Vehicle heat pump system

Abstract

A heat pump system for a vehicle may include an ejector configured to increase a pressure of an introduced refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant at the increased pressure to increase a pressure and a flow rate of the refrigerant, thereby being able to reduce a refrigerant load of a compressor by reducing a compression ratio of the compressor, and to increase the pressure and the flow rate of the refrigerant. The cooling load is reduced; and the cooling performance is improved.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference with related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0128971, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 24, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a heat pump system for vehicles. More specifically, this invention relates to a vehicle heat pump system capable of reducing cooling load and improving cooling performance. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, air conditioning systems for vehicles include air conditioning units that circulate refrigerant to heat or cool the vehicle's interior.

[0005] Regardless of changes in external temperature, the air conditioning unit used to maintain the appropriate temperature inside the vehicle is configured to heat or cool the vehicle interior by utilizing heat exchange between the condenser and evaporator as the refrigerant discharged through the compressor circulates back to the compressor via the condenser, receiver-dryer, expansion valve, and evaporator.

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

[0007] Recently, with increasing public concern about energy efficiency and environmental pollution, there is a desire to develop environmentally friendly vehicles that can substantially replace internal combustion engine vehicles. Environmentally friendly vehicles are categorized into electric vehicles that use fuel cells or electricity as their power source, and hybrid vehicles that use both an engine and batteries.

[0008] Unlike air conditioning in regular vehicles, these eco-friendly vehicles do not use a separate heater. The air conditioning systems used in eco-friendly vehicles are typically called heat pump systems.

[0009] Electric vehicles powered by fuel cells generate propulsion by converting the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. During this process, the chemical reaction within the fuel cell produces heat. Therefore, effectively removing this heat is crucial to ensuring the performance of the fuel cell.

[0010] Furthermore, hybrid vehicles utilize electricity supplied from the aforementioned fuel cell or battery, along with a fossil fuel-powered engine, to drive an electric motor and generate propulsion. Accordingly, the heat generated by the fuel cell or battery and the electric motor must be effectively removed to ensure the motor's performance.

[0011] In traditional heat pump systems, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor condenses as it passes through the condenser. This results in a decrease in refrigerant pressure at the condenser outlet, thus reducing the total flow rate of refrigerant discharged from the condenser.

[0012] When the total flow rate of refrigerant discharged from the condenser decreases, it becomes difficult to maintain the temperature distribution of the evaporator because only a small amount of refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator, and the overall cooling performance and efficiency will decrease.

[0013] To prevent this drawback, the pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the compressor can be increased by the amount of pressure reduction, but this will cause an excessive increase in the compressor's power consumption, and will lead to higher overall power consumption due to the increased overall cooling load.

[0014] The information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present invention, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The present invention provides a heat pump system for a vehicle that employs an injector configured to increase the pressure of an introduced refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant at the increased pressure, thereby increasing the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant. This enables the compressor to reduce its refrigerant load by lowering its compression ratio, thereby reducing the cooling load and improving cooling performance.

[0016] The present invention also provides a heat pump system for vehicles that can significantly reduce or minimize power consumption by reducing the power consumption of the compressor.

[0017] In one embodiment, a heat pump system for a vehicle may include: a compressor configured to compress refrigerant; a vehicle interior condenser connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; and a heat exchanger connected to the vehicle interior condenser via a refrigerant line and configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the supplied refrigerant and ambient air. The heat pump system further includes: a first expansion valve connected to the heat exchanger via a refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the first expansion valve via a refrigerant line and configured to evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the supplied refrigerant and ambient air; and a first connecting line including a first end connected to the refrigerant line downstream of the evaporator and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve. The heat pump system further includes: a cooler disposed on the first connecting line and configured to regulate the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced into the first connecting line and selectively introduced coolant; and a second expansion valve disposed on the first connecting line upstream of the cooler. The heat pump system also includes: an ejector disposed on a refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor and configured to discharge refrigerant at a pressure greater than that of the introduced refrigerant; and a second connecting line including a first end connected to the ejector and a second end connected to a refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve.

