Heat pump system for vehicle

By using selectively operated gas injection devices in vehicle heat pump systems, increasing the flow of refrigerant is solved, and the existing system's lack of cooling and heating performance is reduced, noise and vibration are reduced, and riding comfort is improved.

CN119858417APending Publication Date: 2025-04-22HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202410624615.5
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-10-19
Filing Date
2024-05-20
Publication Date
2025-04-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing vehicle heat pump system has shortcomings in cooling and heating performance, and the individual battery cooling system causes noise and vibration, affecting riding comfort.

Method used

A gas injection device that is selectively operated in the vehicle internal air conditioning mode is used to increase the flow rate of refrigerant, thereby improving cooling and heating performance.

Benefits of technology

By increasing the flow of refrigerant, the cooling and heating performance inside the vehicle is improved, the noise and vibration of the system are reduced, and the ride comfort is improved.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The heat pump system for a vehicle according to the present invention may improve cooling and heating performance by using a gas injection device selectively operating in at least one mode selected for vehicle interior air conditioning, the heat pump system according to the present invention may include a compressor, a condenser, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, an evaporator, a first refrigerant connection line, a cooler, a second expansion valve, and a gas injection device, the flow of the refrigerant is controlled in accordance with at least one mode of one or both of interior temperature regulation for the interior of the vehicle and / or battery temperature regulation for the battery module.
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Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0140278, filed on October 19, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

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

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

[0005] The air conditioning unit is used to keep the interior of the vehicle at a suitable temperature regardless of external temperature changes, thereby maintaining a comfortable interior environment. The air conditioning unit is configured to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle by using a condenser and an evaporator for heat exchange in a process in which the refrigerant discharged by the drive of the compressor circulates back to the compressor through the condenser, the liquid receiver dryer, the expansion valve and the 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 in the cooling mode, passes the refrigerant through the receiver-drier and the expansion valve, and then evaporates the refrigerant in the evaporator, thereby reducing the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle.

[0007] In recent years, as concerns about energy efficiency and environmental pollution have increased, there has been a need to develop environmentally friendly vehicles that can substantially replace internal combustion engine vehicles. Environmentally friendly vehicles are divided into electric vehicles driven using fuel cells or electricity as a power source, and hybrid vehicles driven using an engine and a battery.

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

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

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

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

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

[0013] In addition, since a battery cooling system that heats or cools the battery according to the vehicle state is separately provided to obtain the best performance of the battery, a plurality of valves for selectively interconnecting the connection pipes are adopted. Therefore, noise and vibration generated by frequent opening and closing operations of the valves may be introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby reducing riding comfort.

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

[0015] The above information disclosed in the Background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the invention. Therefore, the Background section may contain information that does not constitute the prior art known, obtained, or used by 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. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle capable of improving cooling and heating performance by adopting a gas injection device selectively operated in an air conditioning mode inside the vehicle.

[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a heat pump system for a vehicle capable of increasing the flow rate of a refrigerant by employing a gas injection device selectively operated in at least one mode selected for air conditioning inside the vehicle, thereby improving cooling and heating performance.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, a heat pump system for a vehicle includes: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the compressor through a refrigerant line; a first heat exchanger connected to the condenser through a refrigerant line and configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant; a second heat exchanger connected to the first heat exchanger through a refrigerant line; a first expansion valve connected to the second heat exchanger through a refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve through a 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 second heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a cooler disposed in the first refrigerant connecting line and and configured to: adjust the temperature of the coolant by causing the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting pipeline to exchange heat with the selectively introduced coolant; a second expansion valve, arranged upstream of the cooler in the first refrigerant connecting pipeline; and a gas injection device, connected to the refrigerant pipeline, and configured to: selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser, or the refrigerant passing through one or both of the first heat exchanger and the second 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 pipeline, wherein the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to at least one mode of one or both of interior temperature regulation of the vehicle interior and battery temperature regulation of the battery module.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gas injection device may include: a first valve, arranged in the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the first heat exchanger; a second refrigerant connecting pipeline, having a first end connected to the first valve; a gas-liquid separator, arranged in the second refrigerant connecting pipeline, and configured to: separate and selectively discharge gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant introduced into the interior; a third expansion valve, arranged in the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first valve and the gas-liquid separator; a supply pipeline, having: a first end connected to the gas-liquid separator, and a second end connected to the compressor; a fourth expansion valve, arranged in the refrigerant pipeline between the first valve and the first heat exchanger; and a second valve, arranged at the second end of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gas-liquid separator may be configured to operate when the third expansion valve expands and supplies refrigerant in a state of cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle, and may be configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through a supply pipeline to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gas injection device may also include: a first pipeline having: a first end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the first valve and the fourth expansion valve, and a second end connected to the second valve; a second pipeline having: a first end connected to the second valve, and a second end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the second heat exchanger and the second end of the first refrigerant connecting pipeline; a third valve, arranged in the refrigerant pipeline between the second heat exchanger and the second end of the second pipeline; and a third pipeline having: a first end connected to the third valve, and a second end connected to the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first valve and the third expansion valve.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gas injection device may also include: a fourth valve, arranged in the refrigerant pipeline between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and a fourth pipeline, having: a first end connected to the fourth valve, and a second end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, it may also be that at least one mode includes: a first mode, wherein the gas injection device is operated and the battery module is cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled; a second mode, wherein the gas injection device is operated and the vehicle interior is heated; a third mode, wherein the gas injection device is not operated and the battery module is cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled; a fourth mode, wherein the gas injection device is not operated and the vehicle interior is heated; and a fifth mode, wherein the vehicle interior is heated and dehumidified.

