Heat pump system for vehicle

Abstract

A heat pump system for a vehicle includes: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module including an internal condenser, an evaporator connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line, and an opening and closing door configured to regulate air having passed through the evaporator to selectively flow into the internal condenser according to a cooling mode or a heating mode of the vehicle; a heat exchanger; a first expansion valve; a first connection line; a second expansion valve; and a heat exchanger module connected to the first connection line and configured to exchange heat between a coolant selectively introduced via the coolant line and a refrigerant introduced via the first connection line, and a first connection line connected to the refrigerant line and configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant supplied from one of the internal condenser and the heat exchanger and the refrigerant supplied from one of the evaporator and the first connection line.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0179247, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 12, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle heat pump system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle that employs a heat exchanger module capable of exchanging heat between a refrigerant and a coolant and capable of exchanging heat between a low - temperature refrigerant and a high - temperature refrigerant. 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 that maintains the interior of the vehicle at an appropriate temperature regardless of external temperature changes is configured to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle. This is achieved by performing heat exchange using a condenser and an evaporator, in which the refrigerant discharged by driving a compressor circulates back to the compressor through the condenser, the liquid receiver dryer, the expansion valve, and the evaporator.

[0006] In other words, the air - conditioning unit condenses the high - temperature and high - pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor through the condenser, allows the refrigerant to pass through the liquid receiver dryer and the expansion valve, and then evaporates the refrigerant in the evaporator in the cooling mode, thereby reducing the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle.

[0007] In recent years, with the increasing concerns about energy efficiency and environmental pollution, there has been a desire to develop an eco - friendly vehicle that can substantially replace internal combustion engine vehicles. Eco - friendly vehicles are classified into electric vehicles driven by using a fuel cell or electricity as a power source, and hybrid vehicles driven by using an engine and a battery.

[0008] In these eco - friendly vehicles, a separate heater is not used as in the air - conditioning of ordinary vehicles. In addition, the air - conditioning used in eco - friendly vehicles is generally referred to as a heat pump system.

[0009] An electric vehicle driven by a fuel - cell power source generates driving force by converting the chemical reaction energy between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. In this process, heat energy is generated by the chemical reaction in the fuel cell. Therefore, it is advantageous to ensure the performance of the fuel cell to efficiently remove the generated heat.

[0010] In addition, a hybrid vehicle generates driving force by driving an electric motor using electric power supplied by the above-described fuel cell or storage battery and an engine driven by fossil fuel. Therefore, heat generated from the fuel cell or storage battery and the electric motor should be efficiently removed to ensure the performance of the electric motor.

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

[0012] As a result, the size and weight of a cooling module provided at the front of the vehicle increase. In addition, the layout of connection pipelines for 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 a battery according to a vehicle state is separately provided to obtain the optimal performance of the battery, a plurality of valves for selectively interconnecting connection pipelines are employed. Therefore, noise and vibration generated due to frequent opening and closing operations of the valves are introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby reducing riding comfort.

[0014] In addition, when heating the vehicle interior, due to the lack of a heat source, the heating performance deteriorates, and due to the use of an electric heater, power consumption increases, and the power consumption of a compressor also increases.

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

[0016] The present invention provides a heat pump system for a vehicle, which is designed to reduce the number of components, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. This is achieved by adopting a single heat exchanger module, which is configured to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant, and perform heat exchange between a low-temperature refrigerant and a high-temperature refrigerant.

[0017] A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module. The HVAC module includes an internal condenser, an evaporator connected to the compressor via a refrigerant pipeline, and an opening and closing door configured to adjust the air that has passed through the evaporator to selectively flow into the internal condenser according to a cooling mode or a heating mode of the vehicle. The heat pump system further includes: a heat exchanger connected to the internal condenser via a refrigerant pipeline; and a first expansion valve provided on the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the evaporator. The system further includes: a first connection pipeline, a first end of which is connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and a second end of which is connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor. The system further includes: a second expansion valve provided on the first connection pipeline; and a heat exchanger module. The heat exchanger module is connected to the first connection pipeline and configured to perform a heat exchange between a coolant selectively introduced via a coolant pipeline and a refrigerant introduced via the first connection pipeline, and is connected to the refrigerant pipeline and configured to perform a heat exchange between a refrigerant supplied from one of the internal condenser and the heat exchanger and a refrigerant supplied from one of the evaporator and the first connection pipeline.