[0018] Refrigerant discharged from at least one of the evaporator and cooler can be introduced into the ejector through a refrigerant line, and refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger can be introduced into the ejector through a second connecting line.

[0019] A heat pump system for a vehicle may also include a receiver on the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor, and a third expansion valve on the refrigerant line between the condenser and the heat exchanger inside the vehicle.

[0020] The third expansion valve can be configured to supply refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's interior condenser to the heat exchanger without expansion in the vehicle's interior cooling mode, and to expand the refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's interior condenser and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger in the vehicle's interior heating mode.

[0021] A heat pump system for a vehicle may also include: a valve disposed on a refrigerant line between a heat exchanger and a second end of a second connecting line; and a third connecting line including a first end connected to the valve and a second end connected to a receiver.

[0022] The valve can be a three-way valve that can distribute flow and control the flow of supplied refrigerant.

[0023] In the vehicle's interior heating or heating / dehumidification mode, the third connection line can be selectively opened by operating the valve.

[0024] When the injector operates in the vehicle's cooling mode and the battery module needs cooling, the first connecting line can be opened by operating the second expansion valve, the second connecting line can be opened, and the third connecting line can be closed by operating the valve. A portion of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger can flow to the refrigerant line, and the remaining refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger can flow to the second connecting line. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator and cooler can be introduced into the injector along the refrigerant line. The first expansion valve can be configured to expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator. The second expansion valve can be configured to expand the refrigerant introduced through the first connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler. The third expansion valve can be configured to supply the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line to the heat exchanger without expansion. The injector can be configured to supply the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line after passing through the evaporator and cooler, as well as the refrigerant introduced through the second connecting line, to the receiver via the refrigerant line.

[0025] In the vehicle's interior heating mode, the refrigerant lines connecting the valve and the first expansion valve can be closed by valve operation; the refrigerant lines connecting the evaporator and the injector can be closed; the refrigerant lines connecting the injector and the receiver can be closed; the first connecting line can be closed by the second expansion valve; the second connecting line can be closed; the third connecting line can be opened by valve operation; the operation of the first and second expansion valves can be stopped; the third expansion valve can be configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle's interior condenser and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger; the injector can be stopped.

[0026] The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the third expansion valve may be bidirectional electronic expansion valves configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0027] A heat pump system for a vehicle may also include an auxiliary heat exchanger, which is connected to a refrigerant line that connects to the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and to a refrigerant line that connects to the injector and the compressor.

[0028] The secondary heat exchanger can be configured to allow heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger via a refrigerant line and the refrigerant supplied from the ejector.

[0029] A heat pump system for a vehicle may also include a battery module through which coolant circulates, with a cooler connected to the battery module via coolant lines through which the coolant circulates.

[0030] When cooling the battery module in the vehicle's cooling mode, or when recovering waste heat from the battery module in the vehicle's heating mode, the coolant line can be opened to connect the cooler and the battery module.

[0031] As described above, the heat pump system for vehicles according to the embodiment increases the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant by applying an injector configured to increase the pressure of the introduced refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant at the increased pressure. This can reduce the refrigerant load on the compressor by reducing the compression ratio of the compressor, thereby achieving a reduction in cooling load and an improvement in cooling performance.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention can minimize power consumption by reducing the power consumption of the compressor, and by using a secondary heat exchanger on the outlet side of the injector, the degree of overheating of the refrigerant introduced into the compressor can be controlled, and the stability of the entire system can be ensured. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 2 This is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment, showing the operating state when the injector is operated and the battery module is cooled in a cooling mode inside the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 3 This is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment, showing the heating mode inside the vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] It should be understood that the embodiments described in this invention and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary in nature and do not represent all the technical ideas of this invention. Therefore, various equivalent methods and modifications can be used to replace them when submitting this application.

