Heat pump system for vehicle

Abstract

A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a compressor, a first condenser, a receiver-drier, a second condenser, 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 based on at least one mode of temperature regulation for the interior of the vehicle or temperature regulation for the battery module. As a result, the heat pump system can cool or heat the interior of the vehicle by using the high-temperature coolant and the low-temperature coolant. In addition, the heat pump system can increase the flow rate of the refrigerant by using the gas injection device that is selectively operated when cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle, thereby improving heating performance.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefits of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0166072 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] 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 that can cool or heat the interior of the vehicle and improve cooling and heating performance. 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 maintain the interior of the vehicle at an appropriate temperature regardless of changes in the outside temperature, and is configured to heat the interior of the vehicle (heating) or cool the interior of the vehicle (cooling). This is achieved through heat exchange between the condenser and the evaporator as the refrigerant discharged by the compressor is recirculated through the condenser, receiver-dryer, expansion valve and evaporator back to the compressor.

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

[0007] Recently, with the increasing attention paid to energy efficiency and environmental pollution, it is expected that environmentally friendly vehicles that can actually replace internal combustion engine vehicles will be developed. Environmentally friendly vehicles are divided into electric vehicles driven by fuel cells or electricity as a power source and hybrid vehicles driven by engines and batteries.

[0008] In these environmentally friendly vehicles, unlike the air conditioners of ordinary vehicles, no separate heater is used. In addition, the air conditioners used in environmentally friendly vehicles are generally called heat pump systems.

[0009] Electric vehicles powered by fuel cell power sources generate driving force by converting the chemical reaction energy between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. In this process, the chemical reaction in the fuel cell generates heat energy. Therefore, effectively removing the generated heat is crucial to ensure the performance of the fuel cell.

[0010] In addition, hybrid vehicles use the power supplied from the above fuel cell or battery to drive the motor, and generate driving force together with the engine operated by normal fuel. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively remove the heat generated by the fuel cell or battery and the motor to ensure the performance of the motor.

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

[0012] Therefore, the size and weight of the cooling module provided at the front of the vehicle increase, and the layout of connection lines 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 for heating or cooling the battery according to the vehicle state is separately provided in order to obtain the best performance of the battery, a plurality of valves for selectively interconnecting the connection lines are required. As a result, noise and vibration generated by frequent opening and closing operations of the valves are transmitted to the vehicle interior, thereby reducing riding comfort.

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

[0015] The above information disclosed in the Background section is only for enhancing understanding of the background of the present invention. Therefore, the Background section may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0016] The present invention provides a heat pump system for a vehicle, which can cool or heat the interior of the vehicle by using a high-temperature coolant and a low-temperature coolant. In addition, the present invention provides a heat pump system, which can increase the flow rate of the refrigerant by using a gas injection device that selectively operates when cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle to improve the heating performance.

[0017] The present invention provides a heat pump system for a vehicle. The heat pump system may include: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a first condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line and configured to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor by heat exchange with the coolant; a receiver-drier connected to the first condenser via a refrigerant line; and a second condenser connected to the receiver-drier via a refrigerant line and configured to further condense the refrigerant supplied from the receiver-drier by heat exchange with the coolant. The heat pump system may also include: a first expansion valve connected to the second condenser via a refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve via a refrigerant line and configured to evaporate the refrigerant by heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the first expansion valve and the coolant; and a first refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator, and having a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the second condenser and the first expansion valve. The heat pump system may further include a cooler disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line and configured to adjust the temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and the coolant selectively introduced. The heat pump system may further include a second expansion valve disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line at the upstream end of the cooler. In addition, the heat pump system includes a gas injection device connected to the refrigerant line between the second condenser and the first expansion valve. The gas injection device may be configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the first condenser and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser, and selectively supply part of the refrigerant in the heat exchanged refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line. The flow of the refrigerant is controlled based on at least one mode for temperature regulation of the interior of the vehicle or for temperature regulation of the battery module.

[0018] The gas injection device may include: a heat exchanger disposed on a refrigerant line between the second condenser and the first expansion valve; a second refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the receiver-drier and the second condenser, and a second end connected to the heat exchanger; a third expansion valve disposed on the second refrigerant connecting line; and a supply line having a first end connected to the heat exchanger and a second end connected to the compressor. The supply line may be configured to supply refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger to the compressor.

[0019] In at least one mode, when the third expansion valve can expand and refrigerant can be supplied, the heat exchanger can operate. The heat exchanger can be configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser, and supply gaseous refrigerant in the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor via the supply line to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line.

[0020] The third expansion valve may be configured to selectively open and close the second refrigerant connecting line based on at least one mode, and selectively expand the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line, and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger.

[0021] The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the third expansion valve may be two-way electronic expansion valves that selectively operate in at least one mode, and may be configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0022] At least one mode may include: a first mode for cooling the battery module while cooling the vehicle interior, wherein the gas injection device is operated; a second mode for cooling the battery module while cooling the vehicle interior, wherein the gas injection device is not operated; a third mode for recovering ambient air heat and waste heat from electrical components while heating the vehicle interior, wherein the gas injection device is operated; and a fourth mode for recovering ambient air heat and waste heat from electrical components while heating the vehicle interior, wherein the gas injection device is not operated.

[0023] In the first mode, the compressor, the first condenser, the liquid storage dryer, the second condenser, the gas injection device, the first expansion valve and the evaporator may be interconnected via a refrigerant line. The first refrigerant connecting line may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve. The second refrigerant connecting line may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve. The supply line is opened. The first expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the refrigerant line, and the expanded refrigerant may be supplied to the evaporator. The second expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the first refrigerant connecting line, and the expanded refrigerant may be supplied to the cooler. The third expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the second refrigerant connecting line, and the expanded refrigerant may be supplied to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may supply the gaseous refrigerant in the heat exchanged refrigerant to the compressor via the opened supply line.

[0024] In the second mode, the compressor, the first condenser, the liquid storage dryer, the second condenser, the gas injection device, the first expansion valve and the evaporator may be interconnected via a refrigerant line. The first refrigerant connection line may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve. The second refrigerant connection line may be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve. The supply line may be closed. The first expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the refrigerant line, and the expanded refrigerant may be supplied to the evaporator. The second expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the first refrigerant connection line, and the expanded refrigerant may be supplied to the cooler. The operation of the third expansion valve may be stopped.