[0018] The heat exchanger module includes: a cooler provided on the first connection pipeline at a downstream end of the second expansion valve such that the refrigerant can pass through. The cooler is connected to a coolant circulation device that circulates the coolant via a coolant pipeline. In addition, the heat exchanger module further includes: a secondary heat exchanger integrally provided in the cooler and respectively connected to the refrigerant pipeline connecting the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve and the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator and the compressor.

[0019] The cooler includes: a first heat exchange unit configured to perform a heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant; a first refrigerant inlet provided on a first side of the first heat exchange unit and configured to receive the refrigerant from the second expansion valve; and a first refrigerant outlet provided on a second side of the first heat exchange unit and configured to discharge the refrigerant to the secondary heat exchanger.

[0020] The heat exchanger module includes: a coolant inlet configured to allow the coolant to flow into the first heat exchange unit; a first coolant outlet provided at a position opposite to the coolant inlet and configured to discharge the coolant that has not flowed through the first heat exchange unit; and a second coolant outlet provided at a position spaced apart from the coolant inlet and configured to discharge the coolant that has flowed through the first heat exchange unit.

[0021] The coolant inlet is connected to the heating element via a coolant line through which the coolant flows. The first coolant outlet is connected to a radiator included in the coolant circulation device via a coolant line. The second coolant outlet is connected to a coolant valve included in the coolant circulation device via a coolant line.

[0022] The cooler is configured to recover the waste heat of the heating element and perform heat exchange between the coolant introduced into the first heat exchange unit via the coolant line and the refrigerant, or to cool the heating element by using the coolant that has already undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant.

[0023] The sub-heat exchanger includes: a second heat exchange unit configured to perform heat exchange between a low-temperature refrigerant and a high-temperature refrigerant; a second refrigerant inlet provided on a first side of the second heat exchange unit and configured to allow the high-temperature refrigerant supplied from one of the internal condenser and the heat exchanger to flow into the second heat exchange unit. The sub-heat exchanger further includes: a second refrigerant outlet provided at a position spaced apart from the second refrigerant inlet in the second heat exchange unit and configured to discharge the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchange unit to the first expansion valve or the second expansion valve. The sub-heat exchanger further includes: a third refrigerant inlet provided on a second side of the second heat exchange unit and configured to allow the low-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator to flow into the second heat exchange unit. The sub-heat exchanger further includes: a third refrigerant outlet provided at a position opposite to the third refrigerant inlet on the first side of the second heat exchange unit and configured to discharge the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchange unit.

[0024] The third refrigerant inlet communicates with the first refrigerant outlet provided in the cooler so that the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchange unit can be introduced into the second heat exchange unit.

[0025] The refrigerant that has passed through at least one of the evaporator and the cooler is introduced into the second heat exchange unit through the third refrigerant inlet.

[0026] The heat pump system further includes: a second connection line having a first end connected to the second expansion valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the internal condenser and the heat exchanger; a third expansion valve provided on the refrigerant line between the internal condenser and the heat exchanger; and a third connection line having a first end connected to the third expansion valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the sub-heat exchanger.

[0027] The heat exchanger is configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant by performing heat exchange with ambient air based on the selective operation of the third expansion valve.

[0028] The second expansion valve and the third expansion valve can be electronic expansion valves configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0029] The heat pump system further includes a liquid receiver, which is arranged on the refrigerant pipeline between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0030] The heat exchanger module can be a plate heat exchanger.

[0031] As described above, in the vehicle heat pump system according to the embodiment, by adopting a single heat exchanger module capable of exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant and between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant, the number of components employed can be reduced or minimized. Therefore, simplification of the entire heat pump system can be achieved.