[0038] To clarify the invention, content unrelated to the description of the invention has been omitted, and throughout the specification, the same elements or equivalent elements are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0039] Furthermore, the dimensions and thickness of each element can be arbitrarily shown in the accompanying drawings, and the invention is not limited thereto. Additionally, for clarity, the thickness of layers, films, plates, regions, etc., may be exaggerated in the drawings.

[0040] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term "comprising" and its variations, such as "including" or "containing," should be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements but not to exclude any other elements. When a component, device, element, etc., of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be considered herein as "configured to" fulfill that purpose or perform that operation or function.

[0041] Furthermore, terms described in the specification, such as “…unit,” “…device,” “…part,” “…component,” and “…building,” refer to a unit of a comprehensive element that performs at least one function or operation. Refrigerant lines disclosed and described herein may be referred to as sections or portions, such as first refrigerant line, second refrigerant line, etc., to distinguish different sections of refrigerant lines that can be described as being disposed between various component assemblies within the system.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0043] According to the embodiment, the heat pump system for a vehicle can increase the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant by applying an injector 30, which is configured to increase the pressure of the introduced refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant at the increased pressure, thereby reducing the compression ratio and refrigerant load of the compressor 10, while reducing the cooling load and improving the cooling performance.

[0044] Here, according to this heat pump system for electric vehicles, the cooling equipment through which the coolant circulates and the air conditioning unit can be interconnected. The air conditioning unit is an air conditioning device through which the refrigerant circulates, used to cool and heat the interior of the vehicle.

[0045] In other words, reference Figure 1 The heat pump system may include a cooling device and an air conditioning unit, which is equipped with a compressor 10, a vehicle interior condenser 12, a heat exchanger 13, a first expansion valve 14, an evaporator 15, a cooler 20, a first connecting line 21, a second expansion valve 23, an injector 30, and a second connecting line 31.

[0046] In one embodiment, the cooling device may include a battery module 5 through which coolant circulates.

[0047] The cooling system may also include a radiator (not shown). The radiator may be located in the front area of ​​the vehicle. A cooling fan (not shown) may be located at the rear of the radiator. Thus, the radiator cools the coolant by operating the cooling fan and exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0048] Battery module 5 can be connected to cooler 20 via coolant line 3, and coolant circulates through coolant line 3.

[0049] In other words, battery module 5 can be connected to coolant line 3 and can be water-cooled.

[0050] In other words, when cooling the battery module 5 in the vehicle's cooling mode, or when recovering the waste heat of the battery module 5 in the vehicle's heating mode, the coolant line 3 can be opened to connect the cooler 20 and the battery module 5.

[0051] Here, the coolant can be selectively circulated through coolant line 3 by a water pump (not shown).

[0052] In this embodiment, the compressor 10 can compress the supplied refrigerant and cause the compressed refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant line 11, so that the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant line 11.

[0053] The vehicle interior condenser 12 can be connected to the compressor 10 via a refrigerant line 11. The vehicle interior condenser 12 can be located within an HVAC module (not shown).

[0054] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 13 can be connected to the vehicle's interior condenser 12 via a refrigerant line 11. The heat exchanger 13 can be located in the front area of ​​the vehicle.

[0055] Therefore, when the vehicle is in motion, the heat exchanger 13 can condense or evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the introduced refrigerant and the introduced ambient air. In other words, the heat exchanger 13 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the introduced refrigerant and the ambient air.

[0056] The first expansion valve 14 can be installed in the heat exchanger 13 and the refrigerant line 11. The first expansion valve 14 can selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0057] In this embodiment, the evaporator 15 can be connected to the first expansion valve 14 via the refrigerant line 11.

[0058] Evaporator 15 may be located inside an HVAC module (not shown). Here, evaporator 15 evaporates the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the supplied refrigerant and ambient air.

[0059] Here, within the HVAC module, an open / close door (not shown) can be provided between the evaporator 15 and the vehicle interior condenser 12, which is configured to regulate ambient air that has passed through the evaporator 15 to selectively introduce it into the vehicle interior condenser 12.

