HVAC cartridge for cooling components of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an HVAC cartridge (10) for cooling components of a vehicle with coolant, the HVAC cartridge (10) comprising a cartridge (12) with integrated coolant tubes (14a-14d), a first mounting flange (16) for a coolant pump (18), a second mounting flange (20) for a coolant valve (22), whereby the first mounting flange (16) and the second mounting flange (20) are connected to at least one coolant tube (14a-14d).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an HVAC cassette for conditioning the cabin of a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle, and cooling components of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, the HVAC box is placed close to the bulkhead outside the vehicle cabin. The HVAC box must be placed close to the air outlet that guides heated or cooled air into the vehicle cabin. In modern cars, this space is needed for other components, such as components for autonomous driving and a head-up display.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to move the hot components of the car to another location and to be able to arrange these components in a more flexible way. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 .

[0005] The HVAC cassette of the present invention preferably functions as both a conventional HVAC cassette and a component for cooling a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle, using coolant, according to the following definitions. The HVAC cassette comprises a cassette, particularly a plastic cassette, with integrated coolant pipes; a first mounting flange for a coolant pump and a second mounting flange for a coolant valve. The first and second mounting flanges are connected to at least one coolant pipe.

[0006] The HVAC cassette of the present invention offers the advantage of directing air while also providing mounting flanges for the coolant pump and the coolant valve. Consequently, all of these components can be arranged on the HVAC cassette in a very compact manner. Furthermore, the HVAC cassette offers a highly flexible placement within the vehicle interior and can be moved away from the vehicle bulkhead, where other components, such as a heads-up display or components for autonomous driving, can instead be located. By allowing for cabin conditioning via the vehicle's roof and / or floor panels rather than dashboard nozzles, as is the case in autonomous vehicles with front passengers facing rear passengers, the HVAC cassette can be relocated and integrated with the vehicle's thermal management system, freeing up valuable space near the bulkhead.

[0007] The HVAC box (also called an HVAC module or heater box) in a car is a component of the vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It regulates and directs airflow, temperature, and air distribution within the vehicle cabin.

[0008] The HVAC box may house essential components such as the heater core, evaporator, blower motor, blend door, and / or actuator. It preferably controls the mixing of hot and cold air, adjusts airflow direction (defrost, floor, face vents), and / or ensures proper climate control based on user settings. The system works by drawing air from outside or inside the vehicle, conditioning it (heating or cooling), and then distributing it to the cabin through ducts.

[0009] Preferably, the heat exchanger is attached to the HVAC cassette.

[0010] It is further preferred that the coolant pipe is integrally formed in the HVAC box by blow molding or injection molding.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the device of the invention comprises a second heat exchanger which is inclined relative to the first heat exchanger. In other words, the two heat exchangers are not arranged parallel to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the first heat exchanger is adapted to transfer heat between the coolant and air, whereby the air is distributed by air ducts attached to the heat exchanger.

[0013] It is further preferred that the second heat exchanger is adapted to transfer heat between the refrigerant and / or coolant and the air.

[0014] The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a refrigerant module attached to the HVAC cassette, whereby the chiller is attached to the HVAC cassette for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant.

[0015] The refrigerant module manages air conditioning, drying, and heat pump functions by controlling refrigerant flow and pressure to the HVAC refrigerant-to-air heat exchangers (evaporators, condensers / gas coolers) and to attached refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchangers (chillers, liquid-cooled condensers) for battery conditioning or heat harvesting. The module includes flow channels embedded in the aluminum module as well as valves, sensors, fill ports, and interfaces to the lines and heat exchangers.

[0016] The refrigerant module may be embedded in the integrated HVAC cassette or attached to the integrated HVAC cassette via an interface at a shared component, such as the first or second heat exchanger or the refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger (chiller, liquid-cooled condenser).

[0017] The refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger comprises flow connections with the coolant and with the refrigerant module or equivalent piping, while allowing a large heat transfer between the two fluids by providing a large surface area (eg as a stack of brazed plates).

[0018] It is further preferred that a pipe in which the coolant of the cooler flows is integrally formed in the HVAC box.

[0019] It is further preferred that the air ducts for distributing the air from the first heat exchanger are arranged in the A-pillars, B-pillars and / or C-pillars and / or in the roof of the vehicle.

[0020] It is further preferred that at least a portion of the air duct is heat-insulated. Thus, heat loss can be minimized so that the air duct can be longer without wasting too much heat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The following figures describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention:

[0022] Figures 1 to 7 The embodiments of the present invention are shown from different perspectives. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 The present invention illustrates an HVAC cassette 10 for cooling components of a vehicle (particularly an electric vehicle) using coolant, while functioning as a conventional HVAC cassette according to the aforementioned functionality. The HVAC cassette 10 includes a plastic cassette 12 with integrated coolant pipes 14a. These pipes can be blow-molded, for example, and thus formed integrally within the plastic cassette 12. The plastic cassette 12 includes a first mounting flange 16 for a coolant pump 18 and a second mounting flange 20 for a coolant valve 22. The coolant pump is used to pump coolant to other components of the vehicle. The coolant valve is used to facilitate the distribution of coolant within the vehicle interior.

