Integrated thermal management system for vehicle

Abstract

Embodiments of an integrated thermal management system for in-vehicle electrical equipment and a vehicle interior include: a reservoir configured to store a coolant; a first cooling circuit in which coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through the first heat exchanger and the first radiator; a second cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through the second heat exchanger and the second radiator; a third cooling circuit in which coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through the third radiator and the first radiator of the first cooling circuit, and a fourth cooling circuit including a compressor that exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the first cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit, the third cooling circuit and the fourth cooling circuit are configured to exchange heat through the same coolant.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0173712, filed on December 4, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an integrated thermal management system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Recently, the automotive industry has introduced a new concept regarding the vision of future mobility that realizes dynamic future cities centered on people. One of these future mobility solutions is the purpose-built vehicle (PBV) as a purpose-based mobility solution.

[0005] One example of a PBV may be an environmentally friendly mobile vehicle based on an electric vehicle (EV). The PBV may provide various customized services to users during movement from a starting point to a destination in an unmanned autonomous driving method.

[0006] The body of the PBV includes an underbody (also referred to in the art as a chassis frame, a rolling chassis, or a skateboard chassis) and an upper body assembled to the underbody.

[0007] Here, the upper vehicle body may be configured in various forms according to the type of customized service of the PBV. For example, the PBV may be used as a hailing type vehicle in which a passenger compartment is respectively configured at the front and rear of the upper vehicle body. In addition, the PBV may be used as a cab type vehicle in which a passenger compartment is configured only in the front portion of the upper vehicle body. In addition, the PBV may be used as a delivery type vehicle in which a passenger compartment is configured at the front of the upper vehicle body and a luggage compartment is configured at the rear.

[0008] In order to perform thermal management on the PBV, air conditioning and cooling devices are applied. The air conditioning device allows heat exchange between air and coolant, air and refrigerant, and air and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater, while the cooling device allows heat exchange between air and coolant and air and refrigerant, which makes the control of heat flow complex and difficult. To achieve this, a large number of heat exchangers are added, such as a low-temperature radiator, a high-temperature radiator, a condenser, an indoor condenser, a second heat exchanger, and an integrated cooler, as well as multiple devices such as three three-way valves, two expansion valves, etc.

[0009] In addition, the air conditioning system is installed inside, the cooling module is installed at the front of the vehicle, and the integrated control module is located in the power electrical (PE) room, which requires a lot of time for assembly and disassembly as well as a lot of time for degassing.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to develop an integrated thermal management system for PBVs. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present disclosure relates to an integrated thermal management system for a vehicle. Detailed description of the invention relates to an integrated thermal management system that controls heating and cooling of a control battery, a PE device, and a vehicle interior used in a PBV as an electric vehicle.

[0012] Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an integrated thermal management system is provided, which is mounted on a space module in a PBV as an electric vehicle and can control heating and cooling of a battery, a PE device, and the interior of the vehicle according to the external air temperature.

[0013] An integrated thermal management system for an on-board PE device and a vehicle interior is provided. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system may include: a reservoir configured to store a coolant; a first cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates in the first cooling circuit and passes through a first heat exchanger and a first radiator; a second cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates in the second cooling circuit and passes through a second heat exchanger and a second radiator; a third cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates in the third cooling circuit and passes through the third radiator and the first radiator of the first cooling circuit; and a fourth cooling circuit, the fourth cooling circuit including a compressor that performs heat exchange with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the first cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit, the third cooling circuit, and the fourth cooling circuit are configured to perform heat exchange through the same coolant.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an integrated thermal management system is provided, which may include: a first mode, in which heat exchange of a third cooling circuit is performed; a second mode, in which the second cooling circuit and the first cooling circuit operate in parallel; a third mode, in which the second cooling circuit branches from a branch point of the second cooling circuit, and is then connected in series to the third cooling circuit and passes through the third cooling circuit, and then is connected to the first cooling circuit at the branch point of the first cooling circuit; a fourth mode, in which the second cooling circuit and the first cooling circuit operate in parallel, and the second cooling circuit and the third cooling circuit operate in parallel; and a fifth mode, in which the second cooling circuit and the first cooling circuit operate in parallel, and the second cooling circuit branches from the branch point of the second cooling circuit and operates in parallel with the third cooling circuit, and then is connected to the first cooling circuit at the branch point of the first cooling circuit.