[0032] In addition, according to the present invention, by efficiently managing the temperature of the heating elements including the electrical components and the battery module, the optimal performance of the electrical components and the battery module can be achieved. In addition, through the efficient management of the battery module, the total driving distance of the vehicle can be increased.

[0033] In addition, according to the present invention, in the heating mode inside the vehicle, the ambient air heat and the waste heat of the heating elements can be selectively utilized. Therefore, the heating efficiency can be improved.

[0034] In addition, according to the present invention, by increasing the subcooling degree of the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger module, the overall cooling performance and efficiency of the heat pump system can be improved.

[0035] In addition, according to an embodiment, the manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced by simplifying the entire heat pump system, thereby improving the space utilization rate. Description of the Drawings

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a heat exchanger module applied to a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0038] <Description of the Reference Numerals>

[0039] 1: coolant circulation device

[0040] 2: coolant pipeline

[0041] 4: heating element

[0042] 5: coolant valve

[0043] 10: compressor

[0044] 11: refrigerant pipeline

[0045] 12: HVAC module

[0046] 13: Internal condenser

[0047] 14: Opening and closing door

[0048] 15: Heat exchanger

[0049] 16: First expansion valve

[0050] 17: Evaporator

[0051] 18: Liquid receiver

[0052] 21: First connecting pipeline

[0053] 23: Second expansion valve

[0054] 31: Second connecting pipeline

[0055] 41: Third connecting pipeline

[0056] 43: Third expansion valve

[0057] 100: Heat exchanger module

[0058] 102: Coolant inlet

[0059] 104, 106: First coolant outlet, second coolant outlet

[0060] 120: Cooler

[0061] 121: First heat exchange unit

[0062] 122: First refrigerant inlet

[0063] 124: First refrigerant outlet

[0064] 130: Sub - heat exchanger

[0065] 131: Second heat exchange unit

[0066] 132, 133: Second refrigerant inlet, third refrigerant inlet

[0067] 134, 135: Second refrigerant outlet, third refrigerant outlet. Detailed implementation manners

[0068] The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the structures described in the accompanying drawings are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and do not cover the entire scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist when applying this specification.

[0070] To clarify the present invention, parts not relevant to the description are omitted. Also, throughout the specification, the same elements or equivalents are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0071] In addition, the sizes and thicknesses of the respective elements are arbitrarily shown in the drawings, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Further, in the drawings, for clarity, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc. may be exaggerated.

[0072] In addition, unless otherwise explicitly stated to the contrary, the term "comprising" and its variants such as "including" or "containing" should be understood to include the stated elements but not exclude any other elements. The same applies to terms such as "having", "including", etc.

[0073] In addition, terms described in the specification such as "... unit", "... device", "... part", "... component", and "... member" etc. mean units of integrated elements that perform at least one function or operation.

[0074] When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a use or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be regarded herein as "configured to" meet the use or perform the operation or function.

[0075] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0076] A heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment employs a single heat exchanger module 100, which is configured to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant. In addition, the heat exchanger module 100 is configured to perform heat exchange between a low-temperature refrigerant and a high-temperature refrigerant. Thus, by employing a single heat exchanger module 100, the number of components employed can be minimized or reduced, and simplification of the entire system can be achieved.

[0077] The heat exchanger module 100 can be connected via a coolant line 2 to a coolant circulation device 1 that circulates the coolant. The coolant circulation device 1 can include a radiator 3, a heating element 4, and a coolant valve 5.

[0078] A water pump (not shown) can be provided on the coolant line 2. In other words, the coolant can be circulated via the coolant line 2 according to the operation of a water pump (not shown).

[0079] The heating element 4 can include an electrical component and a battery module. The electrical component can include a power control device, an inverter, and / or an on-board charger (OBC).