[0025] In the third mode, the operation of the first expansion valve may be stopped. Part of the refrigerant lines connected to the upstream and downstream ends of the evaporator may be closed. The first refrigerant connecting line may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve. The second refrigerant connecting line may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve. The supply line may be opened. The second expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the first refrigerant connecting line, and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler. The third expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the second refrigerant connecting line, and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may supply the gaseous refrigerant in the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor via the opened supply line.

[0026] In the fourth mode, the operation of the first expansion valve may be stopped. Part of the refrigerant lines connected to the upstream and downstream ends of the evaporator may be closed. The first refrigerant connection line may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve. The second refrigerant connection line may be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve. The supply line may be closed. The second expansion valve may expand the refrigerant introduced via the first refrigerant connection line, and may supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler. The operation of the third expansion valve may be stopped.

[0027] A heat pump system for a vehicle may further include a battery module and a cooling device having a radiator and an electrical component. A first condenser may be connected to the radiator via a first line in which a coolant circulates. A second condenser may be connected to the radiator via a second line in which a coolant circulates. A cooler may be connected to the radiator via a third line in which a coolant circulates. A cooler may be connected to the electrical component via a fourth line in which a coolant circulates. A cooler may be connected to the battery module via a fifth line in which a coolant circulates. An evaporator may be connected to a cabin cooler via a sixth line in which a coolant circulates. The first condenser and the second condenser may be connected to a heater core via a seventh line in which a coolant circulates.

[0028] When cooling the vehicle interior, the first line and the second line may be opened to connect the first condenser and the second condenser to the radiator.

[0029] When recovering ambient air heat when heating the vehicle interior, the third line may be opened to connect the radiator and cooler.

[0030] When recovering waste heat from electrical components when heating the vehicle interior, a fourth line may be opened to connect the electrical components and the cooler.

[0031] When cooling the battery module when cooling the vehicle interior, or when recovering waste heat of the battery module when heating the vehicle interior, the fifth line may be opened to connect the cooler and the battery module.

[0032] When cooling the interior of the vehicle, the sixth line may be opened to connect the evaporator and the cabin cooler.

[0033] When heating the vehicle interior, the seventh line may be opened to connect the first condenser and the second condenser to the heater core.

[0034] As described above, according to the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment, by adopting the gas injection device selectively operated when cooling or heating the vehicle interior to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant, the cooling and heating performances may be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the performance of the system can be maximized by using the gas injection device while minimizing the required components. Therefore, the system can be streamlined and simplified.

[0036] In addition, according to the present invention, the heat energy generated during the condensation and evaporation of the refrigerant is selectively exchanged with the coolant. By adjusting the temperature inside the vehicle using the heat exchanged low-temperature or high-temperature coolant, the system can be simplified, and the layout of the connecting pipes through which the refrigerant circulates can be simplified.

[0037] In addition, according to the present invention, by selectively recovering ambient air heat and waste heat of electrical components when heating the vehicle interior, the heating efficiency can be improved. In addition, for the best performance of the battery module, the total mileage of the vehicle can be increased by effective temperature regulation of the battery module.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, manufacturing cost and weight may be reduced by simplifying the entire system, thereby improving space utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0040] Figure 2 is an operation diagram of a first mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0041] Figure 3 is an operation diagram of a second mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 4 is an operation diagram of a third mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0043] Figure 5 is an operation diagram of a fourth mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the configurations depicted in the drawings are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and do not cover the entire scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalent forms and changes may exist when applying this specification.

[0046] In order to clarify the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted. Likewise, in the entire specification, the same elements or equivalent forms are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0047] In addition, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily shown in the drawings, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, in the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0048] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the term “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

[0049] In addition, terms such as “unit,” “means,” “portion,” “section,” and “member” described in the specification refer to a unit of an integrated element that performs at least one function or operation.

[0050] When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device or element should be considered herein as being "configured to" satisfy the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0051] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the heat pump system for a vehicle, cooling and heating performance can be improved by adopting the gas injection device 30 which is configured to cool or heat the vehicle interior by using a low-temperature coolant and a high-temperature coolant and selectively operates when cooling or heating the vehicle interior.

[0053] According to the heat pump system, in an electric vehicle, a cooling device in which a coolant circulates and an air conditioning unit as an air conditioning device for cooling and heating the interior of the vehicle may be interconnected with each other.

[0054] In other words, reference Figure 1 The heat pump system may include a cooling device and an air conditioning unit. The air conditioning unit may include a compressor 10, a first condenser 12, a liquid storage dryer 13, a second condenser 14, a first expansion valve 15, an evaporator 16, a cooler 20, a first refrigerant connecting line 21, a second expansion valve 23 and a gas injection device 30.

[0055] The cooling device may include a radiator 110 , electric components 120 , and a battery module 130 , which are connected via a coolant line through which a coolant circulates.

[0056] The radiator 110 may be disposed in a front region of the vehicle. A cooling fan (not shown) may be disposed at the rear of the radiator 110. Therefore, the radiator 110 may cool the coolant by the operation of the cooling fan and perform heat exchange with ambient air.

[0057] The radiator 110 thus configured may be connected to the first condenser 12 via a first line 111 through which a coolant circulates, and may be connected to the second condenser 14 via a second line 112 through which a coolant circulates.

[0058] When cooling the vehicle interior, the first line 111 and the second line 112 may be opened to connect the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 to the radiator 110 .

[0059] In other words, when cooling the interior of the vehicle, the first line 111 and the second line 112 may be opened at any time to supply the coolant to the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 .

[0060] The radiator 110 may be connected to the cooler 20 via a third line 113 through which the coolant circulates. When recovering ambient air heat when heating the vehicle interior, the third line 113 may be opened to connect the radiator 110 and the cooler 20.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the electric component 120 may be connected to the cooler 20 via a fourth line 121 in which a coolant circulates. When waste heat of the electric component 120 is recovered when heating the vehicle interior, the fourth line 121 may be opened to connect the electric component 120 and the cooler 20.

[0062] The battery module 130 may be connected to the cooler 20 via a fifth line 131 in which a coolant circulates.

[0063] When cooling the battery module 130 when cooling the vehicle interior, or when recovering waste heat of the battery module 130 when heating the vehicle interior, the fifth line 131 may be opened to connect the cooler 20 and the battery module 130 .

