Vehicle thermal management module

Abstract

A vehicle thermal management module includes a low-temperature side manifold having a low-temperature refrigerant passage, a high-temperature side manifold having a high-temperature refrigerant passage and facing the low-temperature side manifold, a compressor disposed between the low-temperature side manifold and the high-temperature side manifold, and a reservoir connected to an inlet of the compressor through a refrigerant line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle thermal management module, and more particularly, to a vehicle thermal management module designed to simplify the layout of the vehicle thermal management system by modularizing at least a portion of the vehicle thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing attention paid to energy efficiency and environmental issues, there is a need to develop environmentally friendly vehicles that can replace internal combustion engine vehicles. Such environmentally friendly vehicles are divided into electric vehicles driven by using fuel cells or electricity as a power source and hybrid vehicles driven by using an engine and a battery.

[0003] An electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle may include a vehicle thermal management system for air conditioning in the passenger compartment and maintaining the battery and / or power electronics components at an optimal temperature. The vehicle thermal management system may include a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem for air conditioning in the passenger compartment, a power electronics cooling subsystem designed to maintain the power electronics components of the power electronics system at an appropriate temperature, and a battery cooling subsystem designed to maintain the battery at an appropriate temperature.

[0004] Meanwhile, the vehicle thermal management system becomes important to ensure sufficient electrical efficiency and all-electric range (AER) of the electric vehicle. Therefore, the layout of the thermal management system of the electric vehicle may become very complicated, and its manufacturing cost and weight may increase.

[0005] The above information recorded in this Background section is provided to help understanding the background of the inventive concept, and the above information may include any technical concept that is not considered as prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art while maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art unchanged.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle thermal management module designed to simplify the layout of a vehicle thermal management system by modularizing at least a portion of the vehicle thermal management system, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and weight thereof.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle thermal management module may include: a low-temperature side manifold having a low-temperature refrigerant channel, a high-temperature side manifold having a high-temperature refrigerant channel and facing the low-temperature side manifold, a compressor arranged between the low-temperature side manifold and the high-temperature side manifold, and a liquid reservoir connected to an inlet of the compressor through a refrigerant pipeline.

[0009] The outlet of the reservoir may be fluidly connected to the inlet of the compressor, the low temperature side manifold may be fluidly connected to the inlet of the reservoir, and the high temperature side manifold may be fluidly connected to the outlet of the compressor.

[0010] At least a portion of an inverter that controls the compressor may be in contact with the low-temperature-side manifold.

[0011] At least a portion of the reservoir may be in contact with the high temperature side manifold.

[0012] The vehicle thermal management module may further include a low temperature side heat exchanger block in contact with the low temperature side manifold. The low temperature side heat exchanger block may have a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant passes and a coolant passage fluidly connected to the coolant circulation path.

[0013] The low temperature side manifold may have an inlet channel fluidly communicating with an inlet of the refrigerant channel of the low temperature side heat exchanger block, and an outlet channel fluidly communicating with an outlet of the refrigerant channel of the low temperature side heat exchanger block.

[0014] The vehicle thermal management module may also include a front block fluidly connected to an external heat exchanger adjacent a front grille of the vehicle.

[0015] The front block may have a plurality of internal passages fluidly connected to the external heat exchanger, the high temperature side manifold, and the low temperature side manifold.

[0016] The front block portion may have an expansion valve embedded in an interior thereof, and the expansion valve may be fluidly connected to an inlet of the low temperature side heat exchanger block.

[0017] The vehicle thermal management module may also include a rear block fluidly connected to an evaporator and an interior condenser configured in an HVAC housing of the HVAC subsystem. The rear block may have a plurality of internal passages fluidly connected to the evaporator, the interior condenser, the high-side manifold, and the low-side manifold.

[0018] The low temperature side manifold may have a supply channel fluidly connected to an outlet of the external heat exchanger and an inlet of the evaporator.

[0019] The vehicle thermal management module may further include a high-side heat exchanger block in contact with the high-side manifold. The high-side heat exchanger block may have a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant passes and a coolant passage fluidly connected to the coolant circulation path.

[0020] The front block may include a high temperature side control valve embedded therein. The high temperature side control valve may be configured to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to at least one of the external heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the high temperature side heat exchanger block, and the internal condenser.