[0015] The first to fifth modes may be controlled by opening and closing of the three-way valve.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system may further include a first coolant pump configured to deliver the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir through a first coolant flow path in the first cooling circuit.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system may further include a second coolant pump configured to deliver the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir through a coolant flow path in the second cooling circuit.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system may further include a battery and a PE device, which are configured to be cooled in a third cooling circuit by a coolant branched and supplied by a reservoir, wherein the coolant is introduced through a coolant flow path by operation of a three-way valve.

[0019] The PE device may include a motor / inverter and an integrated charging control unit (ICC).

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system may further include: a four-way valve configured to connect to the refrigerant passing through the compressor and select and control one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger as the first heat exchanger; and an expansion valve configured to expand the condensed refrigerant in the fourth cooling circuit.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system may further include an accumulator provided in a flow path before passing through the compressor.

[0022] A first air flow path may be formed in which air flows from the first heat sink to the third heat sink.

[0023] In an integrated thermal management system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second air flow path can be formed in which air flows from a second radiator to the interior of the vehicle, and a flap valve can be provided between the first air flow path and the second air flow path and configured to be able to open and close to allow air to pass selectively.

[0024] When the PE device is installed on a vehicle and the vehicle is heated or cooled, for the air introduced from the outside and the air delivered by the second air flow path, a part is delivered to the outside and the other part is delivered to the second radiator in front of the second air flow path. In the second air flow path, for the air introduced from the outside and the air delivered by the first air flow path, a part is delivered to the interior of the vehicle and the other part is delivered to the first radiator in front of the first air flow path.

[0025] When the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the battery and the PE device are cooled normally, the first coolant pump is stopped, the three-way valve is opened toward the PE device, the shut-off valve of the third radiator is opened, and the compressor is stopped, so that the PE device is cooled by the coolant flowing through the third cooling circuit.

[0026] The second radiator is stopped and the flap valve is closed, so that air introduced from the outside can pass through the first radiator and the third radiator to be cooled and discharged to the outside.

[0027] When the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the heating value of the PE device is high, both the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are turned on, the three-way valve is opened toward the second heat exchanger, and the coolant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger can cool the refrigerant, and the coolant is cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and is transported toward the PE device to cool the PE device.

[0028] The second radiator is stopped and the flap valve is closed, so that air introduced from the outside can pass through the first radiator and the third radiator to be cooled and discharged to the outside.

[0029] When the outside air temperature is at a level above 25°C, both the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are turned on and the three-way valve is opened; the coolant is transported toward the PE device through the branch point to cool the PE device; and the refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger cools the refrigerant, and the coolant is cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and passes through the second radiator.

[0030] The first radiator, the second radiator, and the third radiator are all operated and the flap valve is closed, so that cool air passing through the second radiator can be introduced into the interior.

[0031] When the outside air temperature is at a level above 25°C and the heating value of the PE device is high: both the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are turned on and the three-way valve is opened toward the second heat exchanger; the coolant is transported from the second heat exchanger toward the PE device to cool the PE device; and the refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger can cool the refrigerant, and the coolant can be cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and pass through the second radiator.

[0032] The first radiator, the second radiator, and the third radiator are all operating and the flap valve is open so that a portion of the cool air passing through the second radiator can be introduced into the interior, and another portion can flow through the open flap valve to the front of the first radiator to further cool the coolant flowing to the reservoir.

[0033] When the outside temperature is at a level above 25°C and only the interior is cooled, both the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are turned on, the three-way valve is opened toward the second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger can cool the refrigerant, and the coolant can be cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and pass through the second radiator.

[0034] The third radiator is stopped and the flap valve is closed so that air introduced from the outside can be introduced into the inside in front of the second radiator.

[0035] When the outside air temperature is below 25°C and the temperature of the battery and PE device is increased and the interior is heated, the four-way valve is reversely operated so that the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger can switch functions to serve as a heat pump.

[0036] At the same time, a method for controlling an integrated thermal management system is provided. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include: setting a target temperature; reading information on a sensor; determining a difference between the target temperature and the current temperature; confirming multiple situations in which the target temperature is achieved by a combination of modes; confirming a mode with optimal energy consumption and a time required to reach the target temperature; and determining whether a user is satisfied with the time required to reach the target temperature, wherein, in the case of a response from the user, a performance profile may be run to change the time required to reach the target temperature by changing the mode.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooling and air conditioning system can be configured to be applicable not only in electric vehicles but also in general residential facilities, and the system can be modularized for easy disassembly and assembly, so that the system can be widely used throughout the industry.