[0064] The electrical components 120 may include an electric power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, an on-board charger (OBC), an autonomous driving controller, and the like.

[0065] The power control device, the inverter, the motor, or the autonomous driving controller may generate heat when being driven. In addition, when charging the battery module 130, the charger may generate heat.

[0066] In other words, when the waste heat of the electric component 120 is recovered when heating the vehicle interior, the heat generated by the power control device, the motor, the inverter, the charger, or the automatic driving controller can be recovered.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the evaporator 16 may be connected to the cabin cooler 140 via a sixth line 141 in which the coolant circulates. Therefore, when cooling the vehicle interior, the coolant whose temperature is lowered by heat exchange with the refrigerant at the evaporator 16 may be supplied to the cabin cooler 140 via the sixth line 141.

[0068] Then, the ambient air passing through the cabin cooler 140 may be cooled by the low-temperature coolant supplied to the cabin cooler 140 while passing through the cabin cooler 140. The cooled ambient air may be introduced into the vehicle interior, and thus the vehicle interior may be cooled.

[0069] In other words, when cooling the vehicle interior, the sixth line 141 may be opened to connect the evaporator 16 and the cabin cooler 140 .

[0070] In the present embodiment, the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be connected to the heater core 150 via a seventh line 151 through which the coolant circulates.

[0071] Therefore, when heating the vehicle interior, the coolant whose temperature is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant at the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0072] The high temperature coolant supplied to the heater core 150 may increase the temperature of the ambient air passing through the heater core 150. In other words, the introduced ambient air may be converted into a high temperature state while passing through the heater core 150 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating of the vehicle interior.

[0073] In other words, in the heating mode of the vehicle, the seventh line 151 may be opened to connect the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 to the heater core 150 .

[0074] The coolant may selectively circulate through the first line 111 , the second line 112 , the third line 113 , the fourth line 121 , the fifth line 131 , the sixth line 141 , and the seventh line 151 by operation of a water pump (not shown).

[0075] In the present embodiment, the compressor 10 may compress the supplied refrigerant.

[0076] The first condenser 12 may be connected to the compressor 10 via a refrigerant line 11 .

[0077] The first condenser 12 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 and the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 via the first line 111 , thereby condensing the refrigerant.

[0078] On the other hand, when heating the vehicle interior, the first condenser 12 may condense the refrigerant by heat-exchanging between the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 10 and the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0079] The receiver drier 13 may be connected to the first condenser 12 via the refrigerant line 11. The receiver drier 13 may separate gaseous refrigerant remaining in the liquid refrigerant condensed by the first condenser 12.

[0080] In other words, the receiver drier 13 may separate gas components from the introduced refrigerant, filter moisture and foreign materials, and discharge only liquid refrigerant.

[0081] The second condenser 14 may be connected to the receiver-drier 13 via a refrigerant line 11 .

[0082] The second condenser 14 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the receiver-drier 13 and the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 via the second line 112 , thereby further condensing the refrigerant.

[0083] In contrast, when heating the vehicle interior, the second condenser 14 may further condense the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the receiver-drier 13 and the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0084] In the present embodiment, the first expansion valve 15 may be connected to the second condenser 14 via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0085] The first expansion valve 15 may expand the introduced refrigerant when cooling the vehicle interior. On the contrary, the first expansion valve 15 may not operate when heating the vehicle interior.

[0086] The evaporator 16 may be connected to the first expansion valve 15 via the refrigerant line 11. The evaporator 16 may evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first expansion valve 15 via the refrigerant line 11 and the coolant supplied from the cabin cooler 140.

[0087] 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 16. A second end of the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the second condenser 14 and the first expansion valve 15.

[0088] The cooler 20 may be disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line 21. The cooler 20 may selectively circulate the coolant through at least one or all of the third line 113, the fourth line 121, or the fifth line 131.

[0089] In other words, the cooler 20 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which a coolant is introduced.

[0090] Therefore, the cooler 20 may adjust the temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant connecting line 21 and the coolant selectively introduced from at least one or all of the third line 113 , the fourth line 121 , or the fifth line 131 .

[0091] In the present embodiment, the second expansion valve 23 may be provided on the first refrigerant connecting line 21 at the upstream end of the cooler 20 .

[0092] The second expansion valve 23 may selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0093] The upstream end of the cooler 20 and the downstream end of the cooler 20 , or the upstream end of the cooler 20 and the downstream end of the cooler 20 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0094] In other words, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant flows into the cooler 20 may be defined as the upstream end of the cooler 20 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the cooler 20 may be defined as the downstream end of the cooler 20 .

[0095] When the electric component 120 or the battery module 130 is cooled by using the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the second expansion valve 23 configured as such may expand the introduced refrigerant and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow to the cooler 20 .

[0096] In other words, when cooling the electric component 120 or the battery module 130 when cooling the vehicle interior, the second expansion valve 23 may expand the introduced refrigerant to reduce the temperature and flow the refrigerant into the cooler 20. Thus, the second expansion valve 23 may further reduce the temperature of the coolant passing through the cooler 20.

[0097] Therefore, the coolant whose temperature is reduced while passing through the cooler 20 may be introduced into the electric component 120 or the battery module 130 , so that more efficient cooling may be achieved.

[0098] In contrast, when recovering waste heat or ambient air heat generated from the electric component 120 or the battery module 130 when heating the vehicle interior, the second expansion valve 23 may selectively expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line 21 .

[0099] At this time, the cooler 20 may recover ambient air heat and evaporate the refrigerant by performing heat exchange between the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 through the third line 113 and the refrigerant.

[0100] In addition, when recovering waste heat of the electric component 120 , the cooler 20 may recover the waste heat of the electric component 120 and evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 through the fourth line 121 and the refrigerant.

[0101] In addition, when recovering waste heat of the battery module 130 , the cooler 20 may recover waste heat of the battery module 130 and evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant supplied from the battery module 130 through the fifth line 131 .

[0102] In other words, through such operation, the cooler 20 may recover at least one of ambient air heat, waste heat of the electric component 120 , and waste heat of the battery module 130 , and may evaporate the refrigerant.

[0103] Although in the present embodiment, it is described that the cooler 20 recovers at least one of ambient air heat, waste heat of the electric component 120 , and waste heat of the battery module 130 , it is not limited thereto. The ambient air heat may be recovered at the evaporator 16 .