[0024] The first mounting flange 16 and the second mounting flange 20 are connected with at least one coolant tube 14 a - 14 d that is integrally formed in the plastic case 12 .

[0025] HVAC Box 10 in Figure 2 is shown in a separate view, and Figure 1 The HVAC cassette is shown, along with other components such as air ducts 32 .

[0026] Figure 3 Shown from above Figure 1 The HVAC box 10. In particular, it can be seen how the air from the first heat exchanger 24 is distributed via the air ducts 32.

[0027] The first heat exchanger 24 is Figure 4 As shown in Figure 5 The air duct is also shown.

[0028] Figure 6A first heat exchanger 24 and a second heat exchanger 26 are shown which is tilted relative to the first heat exchanger 24. The first heat exchanger 24 is adapted to transfer heat between the coolant and the air, whereby the air is distributed by air ducts 32 attached to the heat exchanger (see for example Figure 5 The second heat exchanger 26 is adapted to transfer heat between the refrigerant and the air.

[0029] The functions of the system components are as follows:

[0030] pT sensors are used to measure the pressure and / or temperature inside a fluid. They are used in coolant and refrigerant circuits.

[0031] Valves are used to distribute flow between various channels or to precisely control the mass flow rate or pressure in each flow path. Various types are used in coolant and refrigerant circuits.

[0032] The accumulator stores the liquid refrigerant, separates the gas and liquid phases, ensures the oil returns to the compressor and extracts moisture from the system.

[0033] An internal heat exchanger (embedded in the accumulator) exchanges heat between the liquid and the refrigerant system's suction line to increase system efficiency.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a cooling module for cooling a component of a vehicle as described in the following aspects. Here, the cooling module is equivalent to the HVAC box as described in the above description and may include the same features:

[0035] aspect

[0036] Aspect 1. A cooling module (10) for cooling a component of a vehicle using a coolant, the cooling module (10) comprising:

[0037] a cassette (12) having integrated coolant tubes (14a-14d),

[0038] a first mounting flange (16) for a coolant pump (18),

[0039] Second mounting flange (20) for coolant valve (22)

[0040] The first mounting flange (16) and the second mounting flange (20) are thereby connected to at least one coolant pipe (14a-14d).

[0041] Aspect 2. The device according to aspect 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger (24) is attached to the cooling module (10).

[0042] Aspect 3. The device according to aspect 1 or 2, characterized in that the coolant pipes (14a-14d) are integrally formed in the cooling module (10) by blow molding.

[0043] Aspect 4. The device according to Aspect 2, characterized in that the second heat exchanger (26) is inclined relative to the first heat exchanger (24) so that the two heat exchangers (24, 26) are not arranged parallel to each other.

[0044] Aspect 5. The device according to any of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the refrigerant module (28) is attached to the cooling module (10), whereby the cooler (30) is attached to the cooling module (10) for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant.

[0045] Aspect 6. The device according to Aspect 5, characterized in that a pipe of the cooler (30) to which the coolant flows is integrally formed in the cooling module (10).

[0046] Aspect 7. The device according to aspect 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (24) is adapted to transfer heat between the coolant and air, whereby the air is distributed by air ducts (32) attached to the heat exchanger (24).

[0047] Aspect 8. The apparatus according to aspects 4 and 5, characterized in that the second heat exchanger (26) is adapted to transfer heat between the refrigerant and the air.

[0048] Aspect 9. The device according to Aspect 7, characterized in that the air duct is arranged in the A-pillar, B-pillar and / or C-pillar of the vehicle and / or in the roof.

[0049] Aspect 10. The device according to aspect 9, characterized in that at least a portion of the air duct is thermally insulated.

Claims

1. An HVAC box (10) for cooling components of a vehicle using a coolant and / or a refrigerant, the HVAC box (10) comprising: a cassette (12) having integrated coolant tubes (14a-14d), a first mounting flange (16) for a coolant pump (18), a second mounting flange (20) for a coolant valve (22), The first mounting flange (16) and the second mounting flange (20) are thereby connected to at least one coolant pipe (14a-14d).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that A heat exchanger (24) is attached to the HVAC cassette (10).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The coolant tubes (14a-14d) are integrally formed in the HVAC box (10) by blow molding and / or injection molding.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The second heat exchanger (26) is tilted relative to the first heat exchanger (24) so that the two heat exchangers (24, 26) are not arranged parallel to each other.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A refrigerant module (28) is attached to the HVAC box (10), whereby a chiller (30) is attached to the HVAC box (10) for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that A pipe to the cooler (30) to which the coolant flows is integrally formed in the HVAC box (10).

7. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The heat exchanger (24) is adapted to transfer heat between the coolant and air, whereby the air is distributed by air ducts (32) attached to the heat exchanger (24).

8. The device according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that The second heat exchanger (26) is adapted to transfer heat between the refrigerant and air.

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The air duct is arranged in an A-pillar, a B-pillar and / or a C-pillar of the vehicle and / or in the roof.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that At least a portion of the air duct is thermally insulated.

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