Improved heat pump for a vehicle and method for said heat pump

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat pump for a vehicle, the heat pump comprising a refrigerant circuit having: at least one compressor; a first heat exchanger; the second heat exchanger is used for heating; at least one expansion mechanism; the first heat exchanger is arranged upstream of the second heat exchanger in the flow direction of the refrigerant during operation of the heat pump, and the refrigerant circuit comprises a closable bypass bypassing the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant circuit is designed such that the second heat exchanger is arranged upstream of the third heat exchanger in the flow direction of the refrigerant. The bypass can be opened such that, during operation of the heat pump, the first heat exchanger can be operated by means of the opened bypass without the need for the second heat exchanger, and the heat pump comprises means for setting a refrigerant filling amount of a region of the refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant flows during operation of the heat pump. The invention further relates to a vehicle having a heat pump and to a method for operating the heat pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat pump for a vehicle, the heat pump comprising: a refrigerant circuit having: at least one compressor; a first heat exchanger configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser; a second heat exchanger capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser for heating; at least one expansion mechanism; and a third heat exchanger capable of operating as an evaporator, wherein, if the first and second heat exchangers are present by means of refrigerant flow, the first heat exchanger is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant flow direction during heat pump operation. This heat pump is particularly useful for heating in vehicles. Heat is extracted from the hot refrigerant compressed in the compressor during heat pump operation in at least one of the heat exchangers capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser, and then expanded in the expansion mechanism, wherein the refrigerant is cooled so that it subsequently absorbs heat in at least one heat exchanger operating as an evaporator before reaching the compressor inlet.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle having such a heat pump, and a method for operating the heat pump in the vehicle. Background Technology

[0003] Heat pumps for vehicles are known in which not only liquids such as water can be heated, but also, additionally, the air inside the vehicle interior or within the vehicle interior can be heated. DE 11 2009 001 136 B4 discloses such a heat pump for vehicles, in which a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger is positioned upstream of an internal heat exchanger operating for heating in the refrigerant circuit, and an external heat exchanger operates as an evaporator. Here, high pressure is regulated via an expansion mechanism, which is not always optimal in terms of the desired performance of the heat pump. In the heat pump operation of the heat pump disclosed in DE 11 2009 001136 B4, as also disclosed in DE 10 2022 108 475 A1 and DE 10 2016110 443 A1, the refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger and the internal heat exchanger are always disadvantageously subjected to refrigerant flow, which is not always efficient.

[0004] Although the heat pumps disclosed in DE 10 2010 051 976 A1 and CN 114571955 A do not have the aforementioned disadvantages, the performance of regulating high pressure to optimize the corresponding operating mode in the refrigerant circuit is not described there, which adversely affects the efficiency of the heat pump and thus cannot adequately ensure the flexible and efficient operation of the heat pump.

[0005] Therefore, the problem upon which this invention is based is that heat pumps used for vehicles to date are insufficient in terms of flexibility and high efficiency.

[0006] Therefore, the objective is to provide an improved heat pump for a vehicle, the heat pump including a refrigerant circuit having a first heat exchanger configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger that can operate as a gas cooler / condenser and a second heat exchanger that can operate as a gas cooler / condenser for heating.

[0007] There is a corresponding purpose for vehicles using this type of heat pump.

[0008] In addition, another objective is to provide an improved method for operating heat pumps in vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem upon which this invention is based is achieved through features detailed in the embodiments. The problem is solved by a heat pump for a vehicle comprising a refrigerant circuit having: at least one compressor; a first heat exchanger configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser; a second heat exchanger capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser for heating; at least one expansion mechanism; and a third heat exchanger capable of operating as an evaporator, wherein in heat pump operation where the first and second heat exchangers (7, 9) utilize refrigerant flow, the first heat exchanger is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant flow direction, and wherein the refrigerant circuit includes a closable bypass bypassing the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant circuit is configured such that the bypass can be opened such that in heat pump operation, the first heat exchanger can operate by means of the open bypass without the second heat exchanger, and the heat pump includes a mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit that utilizes refrigerant flow during heat pump operation, the mechanism including two valves.

[0010] The heat pump operation according to the invention, without cooling the air used in or within the vehicle interior space, is as follows: in said operation, a medium, such as air used in and / or within the vehicle interior space, is heated directly or indirectly by heat exchange in a second heat exchanger, and / or a liquid is heated in a first heat exchanger.

[0011] A heat exchanger that can operate as a gas cooler / condenser can be configured to operate as a condenser for a refrigerant intended to operate subcritically in a high-pressure region of a refrigerant circuit, or can be configured to operate as a gas cooler for a refrigerant intended to operate supercritically in a high-pressure region of a refrigerant circuit, or the heat exchanger can be configured such that it can be used not only as a gas cooler but also as a condenser.

[0012] The gas cooler / condenser area is the area of ​​the heat exchanger that, during the operation of the heat exchanger, functions as a gas cooler / condenser for heat exchange via refrigerant flow.

[0013] The heat pump has the advantage of flexible operation, allowing it to function flexibly in two modes. In one mode with the bypass closed, both the first and second heat exchangers operate as gas coolers / condensers, and the flowing refrigerant heats the liquid in both the first and second heat exchangers. In the other mode with the bypass fully open, only the first heat exchanger, and not the second, operates as a gas cooler / condenser, and the flowing refrigerant heats the liquid only in the first heat exchanger. For each of these modes, the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit during heat pump operation can be advantageously set in the refrigerant flow area, thereby adapting the high pressure in the high-pressure area of ​​the refrigerant circuit to the efficient operation of the heat pump in the corresponding mode. The efficiency of the heat pump is improved by adapting the high pressure to the corresponding operating mode by setting the refrigerant charge. The combination of the flexibility of the two operating modes and the setting of the refrigerant charge in heat pump operation is conducive to fully heating the liquid in the first heat exchanger in both operating modes.