[0021] The high temperature side manifold may have an inlet channel fluidly communicating with an inlet of the refrigerant channel of the high temperature side heat exchanger block, and an outlet channel fluidly communicating with an outlet of the refrigerant channel of the high temperature side heat exchanger block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 shows the construction of a vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] Figure 2 The configuration of a vehicle thermal management module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Reference numerals list

[0026] 1: External heat exchanger 5: HVAC housing

[0027] 6: Evaporator 7: Internal condenser

[0028] 11: Module body 12: Cavity

[0029] 13: front block 14: rear block

[0030] 15: High temperature side control valve 16: Expansion valve

[0031] 17: Low temperature side control valve 21: Compressor

[0032] 21a: Inverter 22: Liquid reservoir

[0033] 23: Low temperature side manifold 24: High temperature side manifold

[0034] 33c: Supply channel 40: Low temperature side heat exchanger block

[0035] 41: First low temperature side heat exchanger block 42: Second low temperature side heat exchanger block

[0036] 43: Third low temperature side heat exchanger block 50: High temperature side heat exchanger block

[0037] 51: First high temperature side heat exchanger block 52: Second high temperature side heat exchanger block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will always be used to represent the same or equivalent elements. In addition, the detailed description of the known techniques related to the present invention will be excluded to avoid unnecessary obscurity of the main points of the present invention.

[0039] Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) can be used to illustrate elements in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and the properties, order and sequence of the corresponding elements, etc. are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. These terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meanings as the contextual meanings in the relevant technical field, and should not be interpreted as having ideal or overly formal meanings, unless clearly defined as having such meanings in this application.

[0040] A vehicle thermal management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem for air conditioning the passenger compartment, a PE cooling subsystem designed to maintain power electronics (PE) components of a PE system at an appropriate temperature, and a battery cooling subsystem designed to maintain a battery at an appropriate temperature.

[0041] The HVAC subsystem may include a refrigerant circulation path through which a phase-changing refrigerant circulates, and a plurality of components (a compressor, an internal condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, an external heat exchanger, a battery cooler, etc.) disposed on the refrigerant circulation path. That is, the HVAC subsystem may be a refrigerant system in which a phase-changing refrigerant circulates.

[0042] The PE cooling subsystem may include a PE coolant circulation path through which a PE coolant for cooling a plurality of PE components (electric motors, inverters, autonomous driving controllers, autonomous driving high-performance computers, etc.) circulates, and one or more heat exchangers and pumps disposed on the PE coolant circulation path. That is, the PE cooling subsystem may be a coolant system in which a PE coolant that maintains a phase state (the coolant does not undergo a phase change) circulates.

[0043] The battery cooling subsystem may include a battery coolant circulation path through which a battery coolant for cooling the battery circulates, and a battery cooler and a pump disposed on the battery coolant circulation path. That is, the battery cooling subsystem may be a coolant system in which a battery coolant that maintains a phase state (the coolant does not undergo a phase change) circulates.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 , a vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be configured to modularize at least a portion of the above-mentioned thermal management system.

[0045] A vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a module body 11 and a cavity 12 defined in the module body 11 .

[0046] The module body 11 may be hardware for modularizing at least a portion of the thermal management system. The module body 11 may be used as a rectangular or cubic box-shaped housing or shell, and the cavity 12 may be defined in the center of the module body 11. For example, the module body 11 may include a front block portion 13 facing the front of the vehicle, a rear block portion 14 facing the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a pair of side blocks (not shown). The front block portion 13, the rear block portion 14, and the pair of side blocks may define the cavity 12, and the top and bottom of the cavity 12 may be open.

[0047] The cavity 12 of the module body 11 may accommodate a compressor 21 of an HVAC subsystem as a refrigerant system and an accumulator 22 fluidly connected to an inlet of the compressor 21 .

[0048] The compressor 21 may compress the refrigerant, and the accumulator 22 may separate the liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant, thereby preventing the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 21. The compressor 21 and the accumulator 22 may be located in the middle of the cavity 12. The inlet-side conduit 31a may be connected to the inlet of the accumulator 22, and the outlet-side conduit 31b may be connected to the outlet of the accumulator 22. The outlet of the accumulator 22 may be fluidly connected to the inlet of the compressor 21 through the outlet-side conduit 31b.