[0038] Additionally, cooling and air conditioning systems can be integrated to reduce wiring and piping, and the amount of refrigerant can be reduced to reduce cost and weight.

[0039] Furthermore, the system can be configured to have heat exchange between air and coolant and between coolant and refrigerant, and the entire system can be effectively controlled by the temperature of the coolant.

[0040] In addition, the complexity of the system can be improved, such as reducing heat exchangers, efficiency can be improved and costs can be reduced by using heat pump functions, and the function of heat pumps that are difficult to use at extremely low temperatures can be improved by adjusting the air flow path, thereby eliminating PTC air conditioning heaters and coolant battery heaters, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, by adjusting the internal air flow path, condensation and moisture generated within the device after the cooling operation can be removed and dehumidified.

[0042] In addition, the cost of FET application can be reduced by converting all high-voltage electric air-conditioning compressors, PTC heaters, coolant heaters, cooling fans, and water pumps to 48V, the number of components and current control can be reduced by unifying the power system of the device, and the selection of electric motors with optimal operating points can be considered.

[0043] In addition, energy consumption can be minimized by calculating and adjusting the flow rate and temperature, pressure and target temperature time of the heat exchange equipment circuit, flow path, and so on. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 is a view schematically showing an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the front.

[0045] Figure 2 is a view schematically showing an integrated thermal management system mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 3 is a view schematically showing an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from above.

[0047] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating fluid flow of an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 5 is a view showing air flow in an air flow path of an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level of 25° C. and the battery and the PE device are cooled normally.

[0050] Figure 7 It shows that Figure 6 View of the airflow in the case air flow path.

[0051] Figure 8 is a circuit diagram showing fluid flows in an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level of 25° C. and the PE device has high heat generation.

[0052] Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 8 View of the airflow in the case air flow path.

[0053] Fig.10 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level above 25°C.

[0054] Fig.11 It is shown Fig.10 View of the airflow in the air flow path of a case.

[0055] Fig.12 is a circuit diagram showing fluid flows in an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level above 25° C. and the PE device has high heat generation.

[0056] Fig.13 It is shown in Fig.12 View of the airflow in the air flow path of a case.

[0057] Fig.14 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level above 25° C. and only the interior is cooled.

[0058] Fig.15 It is shown in Fig.14 View of the airflow in the air flow path of a case.

[0059] Fig.16 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a case where the temperature of the battery and the PE device increases and the inside is heated when the outside air temperature is at a level below 25°C.

[0060] Fig.17 It shows that Fig.16 View of the airflow in the air flow path of a case for improved heating efficiency and dehumidification.

[0061] Fig.18 It is shown in Fig.16 A view of the airflow in the air flow path of a case for increasing heat exchange efficiency and improving heat pump performance.

[0062] Fig.19 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily perform the embodiments. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in various ways and are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0064] Furthermore, constituent elements having the same configuration in several embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals and described only in a representative embodiment, and only constituent elements different from those according to the representative embodiment will be described in other embodiments.

[0065] In addition, the drawings are schematic and are not based on actual scale. For the purpose of clarity and convenience in the drawings, the relative sizes and proportional sizes of the components shown in the drawings are enlarged or reduced, and any size is illustrative and not restrictive. In addition, the same reference numerals refer to the same structures, elements or components shown in two or more drawings to show similar features. When a component is described as being positioned "above" or "on" another component, a component may be directly positioned "on" another component, and a component may also be positioned on another component with other components interposed therebetween.

[0066] The embodiments of the present disclosure specifically illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, various modifications to the drawings can be expected. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to the specific forms in the areas shown in the drawings, and, for example, include modifications to the forms made by its manufacture.

[0067] Hereinafter, an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] Figure 1 is a view schematically showing an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the front, Figure 2 is a view schematically showing an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure mounted on a vehicle, and Figure 3 is a view schematically showing an integrated thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from above.

[0069] refer to Figures 1 to 3 , for example, the integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a purpose-built vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a “PBV”).

[0070] The PBV may be used as a living modular vehicle based on an electric vehicle, which provides various customized services to the user during the movement of the PBV from a starting point to a destination.

[0071] In one embodiment, the PBV can be built into a single box design with a larger interior space. In addition, the PBV can be applied with a face-to-face type seat in the interior space.

[0072] The body of this PBV is suitable for small-volume production of various vehicle types with a small number of components and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes.