[0024] In the first mode, by operation of the second expansion valve, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened; by operation of the first valve, a part of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline connecting the first valve and the second end of the third pipeline can be closed; by operation of the third expansion valve, the remaining part of the second refrigerant connecting pipeline connecting the second end of the third pipeline and the second valve is opened; the supply pipeline can be opened; by operation of the second valve, the first pipeline can be closed; by operation of the second valve, the second pipeline can be opened; by operation of the third valve, the third pipeline can be opened; by operation of the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline can be closed; by operation of the first valve and the fourth expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the condenser and the first heat exchanger is opened; by operation of the fourth valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger can be opened ; Through the operation of the third valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the third valve and the second end of the second pipeline can be closed; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the gas-liquid separator along the second pipeline and the refrigerant pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger through the third pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the fourth expansion valve allows the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant pipeline to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion; and the gas-liquid separator is configured to: supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the opened supply pipeline, and discharge the liquid refrigerant to the second pipeline through the second valve.

[0025] In the second mode, by the operation of the second expansion valve, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the first valve and the third expansion valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened; the supply pipeline can be opened; by the operation of the second valve, the first pipeline can be opened; by the operation of the second valve, the second pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the third valve, the third pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline can be opened; by the operation of the first valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the condenser and the first heat exchanger can be closed; by the operation of the fourth valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the second heat exchanger and the fourth valve is closed; by the operation of the third valve and the first expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the rear end of the second heat exchanger and the evaporator can be closed; the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve stop operating; the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the condenser and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator through the first pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; through the opened supply pipeline, the gas-liquid separator supplies the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor.

[0026] In the third mode, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be opened by operating the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed by operating the first valve; the supply pipeline can be closed; the first pipeline and the second pipeline can be closed by operating the second valve; the third pipeline can be closed by operating the third valve; the fourth pipeline can be closed by operating the fourth valve; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger along the refrigerant pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant from the first expansion valve to the gas-liquid separator; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant from the second expansion valve to the gas-liquid separator; the third expansion valve stops operating; the fourth expansion valve allows the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant pipeline to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion.

[0027] In the fourth mode, by the operation of the second expansion valve, the first refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the first valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline can be closed; the supply pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the second valve, the first pipeline and the second pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the third valve, the third pipeline can be closed; by the operation of the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline can be opened; by the operation of the fourth valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the second heat exchanger and the fourth valve can be closed; by the operation of the third valve and the first expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the rear end of the second heat exchanger and the evaporator can be closed; the first expansion valve, the second expansion valve and the third expansion valve stop operating; and the fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the condenser and causes the expanded refrigerant to flow to the first heat exchanger.

[0028] In the fifth mode, by operation of the second expansion valve, the first refrigerant connecting line may be closed; by operation of the first valve, the second refrigerant connecting line may be closed; the supply line may be closed; by operation of the second valve, the first line and the second line may be opened;

[0029] By operating the third valve, the third pipeline can be closed; by operating the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline can be opened; by operating the fourth valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the second heat exchanger and the second end of the second pipeline can be closed; by operating the first expansion valve, the refrigerant pipeline connecting the second end of the second pipeline and the evaporator can be opened; a part of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser along the refrigerant pipeline flows along the first pipeline and the second pipeline; the remaining refrigerant in the refrigerant introduced from the condenser along the refrigerant pipeline flows into the fourth expansion valve; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the second expansion valve and the third expansion valve stop operating; and the fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant pipeline, and causes the expanded refrigerant to flow to the first heat exchanger.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may be configured to condense the refrigerant supplied in the first mode and the third mode.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchanger may be configured to evaporate the refrigerant supplied in the second mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pump system for a vehicle may further include: a liquid accumulator arranged in the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second end of the fourth pipeline may be connected to the refrigerant pipeline through a liquid accumulator.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve may be bidirectional expansion valves that selectively operate in at least one mode and are configured to: control the flow of the supplied refrigerant and selectively expand the refrigerant.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchanger may be connected to the electric component through a first coolant line through which a coolant circulates.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooler may be connected to the battery module via a second coolant line through which the coolant circulates.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible that, when the battery module is cooled, the second coolant line is opened to connect the cooler and the battery module.

[0038] As described above, with the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, cooling and heating performances can be improved by increasing the flow rate of refrigerant using a gas injection device selectively operated in at least one mode selected for vehicle interior air conditioning.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the performance of the system can be maximized by using the gas injection device and the number of required components can be minimized, thereby achieving streamlining and simplification of the system.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced, and the space utilization rate can be improved by simplifying the entire system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle in a first mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle in a second mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 4 is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a third mode;

[0045] Figure 5 is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a fourth mode;

[0046] Figure 6 is an operation diagram of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention at the fifth mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

[0048] The exemplary embodiments disclosed in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some examples of the present invention, but do not necessarily cover the entire scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist in various embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] In order to clarify the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used throughout the specification to designate the same or equivalent elements.

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

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

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

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

[0054] According to the heat pump system for a vehicle of the embodiment, in order to achieve air conditioning inside the vehicle, the gas injection device 50 selectively operated in at least one mode may be employed to improve cooling and heating performance.

[0055] In the heat pump system of the electric vehicle, the cooling device that circulates the coolant may be interconnected with the air conditioning unit, which is an air conditioning device for cooling and heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0056] refer to Figure 1 The heat pump system may include a cooling device and an air conditioning unit, which is provided with a compressor 10, a condenser 12, a first heat exchanger 14, a second heat exchanger 15, a first expansion valve 16, an evaporator 18, a first refrigerant connecting pipeline 21, a cooler 24, a second expansion valve 26 and a gas injection device 50.

[0057] First, the cooling device may include the electric components 3 and the battery modules 5 through which a coolant circulates.

[0058] The cooling device may further include a radiator (not shown). The radiator may be located in the front region of the vehicle. A cooling fan (not shown) may be disposed at the rear of the radiator. Thus, the radiator may cool the coolant by operation of the cooling fan and heat exchange with ambient air.