[0049] The vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an inverter 21a controlling the compressor 21, and at least a portion of the inverter 21a may contact the low temperature side manifold 23. Therefore, the inverter 21a may be cooled by the low temperature side manifold 23.

[0050] At least a portion of the accumulator 22 may contact the high temperature side manifold 24. Therefore, the refrigerant contained in the accumulator 22 may additionally absorb heat from the refrigerant passing through the internal passage of the high temperature side manifold 24, so that the refrigerant may be superheated.

[0051] The vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a low-temperature side manifold 23 fluidly connected to an inlet of the reservoir 22 and a high-temperature side manifold 24 fluidly connected to an outlet of the compressor 21 .

[0052] The low-temperature side manifold 23 and the high-temperature side manifold 24 may face each other in the cavity 12 of the module body 11, and the compressor 21 and the accumulator 22 may be disposed between the low-temperature side manifold 23 and the high-temperature side manifold 24. Therefore, the low-temperature side manifold 23 and the high-temperature side manifold 24 may be spaced apart from each other by the compressor 21 and the accumulator 22.

[0053] Reference Figure 1, the low temperature side manifold 23 may be accommodated in the cavity 12 of the module body 11, and the low temperature side manifold 23 may have a plate shape located above the compressor 21 and the accumulator 22 in the cavity 12 of the module body 11. The low temperature side manifold 23 may have a plurality of internal channels 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and 33e defined inside, and the refrigerant may pass through the plurality of internal channels 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and 33e. The low temperature refrigerant may be introduced into the accumulator 22 through the internal channels 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and 33e of the low temperature side manifold 23.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 , the high temperature side manifold 24 may be accommodated in the cavity 12 of the module body 11, and the high temperature side manifold 24 may have a plate shape located below the compressor 21 and the accumulator 22 in the cavity 12 of the module body 11. The high temperature side manifold 24 may have a plurality of internal channels 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e defined inside, and the refrigerant may pass through the plurality of internal channels 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e.

[0055] As described above, the low-temperature side manifold 23 and the high-temperature side manifold 24 can be separated by the compressor 21 and the reservoir 22, so that the heat transfer between the low-temperature side manifold 23 and the high-temperature side manifold 24 can be blocked by the compressor 21 and the reservoir 22, so that the heat loss of the vehicle thermal management system can be minimized.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 , the front block 13 may have a discharge passage 32a communicating with the outlet of the compressor 21, and a high temperature side control valve 15 fluidly connected to the discharge passage 32a. The discharge passage 32a may be defined in the front block 13, and the outlet of the compressor 21 may be fluidly connected to the high temperature side control valve 15 through the discharge passage 32a. The high temperature side control valve 15 may be a ball valve embedded in the front block 13, and the high temperature side control valve 15 may be configured to control the flow of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21. The high temperature side control valve 15 may be closely attached to the front edge of the high temperature side manifold 24.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 , the front block portion 13 may have the expansion valve 16 embedded therein, and the expansion valve 16 may be closely attached to the front edge of the low-temperature side manifold 23 .

[0058] Reference Figure 1, the front block 13 may be configured to face the front grille of the vehicle, and the front block 13 may have a plurality of internal passages 35a, 35b, and 35c through which the external heat exchanger 1, the high temperature side manifold 24, and the low temperature side manifold 23 are fluidly connected. The plurality of internal passages 35a, 35b, and 35c may be defined in the front block 13. The plurality of internal passages 35a, 35b, and 35c may include a supply passage 35a through which the refrigerant discharged from the high temperature side control valve 15 is guided to the external heat exchanger 1, a discharge passage 35b through which the refrigerant discharged from the external heat exchanger 1 is guided to the expansion valve 9, and a bypass passage 35c through which the refrigerant discharged from the high temperature side control valve 15 is guided to the expansion valve 16.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 The front block 13 may have a supply port 13a and a discharge port 13b disposed on the front surface thereof. The supply port 13a may be disposed at the end of the supply passage 35a, and the discharge port 13b may be disposed at the end of the discharge passage 35b.