[0080] Reference Figure 1, the heat pump system may include a compressor 10, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module 12, a heat exchanger 15, a first expansion valve 16, an evaporator 17, a first connection pipeline 21, a second expansion valve 23, and a heat exchanger module 100.

[0081] First, the compressor 10 may compress the introduced refrigerant and cause the compressed refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant pipeline 11 so that the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant pipeline 11.

[0082] The HVAC module 12 may be provided with an internal condenser 13 and an evaporator 17 connected via the refrigerant pipeline 11.

[0083] An opening and closing door 14 may be provided inside the HVAC module 12 between the evaporator 17 and the internal condenser 13, and the opening and closing door is configured to adjust the ambient air that has passed through the evaporator 17 to selectively flow into the internal condenser 13.

[0084] When heating the vehicle interior, the opening and closing door 14 may be opened so that the ambient air that has passed through the evaporator 17 is introduced into the internal condenser 13.

[0085] In other words, the high-temperature refrigerant supplied to the internal condenser 13 may increase the temperature of the ambient air passing through the internal condenser 13. In other words, the introduced ambient air may be converted to a high-temperature state when passing through the internal condenser 13 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating of the vehicle interior.

[0086] When cooling the vehicle interior, the opening and closing door 14 may close one side of the internal condenser 13 so that the ambient air cooled when passing through the evaporator 17 is directly introduced into the vehicle interior.

[0087] Therefore, the ambient air passing through the evaporator 17 may be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 17 when passing through the evaporator 17. The cooled ambient air may be introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0088] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 15 may be connected to the internal condenser 13 via the refrigerant pipeline 11. The heat exchanger 15 may be provided at the front of the vehicle.

[0089] In other words, the heat exchanger 15 may be an air-cooled heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the introduced refrigerant and the ambient air.

[0090] The first expansion valve 16 may be provided on the refrigerant pipeline 11 connecting the heat exchanger 15 and the evaporator 17. The first expansion valve 16 may selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0091] The heat pump system further includes a liquid receiver 18 disposed on the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the evaporator 17 and the compressor 10. The liquid receiver 18 can supply only gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 10, thereby being able to improve the efficiency and durability of the compressor 10.

[0092] The first end of the first connection pipeline 21 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the heat exchanger 15 and the first expansion valve 16. The second end of the first connection pipeline 21 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the evaporator 17 and the compressor 10.

[0093] More specifically, the second end of the first connection pipeline 21 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the evaporator and the liquid receiver 18.

[0094] In this embodiment, a second expansion valve 23 can be disposed on the first connection pipeline 21. The second expansion valve 23 can be an electronic expansion valve, which is configured to selectively expand the supplied refrigerant while controlling the refrigerant flow.

[0095] The heat exchanger module 100 can be disposed on the first connection pipeline 21, at the downstream end of the second expansion valve 23.

[0096] Based on the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing along the first connection pipeline 21, the second expansion valve 23 can be disposed at the upstream end of the heat exchanger module 100, such that the refrigerant can be introduced into the heat exchanger module 100 before being supplied elsewhere.

[0097] The upstream end of the heat exchanger module 100 can be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant. Based on the direction in which the refrigerant flows along the first connection pipeline 21, the position where the refrigerant is introduced into the heat exchanger module 100 can be defined as the upstream end of the heat exchanger module 100, and the position where the refrigerant is discharged from the heat exchanger module 100 can be defined as the downstream end of the heat exchanger module 100.

[0098] The heat exchanger module 100 can be respectively connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 connecting the heat exchanger 15 and the first expansion valve 16 and the refrigerant pipeline 11 connecting the evaporator 17 and the compressor 10.

[0099] In other words, the heat exchanger module 100 can be connected to the first connection pipeline 21 and is configured to perform heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced from the coolant circulation device 1 and the refrigerant.

[0100] At the same time, the heat exchanger module 100 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 and is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the internal condenser 13 or the heat exchanger 15 and the refrigerant supplied from one of the evaporator 17 and the first connection pipeline 21.