[0104] When the evaporator 16 recovers heat from ambient air, the third line 113 may be configured to connect the evaporator 16 and the radiator 110 .

[0105] In the present embodiment, the gas injection device 30 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the second condenser 14 and the first expansion valve 15 .

[0106] The gas injection device 30 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the first condenser 12 and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser 14. In addition, the gas injection device 30 may selectively supply part of the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor 10 to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11.

[0107] The gas injection device 30 thus configured can be selectively operated when cooling or heating the vehicle interior.

[0108] The gas injection device 30 may include a heat exchanger 31 , a second refrigerant connecting line 32 , a third expansion valve 33 , and a supply line 34 .

[0109] First, the heat exchanger 31 may be provided on the refrigerant line 11 between the second condenser 14 and the first expansion valve 15 .

[0110] A first end of the second refrigerant connecting line 32 may be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the receiver-drier 13 and the second condenser 14. A second end of the second refrigerant connecting line 32 may be connected to the heat exchanger 31.

[0111] The third expansion valve 33 may be disposed on the second refrigerant connecting line 32 .

[0112] In other words, the third expansion valve 33 may selectively open and close the second refrigerant connecting line 32 based on at least one mode for temperature regulation of the vehicle interior or for temperature regulation of the battery module 130. In addition, the third expansion valve 33 may selectively expand the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line 32 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 31.

[0113] For example, when the third expansion valve 33 opens the second refrigerant connecting line 32, part of the refrigerant that has passed through the receiver-drier 13 from the first condenser 12 may be introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line 32. The remaining refrigerant that has passed through the receiver-drier 13 from the first condenser 12 may be introduced into the second condenser 14 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0114] In addition, a first end of the supply line 34 may be connected to the heat exchanger 31. A second end of the supply line 34 may be connected to the compressor 10.

[0115] In other words, the supply line 34 may connect the heat exchanger 31 and the compressor 10 so that the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 31 may be introduced into the compressor 10 .

[0116] In the gas injection device 30 configured as above, when the third expansion valve 33 expands and supplies refrigerant in at least one mode, the heat exchanger 31 may operate.

[0117] In other words, the heat exchanger 31 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line 32 and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser 14 and each other.

[0118] Then, the heat exchanger 31 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor 10 via the supply line 34 to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0119] In the present embodiment, the first expansion valve 15 , the second expansion valve 23 , and the third expansion valve 33 may be two-way electronic expansion valves selectively operated in at least one mode, and configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

[0120] The heat pump system thus configured may control the flow of the refrigerant based on at least one mode for temperature regulation of the vehicle interior or temperature regulation of the battery module 130 .

[0121] The at least one mode may include first to fourth modes.

[0122] First, in the first mode, the gas injection device 30 may operate, and may cool the battery module 130 while cooling the interior of the vehicle.

[0123] In the second mode, the gas injection device 30 may not operate, and the battery module 130 may be cooled while cooling the vehicle interior.

[0124] In the third mode, the gas injection device 30 may operate and may recover ambient air heat and waste heat of the electrical components 120 while heating the vehicle interior.

[0125] Furthermore, in the fourth mode, the gas injection device 30 may not operate, and ambient air heat and waste heat of the electric component 120 may be recovered while heating the vehicle interior.

[0126] refer to Figures 2 to 5 The operation and action of the heat pump system according to the thus configured embodiment are described in detail.

[0127] First, in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment, referring to Figure 2 An operation for cooling the battery module 130 while cooling the vehicle interior according to the first mode in which the gas injection device 30 is operated is described in detail.

[0128] Figure 2 is an operation diagram of a first mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0129] refer to Figure 2 In the first mode, when the gas injection device 30 operates, the heat pump system may cool the battery module 130 .

[0130] First, in order to cool the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 is operated so that refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0131] In this state, the compressor 10 , the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , the second condenser 14 , the gas injection device 30 , the first expansion valve 15 , and the evaporator 16 may be interconnected via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0132] The first line 111 may be opened so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may be supplied to the first condenser 12 .

[0133] Therefore, the first condenser 12 may condense the refrigerant by using the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 through the opened first line 111 .

[0134] The refrigerant having passed through the first condenser 12 may be introduced into the receiver drier 13 along the refrigerant line 11. The receiver drier 13 may separate gaseous components from the introduced refrigerant, filter moisture and foreign materials, and discharge only liquid refrigerant.

[0135] The refrigerant discharged from the receiver-drier 13 may be supplied to the second condenser 14 via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0136] The second line 112 may be opened so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may be supplied to the second condenser 14. Therefore, the second condenser 14 may further condense the refrigerant supplied from the receiver drier 13 through heat exchange with the coolant circulating along the second line 112.

[0137] The seventh line 151 connecting the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 to the heater core 150 may be closed. Therefore, the coolant may not flow into the heater core 150.

[0138] In addition, the refrigerant further condensed at the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the gas injection device 30 .

[0139] In the present embodiment, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 23 .

[0140] At this time, the second expansion valve 23 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20 .

[0141] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 may cool the coolant while being heat-exchanged with the coolant supplied from the battery module 130 via the fifth line 131 .

[0142] The coolant cooled at the cooler 20 is supplied to the battery module 130 along the fifth line 131. Therefore, the battery module 130 may be effectively cooled by the coolant cooled at the cooler 20.

[0143] In other words, the coolant circulating through the fifth line 131 may effectively cool the battery module 130 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0144] In the present embodiment, the second refrigerant connection line 32 may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 33. At the same time, the supply line 34 may be opened.

[0145] The third expansion valve 33 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the second refrigerant connecting line 32 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 31 .

[0146] Therefore, the heat exchanger 31 may heat-exchange the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line 32 and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser 14 with each other. Thereafter, the heat exchanger 31 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the heat-exchanged refrigerants to the compressor 10 through the supply line 34.

[0147] In other words, the gas injection device 30 may allow the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 31 to flow back into the compressor 10 via the supply line 34 , and thereby may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 .

[0148] The refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 31 from the second condenser 14 may be further condensed by heat exchange with the refrigerant supplied through the second refrigerant connecting line 32. Thereafter, the refrigerant may be introduced into the first expansion valve 15 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0149] The first expansion valve 15 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 16 .