[0060] The external heat exchanger 1 may be disposed adjacent to a vehicle front grille, and the cooling fan 3 may be disposed behind the external heat exchanger 1. Ambient air may pass over an outer surface of the external heat exchanger 1.

[0061] The external heat exchanger 1 may have a refrigerant channel formed inside. An inlet-side conduit 1a may be connected to an inlet of the refrigerant channel of the external heat exchanger 1, and an outlet-side conduit 1b may be connected to an outlet of the refrigerant channel of the external heat exchanger 1. The refrigerant passing through the refrigerant channel of the external heat exchanger 1 may exchange heat with ambient air passing through an outer surface of the external heat exchanger 1. An end of the inlet-side conduit 1a and a supply port 13a of the front block portion 13 may be sealedly engaged, and an end of the outlet-side conduit 1b and a discharge port 13b of the front block portion 13 may be sealedly engaged.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 , a vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 contacting the low-temperature side manifold 23. The low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may be joined to the top surface of the low-temperature side manifold 23 using fasteners, welding, etc. The low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may be accommodated in the cavity 12 of the module body 11, and the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may be tightly attached to the top surface of the low-temperature side manifold 23. The low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may have a refrigerant channel 40a through which the refrigerant discharged from the expansion valve 16 passes, and a coolant channel 40b fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may be a battery cooler for cooling a battery, and the coolant circulation path may be a battery coolant circulation path through which the battery coolant circulates.

[0063] Reference Figure 1, the low-temperature side manifold 23 may have an inlet channel 33a fluidly connected to the inlet of the refrigerant channel 40a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40, and an outlet channel 33b fluidly connected to the outlet of the refrigerant channel 40a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40. The inlet channel 33a may be fluidly connected to the expansion valve 16, and the low-temperature refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 16 may pass through the inlet channel 33a, the refrigerant channel 40a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40, and the outlet channel 33b. Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant channel 40a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may absorb heat from the coolant passing through the coolant channel 40b of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40, so that the refrigerant may evaporate and the coolant may be cooled. Therefore, the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 may function as an evaporator that causes the low-temperature refrigerant to evaporate from the coolant.

[0064] Reference Figure 1 , the low-temperature side manifold 23 may have a supply channel 33c that is fluidly connected to the discharge channel 35b of the front block 13, and the supply channel 33c may be fluidly connected to the outlet of the external heat exchanger 1 through the discharge channel 35b of the front block 13 and the outlet-side conduit 1b of the external heat exchanger 1. In particular, the supply channel 33c may be configured to fluidly connect the outlet of the external heat exchanger 1 and the inlet of the evaporator 6 disposed in the HVAC housing 5. The low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the external heat exchanger 1 may be guided to the evaporator 6 through the outlet-side conduit 1b, the discharge channel 35b of the front block 13, and the supply channel 33c. The refrigerant discharged from the external heat exchanger 1 may pass through the supply channel 33c of the low-temperature side manifold 23, so that the refrigerant cooled by the external heat exchanger 1 may be additionally cooled by the low-temperature side manifold 23.

[0065] The rear block 14 may be configured to face the HVAC housing 5 adjacent to the passenger compartment. The rear block 14 may have a plurality of internal passages 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d through which the evaporator 6, the internal condenser 7, the low-temperature side manifold 23, and the high-temperature side manifold 24 are fluidly connected. Figure 1 , a plurality of internal passages 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d may be defined in the rear block portion 14. The plurality of internal passages 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d may include a first supply passage 36a through which the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the supply passage 33c of the low-temperature side manifold 23 is guided to the evaporator 6, a first discharge passage 36b through which the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 6 is guided to the accumulator 22, a second supply passage 36c through which the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the supply passage 34c of the high-temperature side manifold 24 is guided to the internal condenser 7, and a second discharge passage 36d through which the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser 7 is guided to the high-temperature side control valve 15.