[0059] The electric component 3 may be connected to the first heat exchanger 14 through the first coolant line 2 through which the coolant circulates. The first coolant line 2 may be opened to supply the coolant to the first heat exchanger 14 in a cooling or heating mode of the vehicle interior.

[0060] The battery module 5 may be connected to the cooler 24 via a second coolant line 4 through which the coolant circulates.

[0061] When cooling the battery module 5 , or when recovering waste heat of the battery module 5 when heating the interior of the vehicle, the second coolant line 4 may be opened to connect the cooler 24 and the battery module 5 .

[0062] The coolant may selectively circulate through the first coolant line 2 and the second coolant line 4 by operation of a water pump (not shown).

[0063] The electrical component 3 may include an electric power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, an on-board charger (OBC), an autonomous driving controller, and the like.

[0064] The power control device, or the inverter, or the motor, or the autonomous driving controller may generate heat when the vehicle is driven, and the charger may generate heat when charging the battery module 5 .

[0065] That is, when the waste heat of the electric components 3 is recovered when heating the vehicle interior, the heat generated from the power control device, the motor, the inverter, or the charger, or the automatic driving controller can be recovered.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the compressor 10 may compress the supplied refrigerant.

[0067] The condenser 12 may be connected to the compressor 10 through a refrigerant line 11. The condenser 12 and the evaporator 18 may be disposed inside an HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) module (not shown).

[0068] In addition, an opening / closing door may be provided inside the HVAC module so that the ambient air passing through the evaporator 18 can be selectively introduced into the condenser 12 when cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0069] That is, in the case of heating the vehicle interior, the open / close door may be opened so that the ambient air that has passed through the evaporator 18 may be introduced into the condenser 12 .

[0070] Conversely, when cooling the vehicle interior, the opening / closing door may be closed on the side toward the condenser 12 , so that the cooled ambient air may be directly introduced into the vehicle interior while passing through the evaporator 18 .

[0071] In the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to the condenser 12 through the refrigerant line 11. The first heat exchanger 14 may selectively condense or evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 and the coolant introduced through the first coolant line 2.

[0072] That is, the first heat exchanger 14 may be provided as a water-cooled heat exchanger connected to the first coolant line 2 through which the coolant circulates, and configured to perform heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant.

[0073] The second heat exchanger 15 may be connected to the first heat exchanger 14 through the refrigerant line 11 .

[0074] The second heat exchanger 15 may be provided as an air-cooled heat exchanger that is located at the rear of the radiator in the front region of the vehicle and is configured to exchange heat between air and refrigerant.

[0075] The first expansion valve 16 may be disposed in the refrigerant line 11 between the second heat exchanger 15 and the evaporator 18 .

[0076] In addition, the evaporator 18 may be connected to the first expansion valve 16 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.

[0077] The accumulator 19 may be provided in the refrigerant line 11 between the evaporator 18 and the compressor 10. The accumulator 19 may supply only gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 10, thereby improving efficiency and durability of the compressor 10.

[0078] In this embodiment, a first end of the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the compressor 10 and the evaporator 18. A second end of the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the second heat exchanger 15 and the first expansion valve 16.

[0079] A cooler 24 may be provided in the first refrigerant connecting line 21. The coolant may selectively circulate through the cooler 24 through the second coolant line 4.

[0080] That is, the cooler 24 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger through which a coolant circulates.

[0081] Therefore, the cooler 24 may adjust 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 second coolant line 4 .

[0082] In the present embodiment, the second expansion valve 26 may be disposed in the first refrigerant connecting line 21 upstream of the cooler 24 .

[0083] The upstream of the cooler 24 and the rear end of the cooler 24 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0084] That is, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the first refrigerant connecting line 21 , the position where the refrigerant flows into the cooler 24 may be defined as the upstream of the cooler 24 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the cooler 24 may be defined as the rear end of the cooler 24 .

[0085] When cooling the battery module 5 by using the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connection line 21 and flow the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 24 .

[0086] That is, when the battery module 5 needs to be cooled, the second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 to reduce the temperature and flow the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 24 , thereby further reducing the temperature of the coolant passing through the inside of the cooler 24 .

[0087] Therefore, by flowing the coolant whose temperature has been lowered while passing through the cooler 24 , the battery module 5 can be cooled more effectively.

[0088] In addition, a gas injection device 50 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 .

[0089] The gas injection device 50 may selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 or the refrigerant passing through at least one of the first heat exchanger 14 and the second heat exchanger 15 .

[0090] Meanwhile, the gas injection device 50 may increase the total flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 by selectively supplying a portion of the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 .

[0091] The gas injection device 50 may include a first valve V1, a second refrigerant connecting line 51, a gas-liquid separator 52, a third expansion valve 53, a supply line 54, a fourth expansion valve 55, and a second valve V2.

[0092] First, the first valve V1 can be set in the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the condenser 12 and the first heat exchanger 14.

[0093] A first end of the second refrigerant connecting line 51 may be connected to the first valve V1 .

[0094] The gas-liquid separator 52 may be provided in the second refrigerant connecting line 51. The gas-liquid separator may separate and selectively discharge gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the internally introduced refrigerant.

[0095] In this embodiment, the third expansion valve 53 may be disposed in the second refrigerant connecting line 51 between the first valve V1 and the gas-liquid separator 52 .

[0096] A first end of the supply line 54 may be connected to the gas-liquid separator 52. A second end of the supply line 54 may be connected to the compressor 10.

[0097] The supply line 54 configured in this manner can selectively supply the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator 52 to the compressor 10 .

[0098] That is, in a state of cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle, when the third expansion valve 53 expands and supplies the refrigerant, the gas-liquid separator 52 may operate.