[0073] Also, the body of the PBV includes a skateboard-type lower body (also commonly referred to as a "rolling chassis" or a "chassis frame" by those skilled in the art) and an upper body assembled onto the lower body.

[0074] Components such as a battery assembly B, a drive motor, etc. may be mounted on the lower body. In addition, the upper body is a body-in-white (BIW) body coupled to the lower body, and the upper body may include a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment having a large interior space.

[0075] The integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a structure in which an upper vehicle body may be applied to a lower vehicle body having various shapes and uses according to a customized service type of a PBV vehicle.

[0076] To this end, the vehicle body structure to which the integrated thermal management system 1000 is applied according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an upper vehicle body including a driving module M and a space module S coupled to the rear of the driving module M.

[0077] The integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed at the rear of a space module S of a PBV, which covers a driving module M and a space module S that can be attached to or detached from the rear of the driving module M.

[0078] The integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a reservoir 10 storing a coolant; a first coolant pump 12 and a second coolant pump 14, which transport the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir 10 through a coolant flow path; a first radiator 20 and a second radiator 30, through which air introduced from the outside and the coolant supplied and circulated from the reservoir 10 flow, and a third radiator 40, through which air introduced from the first radiator 20 and the coolant supplied and circulated from the reservoir 10 flow.

[0079] In addition, the integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first heat exchanger 50, in which the refrigerant circulating in the system 1000 is condensed; a second heat exchanger 60, in which the refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger 50 is cooled again after evaporation; and a compressor 90, in which the refrigerant delivered from the second heat exchanger 60 is compressed.

[0080] In addition, the system 1000 may further include an expansion valve 80 which expands the refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger 50 before being supplied to the second heat exchanger 60 .

[0081] Meanwhile, the first radiator 20, the second radiator 30, and the third radiator 40 are disposed at the rear of the space module S, and the first radiator 20 and the third radiator 40 may be arranged in a stacked form from one side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The second radiator 30 may be disposed at the side of the first radiator 20 and the third radiator 40. A fan F may be attached to the outside of the first radiator 20 and the second radiator 30 to generate airflow, thereby allowing heat exchange to occur smoothly in the radiators 20, 30, and 40.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, a first air flow path may be formed in which air flows from the first radiator 20 to the third radiator 40, and a second air flow path may be formed in which air flows from the second radiator 30 to the vehicle interior.

[0083] In the first air flow path, an upper air inlet 200 and a lower air outlet 300 are formed which are independent of an external inlet through which air is sucked into the first radiator 20, and air delivered from the second air flow path is introduced into the first radiator 20 through the upper air inlet, and air is discharged from the third radiator 40 to the outside and the second radiator 30 via the first radiator 20 through the lower air outlet.

[0084] In addition, in the second air flow path, a lower air inlet 400 and an upper air outlet 500 are formed which are independent of an external inlet (air is sucked into the second radiator 30 through the external inlet), and the air transported from the first air flow path is introduced into the second radiator 30 through the lower air inlet 400, and the air is transported to the first radiator 20 from the upper air outlet 500 via the second radiator 30.

[0085] Furthermore, the second air flow path has an internal connection portion formed therein, through which air is transferred to the inside via the second radiator 30 , and to which the internal distributor 95 is connected.

[0086] By the structure of the first air flow path and the second air flow path as described above, when the PE device installed on the vehicle and the vehicle are heated or cooled, for the air introduced from the outside and the air delivered by the second air flow path, a part of them is delivered to the outside, and the other part can be delivered by the first air flow path to the second radiator 30 in front of the second air flow path. For the air introduced from the outside and the part of the air delivered by the first air flow path, a part of them can be delivered to the inside, and the other part can be delivered by the second air flow path to the first radiator 20 in front of the first air flow path.

[0087] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing fluid flow of an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 is a view showing air flow in an air flow path of an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] Reference Figure 4 , the integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a battery and a power electric (PE) device, which provides electric power and driving force to the vehicle and is cooled by the coolant introduced via the second coolant pump 14 and the third radiator 40. The PE device may include a motor / inverter and an integrated charging control unit (ICCU).

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated thermal management system 1000 may further include a three-way valve 72 disposed in the coolant flow path at the rear of the second coolant pump 14 and capable of opening and closing to selectively deliver the coolant from the reservoir 10 to the PE device and the second heat exchanger 60 .