[0014] Advantageous designs, extensions and improvements of the relevant subject matter of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, a first heat exchanger is configured and arranged on the liquid side to allow flow of water or a water-glycol mixture, and / or a second heat exchanger is configured and arranged to operate as an internal heat exchanger for directly or indirectly heating air for and / or within the vehicle interior space, and a third heat exchanger can be configured and arranged to operate as an external heat exchanger for directly or indirectly allowing the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air subsequently flowing outwards. Thus, the water or water-glycol mixture in the liquid circuit can be heated by means of a heat pump independently of the operation of the second heat exchanger configured as an internal heat exchanger.

[0016] When air is directly heated or cooled, heat exchange occurs from the refrigerant to the air in a heat exchanger. Conversely, when air is indirectly heated or cooled, heat exchange with the refrigerant takes place via a circuit with an intermediate connection for heat transport, wherein heat exchange with the heat transport medium occurs in a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows.

[0017] The following implementation is advantageous: In this implementation, the valve for opening / closing the bypass in the gas cooler / condenser area of ​​the refrigerant circuit that bypasses the second heat exchanger is configured as a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve allows for efficient switching of the refrigerant flow.

[0018] Preferably, the valve for opening / closing the bypass in the gas cooler / condenser region of the refrigerant circuit that bypasses the second heat exchanger is configured as a valve with stepless adjustment for the flow. This allows for precise setting of the volumetric flow of refrigerant through the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger, thereby also allowing for precise setting of the thermal power of the second heat exchanger. This improves the flexibility of heat pump operation.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the area through which the refrigerant flows during heat pump operation includes a refrigerant collection container and two valves for setting the refrigerant charge in the collection container. This allows for a simple setting of the refrigerant charge in the area through which the refrigerant flows.

[0020] According to an advantageous improvement, the heat pump is configured such that it can also operate in air conditioning mode to cool air for and / or within the vehicle interior. The refrigerant circuit is configured to switch between heat pump operation and air conditioning operation. A second heat exchanger can also switchably operate as an evaporator, and a third heat exchanger can also switchably operate as a gas cooler / condenser. The second and third heat exchangers have gas cooler / condenser and evaporator regions, respectively, for the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the two heat exchangers can be easily switched between operating as evaporators or gas coolers / condensers, and mixed operation of the heat exchangers is also feasible.

[0021] According to an advantageous improvement of the heat pump, in the refrigerant circuit, a closable bypass is also provided in such a way that it bypasses the gas cooler / condenser area of ​​the third heat exchanger, and the refrigerant circuit is configured such that the bypass can be opened so that during air conditioning operation, the first heat exchanger can operate by means of the open bypass without the third heat exchanger, which improves the flexibility of the heat pump.

[0022] Furthermore, the following embodiment of the heat pump is advantageous: in this embodiment, the mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the area of ​​the refrigerant circuit that is used for refrigerant flow during heat pump operation includes the two valves for transferring refrigerant to or from the gas cooler / condenser area of ​​the third heat exchanger that was not originally used during heat pump operation. Thus, without a refrigerant collection container, the refrigerant charge in the area of ​​refrigerant flow can be set during heat pump operation, thereby adapting the high pressure in the high-pressure area of ​​the refrigerant circuit to the corresponding operating mode.

[0023] According to an advantageous improvement, the heat pump includes a fourth heat exchanger in the low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit, which can operate as an evaporator and is configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger, connected in parallel with the evaporator region of the third heat exchanger. Thus, alternatively or simultaneously with the operation of the evaporator of the third heat exchanger, the liquid, such as a water-glycol mixture, can be cooled by the refrigerant, thereby expanding the operational feasibility of the heat pump.

[0024] Preferably, the refrigerant circuit includes a closable bypass that bypasses the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant circuit is configured such that the bypass can be opened to allow the second heat exchanger to operate as a gas cooler / condenser via the opened bypass during heat pump operation, without the need for the first heat exchanger. This provides the heat pump with an additional operating mode, thereby increasing the flexibility of the heat pump.

[0025] Preferably, the heat pump includes a regulating device for controlling the refrigerant circuit. This regulating device is configured to control the opening / closing of a bypass through the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger, and to control a mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit that experiences refrigerant flow during heat pump operation. With the regulating device, the operating mode of the heat pump can be automatically set, and the refrigerant charge can be automatically adapted to the operating mode.

[0026] The objective in terms of vehicles is achieved by vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, equipped with a heat pump according to the invention. The above description of the advantages, advantageous embodiments, and improvements of the heat pump according to the invention applies accordingly.

[0027] The objective regarding the method for operating a heat pump in a vehicle is achieved through features of embodiments of said method. The problem is solved by operating the heat pump according to the invention in a vehicle using said method, wherein the refrigerant circuit, together with a mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the region of refrigerant flow during heat pump operation, can be configured such that the heat pump can optionally operate in one of at least two operable operating modes of heat pump operation:

[0028] A first operating mode of the heat pump, wherein the first and second heat exchangers are circulated by refrigerant and operate as gas coolers / condensers to heat the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger and to heat the medium flowing through the second heat exchanger, wherein a bypass around the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger is closed, and the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant circulation region is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode; or

[0029] A second operating mode of the heat pump, wherein the second heat exchanger is not operating, and the first heat exchanger is operated as a gas cooler / condenser by refrigerant flow to heat the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger, wherein a bypass around the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger is opened, and the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant flow region is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode.