[0101] In this embodiment, the heat pump system further includes a second connection pipeline 31, a third connection pipeline 41, and a third expansion valve 43.

[0102] The first end of the second connection pipeline 31 can be connected to the second expansion valve 23. The second end of the second connection pipeline 31 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the internal condenser 13 and the heat exchanger 15.

[0103] In the heating and dehumidifying mode inside the vehicle, the second connection pipeline 31 configured as such can be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve 23. When the second connection pipeline 31 is opened, a part of the refrigerant in the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser 13 can be introduced into the second connection pipeline 31.

[0104] At this time, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced via the second connection pipeline 31 and make the expanded refrigerant flow into the heat exchanger module 100.

[0105] In this embodiment, the third expansion valve 43 can be arranged on the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the internal condenser 13 and the heat exchanger 15. The third expansion valve 43 can be an electronic expansion valve, which is configured to selectively expand the supplied refrigerant while controlling the refrigerant flow.

[0106] According to the selective operation of the third expansion valve 43, the heat exchanger 15 can condense or evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0107] In other words, in order to heat the interior of the vehicle, when the refrigerant expanded by the operation of the third expansion valve 43 is introduced, the heat exchanger 15 can recover the heat of the ambient air while exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the ambient air.

[0108] The first end of the third connection pipeline 41 can be connected to the third expansion valve 43. The second end of the third connection pipeline 41 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the heat exchanger 15 and the heat exchanger module 100.

[0109] In the heating and dehumidifying mode or the heating and defrosting mode inside the vehicle, the third connection pipeline 41 configured as such can be opened by the operation of the third expansion valve 43. When frosting occurs in the heat exchanger 15, the defrosting mode can be operated.

[0110] In other words, when the third connection pipeline 41 is opened, the heat exchanger 15 does not receive the refrigerant, but receives the remaining refrigerant in the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser 13 except for the refrigerant introduced into the second connection pipeline 31.

[0111] Reference Figure 2 The detailed structure and connection configuration of the heat exchanger module 100 in the heat pump system configured as such are described in detail.

[0112] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger module applied to a vehicle heat pump system according to an embodiment.

[0113] Referring to Figure 2 , the heat exchanger module 100 may include a cooler 120 and a sub-heat exchanger 130.

[0114] First, the cooler 120 may be disposed on the first connection pipeline 21, at the downstream end of the second expansion valve 23, so that the refrigerant can pass through, and may be connected to the coolant circulation device 1 via the coolant pipeline 2.

[0115] Therefore, the coolant can selectively circulate through the inside of the cooler 120.

[0116] The cooler 120 may include a first heat exchange unit 121, a first refrigerant inlet 122, and a first refrigerant outlet 124.

[0117] First, the first heat exchange unit 121 may perform heat exchange between the coolant introduced from the heating element 4 of the coolant circulation device 1 via the coolant pipeline 2 and the refrigerant introduced via the first connection pipeline 21.

[0118] The first heat exchange unit 121 may be formed by stacking a plurality of plates, so that the fluid pipelines configured to respectively allow the refrigerant and the coolant to flow are alternately arranged therein. Therefore, the refrigerant and the coolant can exchange heat with each other when passing through different fluid pipelines.

[0119] The first refrigerant inlet 122 may be formed or disposed on the first side of the first heat exchange unit 121. The first refrigerant inlet 122 may receive the refrigerant from the second expansion valve 23.

[0120] In addition, the first refrigerant outlet 124 may be formed or disposed on the opposite side of the first refrigerant inlet 122, on the second side of the first heat exchange unit 121. The first refrigerant outlet 124 may discharge the refrigerant to the sub-heat exchanger 130.

[0121] The heat exchanger module 100 further includes a coolant inlet 102, a first coolant outlet 104, and a second coolant outlet 106.

[0122] First, the coolant inlet 102 may allow the coolant to flow into the first heat exchange unit 121.

[0123] The coolant inlet 102 may be connected to the heating element 4 via the coolant pipeline 2 configured to allow the coolant to flow.