[0060] When heating the vehicle interior, the door can be opened / closed so that ambient air that has passed through the evaporator 15 can be introduced into the vehicle interior condenser 12.

[0061] In other words, the high-temperature refrigerant supplied to the vehicle's interior condenser 12 can increase the temperature of the ambient air passing through the condenser 12. The introduced ambient air can be converted to a high-temperature state as it passes through the vehicle's interior condenser 12, and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating of the vehicle interior.

[0062] Conversely, when cooling the vehicle interior, the door can be closed on the side facing the condenser 12 inside the vehicle, allowing ambient air that has been cooled while passing through the evaporator 15 to be directly introduced into the vehicle.

[0063] Therefore, the ambient air passing through the evaporator 15 can be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 15 while passing through the evaporator 15. The cooled ambient air can be introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0064] In another embodiment, the air conditioning unit may further include a receiver 16. The receiver 16 may be disposed on the refrigerant line 11 between the evaporator 15 and the compressor 10.

[0065] The receiver 16 can improve the efficiency and durability of the compressor 10 by supplying only gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 10.

[0066] In this embodiment, the cooler 20 can regulate the temperature of the coolant selectively supplied through the coolant line 3 by heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the air conditioning unit and the coolant.

[0067] In other words, the cooler 20 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and coolant introduced into it.

[0068] Here, the cooler 20 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 via the first connecting line 21.

[0069] The first end of the first connecting line 21 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 downstream of the evaporator 15. The second end of the first connecting line 21 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 13 and the first expansion valve 14.

[0070] The cooler 20 can regulate the temperature of the coolant by heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced through the coolant line 3 and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning unit.

[0071] Therefore, the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant at the cooler 20 can be selectively supplied to the battery module 5 to regulate the temperature of the battery module 5.

[0072] The cooler 20 configured in this way can be connected in parallel with the heat exchanger 13 and the evaporator 15 via the first connecting line 21.

[0073] In this embodiment, the second expansion valve 23 can be installed on the first connecting pipeline 21 at the upstream end of the cooler 20.

[0074] Here, when the battery module 5 is cooled by the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the cooling mode inside the vehicle, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the first connecting line 21 and flow the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20.

[0075] In other words, when the battery module 5 is cooled in the cooling mode inside the vehicle, the second expansion valve 23 can reduce the temperature of the refrigerant inside the cooler 20 by expanding the refrigerant introduced into the first connecting line 21, and then guiding the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20.

[0076] Therefore, the coolant whose temperature drops when passing through the cooler 20 is introduced into the battery module 5, thereby achieving more efficient cooling.

[0077] When the waste heat generated by the battery module 5 is recovered in the heating mode inside the vehicle, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the first connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20.

[0078] Therefore, the cooler 20 can evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line 3.

[0079] Here, the cooler 20 can collect waste heat from the battery module 5 while exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the second expansion valve 23 and the refrigerant supplied from the battery module 5.

[0080] Here, the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 23 can be bidirectional electronic expansion valves, configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant. The bidirectional electronic expansion valve may have one inlet and one outlet.

[0081] Here, the upstream end of the cooler 20 can be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant. Based on the direction of refrigerant flow along the first connecting line 21, the location where the refrigerant is introduced into the cooler 20 can be defined as the upstream end of the cooler 20, and the location where the refrigerant is discharged from the cooler 20 can be defined as the downstream end of the cooler.

[0082] In this embodiment, the ejector 30 can be installed on the refrigerant line 11 between the evaporator 15 and the compressor 10. The ejector 30 can discharge refrigerant at a pressure greater than the refrigerant's inlet pressure.

[0083] The first end of the second connecting line 31 can be connected to the ejector 30. The second end of the second connecting line 31 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 13 and the first expansion valve 14.

[0084] Here, refrigerant discharged from at least one or both of the evaporator 15 and cooler 20 can be introduced into the ejector 30 through refrigerant line 11.

[0085] Meanwhile, the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the ejector 30 through the second connecting line 31.