[0030] The above description of the advantages, advantageous implementations, and improvements of the heat pump according to the invention applies accordingly.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, in a suitable heat pump according to the invention, CO2 operates supercritically as a refrigerant in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit, and the flowing liquid is heated to a temperature of 60°C or higher by the refrigerant outputting heat in the first heat exchanger, not only in the first operating mode of the heat pump but also in the second operating mode. Thus, the liquid temperature is sufficiently high in both operating modes during heat pump operation.

[0032] Preferably, with the aid of a suitable heat pump according to the invention, the degree of opening of the refrigerant circuit, along with the bypass of the gas cooler / condenser region bypassing the second heat exchanger, can be set such that the heat pump can optionally operate in another controllable operating mode of heat pump operation, wherein the first heat exchanger is traversed by refrigerant and operates as a gas cooler / condenser to heat the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger, and wherein the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger is traversed by a refrigerant volume flow that is infinitely variable in size for heating the medium, wherein the bypass of the gas cooler / condenser region bypassing the second heat exchanger is opened with an infinitely variable degree of opening for the remaining refrigerant volume flow, and the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant traversal region is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode. In this way, the heat pump operates with the heat power of the second heat exchanger that is infinitely adjustable as needed.

[0033] According to an advantageous improvement of the method, in a suitable heat pump according to the invention, the refrigerant circuit can be configured such that the heat pump can optionally operate in another controllable operating mode of air conditioning operation, wherein the refrigerant absorbs heat directly or indirectly from the air used for and / or within the vehicle interior space. The vehicle interior space can thus be cooled.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, in a suitable heat pump according to the invention, by correspondingly controlling the two valves to transfer refrigerant into or out of the refrigerant collection container, the refrigerant fill level in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant flow area is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the corresponding operating mode. In a suitable heat pump according to the invention without a refrigerant collection container, in one embodiment of the method, by correspondingly controlling one or more valves to transfer refrigerant into or out of the gas cooler / condenser region of the third heat exchanger in the refrigerant circuit that would not otherwise be used during heat pump operation, the refrigerant fill level in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant flow area is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the corresponding operating mode of the heat pump operation. The method does not require an additional refrigerant collection container.

[0035] According to an advantageous improvement of the method, in a suitable heat pump according to the invention, the refrigerant circuit can be configured such that the heat pump can optionally operate in another controllable operating mode of heat pump operation, wherein the first heat exchanger is not circulated by refrigerant, and the second heat exchanger is circulated by refrigerant, operating as a gas cooler / condenser for heating, wherein another bypass around the first heat exchanger is opened, and the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit via refrigerant circulation is set at a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode. Thereby, the heat pump can selectively operate without heating the liquid in the first heat exchanger.

[0036] Preferably, the method for operating a suitable heat pump according to the invention includes the feasibility of operating the fourth heat exchanger as an evaporator in each set operating mode, both on and off, for cooling the liquid flowing through the fourth heat exchanger. This allows the liquid to be cooled when needed, regardless of the operating mode. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The attached diagram shows:

[0039] Figure 1 An embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention is illustrated in block diagram;

[0040] Figure 2 Another embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention is illustrated in block diagram;

[0041] Figure 3 Another embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention is illustrated in block diagram;

[0042] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the heat pump according to the present invention is illustrated in block diagram;

[0043] Figure 5 An embodiment of a vehicle having a heat pump according to the invention is illustrated schematically;

[0044] Figure 6a A pressure-enthalpy diagram of a refrigerant circuit according to the method of the present invention operating in a first operating mode is shown.

[0045] Figure 6b The diagram shows the pressure-enthalpy diagram of a refrigerant circuit according to the method of the invention operating in a second operating mode; and

[0046] Figure 7 An embodiment of the method according to the present invention is illustrated as a flowchart. Detailed Implementation

[0047] All accompanying drawings should be interpreted schematically. Scale depictions are omitted for the purpose of improving clarity.

[0048] exist Figure 1 The block diagram illustrates one embodiment of a heat pump 1 for a vehicle according to the present invention. The heat pump 1 has a refrigerant circuit 3, which is connected in a loop via refrigerant piping and includes a compressor 5, a first heat exchanger 7 that can operate as a gas cooler / condenser and is configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger 9 that can operate as a gas cooler / condenser, an expansion mechanism 11 configured as an expansion valve, and a third heat exchanger 13 that can operate as an evaporator.

[0049] In the aforementioned case, and in other embodiments also shown in the diagrams of heat pump 1, the refrigerant is CO2, which can operate supercritically in a high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 3, which is therefore sufficiently pressure-resistant. Embodiments of the heat pump 1 according to the invention, having a refrigerant circuit 3 for subcritical operation of a refrigerant, such as R1234yf, are also contemplated.

[0050] The first heat exchanger 7 is connected to the liquid circuit 15 on the liquid side, such that the hot refrigerant compressed there can transfer heat to the liquid in the liquid circuit 15, and the liquid can be heated to a temperature of at least 60°C. Here, the liquid is water or a water-glycol mixture. The first heat exchanger 7 is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger 9 in the refrigerant flow direction during heat pump operation.

[0051] The series connection is present in all cases if the two heat exchangers are in operation, i.e., flowing through with compressed refrigerant. The second heat exchanger 9 is also a liquid-refrigerant heat exchanger configured as an internal heat exchanger, with another liquid circuit 17 for the heat transport liquid connected to the second heat exchanger on the liquid side. Heat output from the refrigerant can be transported via the heat transport liquid for use in heating the medium. The medium to be heated is air for use in or within the vehicle's interior space. The third heat exchanger 13 can operate as an air-refrigerant heat exchanger configured as an external heat exchanger, for absorbing heat from the air by the refrigerant expanding in the expansion mechanism 11, which then flows out of the vehicle.