[0066] The evaporator 6 and the interior condenser 7 may be arranged in the HVAC housing 5, and the interior condenser 7 may be located on the downstream side of the evaporator 6 in the air flow direction in the HVAC housing 5. The air mixing door 8 may be arranged between the evaporator 6 and the interior condenser 7. The evaporator 6 may have a refrigerant passage formed inside. The inlet-side conduit 6a may be connected to the inlet of the refrigerant passage of the evaporator 6, and the outlet-side conduit 6b may be connected to the outlet of the refrigerant passage of the evaporator 6. The expansion valve 9 may be arranged on the inlet-side conduit 6a of the evaporator 6, and the refrigerant may be expanded by the expansion valve 9 and then guided to the inlet of the evaporator 6. The interior condenser 7 may have a refrigerant passage formed inside. The inlet-side conduit 7a may be connected to the inlet of the refrigerant passage of the interior condenser 7, and the outlet-side conduit 7b may be connected to the outlet of the refrigerant passage of the interior condenser 7.

[0067] The rear block 14 may have a first supply port 14a, a first discharge port 14b, a second supply port 14c, and a second discharge port 14d arranged on its rear surface. The first supply port 14a may be arranged at the end of the first supply channel 36a, and the first discharge port 14b may be arranged at the end of the first discharge channel 36b. The second supply port 14c may be arranged at the end of the second supply channel 36c, and the second discharge port 14d may be arranged at the end of the second discharge channel 36d. The end of the inlet side conduit 6a of the evaporator 6 and the first supply port 14a may be joined in a sealed manner, and the end of the outlet side conduit 6b of the evaporator 6 and the first discharge port 14b may be joined in a sealed manner. The end of the inlet side conduit 7a of the internal condenser 7 and the second supply port 14c may be joined in a sealed manner, and the end of the outlet side conduit 7b of the internal condenser 7 and the second discharge port 14d may be joined in a sealed manner.

[0068] Reference Figure 1 , the low temperature side manifold 23 may have a connecting channel 33d fluidly connected to the first discharge channel 36b, and a return channel 33e fluidly connected to the inlet side conduit 31a of the accumulator 22. The connecting channel 33d and the outlet channel 33b may be joined to the return channel 33e. The return channel 33e of the low temperature side manifold 23 may be fluidly connected to the inlet side conduit 31a of the accumulator 22. The refrigerant discharged from the outlet channel 33b of the low temperature side manifold 23 may be returned to the accumulator 22 through the return channel 33e and the inlet side conduit 31a of the accumulator 22. In addition, the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 6 may be returned to the accumulator 22 through the outlet side conduit 6b, the first discharge channel 36b of the rear block 14, the connecting channel 33d, the return channel 33e, and the inlet side conduit 31a of the accumulator 22.

[0069] Reference Figure 1, a vehicle thermal management module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 contacting the high-temperature side manifold 24. The high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may be joined to the bottom surface of the high-temperature side manifold 24 using fasteners, welding, etc. The high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may be accommodated in the cavity 12 of the module body 11, and the high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may be tightly attached to the bottom surface of the high-temperature side manifold 24. The high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may have a refrigerant channel 50a fluidly connected to the internal channels 34a and 34b of the high-temperature side manifold 24, and a coolant channel 50b fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may be a battery warmer, and the coolant circulation path may be a battery coolant circulation path.

[0070] Reference Figure 1 , the high temperature side manifold 24 may have an inlet channel 34a fluidly connected to the inlet of the refrigerant channel 50a of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50, and an outlet channel 34b fluidly connected to the outlet of the refrigerant channel 50a of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50. The inlet channel 34a may be fluidly connected to the high temperature side control valve 15, and the high temperature refrigerant discharged from the high temperature side control valve 15 may pass through the inlet channel 34a, the refrigerant channel 50a of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50, and the outlet channel 34b. Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant channel 50a of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may release heat to the coolant passing through the coolant channel 50b of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50, so that the refrigerant may be cooled and the coolant may be heated. Therefore, the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may function as a condenser that condenses the high temperature refrigerant from the coolant.

[0071] Reference Figure 1 , the high temperature side manifold 24 may have a supply passage 34c fluidly connected to the second supply passage 36c of the rear block portion 14, and the supply passage 34c of the high temperature side manifold 24 may be fluidly connected to the high temperature side control valve 15. The high temperature refrigerant discharged from the high temperature side control valve 15 may be guided to the internal condenser 7 of the HVAC case 5 through the supply passage 34c of the high temperature side manifold 24, the second supply passage 36c of the rear block portion 14, and the inlet side duct 7a.