[0086] The ejector 30 can mix the refrigerant discharged from at least one or all of the evaporator 15 and cooler 20 with the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 13, and can discharge the mixed refrigerant to the refrigerant line 11.

[0087] More specifically, the refrigerant discharged from at least one or all of the evaporator 15 and cooler 20 and the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 13 can be completely mixed as they pass through the interior of the ejector 30, and can be discharged to the receiver 16 through the refrigerant line 11 under conditions of increased flow rate and volume.

[0088] Here, the interior of the ejector 30 can be formed in the shape of a venturi tube. Furthermore, the ejector 30 can be configured such that the diameter of the discharge port for discharging refrigerant is smaller than the diameter of the inlet port for introducing refrigerant.

[0089] Therefore, the pressure of the refrigerant discharged through the ejector 30 can be greater than the pressure of the introduced refrigerant.

[0090] The ejector 30 can increase the flow rate (or velocity) of the refrigerant by mixing the refrigerant, which has been depressurized after passing through the heat exchanger 13, with the refrigerant supplied from at least one or both of the evaporator 15 and the cooler 20.

[0091] At the same time, the ejector 30 can increase the pressure of the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through the interior of the venturi tube shape, thereby increasing the flow rate (or velocity) of the refrigerant, and discharge the refrigerant at the increased pressure.

[0092] Through this operation, the ejector 30 can minimize the reduction in pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11, and can maintain a constant refrigerant flow rate.

[0093] In other words, by using the ejector 30 to prevent a reduction in the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11, the heat pump system can prevent a reduction in refrigerant pressure and flow rate without increasing the torque required by the compressor 10.

[0094] In addition, the heat pump system can reduce the compression ratio of the compressor 10 and reduce the refrigerant load of the compressor 10 by using the ejector 30.

[0095] In another embodiment, the heat pump system may also include a third expansion valve 25, a valve 40, and a third connecting line 41.

[0096] The third expansion valve 25 can be installed on the refrigerant line 11 between the condenser 12 and the heat exchanger 13 inside the vehicle.

[0097] The third expansion valve 25 can selectively expand the refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's internal condenser 12 through the refrigerant line 11, and then supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 13.

[0098] The third expansion valve 25 can be a bidirectional electronic expansion valve, configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant. The bidirectional electronic expansion valve can have one inlet and one outlet.

[0099] In the vehicle's interior cooling mode, the third expansion valve 25, configured in this way, can supply refrigerant from the vehicle's interior condenser 12 to the heat exchanger 13 without expansion. Here, the heat exchanger 13 can condense the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced during vehicle operation.

[0100] On the other hand, in the vehicle's interior heating mode, the third expansion valve 25 can expand the refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's interior condenser 12 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 13. Here, the heat exchanger 13 can evaporate the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced during vehicle operation.

[0101] In this embodiment, valve 40 may be installed on refrigerant line 11 between the heat exchanger 13 and the second end of the second connecting line 31.

[0102] Here, valve 40 can be a three-way valve capable of distributing flow and controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0103] Furthermore, the first end of the third connecting line 41 can be connected to the valve 40. The second end of the third connecting line 41 can be connected to the reservoir 16.

[0104] In the vehicle's interior heating or heating-dehumidification mode, this third connection line 41 can be selectively opened by operating valve 40.

[0105] In another embodiment, the heat pump system may also include an auxiliary heat exchanger 50.

[0106] The auxiliary heat exchanger 50 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 connecting the heat exchanger 13 and the first expansion valve 14, as well as the refrigerant line 11 connecting the ejector 30 and the compressor 10.

[0107] The secondary heat exchanger 50 can exchange heat between the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 13 through the refrigerant line 11 and the refrigerant supplied from the ejector 30.

[0108] Here, the auxiliary heat exchanger 50 can be a two-tube heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerants at different temperatures.

[0109] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The operation and function of the heat pump system configured according to the implementation method are described in detail.

[0110] refer to Figure 2 The description covers the operation of the heat pump system injector 30 in a cooling mode inside the vehicle, according to an embodiment, when cooling of the battery module 5 is required.