[0052] In the refrigerant circuit 3, bypass 19 bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9. Bypass 19 can be closed and opened by means of a valve 23 configured as a three-way valve. When bypass 19 is opened sufficiently and the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9 is closed, the first heat exchanger 7 operates in heat pump operation without the second heat exchanger 9. Conversely, when bypass 19 is closed and the gas cooler / condenser region 21 is open, the second heat exchanger 9 and the first heat exchanger 7 can operate together in heat pump operation, such that not only the water or water-glycol mixture flowing through the first heat exchanger 7 but also the air used in or within the vehicle interior can be heated simultaneously.

[0053] A refrigerant collection container 25 is connected in parallel with the expansion mechanism 11 and the third heat exchanger 13, having a valve 27 for its inlet and a valve 28 for its outlet. The refrigerant charge of the refrigerant collection container 25 can be set by means of these two valves 27 and 28. The refrigerant collected there is extracted from the refrigerant flow area of ​​the refrigerant circuit 3, such that the refrigerant collection container 25 and the two valves 27 and 28 are mechanisms 29 for setting the refrigerant charge of the refrigerant circuit 3 in the refrigerant flow area during heat pump operation.

[0054] Furthermore, the refrigerant circuit 3 has an additional bypass 31 for bypassing the first heat exchanger 7, which can be opened and closed by means of a valve 33 configured as a three-way valve. When the additional bypass 31 is open, only the second heat exchanger 9 operates as a gas cooler / condenser for heating during heat pump operation.

[0055] At least valves 23, 27, 28, and 33 are controlled by regulating device 35. This regulating device, for example, has a microprocessor. Regulating device 35 controls, in particular, the opening and closing of the bypass 19 that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9, and controls mechanism 29 for setting the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit 3 that flows through the refrigerant during heat pump operation. In this way, the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant collection container 25 is automatically and optimally adapted to the corresponding operating mode: whether it operates with the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 9, or with the first heat exchanger 7 without the second heat exchanger 9, or with the second heat exchanger 9 without the first heat exchanger 7.

[0056] exist Figure 2The block diagram illustrates another embodiment of the heat pump 1 for a vehicle according to the invention. There is no switchable alternative bypass in the refrigerant circuit 3 to bypass the first heat exchanger 7, such that the hot refrigerant previously compressed in the compressor 5 always flows through the first heat exchanger 7, which is configured as a liquid-refrigerant heat exchanger, during operation. Thus, regardless of the corresponding operating mode, the liquid, such as water or a water-glycol mixture, connected to the liquid circuit 15 of the first heat exchanger 1 can be heated there, reaching a temperature of at least 60°C.

[0057] The second heat exchanger 9, configured as an internal heat exchanger, is an air-refrigerant heat exchanger in which heat exchange can occur between the refrigerant and the air used for and / or within the vehicle interior space. The third heat exchanger 13, configured as an external heat exchanger, is also an air-refrigerant heat exchanger in which heat exchange can occur between the refrigerant and the air subsequently flowing out of the vehicle. The second heat exchanger 9 and the third heat exchanger 13 each have gas cooler / condenser regions 21 and 41 and evaporator regions 43 and 45, respectively, such that the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger can be switched between operating as a gas cooler / condenser and as an evaporator, respectively. Therefore, the heat pump 1 with the refrigerant circuit 3 can be switched between heat pump operation and air conditioning operation to cool the air used for and / or within the vehicle interior space.

[0058] In heat pump operation, the first heat exchanger 7 is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger 9 in the direction of refrigerant flow. This series connection exists in any case where both heat exchangers are in operation, i.e., the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9 also flows through with compressed refrigerant.

[0059] Bypass 19 bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9 in the refrigerant circuit 3. Bypass 19 can be closed and opened by means of valve 23 configured as a solenoid valve. When bypass 19 is opened sufficiently, the first heat exchanger 7 operates during heat pump operation without the second heat exchanger 9. Conversely, when bypass 19 is closed and thus the gas cooler / condenser region 21 is open, the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 9 can operate simultaneously during heat pump operation, such that not only the water or water-glycol mixture flowing through the first heat exchanger 7 but also the air in the second heat exchanger 9 for and / or within the vehicle interior space can be simultaneously heated. A conceivable variation is that valve 23 in bypass 19 is configured as a valve with stepless adjustment for refrigerant flow. This allows for precise setting of the volumetric flow of refrigerant through the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9, and consequently, its thermal power.

[0060] An expansion mechanism 11, configured as a closable expansion valve, is positioned upstream of the evaporator region 45 of the third heat exchanger 13 in the refrigerant flow direction. This expansion mechanism operates during heat pump operation of the refrigerant circuit to expand the refrigerant and closes during air conditioning operation. Conversely, another expansion mechanism 47, configured as a closable expansion valve, closes during heat pump operation and expands the refrigerant during air conditioning operation. This expansion mechanism 47 is positioned upstream of the evaporator region 43 of the second heat exchanger 9 in the refrigerant flow direction.

[0061] A refrigerant collection container 25 is connected in parallel with the evaporator region 45 of the expansion mechanism 11 and the third heat exchanger 13. This container has a valve 27 at its inlet and a valve 28 at its outlet. The refrigerant charge in the refrigerant collection container 25 can be set using these two valves 27 and 28. The refrigerant collected there is extracted from the refrigerant flow area of ​​the refrigerant circuit 3, making the refrigerant collection container 25 and the two valves 27 and 28 mechanisms 29 for setting the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant flow area of ​​the refrigerant circuit 3 during heat pump operation.