[0124] The first coolant outlet 104 may be provided at a position opposite to the coolant inlet 102. The first coolant outlet 104 may discharge the coolant that has not passed through the first heat exchange unit 121.

[0125] The first coolant outlet 104 may be connected via a coolant line 2 to a radiator 3 included in the coolant circulation device 1.

[0126] In addition, the second coolant outlet 106 may be formed or provided at a position spaced apart from the coolant inlet 102 to discharge the coolant that has passed through the first heat exchange unit 121.

[0127] The second coolant outlet 106 may be connected via a coolant line 2 to a coolant valve 5 in the coolant circulation device 1.

[0128] Therefore, the refrigerant introduced via the first connection line 21 may be introduced into the first heat exchange unit 121 through the first refrigerant inlet 122. At the same time, the coolant introduced from the heating element 4 via the coolant line 2 may be introduced into the first heat exchange unit 121 through the coolant inlet 102.

[0129] The refrigerant and the coolant may flow in opposite directions within the first heat exchange unit 121. In other words, the cooler 120 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant by making the refrigerant and the coolant flow in a countercurrent direction.

[0130] The cooler 120 configured as such may adjust the temperature of the coolant through heat exchange between the refrigerant introduced into the first connection line 21 and the selectively introduced coolant. More specifically, the cooler 120 may perform heat exchange between the supplied refrigerant and the coolant to adjust the temperature of the coolant.

[0131] The cooler 120 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the internally introduced refrigerant and the coolant.

[0132] In other words, the cooler 120 may perform heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced via the coolant line 2 and the selectively supplied refrigerant to adjust the temperature of the coolant. The coolant that has undergone heat exchange at the cooler 120 may be circulated to the heating element 4 through the coolant valve 5 provided on the coolant line 2.

[0133] Therefore, the coolant that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant at the cooler 120 may adjust the temperature of the electrical components and the battery module included in the heating element 4 while being selectively supplied to the heating element 4.

[0134] In other words, in the heating mode, the heating and dehumidifying mode, the heating and defrosting mode inside the vehicle, or the heating and dehumidifying mode inside the vehicle, the coolant can circulate via the coolant line 2 so that the coolant that has passed through the heating element 4 can be supplied to the cooler 120.

[0135] When frosting occurs in the heat exchanger 15, the defrosting mode can be operated.

[0136] The cooler 120 configured in this way can recover the waste heat of the heating element 4 while performing heat exchange between the coolant introduced via the coolant line 2 and the refrigerant, or cool the heating element 4 by using the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant.

[0137] In addition, the auxiliary heat exchanger 130 can be integrally provided in the cooler 120. The auxiliary heat exchanger 130 can be respectively connected to the refrigerant line 11 connecting the heat exchanger 15 and the first expansion valve 16 and the refrigerant line 11 connecting the evaporator 17 and the compressor 10.

[0138] The auxiliary heat exchanger 130 can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant that has passed through the internal condenser 13 or the heat exchanger 15 and the refrigerant that has passed through at least one of the evaporator 17 and the cooler 120, so that the condensation degree can be improved by increasing the sub-cooling of the refrigerant.

[0139] The auxiliary heat exchanger 130 can include a second heat exchange unit 131, a second refrigerant inlet 132, a third refrigerant inlet 133, a second refrigerant outlet 134, and a third refrigerant outlet 135.

[0140] First, the second heat exchange unit 131 can perform heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant introduced inside and the high-temperature refrigerant.

[0141] The second heat exchange unit 131 can be formed by stacking a plurality of plates so that the fluid lines configured to respectively allow the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant to flow are alternately arranged therein. Therefore, the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant can exchange heat with each other when passing through different fluid lines.

[0142] In other words, the heat exchanger module 100 can be a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger module 100 can be formed by stacking a plurality of plates and is configured to form the cooler 120 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 130.