[0099] The gas-liquid separator 52 may supply gaseous refrigerant among the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the supply line 54 , thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0100] In the present embodiment, the fourth expansion valve 55 may be disposed in the refrigerant line 11 between the first valve V1 and the first heat exchanger 14. In addition, the second valve V2 may be disposed at the second end of the second refrigerant connecting line 51.

[0101] The gas injection device 50 configured in this way may further include a first pipeline 61 , a second pipeline 62 , a third valve V3 , a third pipeline 63 , a fourth valve V4 , and a fourth pipeline 64 .

[0102] First, a first end of the first line 61 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the first valve V1 and the fourth expansion valve 55. A second end of the first line 61 may be connected to the second valve V2.

[0103] The first line 61 thus configured may selectively supply the liquid refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator 52 to the fourth expansion valve 55 in the vehicle interior heating mode.

[0104] In the present embodiment, a first end of the second line 62 may be connected to the second valve V2 . A second end of the second line 62 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the second heat exchanger 15 and the second end of the first refrigerant connecting line 21 .

[0105] In the cooling mode of the vehicle interior, the second line 62 configured in this way can supply the liquid refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator 52 to the first refrigerant connecting line 21 or the first expansion valve 16 through the refrigerant line 11 .

[0106] The third valve V3 may be disposed in the refrigerant line 11 between the second heat exchanger 15 and the second end of the second line 62 .

[0107] In the present embodiment, a first end of the third pipeline 63 may be connected to the third valve V3 , and a second end of the third pipeline 63 may be connected to the second refrigerant connecting line 51 between the first valve V1 and the third expansion valve 53 .

[0108] The fourth valve V4 may be provided in the refrigerant line 11 between the first heat exchanger 14 and the second heat exchanger 15 .

[0109] In addition, a first end of the fourth line 64 may be connected to the fourth valve V4 , and a second end of the fourth line 64 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the evaporator 18 and the compressor 10 .

[0110] In more detail, the second end of the fourth line 64 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 through the accumulator 19 .

[0111] In the heating mode of the vehicle interior, the fourth line 64 configured in this way can bypass the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 14 to the accumulator 19 without passing through the second heat exchanger 15 .

[0112] The first valve V1, the second valve V2, the third valve V3 and the fourth valve V4 may be three-way valves capable of distributing flow rates when controlling the flow of refrigerant.

[0113] In the heat pump system thus configured, the flow of the refrigerant can be controlled according to at least one mode for temperature regulation of the vehicle interior or temperature regulation of the battery module.

[0114] The first expansion valve 16 , the second expansion valve 26 , the third expansion valve 53 , and the fourth expansion valve 55 may be selectively operated in at least one mode.

[0115] That is, each of the first expansion valve 16 , the second expansion valve 26 , the third expansion valve 53 , and the fourth expansion valve 55 may be a two-way expansion valve that may selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0116] The at least one mode may include first to fifth modes.

[0117] In the first mode, the gas injection device 50 may operate, and the battery module 5 may be cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled.

[0118] In the second mode, the gas injection device 50 may be operated, and the vehicle interior may be heated.

[0119] In the third mode, the gas injection device 50 may not operate, and the battery module 5 may be cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled.

[0120] In the present embodiment, in the fourth mode, the gas injection device 50 may not be operated, and the vehicle interior may be heated.

[0121] In addition, the fifth mode can heat and dehumidify the vehicle interior.

[0122] The first heat exchanger 14 and the second heat exchanger 15 may condense the refrigerant supplied in the first mode and the third mode.

[0123] On the contrary, the first heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the refrigerant supplied in the second mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode.

[0124] Below, reference Figures 2 to 6 , the operation and effect in each mode of the heat pump system according to the embodiment thus configured are described in detail.

[0125] First, refer to Figure 2 , describes the operation of the first mode of the heat pump system according to the embodiment, in which the gas injection device 50 operates and the battery module 5 is cooled while cooling the vehicle interior.

[0126] Figure 2 is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle in a first mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] refer to Figure 2In the case of the first mode, in order to cool the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 may be operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0128] The first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be opened by operation of the second expansion valve 26 .

[0129] A portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 51 connecting the first valve V1 and the second end of the third line 63 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1 .

[0130] Meanwhile, the remaining portion of the second refrigerant connecting line 51 connecting the second end of the third line 63 and the second valve V2 may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 53 .

[0131] In this embodiment, the supply line 54 can be opened. In addition, the first line 61 can be closed by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0132] The second pipeline 62 can be opened by the operation of the second valve V2. The third pipeline 63 can be opened by the operation of the third valve V3. The fourth pipeline 64 can be closed by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0133] In this mode, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the condenser 12 and the first heat exchanger 14 may be opened by operations of the first valve V1 and the fourth expansion valve 55 .

[0134] In addition, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the first heat exchanger 14 and the second heat exchanger 15 may be opened by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0135] In addition, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the third valve V3 and the second end of the second line 62 may be closed by the operation of the third valve V3.

[0136] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 may flow into the fourth expansion valve 55 along the refrigerant line 11. The fourth expansion valve 55 may allow the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line 11 to flow to the first heat exchanger 14 without expansion.

[0137] The refrigerant introduced into the first heat exchanger 14 may condense while exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 3 through the first coolant line 2. Thereafter, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 14 may flow into the second heat exchanger 15 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0138] The second heat exchanger 15 may further condense the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the air. The refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 15 may flow along the third line 63 opened by the operation of the third valve V3.

[0139] In this mode, the third expansion valve 53 may expand the refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger 15 through the third line 63 and the second refrigerant connecting line 51 , and supply the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 52 .

[0140] The gas-liquid separator 52 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant supplied from the third expansion valve 53 through the second refrigerant connecting line 51 to the compressor 10 through the opened supply line 54 .