[0062] At least, valves 11, 23, 27, 28, and 47 are controlled by regulating device 35. This regulating device, for example, has a microprocessor. Regulating device 35 controls, in particular, the opening and closing of the bypass 19 that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9, and controls mechanism 29 for setting the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit 3 that flows through the refrigerant during heat pump operation. In this way, the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant collection container 25 is automatically and optimally adapted to the corresponding operating mode: whether operating in heat pump operation with the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 9, or operating with the first heat exchanger 7 without the second heat exchanger 9, or operating in air conditioning operation.

[0063] exist Figure 3 The block diagram illustrates another embodiment of a heat pump 1 for a vehicle according to the present invention. The heat pump 1, having a refrigerant circuit 3, can be switchably operated in heat pump mode or in air conditioning mode to cool air for and / or within the vehicle interior space. Figure 2 The components included and described therein, along with their reference numerals, are also included. Figure 3 The heat pump 1 shown in the figure, together with the reference numerals, is such that the description of the components of the heat pump 1 corresponds to the description of the components of the heat pump 1. Figure 2 The description. However, regarding Figure 2 The following differences exist:

[0064] Downstream of the gas cooler / condenser regions 21 and 41 of the second and third heat exchangers 9 and 13 in the refrigerant flow direction, there are additional valves 49 and 51 configured as solenoid valves for opening and closing the respective gas cooler / condenser regions 21 and 41. Downstream of the two valves 49 and 51, the refrigerant lines converge upstream of the high-pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 53 and branch into multiple refrigerant line branches downstream of the internal heat exchanger 53. One branch of each branch leads upstream of the evaporator regions 43 and 45 of the second and third heat exchangers 9 and 13 to two expansion mechanisms 11 and 47 configured as closable expansion valves. A third branch leads to the refrigerant collection container 25 along with valves 27 and 28 for its inlet and outlet. An optional fourth branch leads upstream of the optional liquid-refrigerant heat exchanger 57 to an optional third expansion mechanism 55 configured as a closable expansion valve. The fourth heat exchanger 57 is arranged in parallel with the evaporator region 45 of the third heat exchanger 13. An optional fourth heat exchanger 57 is connected to the liquid circuit on the liquid side, allowing the liquid, such as water or a water-glycol mixture, to be cooled as needed by the refrigerant evaporating in the fourth heat exchanger 57. The fourth refrigerant line branch then rejoins upstream of the low-pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 53 in the low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 3, allowing the entire refrigerant flow to proceed integrally to the inlet of the compressor 5.

[0065] In the refrigerant circuit 3, the closable bypass 19 bypasses not only the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9, but also the gas cooler / condenser region 41 of the third heat exchanger 13. With the fully open valve 23, configured as a solenoid valve, not only can the first heat exchanger 7 operate without the second heat exchanger 9 being configured as an internal heat exchanger during heat pump operation when valve 49 is closed, but also, when valve 51 is closed in lieu of valve 49, the first heat exchanger 7 can operate without the third heat exchanger 13 being configured as an external heat exchanger during air conditioning operation.

[0066] At least, valves 11, 23, 27, 28, 47, 49, 51, and 55 are controlled by regulating device 35. This regulating device, for example, has a microprocessor. Regulating device 35 controls, in particular, the opening and closing of bypass 19 that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser regions 21 and 41 of the second and third heat exchangers 9 and 13, and controls mechanism 29 for setting the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit 3 via the refrigerant flow area during heat pump operation, and also controls the on and off of the fourth heat exchanger 57. In this way, the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant collection container 25 is automatically and optimally adapted to the corresponding operating mode: whether, in particular, it operates with the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 9 during heat pump operation, or with the first heat exchanger 7 but without the second heat exchanger 9, or with the first heat exchanger 7 and the third heat exchanger 13 during air conditioning operation, or with the first heat exchanger 7 but without the third heat exchanger 13.

[0067] exist Figure 4 The block diagram illustrates another embodiment of a heat pump 1 for a vehicle according to the present invention. The heat pump 1, having a refrigerant circuit 3, can be switchably operated in heat pump operation or in air conditioning operation to cool air for and / or within the vehicle interior space. A second heat exchanger 9, configured and set as an internal heat exchanger, can operate to directly or, in a modified embodiment, heat air for and / or within the vehicle interior space, and a third heat exchanger 13, configured and set as an external heat exchanger, can operate to directly or, in a modified embodiment, allow the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air subsequently flowing out of the vehicle. Figures 1 to 3Unlike the embodiment shown, the heat pump 1 does not have an additional refrigerant collection container along with valves for its inlet and outlet. Instead, a mechanism 29 for setting the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit 3 via the refrigerant flow area during heat pump operation includes two valves 59 and 51 for transferring refrigerant to or from the gas cooler / condenser region 41 of the third heat exchanger 13, which is not normally used in the refrigerant circuit during heat pump operation. By opening valve 51, which is configured as a solenoid valve, refrigerant can be discharged from the gas cooler / condenser region 41 to the low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 3, such as upstream of an optional fourth heat exchanger 57, but not limited thereto. Conversely, valve 59, configured as a solenoid valve, allows the inflow of compressed refrigerant into the gas cooler / condenser region 41 to be regulated. A bypass 19, which can be closed by means of valve 23 configured as a solenoid valve, bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9, and can be opened at least with valve 49 closed, allowing the first heat exchanger 7 to operate in heat pump mode via the open bypass 19, without the second heat exchanger 9. The bypass 19 merges with the refrigerant line from valve 49 upstream of the high-pressure side of the internal heat exchanger 53 in the refrigerant flow direction. Another valve 61, located downstream of the gas cooler / condenser region 41 of the third heat exchanger 13, opens during air conditioning operation of the refrigerant circuit 3.

