is configured to be opened; the second line is configured to be closed by operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the third line being configured to be opened by operation of the second valve; a refrigerant line connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator, and the fourth expansion valve configured to be opened by operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; The operations of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve are stopped; the third expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser and supply the expanded refrigerant to the first gas-liquid separator; the fourth expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant supplied from the first gas-liquid separator and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger; the fifth expansion valve being configured to supply the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger through the third refrigerant connecting line to the second gas-liquid separator without expanding the refrigerant; The first gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through an opened first pipeline; and The second gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line to the compressor through the opened third line.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: When the selected mode is the third mode: the first refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connecting line being configured to be closed by operation of the first valve; the third refrigerant connecting line being configured to be closed by operation of the fifth expansion valve; The first pipeline is configured to be closed; the second pipeline being configured to be opened by operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the third line being configured to be closed by operation of the second valve; a refrigerant line connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator, and the fourth expansion valve configured to be closed by operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the first expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the heat exchanger along the refrigerant line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator; the second expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the refrigerator; the third expansion valve being configured to allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second line without expanding the refrigerant; the fourth expansion valve being configured to allow the refrigerant supplied through the second line to flow into the heat exchanger without expanding the refrigerant; and The operation of the fifth expansion valve is stopped.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: When the selected mode is the fourth mode: the first refrigerant connecting line being configured to be closed by operation of the second expansion valve; a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line connecting the second gas-liquid separator and the third line is configured to be opened by operation of the second valve; the third refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the fifth expansion valve; The refrigerant line connecting the evaporator from the rear end of the heat exchanger relative to the third refrigerant connecting line is configured to be closed; The first pipeline is configured to be closed; the second pipeline being configured to be opened by operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the third line being configured to be opened by operation of the second valve; a refrigerant line connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator, and the fourth expansion valve configured to be closed by operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; The operations of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve are stopped; the third expansion valve being configured to allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second line without expanding the refrigerant; the fourth expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant supplied through the second line and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the heat exchanger; the fifth expansion valve being configured to supply the refrigerant introduced into the third refrigerant connecting line to the second gas-liquid separator without expanding the refrigerant; and The second gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line to the compressor through the opened third line.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: When the selected mode is the fifth mode: the first refrigerant connecting line being configured to be closed by operation of the second expansion valve; A portion of the second refrigerant connecting line connecting the second gas-liquid separator and the third line is configured to be opened by operation of the second valve; the third refrigerant connecting line being configured to be opened by operation of the fifth expansion valve; A refrigerant line connected to the evaporator from a rear end of the heat exchanger relative to the third refrigerant connecting line is configured to be opened by operations of the first valve and the first expansion valve; The first pipeline is configured to be closed; the second pipeline being configured to be opened by operation of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the third line being configured to be opened by operation of the second valve; a refrigerant line connecting the third expansion valve, the first gas-liquid separator, and the fourth expansion valve configured to be closed by operations of the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve; the first expansion valve being configured to selectively expand the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator; the operation of the second expansion valve is stopped; the third expansion valve being configured to allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to flow into the second line without expanding the refrigerant; the fourth expansion valve being configured to expand the refrigerant supplied through the second line and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the heat exchanger; the fifth expansion valve being configured to supply the refrigerant introduced into the third refrigerant connecting line to the second gas-liquid separator without expanding the refrigerant; and The second gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant supplied through the third refrigerant connecting line to the compressor through the opened third line.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: The heat exchanger is configured to condense refrigerant in the first mode and the third mode.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: The heat exchanger is configured to evaporate refrigerant in the second mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the fifth expansion valve include two-way expansion valves configured to be selectively operated in the mode and selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve include three-way electronic expansion valves configured to be selectively operated in the mode and selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

18. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; a heat exchanger connected to the condenser through the refrigerant line and configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant; a first expansion valve connected to the heat exchanger through the refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve via the refrigerant line; a first refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a refrigerator provided on the first refrigerant connecting line and configured to control a temperature of a coolant by selectively exchanging heat between a refrigerant and a coolant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line; a second expansion valve, the second expansion valve being arranged on the first refrigerant connecting pipeline at the front end of the refrigerator; as well as a gas injection device connected to the refrigerant line and configured to selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser or the heat exchanger, and selectively supply a portion of the refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line, wherein the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to a mode for controlling the temperature of the vehicle interior or the temperature of the battery module, and wherein the refrigerator is connected to the battery module through a coolant line configured to allow coolant to circulate therein.

19. The heat pump system according to claim 18, wherein: In a state of cooling the battery module, the coolant line is in an open state to connect the refrigerator and the battery module.

20. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; a heat exchanger connected to the condenser through the refrigerant line and configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant; a first expansion valve connected to the heat exchanger through the refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve via the refrigerant line; a first refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a refrigerator provided on the first refrigerant connecting line and configured to control a temperature of a coolant by selectively exchanging heat between a refrigerant and a coolant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line; a second expansion valve, the second expansion valve being arranged on the first refrigerant connecting pipeline at the front end of the refrigerator; as well as a gas injection device connected to the refrigerant line and configured to selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser or the heat exchanger, and selectively supply a portion of the refrigerant to the compressor to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line, wherein the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to a selected mode for controlling the temperature of the vehicle interior or the temperature of the battery module, wherein the selected mode is selected from a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising: a first mode in which the gas injection device is operated and the battery module is cooled while cooling the interior of the vehicle; a second mode in which the gas injection device is operated and the interior of the vehicle is heated; a third mode in which the gas injection device is not operated and the battery module is cooled while cooling the interior of the vehicle; a fourth mode in which the gas injection device is not operated and the interior of the vehicle is heated; and A fifth mode in which the interior of the vehicle is heated and dehumidified.

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