[0141] That is, the gas injection device 50 may allow the gaseous refrigerant separated while passing through the gas-liquid separator 52 to flow back to the compressor 10 through the supply line 54 , thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0142] The gas-liquid separator 52 may discharge liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the second refrigerant connecting line 51 to the second line 62 connected to the second refrigerant connecting line 51 through the second valve V2 .

[0143] A portion of the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant line 11 along the second line 62 may be introduced into the opened first refrigerant connecting line 21 , and the remaining refrigerant may flow into the first expansion valve 16 .

[0144] The second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 24 .

[0145] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 24 may perform heat exchange with the coolant supplied from the battery module 5 through the second coolant line 4 , thereby cooling the coolant.

[0146] The coolant cooled in the cooler 24 may be supplied to the battery module 5 along the second coolant line 4. Therefore, the battery module 5 may be effectively cooled by the coolant cooled in the cooler 24.

[0147] That is, by repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation, the coolant circulating in the second coolant line 4 can effectively cool the battery module 5 .

[0148] The first expansion valve 16 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 18 .

[0149] Ambient air introduced into the HVAC module may be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 18 while passing through the evaporator 18 .

[0150] In this mode, the opening / closing door of the HVAC module can close the portion of air flowing to the condenser 12 so that the cooled ambient air cannot pass through the condenser 12. Therefore, the cooled ambient air can cool the vehicle interior by being directly introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0151] The refrigerant passing through the evaporator 18 and the cooler 24, respectively, may flow into the accumulator 19. Thereafter, the refrigerant may pass through the accumulator 19 and flow into the compressor 10.

[0152] That is, the refrigerant respectively passing through the evaporator 18 and the cooler 24, and the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 52 through the supply line 54 may be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0153] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 may pass through the condenser 12 and then may be supplied to the fourth expansion valve 55 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0154] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0155] That is, the heat pump system can increase the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant line 11 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0156] In addition, the heat pump system may improve the overall cooling performance and efficiency by increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant line 11 , and effectively cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0157] Meanwhile, the heat pump system may effectively cool the battery module 5 by using the low-temperature coolant cooled in the cooler 24 .

[0158] 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.

[0159] Figure 3 is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle in a second mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] refer to Figure 3 In the case of the second mode, in order to heat the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 may be operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0161] The first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be closed by operation of the second expansion valve 26 .

[0162] The second refrigerant connecting line 51 may be opened by operations of the first valve V1 and the third expansion valve 53. In addition, the supply line 54 may be opened.

[0163] In this embodiment, the first pipeline 61 can be opened by the operation of the second valve V2, and the second pipeline 62 can be closed by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0164] At the same time, the third pipeline 63 can be closed by the operation of the third valve V3. In addition, the fourth pipeline 64 can be opened by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0165] In this mode, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the condenser 12 and the first heat exchanger 14 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1. In addition, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the second heat exchanger 15 and the fourth valve V4 may be closed by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0166] In addition, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the rear end of the second heat exchanger 15 and the evaporator 18 may be closed by the operations of the third valve V3 and the first expansion valve 16 .

[0167] The first expansion valve 16 and the second expansion valve 26 may stop operating.

[0168] The upstream of the second heat exchanger 15 and the rear end of the second heat exchanger 15 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0169] That is, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant flows into the second heat exchanger 15 can be defined as the upstream of the second heat exchanger 15 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the second heat exchanger 15 can be defined as the rear end of the second heat exchanger 15 .

[0170] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 may flow into the third expansion valve 53 along the second refrigerant connecting line 51 .

[0171] The third expansion valve 53 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 52 .

[0172] The gas-liquid separator 52 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the opened supply line 54 .

[0173] That is, the gas injection device 50 may allow the gaseous refrigerant separated while passing through the gas-liquid separator 52 to flow back to the compressor 10 through the supply line 54 , thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0174] The gas-liquid separator 52 may discharge liquid refrigerant among the refrigerant supplied from the third expansion valve 53 to the first line 61 connected to the second refrigerant connecting line 51 through the second valve V2 .

[0175] The refrigerant flowing along the first line 61 may flow into the fourth expansion valve 55. The fourth expansion valve 55 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 52 through the first line 61 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 14.

[0176] The first heat exchanger 14 may evaporate the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 3 to the first coolant line 2. The refrigerant exhausted from the first heat exchanger 14 may flow into the fourth line 64.

[0177] The refrigerant flowing along the fourth line 64 may flow into the accumulator 19. Thereafter, the refrigerant may pass through the accumulator 19 and flow into the compressor 10.

[0178] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0179] That is, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 14 and the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 52 through the supply line 54 may be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0180] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 may be supplied to the condenser 12 along a refrigerant line 11. The refrigerant supplied to the condenser 12 may increase the temperature of ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0181] The open / close door may be opened so that ambient air introduced into the HVAC module and passing through the evaporator 18 may pass through the condenser 12 .

[0182] Therefore, when passing through the evaporator 18 to which no refrigerant is supplied, the ambient air introduced from the outside can be introduced into the evaporator 18 without being cooled in a room temperature state. Since the introduced ambient air is converted into a high temperature state when passing through the condenser 12 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, heating of the vehicle interior can be achieved.

[0183] As such, in the heat pump system according to the embodiment, since the gas injection devices 50 operate together, the overall heating performance and efficiency may be improved.

[0184] In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the use of a separate electric heater and improve heating efficiency and performance.

[0185] In addition, since the gas injection device 50 increases the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11, the heating performance can be maximized.

[0186] In this embodiment, reference will be made to Figure 4The operation according to the third mode is described, in which the gas injection device 50 is not operated and the battery module 5 is cooled while cooling the vehicle interior.