[0068] In other cases, the configuration of refrigerant circuit 3 corresponds to that in Figure 3 The refrigerant circuit 3 shown and described for this purpose. Relatedly, the components with reference numerals are the same.

[0069] At least, valves 11, 23, 47, 49, 51, 55, and 59 are controlled by regulating device 35. This regulating device, for example, has a microprocessor. Regulating device 35 controls, in particular, the opening and closing of the bypass 19 that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region 21 of the second heat exchanger 9, and controls mechanism 29 for setting the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit 3 that flows through the refrigerant during heat pump operation. Thus, the refrigerant charge in the gas cooler / condenser region 41 of the third heat exchanger 13 is automatically and optimally adapted to the corresponding operating mode: whether operating with the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 9 during heat pump operation, or operating with the first heat exchanger 7 without operating the second heat exchanger 13.

[0070] exist Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates one embodiment of a vehicle 63 having a heat pump 1 according to the invention. In this case, vehicle 63 is a bus. In particular, another type of commercial vehicle, such as an agricultural commercial vehicle, is also conceivable as vehicle 63. Vehicle 1 has a heat pump 1 according to the invention, for example in… Figures 1 to 4One of the heat pumps shown is heat pump 1. Heat pump 1 is configured as a top-mounted device. The air for the vehicle interior space 65 can be heated by means of said heat pump.

[0071] exist Figure 6a The diagram shows the pressure-enthalpy diagram of a refrigerant circuit according to the method of the invention operating in a first operating mode. Using the method, a heat pump according to the invention, for example in… Figures 1 to 4 Any of the heat pumps shown in the diagram operates in a vehicle, for example in Figure 5 The vehicle shown is in operation. Here, in the refrigerant circuit during heat pump operation, a bypass is closed, bypassing the second heat exchanger. The refrigerant is CO2. A mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the heat pump operation via the refrigerant flow area is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure area of ​​the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode. The compressor compresses the refrigerant from approximately 21 bar to a set high pressure of approximately 100 bar, where the refrigerant reaches a temperature of 130°C, i.e., in a supercritical state. The compressed hot refrigerant then outputs heat in the first heat exchanger to a liquid to be heated there, such as water or a water-glycol mixture, where the refrigerant is cooled to approximately 60°C while maintaining the same high pressure, as indicated by area A. The refrigerant then flows through the second heat exchanger, where it continues to output heat at the same high pressure for heating a medium, such as heating air for the vehicle interior, and is cooled to approximately 24°C, as shown in area B. During the subsequent expansion of the refrigerant in the expansion mechanism, the temperature of the refrigerant also decreases to approximately -18°C while maintaining the same enthalpy of approximately 250 kJ / kg, and the pressure decreases to a low level of approximately 21 bar. In the third heat exchanger, which operates as an evaporator, heat is absorbed from the medium, for example from the air subsequently flowing out of the vehicle, while maintaining the same low pressure, causing the enthalpy of the refrigerant to increase to approximately 460 kJ / kg. The refrigerant then flows back through the cycle, being compressed in the compressor.

[0072] exist Figure 6b The diagram shows the pressure-enthalpy diagram of a refrigerant circuit according to the method of the invention operating in a second operating mode. Using the method described, in... Figure 6aThe heat pump operates in a second operating mode. Here, in the refrigerant circuit during heat pump operation, a bypass is opened to prevent the second heat exchanger from operating. The refrigerant is CO2. A mechanism for setting the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit during heat pump operation, via the refrigerant flow area, is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode. The compressor compresses the refrigerant from approximately 21 bar to a set high pressure of approximately 105 bar, where the refrigerant reaches a temperature of approximately 150°C, i.e., in a supercritical state. Therefore, in this operating mode, the ratio of high pressure to the achieved temperature is... Figure 6a The operating mode shown is significantly higher. The refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit, in the region through which the refrigerant flows, is set so high that the increased value is achieved through compression. With a higher refrigerant charge, higher pressure can be achieved.

[0073] The compressed hot refrigerant then transfers heat in the first heat exchanger to the liquid to be heated there, such as water or a water-glycol mixture, where the refrigerant is cooled to about 60°C while maintaining the same high pressure, as indicated by area A'. In the subsequent expansion of the refrigerant in the expansion mechanism, the temperature of the refrigerant also decreases to about -18°C while maintaining the same enthalpy of about 380 kJ / kg, and the pressure decreases to a low pressure level of about 21 bar. In the third heat exchanger, which operates as an evaporator, heat is absorbed from the medium, such as from the air subsequently flowing out of the vehicle, while maintaining the same low pressure, causing the enthalpy of the refrigerant to increase to about 460 kJ / kg. The refrigerant then recirculates through the cycle, being compressed in the compressor.

[0074] In the second operating mode, only the liquid is heated. The high pressure is set such that the heat output from the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger is sufficient to heat the liquid to at least 60°C.

[0075] Figure 7 The flowchart illustrates one embodiment of the method according to the invention. Using this method, a heat pump according to the invention, for example... Figures 2 to 4Any of the heat pumps shown is operated in the vehicle. The refrigerant is CO2, which is in a supercritical state in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit during operation. In the first step 100, measured data, such as the temperature of the air, particularly in the vehicle interior, the temperature of the outside air, the temperature of a liquid that can be heated in the first heat exchanger, such as water, and the temperature of a liquid that can be cooled in the fourth heat exchanger, such as a water-glycol mixture, are received and processed by a regulating device. In the subsequent step 110, it is determined whether the heat pump should operate or not. If it does not operate, i.e., "No", the method restarts after a duration of, for example, 10 seconds. If it operates, i.e., "Yes", then in the next step 120, it is determined whether the heat pump operates in air conditioning operation "KLB" to cool the air for the vehicle interior or in heat pump operation "WPB". If air conditioning operation "KLB" is selected, the heat pump is switched in step 130A such that the second heat exchanger operates as an evaporator, i.e., to allow the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air for the vehicle interior. In the subsequent step 140A, the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit through the refrigerant flow area is adapted to the operating mode.