[0090] In addition, the system 1000 may also include a four-way valve 74, which is arranged in the refrigerant flow path between the first heat exchanger 50 and the second heat exchanger 60, and can be opened and closed to allow the refrigerant that has flowed through the compressor 90 to be transferred to the first heat exchanger 50, or to allow the refrigerant that has flowed through the second heat exchanger 60 to be transferred to the compressor 90.

[0091] An accumulator 92 may be further included in the refrigerant flow path between the four-way valve 74 and the compressor 90, at which the refrigerant flowing through the four-way valve 74 is stored, and an expansion valve 80 may be included, at which the refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger 50 is expanded before being supplied to the second heat exchanger 60. Hereinafter, reference numerals 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 65 denote branch points, and reference numeral 76 denotes a stop valve of the second radiator 30.

[0092] like Figure 5 As shown, the integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a first air flow path through which air flows from the first radiator 20 to the third radiator 40, and a second air flow path through which air flows from the second radiator 30 to the interior of the vehicle, and a flap valve 75 may be provided between the first air flow path and the second air flow path, which can be opened and closed to selectively allow air to pass. Hereinafter, reference numeral "D" refers to the door of the flap valve 75.

[0093] refer to Figure 4 , the integrated thermal management system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured with a first cooling circuit, a second cooling circuit, a third cooling circuit, and a fourth cooling circuit.

[0094] The first cooling circuit allows the coolant to flow from the reservoir 10 to the first coolant pump 12 and the first heat exchanger 50, the second cooling circuit allows the coolant to flow from the reservoir 10 to the second coolant pump 14, the three-way valve 72 and the second heat exchanger 60, the third cooling circuit allows the coolant to flow from the reservoir 10 to the second coolant pump 14, the three-way valve 72, the PE device and the third radiator 40, and the fourth cooling circuit allows the refrigerant to flow from the first heat exchanger 50 to the thermal expansion valve 80 and the second heat exchanger 60.

[0095] Figure 6is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the battery and the PE device are cooled normally, and Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 6 View of the air flow in the air flow path of the case.

[0096] refer to Figure 6 , when the outside air temperature is at the 25°C level and the battery and the PE device are cooled normally, the first coolant pump 12 stops and no coolant flows into the first cooling circuit. The three-way valve 72 is connected to the PE device side, the stop valve 78 of the third radiator 40 is opened, and the compressor 90 stops. In this case, the coolant can flow through the third cooling circuit to cool the PE device (first mode).

[0097] In addition, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second radiator 30 is stopped and the flap valve 75 is closed, so that in the first air flow path, air introduced from the outside can be discharged to the outside via the first radiator 20 and the third radiator 40 .

[0098] Figure 8 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the PE device has high heat generation, and Fig. 9 It is shown in Figure 8 View of the airflow in the air flow path of the case.

[0099] refer to Figure 8 When the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the heat generation of the PE device is high, the first coolant pump 12 and the second coolant pump 14 are both turned on, and the three-way valve 72 is opened to the second heat exchanger 60 side to further cool the battery and the PE device using the second heat exchanger 60.

[0100] The coolant from the second heat exchanger 60 is transported toward the PE device to cool the PE device, and the refrigerant can circulate through the compressor 90, the four-way valve 74, the first heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 80 and the second heat exchanger 60 to further cool the coolant leaving the second heat exchanger 60, and the cooled coolant can further cool the PE device (third mode).

[0101] In addition, if Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the second radiator 30 is stopped and the flap valve 75 is closed, so that in the first air flow path, air introduced from the outside can be discharged to the outside via the first radiator 20 and the third radiator 40 .

[0102] Fig.10 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level higher than 25°C, and Fig.11 It is shown in Fig.10 A view of the air flow in the air flow path of the case.

[0103] When the outside air temperature is at a level higher than 25°C, in this case, in order to cool the battery and the PE device and cool the interior, the first coolant pump 12 and the second coolant pump 14 are both turned on, and the three-way valve 72 is opened to the second heat exchanger 60 and the PE device side.

[0104] The coolant is transported from the second heat exchanger 60 toward the PE device to cool the PE device, the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 90, the four-way valve 74, the first heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 80 and the second heat exchanger 60 to further cool the coolant leaving the second heat exchanger 60, and the cooled coolant cools the second radiator 30 (fourth mode).

[0105] In addition, if Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the first radiator 20 , the second radiator 30 , and the third radiator 40 are all operated, and the flap valve 75 is closed, so that in the second air flow path, cool air flowing through the second radiator 30 can be introduced into the interior.

[0106] Fig.12 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level above 25°C and the PE device has high heat generation, and Fig.13 It is shown in Fig.12 View of the airflow in the air flow path of the case.