[0187] Figure 4 is an operation diagram of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention in the third mode.

[0188] refer to Figure 4 In the case of the third mode, in order to cool the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 may be operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0189] The first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 26. In addition, the second refrigerant connecting line 51 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0190] The supply line 54 may be closed. The third expansion valve 53 may be stopped.

[0191] At the same time, the first line 61 and the second line 62 may be closed by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0192] The third pipeline 63 can be closed by the operation of the third valve V3. In addition, the fourth pipeline 64 can be closed by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0193] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 may flow into the fourth expansion valve 55 along the refrigerant line 11. The fourth expansion valve 55 may allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow to the first heat exchanger 14 without expansion.

[0194] The refrigerant introduced into the first heat exchanger 14 may be condensed while exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 3 through the first coolant line 2. Thereafter, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 14 flows into the second heat exchanger 15 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0195] The second heat exchanger 15 may further condense the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the air. The refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 15 may flow along the refrigerant line 11 opened by the operation of the third valve V3.

[0196] A portion of the refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 15 may be introduced into the opened first refrigerant connecting line 21 , and the remaining refrigerant may flow into the first expansion valve 16 .

[0197] The second expansion valve 26 may expand the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 24 .

[0198] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 24 may perform heat exchange with the coolant supplied from the battery module 5 through the second coolant line 4 , thereby cooling the coolant.

[0199] The coolant cooled in the cooler 24 may be supplied to the battery module 5 along the second coolant line 4. Therefore, the battery module 5 may be effectively cooled by the coolant cooled in the cooler 24.

[0200] That is, by repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation, the coolant circulating in the second coolant line 4 can effectively cool the battery module 5 .

[0201] The first expansion valve 16 may expand the refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger 15 through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 18 .

[0202] Ambient air introduced into the HVAC module may be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 18 while passing through the evaporator 18 .

[0203] In this mode, the opening / closing door of the HVAC module can close the portion of air flowing to the condenser 12 so that the cooled ambient air cannot pass through the condenser 12. Therefore, the cooled ambient air can cool the vehicle interior by being directly introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0204] The refrigerant respectively passing through the evaporator 18 and the cooler 24 may flow into the compressor 10 .

[0205] That is, the refrigerants respectively passing through the evaporator 18 and the cooler 24 may flow into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0206] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 may pass through the condenser 12 and then may be supplied to the fourth expansion valve 55 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0207] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0208] 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.

[0209] Meanwhile, the heat pump system may effectively cool the battery module 5 by using the low-temperature coolant cooled in the cooler 24 .

[0210] 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.

[0211] Figure 5is an operation diagram of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention at the fourth mode.

[0212] refer to Figure 5 In the case of the fourth mode, in order to heat the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 may be operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0213] The first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 26. The second refrigerant connecting line 51 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0214] The supply line 54 may be closed. The third expansion valve 53 may be stopped.

[0215] At the same time, the first line 61 and the second line 62 may be closed by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0216] The third pipeline 63 can be closed by the operation of the third valve V3. In addition, the fourth pipeline 64 can be opened by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0217] The refrigerant line 11 connecting the second heat exchanger 15 and the fourth valve V4 may be closed by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0218] Meanwhile, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the rear end of the second heat exchanger 15 to the evaporator 18 may be closed by operations of the third valve V3 and the first expansion valve 16 .

[0219] In this mode, the first expansion valve 16 and the second expansion valve 26 may stop operating.

[0220] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 may flow into the fourth expansion valve 55 along the refrigerant line 11. The fourth expansion valve 55 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 through the refrigerant line 11, and the expanded refrigerant flows to the first heat exchanger 14.

[0221] The refrigerant introduced into the first heat exchanger 14 may be evaporated while exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 3 through the first coolant line 2. Thereafter, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 14 may flow into the fourth line 64.

[0222] The refrigerant flowing along the fourth line 64 may flow into the accumulator 19. Thereafter, the refrigerant may pass through the accumulator 19 and flow into the compressor 10.

[0223] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0224] That is, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 14 may flow into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0225] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 may be supplied to the condenser 12 along a refrigerant line 11. The refrigerant supplied to the condenser 12 may increase the temperature of ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0226] The open / close door may be opened so that ambient air introduced into the HVAC module and passing through the evaporator 18 may pass through the condenser 12 .

[0227] Therefore, when passing through the evaporator 18 not supplied with refrigerant, the ambient air introduced from the outside can be introduced into the evaporator 18 without being cooled in a room temperature state. Since the introduced ambient air is converted into a high temperature state when passing through the condenser 12 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, heating of the vehicle interior can be achieved.

[0228] That is, the heat pump system can heat the vehicle interior without operating the gas injection device 50 while repeatedly performing such an operation.

[0229] In addition, according to the present invention, waste heat can be recovered from the air or the electric component 3 through the condenser 12 and the first heat exchanger 14, thereby improving heating efficiency and performance and minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0230] In addition, reference Figure 6 Operation according to the fifth mode is described, in which the vehicle interior is heated and dehumidified.

[0231] Figure 6 is an operation diagram of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention at the fifth mode.

[0232] refer to Figure 6 In the case of the fifth mode, in order to heat and dehumidify the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 may be operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0233] The first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be closed by the operation of the second expansion valve 26. The second refrigerant connecting line 51 may be closed by the operation of the first valve V1.

[0234] The supply line 54 may be closed. The second expansion valve 26 and the third expansion valve 53 may be stopped.

[0235] At the same time, the first line 61 and the second line 62 may be opened by the operation of the second valve V2.

[0236] The third pipeline 63 can be closed by the operation of the third valve V3. In addition, the fourth pipeline 64 can be opened by the operation of the fourth valve V4.