[0150] The refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 16 may be evaporated by heat exchange with the coolant supplied from the cabin cooler 140 via the sixth line 141 .

[0151] The ambient air introduced into the vehicle interior may be cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature coolant introduced into the cabin cooler 140. Therefore, the cooled ambient air may cool the vehicle interior by being directly introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0152] The refrigerant whose condensation level is increased while sequentially passing through the first condenser 12, the second condenser 14, and the heat exchanger 31 is expanded and supplied to the evaporator 16, and thereby the refrigerant may be evaporated to a further lower temperature.

[0153] In other words, in the present embodiment, the first condenser 12 may primarily condense the refrigerant, the second condenser 14 may secondarily condense the refrigerant, and the heat exchanger 31 may further condense the refrigerant, so that supercooling of the refrigerant may be advantageous.

[0154] Furthermore, since the overcooled refrigerant can evaporate to a lower temperature than in the evaporator 16, the temperature of the coolant heat-exchanged in the evaporator 16 can be further reduced, whereby the cooling performance and efficiency can be improved.

[0155] The refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 16 and the cooler 20 , respectively, may be introduced into the compressor 10 .

[0156] In other words, the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 16, the refrigerant having passed through the cooler 20, and the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 31 via the supply line 34 may be introduced together into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0157] The refrigerant compressed at the compressor 10 may sequentially pass through the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , and the second condenser 14 .

[0158] The heat pump system according to the embodiment may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant line 11 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operations.

[0159] Furthermore, the heat pump system may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant line 11 , thereby making it possible to improve the overall cooling performance and efficiency, and to effectively cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0160] Meanwhile, the heat pump system may effectively cool the battery module 130 by using the low-temperature coolant cooled at the cooler 20 .

[0161] In this embodiment, reference Figure 3 The operation according to the second mode for cooling the battery module 130 while cooling the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device 30 is not operated, is described in detail.

[0162] Figure 3 is an operation diagram of a second mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0163] refer to Figure 3 In the second mode, when the gas injection device 30 is not operated, the heat pump system may cool the battery module 130 .

[0164] First, in order to cool the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 is operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0165] In this state, the compressor 10 , the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , the second condenser 14 , the heat exchanger 31 , the first expansion valve 15 , and the evaporator 16 may be interconnected via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0166] The first line 111 may be opened so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may be supplied to the first condenser 12 .

[0167] Therefore, the first condenser 12 may condense the refrigerant by using the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 through the opened first line 111 .

[0168] The refrigerant having passed through the first condenser 12 may be introduced into the receiver drier 13 along the refrigerant line 11. The receiver drier 13 may separate gaseous components from the introduced refrigerant, filter moisture and foreign materials, and discharge only liquid refrigerant.

[0169] The refrigerant discharged from the receiver-drier 13 may be supplied to the second condenser 14 via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0170] The second line 112 may be opened so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may be supplied to the second condenser 14. Therefore, the second condenser 14 may further condense the refrigerant supplied from the receiver drier 13 through heat exchange with the coolant circulating along the second line 112.

[0171] The seventh line 151 connecting the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 to the heater core 150 may be closed. Therefore, the coolant may not flow into the heater core 150.

[0172] In addition, the refrigerant further condensed at the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heat exchanger 31 .

[0173] In the present embodiment, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 23 .

[0174] At this time, the second expansion valve 23 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20 .

[0175] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 may cool the coolant while being heat-exchanged with the coolant supplied from the battery module 130 via the fifth line 131 .

[0176] The coolant cooled at the cooler 20 is supplied to the battery module 130 along the fifth line 131. Therefore, the battery module 130 may be effectively cooled by the coolant cooled at the cooler 20.

[0177] In other words, the coolant circulating through the fifth line 131 may effectively cool the battery module 130 while repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0178] In the present embodiment, the second refrigerant connection line 32 may be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve 33. At the same time, the supply line 34 may be closed.

[0179] The third expansion valve 33 may stop operating. Therefore, the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser 14 may pass through the heat exchanger 31.

[0180] In other words, in the second mode, the gas injection device 30 may not operate.

[0181] The refrigerant, having passed through the heat exchanger 31 from the second condenser 14 , may be introduced into the first expansion valve 15 along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0182] The first expansion valve 15 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 16 .

[0183] The refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 16 may be evaporated by heat exchange with the coolant supplied from the cabin cooler 140 via the sixth line 141 .

[0184] The ambient air introduced into the vehicle interior may be cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature coolant introduced into the cabin cooler 140. Therefore, the cooled ambient air may cool the vehicle interior by being directly introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0185] The refrigerant whose condensation level is increased while sequentially passing through the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 is expanded and supplied to the evaporator 16, and thereby the refrigerant may be evaporated to a further lower temperature.

[0186] In other words, in the present embodiment, the first condenser 12 may mainly condense the refrigerant, and the second condenser 14 may further condense the refrigerant, so that forming supercooling of the refrigerant may be advantageous.

[0187] Furthermore, since the overcooled refrigerant can be evaporated to a lower temperature than in the evaporator 16, the temperature of the coolant heat-exchanged in the evaporator 16 can be further reduced. Therefore, the cooling performance and efficiency can be improved.

[0188] The refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 16 and the cooler 20 , respectively, may be introduced into the compressor 10 .

[0189] In other words, the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 16 and the refrigerant having passed through the cooler 20 may be introduced together into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0190] The refrigerant compressed at the compressor 10 may sequentially pass through the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , and the second condenser 14 .

[0191] While repeatedly performing the above-mentioned operations, the heat pump system according to the embodiment may cool the vehicle interior without operating the gas injection device 30 .

[0192] Meanwhile, the heat pump system may effectively cool the battery module 130 by using the low-temperature coolant cooled at the cooler 20 .

[0193] In this embodiment, reference Figure 4The operation according to the third mode for recovering ambient air heat and waste heat of the electric component 120 while heating the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device 30 is operated, is described in detail.

[0194] Figure 4 is an operation diagram of a third mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0195] refer to Figure 4 In the third mode, when the gas injection device 30 is operating, the heat pump system may recover ambient air heat from the ambient air together with waste heat from the electrical components 120 .