[0111] Figure 2 This is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment, showing the operating state when the injector is operating and cooling the battery module in a cooling mode inside the vehicle.

[0112] refer to Figure 2 The compressor 10 can be operated to cool the vehicle interior. The refrigerant line 11 interconnects the corresponding components, allowing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 to circulate through these components along the refrigerant line 11.

[0113] Here, the third expansion valve 25 can supply refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 to the heat exchanger 13 without expansion. In this case, the heat exchanger 13 can condense the refrigerant supplied from the third expansion valve 25 by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0114] In this embodiment, the first connecting line 21 can be opened by operating the second expansion valve 23. The second connecting line 31 can then be opened.

[0115] The third connecting line 41 can be closed by operating the valve 40. Here, the valve 40 can be operated so that the heat exchanger 13 and the first expansion valve 14 can be connected to each other via the refrigerant line 11.

[0116] Accordingly, the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 13 can flow to the refrigerant line 11 and the second connecting line 31.

[0117] Here, a portion of the refrigerant that has already passed through heat exchanger 13 can pass through secondary heat exchanger 50 along refrigerant line 11. Secondary heat exchanger 50 can further condense the refrigerant discharged from heat exchanger 13 by exchanging heat with the refrigerant supplied from ejector 30.

[0118] Of the refrigerant that has passed through the secondary heat exchanger 50, a portion of the refrigerant can be introduced into the first expansion valve 14 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0119] The first expansion valve 14 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 15.

[0120] Here, the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 15 as it passes through the evaporator 15.

[0121] At this time, opening / closing the door can close the passage of the vehicle's internal condenser 12, preventing the cooling ambient air from passing through the vehicle's internal condenser 12. Therefore, the cooling ambient air can be introduced directly into the vehicle to cool the interior.

[0122] In this embodiment, the remaining refrigerant in the refrigerant that has passed through the secondary heat exchanger 50 can be introduced into the second expansion valve 23 along the first connecting line 21.

[0123] Here, the second expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the first connecting line 21. Afterwards, the second expansion valve 23 can supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20 through the first connecting line 21.

[0124] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 can exchange heat with the coolant supplied from the battery module 5 through the coolant line 3, thereby cooling the coolant.

[0125] The coolant cooled at the cooler 20 can be supplied to the battery module 5 along the coolant line 3. Accordingly, the battery module 5 can be effectively cooled by the coolant cooled at the cooler 20.

[0126] The coolant circulating through coolant line 3 can effectively cool battery module 5 while repeating the above operations.

[0127] Meanwhile, the remaining refrigerant in the heat exchanger 13 can flow to the second connecting line 31.

[0128] Meanwhile, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 15 and the cooler 20 can be introduced into the ejector 30 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0129] Here, the ejector 30 can receive refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 after passing through the evaporator 15 and the cooler 20, as well as refrigerant introduced through the second connecting line 31. Then, the ejector 30 can increase the flow rate and volume, and discharge the refrigerant with increased flow rate and volume into the refrigerant line 11.

[0130] The refrigerant discharged from the ejector 30 into the refrigerant line 11 can exchange heat with the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 13 as it passes through the auxiliary heat exchanger 50.

[0131] In addition, it can be supplied to the receiver 16 along the refrigerant line 11. Thereafter, the refrigerant can pass through the receiver 16 and flow into the compressor 10.

[0132] In other words, the refrigerant, whose pressure and flow rate decreases as it passes through the heat exchanger 13, can have its pressure and flow rate increased by the ejector 30 before being introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant can then be compressed by the compressor 10.

[0133] The refrigerant compressed at compressor 10 can pass through vehicle interior condenser 12 and then be supplied along refrigerant line 11 to third expansion valve 25.

[0134] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0135] By repeatedly performing the above operations, the heat pump system can minimize the reduction in pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing along refrigerant line 11 and can maintain a constant refrigerant flow rate.