[0237] The refrigerant line 11 connecting the second heat exchanger 15 and the second end of the second line 62 can be closed by the operation of the fourth valve V4. Meanwhile, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the second end of the second line 62 and the evaporator 18 can be opened by the operation of the first expansion valve 16.

[0238] Then, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 to the condenser 12 may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0239] A portion of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser 12 along the refrigerant line 11 may flow along the first line 61 and the second line 62 .

[0240] The refrigerant introduced into the second line 62 may flow into the first expansion valve 16 along the opened refrigerant line 11 .

[0241] The first expansion valve 16 may expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 18. The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 18 may flow into the accumulator 19.

[0242] The remaining refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser 12 along the refrigerant line 11 may flow into the fourth expansion valve 55. The fourth expansion valve 55 may expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 12 through the refrigerant line 11 and flow the expanded refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 14.

[0243] The refrigerant introduced into the first heat exchanger 14 may be evaporated while exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 3 through the first coolant line 2 .

[0244] Then, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 14 may flow into the fourth line 64. The refrigerant flowing along the fourth line 64 may flow into the accumulator 19.

[0245] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0246] That is, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 18 and the refrigerant flowing along the fourth line 64 may pass through the accumulator 19 and flow into the compressor 10 .

[0247] Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 14 and the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 18 may flow into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0248] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 may be supplied to the condenser 12 along a refrigerant line 11. The refrigerant supplied to the condenser 12 may increase the temperature of ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0249] The open / close door may be opened so that ambient air introduced into the HVAC module and passing through the evaporator 18 may pass through the condenser 12 .

[0250] Therefore, the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be dehumidified by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 18 while passing through the evaporator 18. Thereafter, since the air is converted into a high-temperature state while passing through the condenser 12 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, the vehicle interior can be smoothly heated and dehumidified.

[0251] Therefore, as described above, the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment increases the flow rate of the refrigerant and can improve cooling and heating performance by adopting the gas injection device 50 selectively operated in at least one mode selected for air conditioning of the vehicle interior.

[0252] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by using the cooler 24 that performs heat exchange with the coolant and the refrigerant, the temperature of the battery module 5 can be effectively selectively adjusted in at least one mode.

[0253] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by using the gas injection device 50, the performance of the system can be maximized and the number of required components can be minimized, thereby achieving streamlining and simplification of the system.

[0254] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by effectively adjusting the temperature of the battery module 5 , the optimal performance of the battery module 5 can be achieved, and the total driving distance of the vehicle can be increased due to the efficient management of the battery module 5 .

[0255] In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced by simplifying the entire system, and the space utilization can be improved.