[0196] First, in order to heat the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 is operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0197] In this state, the operation of the first expansion valve 15 may be stopped. In addition, part of the refrigerant line 11 connected to the upstream end and the downstream end of the evaporator 16 may be closed. Therefore, the refrigerant is not supplied to the evaporator 16.

[0198] Additionally, the sixth line 141 may be closed so that coolant may not circulate from the cabin cooler 140 to the evaporator 16 .

[0199] The upstream end of the evaporator 16 and the downstream end of the evaporator 16 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0200] In other words, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant flows into the evaporator 16 may be defined as the upstream end of the evaporator 16 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the evaporator 16 may be defined as the downstream end of the evaporator 16 .

[0201] Therefore, the compressor 10 , the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , the second condenser 14 , and the gas injection device 30 may be interconnected via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0202] The first line 111 may be closed so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may not be supplied to the first condenser 12. Meanwhile, the second line 112 may be closed so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may not be supplied to the second condenser 14.

[0203] In addition, the third line 113 may be opened so that the coolant may be supplied from the radiator 110 to the cooler 20 .

[0204] In this state, the seventh line 151 may be opened so that the heater core 150 may be connected to the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 .

[0205] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be condensed while being heat-exchanged with the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0206] Then, the coolant whose temperature is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant at the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heater core 150 .

[0207] In other words, the first condenser 12 may condense the refrigerant by using the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 through the seventh line 151 .

[0208] The refrigerant having passed through the first condenser 12 may be introduced into the receiver drier 13 along the refrigerant line 11. The receiver drier 13 may separate gaseous components from the introduced refrigerant, filter moisture and foreign materials, and discharge only liquid refrigerant.

[0209] The refrigerant discharged from the receiver-drier 13 may be supplied to the second condenser 14 via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0210] At this time, the second condenser 14 may further condense the refrigerant supplied from the receiver drier 13 through heat exchange with the coolant circulating along the seventh line 151 .

[0211] The refrigerant further condensed at the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the gas injection device 30 .

[0212] In the present embodiment, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 23 .

[0213] At this time, the second expansion valve 23 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20 .

[0214] The fourth line 121 may be opened so that the electric component 120 and the cooler 20 may be connected. At the same time, the fifth line 131 may be closed.

[0215] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 may be evaporated through heat exchange with the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 via the third line 113 and the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 via the fourth line 121 .

[0216] The coolant supplied to the cooler 20 may absorb ambient air heat while passing through the radiator 110 , thereby increasing the temperature. Through such operation, the coolant with increased temperature may be supplied to the cooler 20 .

[0217] The chiller 20 may recover ambient air heat while performing heat exchange between the supplied coolant and the refrigerant.

[0218] Meanwhile, the refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 may cool the coolant while exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 via the fourth line 121 .

[0219] At this time, the coolant can recover waste heat from the electric component 120 while cooling the electric component 120, thereby increasing the temperature. Through such an operation, the coolant with increased temperature can be supplied to the cooler 20.

[0220] The cooler 20 may recover waste heat of the electric component 120 while performing heat exchange between the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 via the fourth line 121 and the refrigerant.

[0221] The second refrigerant connecting line 32 may be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 33. At the same time, the supply line 34 may be opened.

[0222] The third expansion valve 33 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the supply line 34 .

[0223] In other words, the second refrigerant connecting line 32 may supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 31 .

[0224] Therefore, the heat exchanger 31 may heat-exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line 32 and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser 14. Thereafter, the heat exchanger 31 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the supply line 34. In other words, the gas injection device 30 may allow the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 31 to flow back into the compressor 10 via the supply line 34, and thereby may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11.

[0225] The refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 31 from the second condenser 14 may be further condensed by heat exchange with the refrigerant supplied through the second refrigerant connecting line 32. Thereafter, the refrigerant may be introduced into the cooler 20 along the first refrigerant connecting line 21.

[0226] The refrigerant having passed through the cooler 20 may be introduced into the compressor 10 .

[0227] In other words, the refrigerant having passed through the cooler 20 and the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 31 via the supply line 34 may be introduced into the compressor 10 together. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0228] The refrigerant compressed at the compressor 10 may sequentially pass through the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , and the second condenser 14 .

[0229] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be condensed while being heat-exchanged with the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0230] Therefore, the coolant whose temperature is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant at the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heater core 150 .

[0231] The ambient air introduced into the vehicle interior can be converted into a high temperature state by heat exchange with the high temperature coolant introduced into the heater core 150 and flowing into the vehicle interior. Therefore, heating of the vehicle interior can be achieved.

[0232] Therefore, the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump system can recover ambient air heat at the chiller 20 and simultaneously smoothly recover waste heat from the coolant whose temperature is increased while passing through the electrical components 120, so that the overall heating performance and efficiency can be improved.

[0233] Furthermore, according to the present invention, heating efficiency and performance can be improved while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0234] Furthermore, the gas injection device 30 may increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 , and thus may maximize the heating performance.

[0235] Although the present embodiment has described that the waste heat of the electric component 120 is recovered together with the ambient air heat, it is not limited thereto. At least one of the ambient air heat, the waste heat of the electric component 120 , and the waste heat of the battery module 130 may be selectively recovered.

[0236] In addition, although in the present embodiment, it is described that the radiator 110 is connected to the cooler 20 via the third line 113 , it is not limited thereto. The third line 113 may be connected to the evaporator 16 instead of the cooler 20 .

[0237] In other words, in a state where the third line 113 is connected to the evaporator 16 , when recovering ambient air heat when heating the vehicle interior, the refrigerant may flow to the evaporator 16 to recover ambient air heat through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant at the evaporator 16 .

[0238] In addition, in this embodiment, reference Figure 5 The operation according to the fourth mode for recovering ambient air heat and waste heat of the electric component 120 while heating the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device 30 is not operated, is described in detail.

[0239] Figure 5 is an operation diagram of a fourth mode of the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0240] refer to Figure 5 In the fourth mode, when the gas injection device 30 is not operating, the heat pump system may recover ambient air heat from the ambient air together with waste heat from the electrical component 120 .

[0241] First, in order to heat the vehicle interior, the compressor 10 is operated so that the refrigerant may flow along the refrigerant line 11 .

[0242] In this state, the operation of the first expansion valve 15 may be stopped. In addition, part of the refrigerant line 11 connected to the upstream end and the downstream end of the evaporator 16 may be closed. Therefore, the refrigerant is not supplied to the evaporator 16.