[0136] In addition, in the vehicle's interior cooling mode, the heat pump system can reduce the compression ratio of the compressor 10 to reduce the refrigerant load on the compressor 10, thereby reducing the overall cooling load and improving cooling performance, and effectively cooling the vehicle interior.

[0137] Meanwhile, the heat pump system can effectively cool the battery module 5 by using a low-temperature coolant cooled at the cooler 20.

[0138] refer to Figure 3 The operation of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment is described in a heating mode inside the vehicle.

[0139] Figure 3 This is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment, which is used for heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0140] refer to Figure 3 In the vehicle's interior heating mode, the operation of the first expansion valve 14 can be stopped. Accordingly, the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator 15 can be stopped.

[0141] In this state, the refrigerant line 11 connecting valve 40 and the first expansion valve 14 can be closed by operating valve 40.

[0142] Simultaneously, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the evaporator 15 and the ejector 30 can be shut off. Furthermore, the refrigerant line 11 connecting the ejector 30 and the receiver 16 can also be shut off.

[0143] In this embodiment, the first connecting line 21 can be closed by the second expansion valve 23. Here, the operation of the second expansion valve 23 can be stopped.

[0144] The second connecting line 31 can be closed. Furthermore, the third connecting line 41 can be opened by operating valve 40.

[0145] Therefore, refrigerant may not be introduced into the ejector 30. In other words, the operation of the ejector 30 can be stopped.

[0146] In this state, when the compressor 10 is running, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can travel along the refrigerant line 11 through the vehicle's internal condenser 12 and then into the third expansion valve 25.

[0147] Here, the third expansion valve 25 can expand the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle's internal condenser 12. Afterward, the third expansion valve 25 can supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger 13 via the refrigerant line 11.

[0148] At this time, the heat exchanger 13 can evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the third expansion valve 25 through heat exchange with the ambient air. Here, the refrigerant can directly absorb heat from the ambient air.

[0149] The refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger 13 can be supplied to the compressor 10 via the open third connection line 41 through the receiver 16.

[0150] The compressor 10 can compress the supplied refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant into the refrigerant line 11.

[0151] Therefore, the refrigerant compressed at compressor 10 can be supplied to the vehicle interior condenser 12 along refrigerant line 11. Here, the refrigerant supplied to the vehicle interior condenser 12 can increase the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0152] The door can be opened to allow ambient air, which has been introduced into the HVAC module and has passed through the evaporator 15, to pass through the vehicle's interior condenser 12.

[0153] Accordingly, when passing through the evaporator 15, which is not supplied with refrigerant, ambient air introduced from the outside can be introduced at room temperature without being cooled. The introduced ambient air can be converted to a high-temperature state when passing through the vehicle interior condenser 12, and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating of the vehicle interior.

[0154] Therefore, the heat pump system according to the embodiment can recover ambient air heat source through heat exchanger 13 when the vehicle is in motion, thereby improving the overall heating performance and efficiency.

[0155] Furthermore, according to the present invention, heating efficiency and performance can be improved while minimizing the use of a separate electric heater.

[0156] Therefore, as described above, when the heat pump system for a vehicle according to the embodiment is applied, by applying the injector 30, which is configured to increase the pressure of the introduced refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant at the increased pressure, the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant can be increased, thereby reducing the compression ratio of the compressor 10, thereby reducing the refrigerant load of the compressor 10, and reducing the cooling load and improving the cooling performance.

[0157] Furthermore, the present invention can minimize power consumption by reducing the power consumption of the compressor 10, and by using an auxiliary heat exchanger 50 on the outlet side of the ejector 30, the degree of overheating of the refrigerant introduced into the compressor 10 can be controlled, thereby ensuring the stability of the entire system.