[0072] Reference Figure 1 , the high temperature side manifold 24 may have a connection passage 34d in fluid communication with the second discharge passage 36d of the rear block portion 14, and a return passage 34e in fluid communication with the high temperature side control valve 15. The connection passage 34d and the outlet passage 34b may be joined to the return passage 34e. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser 7 and the refrigerant passage 50a of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50 may be returned to the high temperature side control valve 15 through the return passage 34e.

[0073] The high temperature side control valve 15 may be configured to control the flow of the refrigerant in such a manner that the high temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is guided to at least one of the internal condenser 7 , the expansion valve 16 , the external heat exchanger 1 , and the refrigerant passage 50 a of the high temperature side heat exchanger block 50 .

[0074] When the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is guided to the inlet-side conduit 1a of the external heat exchanger 1 through the supply passage 35a by the first switching operation of the high-temperature-side control valve 15, the high-temperature refrigerant passing through the refrigerant passage of the external heat exchanger 1 may be cooled by the air passing through the outer surface of the external heat exchanger 1, and then guided to the expansion valve 9 and the evaporator 6 through the outlet-side conduit 1b of the external heat exchanger 1, the discharge passage 35b of the front block 13, the supply passage 33c of the low-temperature-side manifold 23, the first supply passage 36a of the rear block 14, and the inlet-side conduit 6a of the evaporator 6. The refrigerant may be evaporated by the air passing through the inside of the HVAC case 5, and the evaporated refrigerant may be discharged from the outlet of the evaporator 6, and then returned to the accumulator 22 through the outlet-side conduit 6b of the evaporator 6, the first discharge passage 36b of the rear block 14, the connection passage 33d of the low-temperature-side manifold 23, the return passage 33e of the low-temperature-side manifold 23, and the inlet-side conduit 31a of the accumulator 22.

[0075] When the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is guided to the bypass channel 35c and the expansion valve 16 through the second switching operation of the high-temperature side control valve 15, the high-temperature refrigerant can be expanded by the expansion valve 16 and then pass through the inlet channel 33a of the low-temperature side manifold 23, the refrigerant channel 40a of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block 40 and the outlet channel 33b of the low-temperature side manifold 23.

[0076] When the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is guided to the inlet passage 34a of the high-temperature side manifold 24 by the third switching operation of the high-temperature side control valve 15, the refrigerant may return to the high-temperature side control valve 15 through the refrigerant passage 50a of the high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50, the outlet passage 34b of the high-temperature side manifold 24, and the return passage 34e of the high-temperature side manifold 24. The refrigerant that has returned to the high-temperature side control valve 15 may be guided to at least one of the expansion valve 16, the external heat exchanger 1, and the internal condenser 7 by various switching operations of the high-temperature side control valve 15.

[0077] When the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is guided to the supply passage 34c of the high-temperature side manifold 24 by the fourth switching operation of the high-temperature side control valve 15, the refrigerant may be guided to the inlet of the interior condenser 7 through the second supply passage 36c of the rear block portion 14 and the inlet-side conduit 7a of the interior condenser 7. The refrigerant discharged from the outlet of the interior condenser 7 may return to the high-temperature side control valve 15 through the outlet-side conduit 7b of the interior condenser 7, the second discharge passage 36d of the rear block portion 14, the connection passage 34d of the high-temperature side manifold 24, and the return passage 34e of the high-temperature side manifold 24. The refrigerant that has returned to the high-temperature side control valve 15 may be guided to at least one of the expansion valve 16, the external heat exchanger 1, and the refrigerant passage 50a of the high-temperature side heat exchanger block 50 by various switching operations of the high-temperature side control valve 15.

[0078] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a vehicle thermal management module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 A vehicle thermal management module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of low temperature side heat exchanger blocks 41, 42, and 43 disposed on the top surface of the low temperature side manifold 23. For example, the first low temperature side heat exchanger block 41, the second low temperature side heat exchanger block 42, and the third low temperature side heat exchanger block 43 may be closely attached to the top surface of the low temperature side manifold 23.