[0243] Additionally, the sixth line 141 may be closed so that coolant may not circulate from the cabin cooler 140 to the evaporator 16 .

[0244] The upstream end of the evaporator 16 and the downstream end of the evaporator 16 may be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0245] In other words, based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11 , the position where the refrigerant flows into the evaporator 16 may be defined as the upstream end of the evaporator 16 , and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the evaporator 16 may be defined as the downstream end of the evaporator 16 .

[0246] Therefore, the compressor 10 , the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , the second condenser 14 , and the heat exchanger 31 may be interconnected via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0247] The first line 111 may be closed so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may not be supplied to the first condenser 12. Meanwhile, the second line 112 may be closed so that the coolant cooled by the radiator 110 may not be supplied to the second condenser 14.

[0248] In addition, the third line 113 may be opened so that the coolant may be supplied from the radiator 110 to the cooler 20 .

[0249] In this state, the seventh line 151 may be opened so that the heater core 150 may be connected to the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 .

[0250] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be condensed while being heat-exchanged with the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0251] Then, the coolant whose temperature is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant at the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heater core 150 .

[0252] In other words, the first condenser 12 may condense the refrigerant by using the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 through the seventh line 151 .

[0253] The refrigerant having passed through the first condenser 12 may be introduced into the receiver drier 13 along the refrigerant line 11. The receiver drier 13 may separate gaseous components from the introduced refrigerant, filter moisture and foreign materials, and discharge only liquid refrigerant.

[0254] The refrigerant discharged from the receiver-drier 13 may be supplied to the second condenser 14 via the refrigerant line 11 .

[0255] At this time, the second condenser 14 may further condense the refrigerant supplied from the receiver drier 13 through heat exchange with the coolant circulating along the seventh line 151 .

[0256] The refrigerant further condensed at the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heat exchanger 31 .

[0257] In the present embodiment, the first refrigerant connecting line 21 may be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 23 .

[0258] At this time, the second expansion valve 23 may expand the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20 .

[0259] The fourth line 121 may be opened so that the electric component 120 and the cooler 20 may be connected. At the same time, the fifth line 131 may be closed.

[0260] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 may be evaporated through heat exchange with the coolant supplied from the radiator 110 via the third line 113 and the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 via the fourth line 121 .

[0261] The coolant supplied to the cooler 20 may absorb ambient air heat while passing through the radiator 110 , thereby increasing the temperature. Through such operation, the coolant with increased temperature may be supplied to the cooler 20 .

[0262] The chiller 20 may recover ambient air heat while performing heat exchange between the supplied coolant and the refrigerant.

[0263] Meanwhile, the refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 may cool the coolant while exchanging heat with the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 via the fourth line 121 .

[0264] At this time, the coolant can recover waste heat from the electric component 120 while cooling the electric component 120, thereby increasing the temperature. Through such an operation, the coolant with increased temperature can be supplied to the cooler 20.

[0265] The cooler 20 may recover waste heat of the electric component 120 while performing heat exchange between the coolant supplied from the electric component 120 via the fourth line 121 and the refrigerant.

[0266] The second refrigerant connection line 32 may be closed by the operation of the third expansion valve 33. At the same time, the supply line 34 may be closed.

[0267] The third expansion valve 33 may stop operating. Therefore, the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser 14 may pass through the heat exchanger 31.

[0268] In other words, in the fourth mode, the gas injection device 30 may not operate.

[0269] The refrigerant, having passed through the heat exchanger 31 from the second condenser 14 , may be introduced into the cooler 20 along the first refrigerant connecting line 21 connected to the refrigerant line 11 .

[0270] The refrigerant having passed through the cooler 20 may be introduced into the compressor 10 .

[0271] In other words, the refrigerant having passed through the cooler 20 may be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant may be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0272] The refrigerant compressed at the compressor 10 may sequentially pass through the first condenser 12 , the receiver-drier 13 , and the second condenser 14 .

[0273] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced into the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be condensed while being heat-exchanged with the coolant supplied from the heater core 150 via the seventh line 151 .

[0274] Therefore, the coolant whose temperature is increased by heat exchange with the refrigerant at the first condenser 12 and the second condenser 14 may be supplied to the heater core 150 .

[0275] The ambient air introduced into the vehicle interior can be converted into a high temperature state by heat exchange with the high temperature coolant introduced into the heater core 150 and flowing into the vehicle interior. Therefore, heating of the vehicle interior can be achieved.

[0276] Therefore, the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump system can recover ambient air heat at the chiller 20 and simultaneously smoothly recover waste heat from the coolant whose temperature is increased while passing through the electrical components 120, so that the overall heating performance and efficiency can be improved.

[0277] Furthermore, according to the present invention, heating efficiency and performance can be improved while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0278] Although the present embodiment has described that the waste heat of the electric component 120 is recovered together with the ambient air heat, it is not limited thereto. At least one of the ambient air heat, the waste heat of the electric component 120 , and the waste heat of the battery module 130 may be selectively recovered.

[0279] In addition, although in the present embodiment, it is described that the radiator 110 is connected to the cooler 20 via the third line 113 , it is not limited thereto. The third line 113 may be connected to the evaporator 16 instead of the cooler 20 .

[0280] In other words, in a state where the third line 113 is connected to the evaporator 16 , when recovering ambient air heat when heating the vehicle interior, the refrigerant may flow to the evaporator 16 to recover ambient air heat through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant at the evaporator 16 .

[0281] Therefore, as described above, when the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment is applied, when cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle, the flow rate of the refrigerant can be increased by adopting the gas injection device 30 configured to be selectively operated. Thus, the cooling and heating performance of the heat pump system can be improved.

[0282] Furthermore, according to the present invention, while being able to reduce the required components as much as possible, the system performance can be maximized by using the gas injection device 30. Therefore, the heat pump system can be streamlined and simplified.

[0283] In addition, according to the present invention, the heat energy generated when the refrigerant condenses and evaporates can be selectively exchanged with the coolant. The temperature inside the vehicle is adjusted by using the heat-exchanged low-temperature or high-temperature coolant, so that the system can be streamlined and the layout of the connecting pipes through which the refrigerant circulates can be simplified.