[0143] In this embodiment, the second refrigerant inlet 132 can be formed or provided on the first side of the second heat exchange unit 131. The second refrigerant inlet 132 can allow the high-temperature refrigerant supplied from one of the internal condenser 13 and the heat exchanger 15 to flow into the second heat exchange unit 131.

[0144] The third refrigerant inlet 133 may be formed or provided on the second side of the second heat exchange unit 131. The third refrigerant inlet 133 may allow the low-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 17 to flow into the second heat exchange unit 131.

[0145] The third refrigerant inlet 133 may communicate with the first refrigerant outlet 124 provided in the cooler 120, such that the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchange unit 121 can be introduced into the second heat exchange unit 131.

[0146] Therefore, the refrigerant that has passed through at least one of the evaporator 17 and the cooler 120 can be introduced into the second heat exchange unit 131 through the third refrigerant inlet 133.

[0147] In this embodiment, the second refrigerant outlet 134 may be formed or provided at a position in the second heat exchange unit 131 that is spaced apart from the second refrigerant inlet 132. The second refrigerant outlet 134 may discharge the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchange unit 131 to the first expansion valve 16 or the second expansion valve 23.

[0148] In addition, the third refrigerant outlet 135 may be formed or provided on the first side of the second heat exchange unit 131, at a position opposite to the third refrigerant inlet 133. The third refrigerant outlet 135 may discharge the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchange unit 131.

[0149] The high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser 13 or the heat exchanger 15 may be introduced into the second heat exchange unit 131 through the second refrigerant inlet 132. In addition, the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from one or both of the evaporator 17 and the cooler 120 may be introduced into the second heat exchange unit 131 through the third refrigerant inlet 133.

[0150] The high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant may flow in opposite directions within the second heat exchange unit 131. In other words, the sub-heat exchanger 130 may perform heat exchange between them by causing the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant to flow in a countercurrent direction.

[0151] In a heat pump system provided with the heat exchanger module 100 configured as such, the refrigerant discharged from one or both of the evaporator 17 and the cooler 120 may exchange heat with the refrigerant supplied from the internal condenser 13 or the heat exchanger 15 at the sub-heat exchanger 130, and then be supplied to the compressor 10.

[0152] In other words, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser 13 or the heat exchanger 15 and the low-temperature refrigerant discharged from one or both of the evaporator 17 and the cooler 120 may be respectively introduced into the sub-heat exchanger 130.

[0153] Accordingly, the auxiliary heat exchanger 130 can perform additional heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant to further lower the temperature of the refrigerant and increase the condensation level.

[0154] In this way, the auxiliary heat exchanger 130 can also condense the refrigerant condensed at the internal condenser 13 or the heat exchanger 15 to increase the subcooling degree of the refrigerant. Accordingly, the coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of the cooling capacity to the required compressor power, can be increased.

[0155] Accordingly, as described above, when applying the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment, by adopting a single heat exchanger module 100 configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant and between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant, the number of components employed can be reduced or minimized. Accordingly, the entire heat pump system can be simplified.

[0156] In addition, according to the present invention, by efficiently managing the temperature of the heating element 4 including the electrical components and the battery module using the heat exchanger module 100, the optimal performance of the electrical components and the battery module can be achieved. In addition, by efficiently managing the battery module, the total driving distance of the vehicle can be increased.

[0157] In addition, according to the present invention, in the heating mode inside the vehicle, by selectively utilizing the ambient air heat and the waste heat of the heating element 4, the heating efficiency can be improved.

[0158] In addition, according to the present invention, by increasing the subcooling degree of the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger module 100, the overall cooling performance and efficiency of the heat pump system can be improved.

[0159] In addition, according to the present invention, by simplifying the entire heat pump system, the manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced, and the space utilization rate can be improved.