[0158] While the invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments now considered practical, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0159] <Explanation of Figure Markers>

[0160] 10: Compressor

[0161] 11: Refrigerant Piping

[0162] 12: Vehicle interior condenser

[0163] 13: Heat exchanger

[0164] 14: First expansion valve

[0165] 15: Evaporator

[0166] 16: Liquid reservoir

[0167] 20: Cooler

[0168] 21: First connecting pipeline

[0169] 23: Second expansion valve

[0170] 25: Third expansion valve

[0171] 30: Injector

[0172] 31: Second connecting pipeline

[0173] 40: Valve

[0174] 41: Third connecting pipeline

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: A compressor, configured to compress refrigerant; The vehicle's internal condenser is connected to the compressor via refrigerant lines; A heat exchanger, which is connected to the vehicle’s interior condenser via a refrigerant line, is configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the supplied refrigerant and ambient air. A first expansion valve is connected to the heat exchanger via a refrigerant line; An evaporator, which is connected to the first expansion valve via a refrigerant line, is configured to evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the supplied refrigerant and ambient air. The first connecting line has a first end connected to the refrigerant line at the downstream end of the evaporator, and a second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve. A cooler disposed on the first connecting pipeline, the cooler being configured to regulate the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced into the first connecting pipeline and a selectively introduced coolant. A second expansion valve is disposed on the first connecting pipeline at the upstream end of the cooler; An ejector disposed on the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor, the ejector being configured to discharge refrigerant at a pressure greater than that of the introduced refrigerant; and The second connecting line has its first end connected to the injector and its second end connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, Refrigerant discharged from at least one of the evaporator and the cooler is introduced into the ejector through a refrigerant line; and The refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger is introduced into the ejector through the second connecting line.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 1, further comprising: A liquid receiver is disposed on the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor; and A third expansion valve is located on the refrigerant line between the condenser and the heat exchanger inside the vehicle.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein, The third expansion valve is configured as follows: In the vehicle's interior cooling mode, refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's interior condenser is supplied to the heat exchanger without expansion; and In the vehicle's interior heating mode, the refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's interior condenser expands and the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 3, further comprising: A valve is installed on the refrigerant pipeline between the heat exchanger and the second end of the second connecting pipeline; and The third connecting line has its first end connected to the valve and its second end connected to the reservoir.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, The valve is a three-way valve configured to control the flow rate and movement of the supplied refrigerant.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, In the vehicle's interior heating or heating / dehumidification mode, the third connecting line is selectively opened by operating the valve.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, When the injectors operate in the vehicle's cooling mode and the battery module needs cooling: The first connecting line is opened by operating the second expansion valve; The second connecting line is opened; The third connecting line is closed by operating the valve; A portion of the refrigerant that has already passed through the heat exchanger flows into the refrigerant line; The remaining refrigerant in the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger flows to the second connecting line; The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator and the cooler is introduced into the ejector along the refrigerant line; The first expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator; The second expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced through the first connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; The third expansion valve is configured to supply refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line to the heat exchanger without expansion; and The injector is configured to supply refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line after passing through the evaporator and the cooler, and refrigerant introduced through the second connecting line, to the liquid receiver via the refrigerant line.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, In the vehicle's interior heating mode: The refrigerant line connecting the valve and the first expansion valve is closed by the operation of the valve; The refrigerant lines connecting the evaporator and the ejector are closed; The refrigerant line connecting the injector and the receiver is closed; The first connecting pipeline is closed via the second expansion valve; The second connecting line was shut off; The third connecting line is opened by operating the valve; The operation of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve ceases; The third expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle's internal condenser and supply the expanded refrigerant to the heat exchanger; and The injector stopped operating.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 3, wherein, The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the third expansion valve are bidirectional electronic expansion valves configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary heat exchanger, which is respectively connected to the refrigerant line connecting the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve and the refrigerant line connecting the ejector and the compressor.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein, The auxiliary heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger via a refrigerant line and refrigerant supplied from the ejector.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 1, further comprising: Battery modules through which coolant circulates. The cooler is connected to the battery module via a coolant pipeline through which the coolant circulates.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 13, wherein, When the battery module is being cooled in the vehicle's interior cooling mode, or when the waste heat of the battery module is being recovered in the vehicle's interior heating mode, the coolant line is opened to connect the cooler and the battery module.

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