[0284] In addition, according to the present invention, by selectively recovering ambient air heat and waste heat of the electrical components 120 when heating the vehicle interior, the heating efficiency can be improved. In addition, for the best performance of the battery module 130, the total mileage of the vehicle can be increased by effective temperature regulation of the battery module 130.

[0285] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, manufacturing cost and weight may be reduced by simplifying the entire system, thereby improving space utilization.

[0286] While the invention has been described in conjunction with what are presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0287] <Description of Reference Numerals>

[0288] 10: Compressor

[0289] 11: Refrigerant pipeline

[0290] 12: First condenser

[0291] 13: Liquid storage dryer

[0292] 14: Second condenser

[0293] 15: First expansion valve

[0294] 16: Evaporator

[0295] 20: Cooler

[0296] 21: First refrigerant connecting pipeline

[0297] 23: Second expansion valve

[0298] 30: Gas injection device

[0299] 31: Heat exchanger

[0300] 32: Second refrigerant connecting pipeline

[0301] 33: The third expansion valve

[0302] 34: Supply pipeline

[0303] 110: Radiator

[0304] 111, 112, 113: First pipeline, second pipeline, and third pipeline

[0305] 120: Electrical components

[0306] 121: The fourth pipeline

[0307] 130: Battery module

[0308] 131: Fifth Pipeline

[0309] 140: Cabin Cooler

[0310] 141: Pipeline 6

[0311] 150: Heater core

[0312] 151: Pipeline 7

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a first condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line and configured to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor through heat exchange with a coolant; a receiver-drier connected to the first condenser via the refrigerant line; a second condenser connected to the receiver-drier via the refrigerant line and configured to further condense the refrigerant supplied from the receiver-drier through heat exchange with the coolant; a first expansion valve connected to the second condenser via the refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve via the refrigerant line and configured to evaporate refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first expansion valve and the coolant; a first refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator and having a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the second condenser and the first expansion valve; a cooler disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line and configured to adjust a temperature of a coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced into the first refrigerant connecting line and the selectively introduced coolant; a second expansion valve disposed on the first refrigerant connecting line at an upstream end of the cooler; as well as a gas injection device connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the second condenser and the first expansion valve, the gas injection device being configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the first condenser and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser, and being configured to selectively supply part of the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipeline, The flow of the refrigerant is controlled based on at least one mode for temperature regulation of the vehicle interior or for temperature regulation of the battery module.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The gas injection device comprises: a heat exchanger disposed on the refrigerant line between the second condenser and the first expansion valve; a second refrigerant connecting line having a first end connected to the refrigerant line between the receiver-drier and the second condenser, and a second end connected to the heat exchanger; a third expansion valve disposed on the second refrigerant connecting pipeline; and A supply line has a first end connected to the heat exchanger and a second end connected to the compressor and is configured to supply the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger to the compressor.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: In at least one of the modes, when the third expansion valve expands and supplies refrigerant, the heat exchanger operates, and the heat exchanger is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting pipeline and the refrigerant supplied from the second condenser, and supply the gaseous refrigerant in the heat-exchanged refrigerant to the compressor via 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: Based on the at least one mode, the third expansion valve is configured to selectively open and close the second refrigerant connecting line, and selectively expand the refrigerant introduced into the second refrigerant connecting line, and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the third expansion valve are two-way electronic expansion valves configured to selectively operate in the at least one mode and selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the refrigerant.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one mode comprises: a first mode for cooling the battery module while cooling the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device is operated; a second mode for cooling the battery module while cooling the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device is not operated; a third mode for recovering ambient air heat and waste heat from electrical components while heating the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device is operated; and A fourth mode is for recovering the ambient air heat and waste heat of the electrical components while heating the vehicle interior, in which the gas injection device is not operated.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the first mode: The compressor, the first condenser, the receiver-drier, the second condenser, the gas injection device, the first expansion valve, and the evaporator are interconnected via the refrigerant line; the first refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the third expansion valve; the supply line is open; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the second refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger; and The heat exchanger supplies gaseous refrigerant among heat-exchanged refrigerants to the compressor via an opened supply line.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the second mode: The compressor, the first condenser, the receiver-drier, the second condenser, the gas injection device, the first expansion valve, and the evaporator are interconnected via the refrigerant line; the first refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connection line is closed by operation of the third expansion valve; The supply line is closed; the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; and The operation of the third expansion valve is stopped.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the third mode: stopping the operation of the first expansion valve; closing a portion of the refrigerant line connected to the upstream end and the downstream end of the evaporator; the first refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the third expansion valve; the supply line is open; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; the third expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the second refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger; and The heat exchanger supplies gaseous refrigerant among heat-exchanged refrigerants to the compressor via an opened supply line.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein: In the fourth mode: stopping the operation of the first expansion valve; closing a portion of the refrigerant line connected to the upstream end and the downstream end of the evaporator; the first refrigerant connection line is opened by operation of the second expansion valve; the second refrigerant connection line is closed by operation of the third expansion valve; The supply line is closed; the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced through the first refrigerant connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; and The operation of the third expansion valve is stopped.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 2, further comprising a cooling device, the cooling device comprising a radiator and electrical components, wherein: The first condenser is connected to the radiator via a first line in which the coolant circulates; the second condenser is connected to the radiator via a second line in which the coolant circulates; The cooler is connected to the radiator via a third line in which the coolant circulates; the cooler is connected to the electrical component via a fourth line in which the coolant circulates; the cooler is connected to the battery module via a fifth line in which the coolant circulates; The evaporator is connected to a cabin cooler via a sixth line in which the coolant circulates; and The first condenser and the second condenser are connected to a heater core via a seventh line in which the coolant circulates.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein: When cooling the vehicle interior, the first line and the second line are opened to connect the first condenser and the second condenser to the radiator.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein: When recovering ambient air heat when heating the vehicle interior, the third line is opened to connect the radiator and the cooler.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein: When recovering waste heat of the electric component when heating the vehicle interior, the fourth line is opened to connect the electric component and the cooler.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein: When cooling the battery module when cooling the vehicle interior, or when recovering waste heat of the battery module when heating the vehicle interior, the fifth line is opened to connect the cooler and the battery module.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein: When cooling the vehicle interior, the sixth line is opened to connect the evaporator and the cabin cooler.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein: When heating the vehicle interior, the seventh line is opened to connect the first condenser and the second condenser to the heater core.

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