[0079] The first low-temperature side heat exchanger block 41 may have a first refrigerant channel 41a and a first coolant channel 41b fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first low-temperature side heat exchanger block 41 may be a battery cooler for cooling a battery, and the coolant circulation path may be a battery coolant circulation path through which a battery coolant circulates. The low-temperature side manifold 23 may have a first inlet channel 61a fluidly connected to an inlet of the first refrigerant channel 41a of the first low-temperature side heat exchanger block 41, and a first outlet channel 61b fluidly connected to an outlet of the first refrigerant channel 41a of the first low-temperature side heat exchanger block 41.

[0080] The second low-temperature side heat exchanger block 42 may have a second refrigerant channel 42a and a second coolant channel 42b fluidly connected to the coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second low-temperature side heat exchanger block 42 may be a cooler for cooling an autonomous driving high-performance computer, and the coolant circulation path may be a coolant circulation path through which a coolant for cooling a high-performance computer circulates. The low-temperature side manifold 23 may have a second inlet channel 62a fluidly connected to the inlet of the second refrigerant channel 42a of the second low-temperature side heat exchanger block 42, and a second outlet channel 62b fluidly connected to the outlet of the second refrigerant channel 42a of the second low-temperature side heat exchanger block 42.

[0081] The third low-temperature side heat exchanger block 43 may have a third refrigerant passage 43a and a third coolant passage 43b fluidly connected to the coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third low-temperature side heat exchanger block 43 may be a PE heat exchanger for cooling the PE component, and the coolant circulation path may be a coolant circulation path through which a PE coolant for cooling the PE component circulates. The low-temperature side manifold 23 may have a third inlet passage 63a fluidly connected to the inlet of the third refrigerant passage 43a of the third low-temperature side heat exchanger block 43, and a third outlet passage 63b fluidly connected to the outlet of the third refrigerant passage 43a of the third low-temperature side heat exchanger block 43.

[0082] The first outlet channel 61 b ​​, the second outlet channel 62 b , and the third outlet channel 63 b of the low-temperature-side manifold 23 may be joined to the return channel 33 e together with the connecting channel 33 d .

[0083] Reference Figure 2 The vehicle thermal management module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a low-temperature side control valve 17 configured to control the flow of the refrigerant in such a manner that the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from the expansion valve 16 is guided to at least one of the plurality of low-temperature side heat exchanger blocks 41, 42, and 43. The low-temperature side control valve 17 may be embedded in the front block portion 13 in fluid communication with the expansion valve 16. The low-temperature side control valve 17 may be closely attached to the front edge of the low-temperature side manifold 23.

[0084] Reference Figure 2 A vehicle thermal management module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of high temperature side heat exchanger blocks 51 and 52 disposed on the bottom surface of the high temperature side manifold 24. For example, the first high temperature side heat exchanger block 51 and the second high temperature side heat exchanger block 52 may be closely attached to the bottom surface of the high temperature side manifold 24.

[0085] The first high temperature side heat exchanger block 51 may have a first refrigerant passage 51a and a first coolant passage 51b fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first high temperature side heat exchanger block 51 may be a battery warmer for increasing the battery temperature, and the coolant circulation path may be a battery coolant circulation path through which a battery coolant circulates. The high temperature side manifold 24 may have a first inlet passage 71a fluidly connected to an inlet of the first refrigerant passage 51a of the first high temperature side heat exchanger block 51, and a first outlet passage 71b fluidly connected to an outlet of the first refrigerant passage 51a of the first high temperature side heat exchanger block 51.

[0086] The second high temperature side heat exchanger block 52 may have a second refrigerant passage 52a and a second coolant passage 52b fluidly connected to the coolant circulation path. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second high temperature side heat exchanger block 52 may be a heat exchanger for warming up the PE component, and the coolant circulation path may be a PE coolant circulation path through which the PE coolant circulates. The high temperature side manifold 24 may have a second inlet passage 72a fluidly connected to the inlet of the second refrigerant passage 52a of the second high temperature side heat exchanger block 52, and a second outlet passage 72b fluidly connected to the outlet of the second refrigerant passage 52a of the second high temperature side heat exchanger block 52.

[0087] The first outlet passage 71 b and the second outlet passage 72 b of the high temperature side manifold 24 may be joined to the return passage 34 e together with the connecting passage 34 d .