[0256] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, in, include: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; a first heat exchanger connected to the condenser via the refrigerant line, the first heat exchanger being configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant; a second heat exchanger connected to the first heat exchanger via the refrigerant line; a first expansion valve connected to the second 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 refrigerant connecting line first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator, the first refrigerant connecting line having a first refrigerant connecting line second end connected to the refrigerant line between the second heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a cooler disposed in the first refrigerant connecting line, the cooler being configured to adjust a temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and a first selective introduction portion of the coolant; a second expansion valve disposed upstream of the cooler in the first refrigerant connecting line; and A gas injection device connected to the refrigerant pipeline, the gas injection device is configured to: selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser, or the refrigerant passing through one or both of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and the gas injection device is configured to: selectively supply a first branch of the refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline, wherein the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to at least one mode of one or both of interior temperature regulation of the vehicle interior and battery temperature regulation of the battery module.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The gas injection device comprises: a first valve disposed in the refrigerant line between the condenser and the first heat exchanger; a second refrigerant connecting line having a second refrigerant connecting line first end connected to the first valve; a gas-liquid separator disposed in the second refrigerant connecting pipeline, the gas-liquid separator being configured to separate and selectively discharge gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant introduced into the interior; a third expansion valve, disposed in the second refrigerant connecting pipeline between the first valve and the gas-liquid separator; a supply line having: a supply line first end connected to the gas-liquid separator, and the supply line having a supply line second end connected to the compressor; a fourth expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant line between the first valve and the first heat exchanger; and A second valve is disposed at a second end of the second refrigerant connecting line of the second refrigerant connecting line.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The gas-liquid separator is configured to operate in response to the third expansion valve expanding and supplying refrigerant in a state of cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle, wherein the gas-liquid separator is configured to supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the supply pipeline to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The gas injection device also includes: a first pipeline having a first pipeline first end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the first valve and the fourth expansion valve, and the first pipeline having a first pipeline second end connected to the second valve; a second line having a second line first end connected to the second valve, and the second line having a second line second end connected to the refrigerant line between the second heat exchanger and the first refrigerant connecting line second end of the first refrigerant connecting line; a third valve disposed in the refrigerant line between the second heat exchanger and the second line second end of the second line; and A third line has a third line first end connected to the third valve, and the third line has a third line second end connected to the second refrigerant connecting line between the first valve and the third expansion valve.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein: The gas injection device also includes: a fourth valve disposed in the refrigerant line between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and A fourth line has a fourth line first end connected to the fourth valve, and the fourth line has a fourth line second end connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one mode comprises: a first mode in which the gas injection device operates and the battery module is cooled while the vehicle interior is cooled; a second mode, wherein the gas injection device operates and the vehicle interior is heated; a third mode, in which the gas injection device is not operated and the battery module is cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled; 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.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the first mode, the heat pump system is configured such that: The first refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the second expansion valve; By operating the first valve, a portion of the second refrigerant connecting line connecting the first valve and the second end of the third line of the third line is closed; By the operation of the third expansion valve, the remaining portion of the second refrigerant connecting line connecting the third line second end and the second valve is opened; the supply line is open; By operating the second valve, the first pipeline is closed; By operating the second valve, the second pipeline is opened; By operating the third valve, the third pipeline is opened; By operating the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline is closed; The refrigerant line connecting the condenser and the first heat exchanger is opened by the operation of the first valve and the fourth expansion valve; By operating the fourth valve, the refrigerant line connecting the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is opened; By operating the third valve, the refrigerant line connecting the third valve and the second end of the second line of the second line is closed; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the gas-liquid separator along the second line and the refrigerant line, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger through the third pipeline and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the fourth expansion valve allows the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion; and The gas-liquid separator is configured to supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the opened supply line, and discharge liquid refrigerant to the second line through the second valve.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the second mode, the heat pump system is configured such that: The first refrigerant connecting line is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve; The second refrigerant connection line is opened by the operation of the first valve and the third expansion valve; the supply line is open; By operating the second valve, the first pipeline is opened; By operating the second valve, the second pipeline is closed; By operating the third valve, the third pipeline is closed; By operating the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline is opened; The refrigerant line connecting the condenser and the first heat exchanger is closed by operating the first valve; By operating the fourth valve, the refrigerant line connecting the second heat exchanger and the fourth valve is closed; The refrigerant line connecting the rear end of the second heat exchanger and the evaporator is closed by the operation of the third valve and the first expansion valve; The first expansion valve and the second expansion valve stop operating; the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the condenser and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; the fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator through the first pipeline and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator; and The gas-liquid separator supplies gaseous refrigerant to the compressor through the opened supply line.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the third mode, the heat pump system is configured such that: The first refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the second expansion valve; By operating the first valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline is closed; The supply line is closed; By operating the second valve, the first pipeline and the second pipeline are closed; By operating the third valve, the third pipeline is closed; By operating the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline is closed; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger along the refrigerant line and supplies the expanded refrigerant from the first expansion valve to the gas-liquid separator; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant from the second expansion valve to the gas-liquid separator; The third expansion valve stops operating; The fourth expansion valve allows the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the fourth mode, the heat pump system is configured such that: The first refrigerant connecting line is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve; By operating the first valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline is closed; The supply line is closed; By operating the second valve, the first pipeline and the second pipeline are closed; By operating the third valve, the third pipeline is closed; By operating the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline is opened; By operating the fourth valve, the refrigerant line connecting the second heat exchanger and the fourth valve is closed; The refrigerant line connecting the rear end of the second heat exchanger and the evaporator is closed by the operation of the third valve and the first expansion valve; The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve and the third expansion valve stop operating; and The fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the condenser and makes the expanded refrigerant flow to the first heat exchanger.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the fifth mode, the heat pump system is configured such that: The first refrigerant connecting line is closed by the operation of the second expansion valve; By operating the first valve, the second refrigerant connecting pipeline is closed; The supply line is closed; By operating the second valve, the first pipeline and the second pipeline are opened; By operating the third valve, the third pipeline is closed; By operating the fourth valve, the fourth pipeline is opened; The refrigerant line connecting the second heat exchanger and the second end of the second line of the second line is closed by the operation of the fourth valve; The refrigerant line connecting the second line second end of the second line and the evaporator is opened by the operation of the first expansion valve; a second sub-flow of the refrigerant introduced from the condenser along the refrigerant line flows along the first line and the second line; a third sub-flow of the refrigerant introduced from the condenser along the refrigerant line flows into the fourth expansion valve; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant line and supplies the expanded refrigerant from the first expansion valve to the gas-liquid separator; The second expansion valve and the third expansion valve stop operating; and The fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line and causes the expanded refrigerant to flow from the fourth expansion valve to the first heat exchanger.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are configured to condense the refrigerant supplied in the first mode and the third mode.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: The first heat exchanger is configured to evaporate the refrigerant supplied in the second mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein: Also includes: An accumulator is disposed in the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor, wherein the fourth pipeline second end of the fourth pipeline is connected to the refrigerant pipeline through the accumulator.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, the third expansion valve, and the fourth expansion valve are bidirectional expansion valves that selectively operate in at least one mode and are configured to control the flow of the refrigerant and selectively expand the refrigerant.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The first heat exchanger is connected to the electric component through a first coolant line through which the coolant circulates.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The cooler is connected to the battery module through a second coolant line through which the coolant circulates.

18. The heat pump system according to claim 17, wherein: The heat pump system is configured such that the second coolant line is opened to connect the cooler and the battery module, thereby cooling the battery module.

19. A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; a first heat exchanger connected to the condenser via the refrigerant line; a second heat exchanger connected to the first heat exchanger via the refrigerant line; a first expansion valve connected to the second 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 refrigerant connecting line first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator, the first refrigerant connecting line having a first refrigerant connecting line second end connected to the refrigerant line between the second heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; a cooler, arranged in the first refrigerant connecting line, a second expansion valve disposed upstream of the cooler in the first refrigerant connecting line; as well as A gas injection device connected to the refrigerant pipeline, the gas injection device is configured to: selectively expand and flow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser, or the refrigerant passing through one or both of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and the gas injection device is configured to: selectively supply a first branch of the refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline, wherein the heat pump system is configured so that: the flow of the refrigerant is controlled according to one of five modes involving one or both of interior temperature regulation of the vehicle interior and battery temperature regulation of the battery module.

20. The heat pump system according to claim 19, wherein: The heat pump system is configured such that: In a first mode among the five modes, the gas injection device operates, and the battery module is cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled; In a second mode among the five modes, the gas injection device operates and the vehicle interior is heated; In a third mode of the five modes, the gas injection device is not operated, and the battery module is cooled when the vehicle interior is cooled; In a fourth mode of the five modes, the gas injection device is not operated and the vehicle interior is heated; and In the fifth mode among the five modes, the vehicle interior is heated and dehumidified.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method of processing mask and apparatus for processing mask

    KR1020230140278A