[0076] If heat pump operation "WPB" is selected in step 120, then the system switches to heat pump operation in the next step 130B. In the subsequent step 140B, a decision is made as to whether only the liquid in the first heat exchanger, which operates as a gas cooler / condenser, should be heated, and the second heat exchanger should not be operated (i.e., "No"), or whether the air used for the vehicle interior should also be heated via the second heat exchanger, which also operates as a gas cooler / condenser (i.e., "Yes"). In both operating modes, the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger, such as water, is heated to a temperature of at least 60°C.

[0077] If the result in step 140B is "No", then in step 150B, the valve for the bypass of the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger is opened, and the valve for the gas cooler / condenser region, which is present as necessary according to the heat pump implementation, is closed, so that the refrigerant does not flow through the gas cooler / condenser region, but flows through the bypass. In step 160B, the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant flow area is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode.

[0078] Conversely, if the result in step 140B is "yes," then in step 150C, the valve for the bypass of the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger is closed, and if necessary, the valve for the gas cooler / condenser region is opened, so that the refrigerant does not flow through the bypass but flows through the gas cooler / condenser region. In step 160C, the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant flow area is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode.

[0079] For each operating mode—whether it's heat pump operation or air conditioning operation—step 170 still determines, based on demand, whether to connect the fourth heat exchanger to cool the liquid as "yes" or "no". If "yes", the expansion mechanism for the fourth heat exchanger is opened in step 180, and if "no", the expansion mechanism is closed in step 180A. The method restarts after, for example, a duration of 10 seconds.

[0080] Furthermore, in an embodiment of a heat pump suitably configured according to the invention, for example, having a steplessly adjustable mixing valve, a method with another controllable operating mode is conceivable, wherein during heat pump operation, a first heat exchanger is circulated by refrigerant and operates as a gas cooler / condenser, and a gas cooler / condenser region of a second heat exchanger is circulated by a steplessly adjustable portion of the refrigerant volume flow to heat air for and / or within the vehicle interior space, wherein a bypass around the gas cooler / condenser region of the second heat exchanger is opened for the remaining portion of the refrigerant volume flow to a steplessly adjustable degree, and the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit via the refrigerant circulated region is set to a high pressure in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit adapted to the operating mode.

Claims

1. A heat pump (1) for a vehicle (63), the heat pump comprising a refrigerant circuit (3) having: at least one compressor (5); a first heat exchanger (7) configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser; a second heat exchanger (9) capable of operating as a gas cooler / condenser for heating; at least one expansion mechanism (11, 47, 55); and a third heat exchanger (13) capable of operating as an evaporator, wherein, In the operation of the first and second heat exchangers (7, 9) by means of a heat pump with refrigerant flow, the first heat exchanger (7) is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger (9) in the refrigerant flow direction, characterized in that, - The refrigerant circuit (3) includes a closable bypass (19) that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region (21) of the second heat exchanger (9). - The refrigerant circuit (3) is configured such that the bypass (19) can be opened such that during the operation of the heat pump, the first heat exchanger (7) can operate by means of the opened bypass (19) without the second heat exchanger (9), and - The heat pump (1) includes a mechanism (29) for setting the refrigerant charge in the area of ​​the refrigerant circuit (3) during heat pump operation by means of refrigerant flow, the mechanism including two valves (27, 28; 51, 59).

2. The heat pump (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, - The first heat exchanger (7) is configured and arranged on the liquid side to allow flow through water or a water-glycol mixture, and / or - The second heat exchanger (9) is capable of operating as an internal heat exchanger, configured and set to directly or indirectly heat the air for and / or in the vehicle interior space (65), and the third heat exchanger (13) is capable of operating as an external heat exchanger, configured and set to directly or indirectly allow the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air that subsequently flows outward.

3. The heat pump (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The valve (23) for opening / closing the bypass (19) of the gas cooler / condenser region (21) that bypasses the second heat exchanger (9) in the refrigerant circuit (3) is configured as a solenoid valve.

4. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The valve (23) for opening / closing the bypass of the gas cooler / condenser region (21) in the refrigerant circuit (3) that bypasses the second heat exchanger (9) is configured as a valve that is infinitely adjustable for flow.

5. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The mechanism (29) for setting the refrigerant charge in the area through which the refrigerant flows during heat pump operation of the refrigerant circuit (3) includes a refrigerant collection container (25) and the two valves (27, 28) for setting the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant collection container.

6. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The heat pump is configured such that it can also operate in air conditioning operation to cool air for and / or in the vehicle interior space (65), wherein the refrigerant circuit (3) is configured to switch between heat pump operation and air conditioning operation, and the second heat exchanger (9) is also switchably operable as an evaporator, and the third heat exchanger (13) is also switchably operable as a gas cooler / condenser, wherein the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger have a gas cooler / condenser region (21, 41) and an evaporator region (43, 45) for refrigerant, respectively.

7. The heat pump (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, - In the refrigerant circuit (3), the closable bypass (19) is also configured to bypass the gas cooler / condenser region (41) of the third heat exchanger (13), and - The refrigerant circuit (3) is configured such that the bypass (19) can be opened such that during the operation of the air conditioner, the first heat exchanger (7) can operate by means of the opened bypass (19) without the third heat exchanger (13).

8. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The heat pump is configured such that the mechanism (29) for setting the refrigerant charge in the refrigerant circuit (3) in the area through which the refrigerant flows during heat pump operation includes the two valves (51, 59) for transferring refrigerant to the third heat exchanger (13) in the refrigerant circuit (3) in the gas cooler / condenser area (41) that was not originally used during heat pump operation, or for removing refrigerant from the gas cooler / condenser area.

9. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The heat pump includes a fourth heat exchanger (57) in the low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit (3). The fourth heat exchanger can operate as an evaporator and is configured as a refrigerant-liquid heat exchanger, and is connected in parallel with the evaporator region (45) of the third heat exchanger (13).

10. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, - The refrigerant circuit (3) includes a closable bypass (31) that bypasses the first heat exchanger (7), and - The refrigerant circuit (3) is configured such that the other bypass (31) can be opened to allow the second heat exchanger (9) to operate as a gas cooler / condenser by means of the opened other bypass (31) during the operation of the heat pump, without the need for the first heat exchanger (7).

11. The heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The heat pump includes a regulating device (35) for controlling the refrigerant circuit (3), the regulating device being configured to control the opening / closing of the bypass (19) that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region (21) of the second heat exchanger (9), and a mechanism (29) for controlling the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit (3) during the operation of the heat pump via refrigerant flow.

12. A vehicle (63), particularly a commercial vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle has a heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for operating a heat pump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in a vehicle (63) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The refrigerant circuit (3), together with the mechanism (29) for setting the refrigerant charge in the area through which the refrigerant flows during heat pump operation, can be configured such that the heat pump (1) can optionally operate in one of at least two operable operating modes of heat pump operation: 1) Operating mode in which the first and second heat exchangers (7, 9) are circulated by refrigerant and operate as gas coolers / condensers to heat the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger (7) and the medium flowing through the second heat exchanger (9), wherein the bypass (19) of the gas cooler / condenser region (21) bypassing the second heat exchanger (9) is closed (150°C), and the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit (3) via the refrigerant circulation is set at a high pressure (160°C) in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit (3) adapted to the operating mode, or 2) Operating mode in which the second heat exchanger (9) is not operating and the first heat exchanger (7) is circulated by refrigerant as a gas cooler / condenser to heat the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger (7), wherein the bypass (19) of the gas cooler / condenser region (21) bypassing the second heat exchanger (9) is opened (150B), and the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit (3) via the refrigerant circulation is set to a high pressure in the high pressure region of the refrigerant circuit (3) adapted to the operating mode (160B).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, In the heat pump (1), CO2 is used as a refrigerant and operates supercritically in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit (3). In the heat pump (1) not only in the first operating mode but also in the second operating mode, the flowing liquid is heated to a temperature of at least 60°C by the refrigerant outputting heat in the first heat exchanger (7).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, In the heat pump (1) having the technical features of claim 4, the degree of opening of the refrigerant circuit (3) together with the bypass (19) of the gas cooler / condenser region (21) bypassing the second heat exchanger (9) can be set such that the heat pump (1) can optionally operate in another operable operating mode of the heat pump operation as follows: 3) Another operating mode in which the first heat exchanger (7) is circulated by refrigerant as a gas cooler / condenser to heat the liquid flowing through the first heat exchanger (7), and the gas cooler / condenser region (21) of the second heat exchanger (9) is circulated by a portion of the refrigerant volume flow that is infinitely variable in size for heating the medium, wherein the bypass (19) that bypasses the gas cooler / condenser region (21) of the second heat exchanger (9) is opened to the remaining portion of the refrigerant volume flow to an infinitely variable degree, and the refrigerant charge in the region of the refrigerant circuit (3) circulated by refrigerant is set to a high pressure in the high pressure region of the refrigerant circuit (3) adapted to the operating mode.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, In the heat pump (1) having the technical features of claim 6, the refrigerant circuit (3) can be configured such that the heat pump (1) can optionally operate in another operable operating mode of the air conditioning operation (130A): 4) Another operating mode, wherein the refrigerant absorbs heat directly or indirectly from the air in the vehicle interior space (65) and / or in the vehicle interior space (65).

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, By correspondingly controlling these two valves (27, 28) to transfer refrigerant into or from the refrigerant collection container (25), the refrigerant filling amount (140A, 160B, 160C) of the refrigerant circuit (3) via the refrigerant flow area is set to a high pressure in the high pressure area of ​​the refrigerant circuit (3) that is adapted to the corresponding operating mode.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, By correspondingly controlling one or more of the valves (51, 59) to move the refrigerant into or remove from the gas cooler / condenser area (41) of the third heat exchanger (13) in the refrigerant circuit (3) that was not originally used in the heat pump operation, the refrigerant filling amount (160B, 160C) of the area of ​​the refrigerant circuit (3) through the refrigerant flow is set to the high pressure of the high pressure area of ​​the refrigerant circuit (3) that is adapted to the corresponding operating mode of the heat pump operation.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that, In the heat pump (1) having the technical features of claim 10, the refrigerant circuit (3) can be configured such that the heat pump (1) can optionally operate in another operable operating mode of the heat pump operation as follows: 5) Another operating mode in which the first heat exchanger (7) is not circulated by refrigerant and the second heat exchanger (9) is circulated by refrigerant and operates as a gas cooler / condenser for heating, wherein the other bypass (31) bypassing the first heat exchanger (7) is opened and the refrigerant charge in the area of ​​the refrigerant circuit (3) circulated by refrigerant is set at a high pressure in the high pressure area of ​​the refrigerant circuit (3) adapted to the operating mode.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that, In the heat pump (1) having the technical features of claim 9, the fourth heat exchanger (57) operates as an evaporator in each set operating mode, which can be turned on and off to cool the liquid (180) flowing through the fourth heat exchanger.

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