[0107] refer to Fig.12 , when the outside air temperature is at a level above 25°C and the heat generation of the PE device is high, in this case, additional cooling is performed using the inside air and the second heat exchanger while performing internal heating.

[0108] The first coolant pump 12 and the second coolant pump 14 are both turned on, and the three-way valve 72 is opened to the second heat exchanger 60 side.

[0109] The coolant is transported from the second heat exchanger 60 toward the PE device to cool the PE device, and the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 90, the four-way valve 74, the first heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 80 and the second heat exchanger 60 to further cool the coolant leaving the second heat exchanger 60, and the cooled coolant further cools the PE device and also cools the second radiator 30 (fifth mode).

[0110] In addition, if Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, the first radiator 20, the second radiator 30 and the third radiator 40 are all operated, the flap valve 75 is opened, and for the cold air passing through the second radiator 30, some of it is introduced into the interior, and some of it flows to the front of the first radiator 20 through the opened flap valve 75, thereby further cooling the battery and PE device.

[0111] Fig.14 is a circuit diagram showing the fluid flow in the integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level above 25°C and only the interior is cooled, and Fig.15 It shows that Fig.14 View of the airflow in the air flow path of a case.

[0112] Reference Fig.14 When the outside air temperature is at a level above 25° C. and only the interior is cooled, both the first coolant pump 12 and the second coolant pump 14 are turned on, and the three-way valve 72 is opened to the second heat exchanger 60 side.

[0113] The coolant is transported from the second heat exchanger 60 toward the second radiator 30 to cool the second radiator 30, and the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 90, the four-way valve 74, the first heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 80 and the second heat exchanger 60 to further cool the coolant leaving the second heat exchanger 60, and the cooled coolant can further cool the second radiator 30 (second mode).

[0114] In addition, if Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the first radiator 20 , the second radiator 30 , and the third radiator 40 are all operated, and the flap valve 75 is closed, so that in the second air flow path, air introduced from the outside can be introduced into the inside from the front of the second radiator 30 .

[0115] Fig.16 is a circuit diagram showing fluids flowing in an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the outside air temperature is at a level below 25° C., Fig.17 It shows that Fig.16 A view of the air flow in the air flow path for increasing heating efficiency and dehumidification, and Fig.18 It shows that Fig.16 A view of the airflow in the air flow path of a case for increasing heat exchange efficiency and improving heat pump performance.

[0116] Reference Fig.16When the outside air temperature is below 25°C and thus increases the temperature of the battery and PE device and heats the interior, the four-way valve 74 is reversely operated so that the first heat exchanger 50 and the second heat exchanger 60 can switch functions to act as a heat pump.

[0117] The first coolant pump 12 and the second coolant pump 14 are both turned on, and the three-way valve 72 is opened to the second heat exchanger 60 side.

[0118] The second heat exchanger 60 functions as a first heat exchanger, and the coolant temperature is increased, the coolant is sent toward the PE device to increase the temperature of the PE device, and the coolant is sent toward the second radiator 30 to increase the temperature of the second radiator 30 side.

[0119] In addition, the first heat exchanger 50 functions as a second heat exchanger, collects waste heat collected from the PE device, and transfers the waste heat to the first radiator 20 for heat exchange (fifth mode).

[0120] Internal heating is achieved by heat exchange between the second air flow path and the coolant whose temperature is increased after flowing through the second cooling circuit. By closing the three-way valve 72, the coolant whose temperature is increased in the second cooling circuit flows to the third cooling circuit to increase the temperature of the battery, collect the waste heat of the PE device and increase the temperature of the combined coolant of the third cooling circuit to heat exchange with the first radiator 20, thereby improving the performance of the low-temperature heat pump, which allows the coolant heater and PTC and other devices to be eliminated.

[0121] like Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, a portion of the temperature-raised air flowing through the first air flow path can be introduced into the front of the second radiator 30 through the opened flap valve 75, and the temperature-raised air can pass through the second radiator 30 and be introduced into the interior to improve heating efficiency. In this case, dehumidification can be performed by the temperature-raised air.

[0122] In addition, if Fig.16 and Fig.18 As shown, a portion of the air having increased temperature flowing through the second air flow path may be introduced into the front portion of the first radiator 20 through the opened flap valve 75 to improve heat exchange efficiency and heat pump performance.