[0160] Although the present invention has been described in connection with presently considered practical embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module including an interior condenser, an evaporator connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line, and an opening and closing door configured to condition air having passed through the evaporator to selectively flow into the interior condenser according to a cooling mode or a heating mode of the vehicle; a heat exchanger connected to the internal condenser via the refrigerant line; a first expansion valve, disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the evaporator; a first connecting line, a first end of which is connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and a second end of which is connected to the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor; a second expansion valve, disposed on the first connecting pipeline; as well as a heat exchanger module connected to the first connecting line and configured to perform heat exchange between a coolant selectively introduced via the coolant line and a refrigerant introduced via the first connecting line, and connected to the refrigerant line and configured to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant supplied from one of the interior condenser and the heat exchanger and a refrigerant supplied from one of the evaporator and the first connecting line.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The heat exchanger module comprises: a cooler provided on the first connecting line at a downstream end of the second expansion valve to allow refrigerant to pass therethrough, the cooler being connected to a coolant circulation device that circulates a coolant through the coolant line; and A secondary heat exchanger is integrally provided in the cooler and is respectively connected to the refrigerant pipeline connecting the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve and the refrigerant pipeline connecting the evaporator and the compressor.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The cooler comprises: a first heat exchange unit configured to perform heat exchange between a coolant and a refrigerant; a first refrigerant inlet disposed on a first side of the first heat exchange unit and configured to receive the refrigerant from the second expansion valve; and The first refrigerant outlet is disposed on the second side of the first heat exchange unit and is configured to discharge the refrigerant to the sub-heat exchanger.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein: The heat exchanger module comprises: a coolant inlet configured to allow coolant to flow into the first heat exchange unit; a first coolant outlet disposed at a position opposite to the coolant inlet and configured to discharge the coolant that has not passed through the first heat exchange unit; and The second coolant outlet is provided at a position spaced apart from the coolant inlet and is configured to discharge the coolant having passed through the first heat exchange unit.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein: The coolant inlet is connected to a heating element via the coolant line through which the coolant flows; The first coolant outlet is connected to a radiator included in the coolant circulation device via the coolant line; and The second coolant outlet is connected to a coolant valve included in the coolant circulation device via the coolant line.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein: The cooler is configured to recover waste heat of the heating element and perform heat exchange between the coolant introduced into the first heat exchange unit via the coolant line and the refrigerant, or cool the heating element by using the coolant that has performed heat exchange with the refrigerant.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein: The secondary heat exchanger comprises: a second heat exchange unit configured to perform heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant; a second refrigerant inlet disposed on a first side of the second heat exchange unit and configured to allow a high-temperature refrigerant supplied from one of the interior condenser and the heat exchanger to flow to the second heat exchange unit; a second refrigerant outlet disposed at a position in the second heat exchange unit spaced apart from the second refrigerant inlet and configured to discharge the refrigerant having passed through the second heat exchange unit to the first expansion valve or the second expansion valve; a third refrigerant inlet disposed on a second side of the second heat exchange unit and configured to flow the low-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator into the second heat exchange unit; and The third refrigerant outlet is provided at a position opposite to the third refrigerant inlet on the first side of the second heat exchange unit and is configured to discharge the refrigerant having passed through the second heat exchange unit.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 7, wherein: The third refrigerant inlet communicates with the first refrigerant outlet provided in the cooler so that the refrigerant having passed through the first heat exchange unit may be introduced into the second heat exchange unit.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein: The refrigerant, having passed through at least one of the evaporator and the cooler, is introduced into the second heat exchange unit through the third refrigerant inlet.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second connecting line having a first end connected to the second expansion valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the internal condenser and the heat exchanger; a third expansion valve, disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the internal condenser and the heat exchanger; as well as A third connecting pipeline has a first end connected to the third expansion valve and a second end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 10, wherein: The heat exchanger is configured to condense or evaporate refrigerant by exchanging heat with ambient air based on selective operation of the third expansion valve.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 10, wherein: The second expansion valve and the third expansion valve are electronic expansion valves configured to selectively expand refrigerant while controlling a flow of the supplied refrigerant. 13 . The heat pump system according to claim 1 , further comprising a liquid accumulator disposed on the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The heat exchanger module is a plate heat exchanger.

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