[0088] Reference Figure 2 According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the high temperature side control valve 15 may be configured to control the flow of the refrigerant in such a manner that the high temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is guided to at least one of the internal condenser 7, the expansion valve 16, the external heat exchanger 1, the first refrigerant channel 51a of the first high temperature side heat exchanger block 51, and the second refrigerant channel 52a of the second high temperature side heat exchanger block 52.

[0089] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention described above, by modularizing at least a portion of the refrigerant system (HVAC subsystem) and the coolant system (battery cooling subsystem, PE cooling subsystem, etc.), the layout of the vehicle thermal management system can be simplified, and its manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced, and related platforms can be added.

[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of a refrigerant system may be modularized so that a refrigerant flow path may be minimized, thereby reducing refrigerant flow resistance.

[0091] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the compressor and the accumulator may be configured to physically separate the low temperature side manifold from the high temperature side manifold, thereby blocking heat transfer between the low temperature side manifold and the high temperature side manifold. Therefore, heat loss may be minimized.

[0092] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the compressor may be enclosed by the low-temperature-side manifold and the high-temperature-side manifold in the cavity of the module body, so that noise of the compressor may be less transmitted to the outside.

[0093] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by reducing the number of expansion valves that expand refrigerant and the number of control valves that control the flow of refrigerant, the number of components / parts can be minimized, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the vehicle thermal management module.

[0094] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle thermal management module, comprising: a low temperature side manifold having a low temperature refrigerant passage; a high-temperature side manifold having a high-temperature refrigerant passage and facing the low-temperature side manifold; a compressor disposed between the low-temperature side manifold and the high-temperature side manifold; as well as A liquid accumulator connected to the inlet of the compressor by a refrigerant line.

2. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet of the accumulator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the compressor, the low-temperature side manifold is fluidly connected to the inlet of the accumulator, and the high-temperature side manifold is fluidly connected to the outlet of the compressor.

3. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of an inverter that controls the compressor is in contact with the low-temperature-side manifold.

4. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the reservoir is in contact with the high-temperature-side manifold.

5. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 1, further comprising a low temperature side heat exchanger block in contact with the low temperature side manifold, wherein: The low temperature side heat exchanger block has a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant passes and a coolant passage fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path.

6. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 5, wherein: The low-temperature-side manifold has an inlet passage fluidly communicating with an inlet of a refrigerant passage of the low-temperature-side heat exchanger block, and an outlet passage fluidly communicating with an outlet of the refrigerant passage of the low-temperature-side heat exchanger block.

7. The vehicle thermal management module of claim 5, further comprising a front block portion fluidly connected to an external heat exchanger adjacent a front grille of the vehicle, wherein: The front block has a plurality of internal passages fluidly connected to the external heat exchanger, the high temperature side manifold, and the low temperature side manifold.

8. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 7, wherein: The front block portion has an expansion valve embedded in an interior thereof, and the expansion valve is fluidly connected to an inlet of the low-temperature side heat exchanger block.

9. The vehicle thermal management module of claim 8, further comprising a rear mass portion fluidly connected to an evaporator and an interior condenser disposed in an HVAC housing of the HVAC subsystem, wherein: The rear block has a plurality of internal passages fluidly connected to the evaporator, the internal condenser, the high temperature side manifold, and the low temperature side manifold.

10. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 9, wherein: The low temperature side manifold has a supply passage fluidly connected to an outlet of the external heat exchanger and an inlet of the evaporator.

11. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 9, further comprising a high-side heat exchanger block in contact with the high-side manifold, wherein: The high temperature side heat exchanger block has a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant passes and a coolant passage fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path.

12. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 11, wherein: The front block includes a high temperature side control valve embedded therein, and the high temperature side control valve is configured to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to at least one of the external heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the high temperature side heat exchanger block, and the internal condenser.

13. The vehicle thermal management module according to claim 11, wherein: The high temperature side manifold has an inlet passage fluidly communicating with an inlet of a refrigerant passage of the high temperature side heat exchanger block, and an outlet passage fluidly communicating with an outlet of the refrigerant passage of the high temperature side heat exchanger block.

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