[0123] Fig.19 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] Reference Fig.19The method for controlling an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: first, setting a target internal temperature (S101) and reading information on sensors in a vehicle through a controller (S102). The information on the sensors in the vehicle may be: the temperature, flow rate and pressure of the coolant, the temperature, flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant, and the temperature, air flow rate and pressure of the air.

[0125] In this case, the controller may be implemented as one or more processors operated by a setting program, wherein the setting program is programmed to execute each step of the method of controlling an integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] Then, the controller determines whether the current temperature is the same as the target temperature (S103). When the target temperature is different from the current temperature, the controller selects the target temperature in the vehicle through the information on the sensor read by the controller. Figures 6 to 18 The cooling circuit, air flow path, and mode of the integrated thermal management system shown in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG.

[0127] Then, RPM profiles of the coolant pump, the fan, and the first heat exchanger are generated by the controller in consideration of optimal power consumption in the selected mode, and a time required to reach a target temperature is calculated ( S105 ).

[0128] Then, the controller determines whether the generated profile and the time required to reach the target temperature are determined to be unsatisfactory according to the user's predetermined tendency (S106). When the RPM profile and the time required to reach the target temperature are determined to be unsatisfactory, the controller adjusts and recalculates the profile, the time required to reach the target temperature, and the power consumption, and generates and runs the performance profile (S107).

[0129] Then, the controller determines whether there is a response (such as the user adjusting the internal temperature) (S108), and when it is determined that there is no response from the user, terminates the performance profile.

[0130] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a cooling and air conditioning system can be configured to be applicable not only in electric vehicles but also in ordinary residential facilities, and the system can be modularized for easy disassembly and assembly, so that the system can be widely used throughout the industry.

[0131] Additionally, the cooling and air conditioning system may be integrated to reduce wiring and piping, and the amount of refrigerant may be reduced to reduce cost and weight.

[0132] Furthermore, the system can be configured to have heat exchange between air and coolant and between coolant and refrigerant, and the entire system can be effectively controlled by the temperature of the coolant.

[0133] In addition, the complexity of the system can be improved, such as reducing heat exchangers, efficiency can be improved and costs can be reduced by using heat pump functions, and the function of heat pumps that are difficult to use at extremely low temperatures can be improved by adjusting the air flow path, thereby eliminating PTC air conditioning heaters and coolant battery heaters, etc.

[0134] Furthermore, by adjusting the internal air flow path, condensation and moisture generated within the device after the cooling operation can be removed and dehumidified.

[0135] In addition, the cost of FET application can be reduced by converting all high-voltage electric air-conditioning compressors, PTC heaters, coolant heaters, cooling fans, and water pumps to 48V, the number of components and current control can be reduced by unifying the power system of the device, and the selection of electric motors with optimal operating points can be considered.

[0136] In addition, energy consumption can be minimized by calculating and adjusting the flow rate and temperature, pressure and target temperature time of the heat exchange equipment circuit, flow path, and so on.

[0137] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The embodiments of the present disclosure cover all modifications that can be easily made by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are considered equivalent to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An integrated thermal management system for an on-board power electronic device and a vehicle interior, the integrated thermal management system comprising: a reservoir configured to store a coolant; a first cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through a first heat exchanger and a first radiator; a second cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through a second heat exchanger and a second radiator; a third cooling circuit in which the coolant branched from the reservoir and supplied circulates and passes through a third radiator as well as through the first radiator of the first cooling circuit; and A fourth cooling circuit includes a compressor that exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the first cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit, the third cooling circuit, and the fourth cooling circuit are configured to exchange heat through the same coolant.

2. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first mode, in which heat exchange of the third cooling circuit is performed; a second mode, in which the second cooling circuit and the first cooling circuit operate in parallel; a third mode, in which the second cooling circuit branches off from the branch point of the second cooling circuit, is serially coupled to the third cooling circuit and passes through the third cooling circuit, and is then coupled to the first cooling circuit at the branch point of the first cooling circuit; a fourth mode in which the second cooling circuit and the first cooling circuit operate in parallel, and the second cooling circuit and the third cooling circuit operate in parallel; and a fifth mode in which the second cooling circuit and the first cooling circuit operate in parallel, and the second cooling circuit branches from the branch point of the second cooling circuit and operates in parallel with the third cooling circuit, and is then connected to the first cooling circuit at the branch point of the first cooling circuit. 3 . The integrated thermal management system of claim 2 , further comprising a three-way valve configured to be openable and closeable to control the first mode, the second mode, the third mode, the fourth mode, and the fifth mode. 4 . The integrated thermal management system of claim 3 , further comprising a first coolant pump configured to deliver the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir through a first coolant flow path in the first cooling circuit. 5 . The integrated thermal management system of claim 4 , further comprising a second coolant pump configured to deliver the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir through a second coolant flow path in the second cooling circuit.

6. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 5, further comprising a battery and a power electronic device, the battery and the power electronic device being configured to be cooled in the third cooling circuit by the coolant branched and supplied by the reservoir, wherein The coolant is introduced through the third coolant flow path by operation of the three-way valve.

7. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 6, further comprising: a four-way valve configured to communicate with the refrigerant passing through the compressor and to select and control one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger as a first heat exchanger; as well as An expansion valve is configured to expand the condensed refrigerant in the fourth cooling circuit. 8 . The integrated thermal management system of claim 7 , further comprising an accumulator disposed in a flow path before passing through the compressor.

9. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 7, wherein: a first air flow path in which air flows from the first radiator to the third radiator; a second air flow path in which air flows from the second radiator to the interior of the vehicle; as well as A flap valve is disposed between the first air flow path and the second air flow path and is configured to be openable and closable to allow air to selectively pass therethrough.

10. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 9, wherein: In a state where the power electronic device is mounted on a vehicle and the vehicle is heated or cooled: In the first air flow path, a first portion of the air introduced from the outside and the air delivered by the second air flow path is delivered to the outside, and a second portion is delivered to the second heat sink in front of the second air flow path; as well as In the second air flow path, a third portion of the air introduced from the outside and the air delivered by the first air flow path is delivered to the interior of the vehicle, and a fourth portion is delivered to the first radiator in front of the first air flow path.

11. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 9, wherein: In a state where the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the battery and the power electronic device are cooled normally, the first coolant pump is stopped, the three-way valve is opened toward the power electronic device, the shut-off valve of the third radiator is opened, and the compressor is stopped, so that the power electronic device is cooled by the coolant flowing through the third cooling circuit.

12. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 11, wherein: The second radiator is stopped and the flap valve is closed, so that air introduced from the outside passes through the first radiator and the third radiator to be cooled and discharged to the outside.

13. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 9, wherein: When the outside air temperature is at a level of 25°C and the heating value of the power electronic device is high, both the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are turned on, the three-way valve is opened toward the second heat exchanger, and the coolant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger cools the refrigerant, and the coolant is cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and is transported toward the power electronic device to cool the power electronic device.

14. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 13, wherein: The second radiator is stopped and the flap valve is closed, so that air introduced from the outside passes through the first radiator and the third radiator to be cooled and discharged to the outside.

15. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 9, wherein: When the outside air temperature is above 25°C: the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are both on and the three-way valve is open; The coolant is transported toward the power electronic device through the branch point to cool the power electronic device; and The refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger cools the refrigerant, and the coolant is cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and passes through the second radiator.

16. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 15, wherein: The first radiator, the second radiator, and the third radiator are all operated, and the flap valve is closed, so that cool air passing through the second radiator is introduced into the interior.

17. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 7, wherein: When the outside air temperature is above 25°C and the heat generation of the power electronic device is high: the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are both turned on and the three-way valve is opened toward the second heat exchanger; A coolant is transported from the second heat exchanger toward the power electronic device to cool the power electronic device; and The refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger cools the refrigerant, and the coolant is cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and passes through the second radiator.

18. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 7, wherein: When the outside air temperature is above 25°C and only the interior is cooled: the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are both turned on, The three-way valve is opened toward the second heat exchanger; and The refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the four-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second heat exchanger, so that the coolant flowing through the first heat exchanger cools the refrigerant, and the coolant is cooled by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger and passes through the second radiator.

19. The integrated thermal management system according to claim 7, wherein: When the outside air temperature is at a level below 25°C and the temperature of the battery and the power electronic device is increased and the interior is heated, the four-way valve is reversely operated so that the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger switch functions to serve as a heat pump.

20. A method for controlling an integrated thermal management system, the method comprising: Set target temperature; Read the information on the sensor; determining a difference between the target temperature and the current temperature; Identify multiple situations in which the target temperature can be achieved through a combination of modes; Identify the mode with the best energy consumption and the time required to achieve the target temperature; as well as A determination is made as to whether a user is satisfied with the time required to achieve the target temperature, wherein in the event of a response from the user, a performance profile is run to change the time required to achieve the target temperature by changing a mode.

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