HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

Abstract

A heat pump system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a cooling device (10) comprising: a radiator (12), a first water pump (14), a first valve (V1) and an expansion tank (16) connected by a coolant line (11) and arranged such that a coolant circulates in the coolant line (11) to cool at least one electrical component (15) mounted in the coolant line (11), a battery cooling device (20) comprising a battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16) via a second valve (V2), and a second water pump (22) and a battery module (24) connected via the battery coolant line (21) to circulate the coolant into the battery module (24), a heating device (40) comprising a heating line (41) connected to the coolant line (11) via a third valve (V3) for heating a vehicle interior using the coolant and a third water pump (42) attached to the heating line (41), and a heating device (52a), and a cooling device (30) mounted in a branch line (31) connected to the battery coolant line (21) through the second valve (V2) and connected to a refrigerant line (51) of an air conditioner (50) through a refrigerant connecting line (61), for adjusting a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced into a connecting line (35) connecting the coolant line (11) and the branch line (31) through the first valve (V1) and the branch line (31), and a refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioner (50), wherein a condenser (53) provided by the air conditioner (50) is connected to the heating line (41) to allow the coolant circulating through the heating device (40) to pass therethrough.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle that controls the temperature of a battery module using a cooling device that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant and improves heating efficiency by utilizing waste heat generated by an electrical component. Description of the technology used

[0002] Generally, an air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an air conditioning system for circulating a refrigerant to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0003] Such an air conditioning system maintains a comfortable interior environment by keeping an interior temperature of the vehicle at an appropriate level regardless of an external temperature change, so that the interior of the vehicle is heated or cooled by heat exchange between a condenser and an evaporator during a process in which a refrigerant discharged by the operation of a compressor circulates back to the compressor after passing through a condenser, a dryer, an expansion valve and an evaporator.

[0004] That is, in summer, in a cooling mode, the air conditioner condenses a gaseous refrigerant with high temperature and high pressure, which is compressed by the compressor to reduce the temperature and humidity in the vehicle interior by evaporation in the evaporator via the dryer and the expansion valve.

[0005] In recent years, with increasing interest in energy efficiency and pollution control, there has been a call for the development of environmentally friendly vehicles designed to largely replace vehicles with internal combustion engines. These environmentally friendly vehicles are typically fuel cell or electric vehicles, or hybrid vehicles powered by an engine and a battery.

[0006] Among the eco-friendly vehicles, the electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle does not use a separate heater, unlike an air conditioner of a general vehicle, and the air conditioner of the eco-friendly vehicle is called a heat pump system.

[0007] In a fuel cell vehicle, however, the chemical reaction energy of oxygen and hydrogen is converted into electrical energy to generate propulsion power. Since heat energy is generated by the chemical reaction in the fuel cell, effective dissipation of the generated heat is essential to ensuring the fuel cell's performance.

[0008] In addition, in the hybrid vehicle, an engine is also driven by using the electricity supplied by the fuel cell or an electric battery together with an internal combustion engine powered by general fuel to generate the driving force, so that the performance of the engine can only be ensured by the effective dissipation of the heat generated by the fuel cell or the battery and the engine.

[0009] Consequently, in hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles in general, a battery cooling system with a separate insulation circuit together with a radiator and the heat pump system must be formed separately to prevent heat generation in the engine and electrical components as well as in the battery including the fuel cell.

[0010] Accordingly, the size and weight of a cooling module mounted at the front of the vehicle increase, and the arrangement of the connecting lines that carry the refrigerant and coolant to the heat pump system, the radiator and the battery cooling is complicated in an engine compartment.

[0011] In addition, the battery cooling system, which heats or cools the battery according to the condition of the vehicle to ensure the battery achieves optimal performance, is provided separately, and as a result, multiple valves are used to connect to the respective connecting pipes, and noise and vibration due to frequent opening / closing of the valves are transmitted to the interior of the vehicle, which affects driving comfort.

[0012] The information contained in this Background of the Invention section is provided solely for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not intended as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0013] For example, DE 11 2019 004 190 T5 discloses a thermal management system comprising: a coolant circulation line for circulating a coolant to cool an interior space; a heating line for heating the interior space by circulating cooling water that exchanges heat with the coolant through a water-cooled condenser; and a cooling line for cooling a battery and electronic equipment components by circulating the cooling water that exchanges heat with the coolant or air.

[0014] Furthermore, DE 10 2019 128 735 A1 discloses a heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a cooling device having a radiator, a first water pump and a first valve, a battery cooling device having a battery radiator, a second water pump and a second valve, a heating device having a heating line, a third water pump and a heater, and a cooler mounted on a branch line connecting a first connecting line and a second connecting line, which are connected to each other via the first valve and the second valve, is connected to a refrigerant line of an air conditioning system via a refrigerant connecting line, and heat-exchanges optionally flowed-in coolant with a refrigerant supplied from the air conditioning system, wherein a condenser of the air conditioning system is connected to the refrigerant line and the heating line.

[0015] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 206 180 A1 discloses a heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: a battery cooling line connected to a battery module, and water flowing through the battery cooling line; a radiator provided on the battery cooling line, connected to a coolant line of an air conditioning system via a connecting line, and configured to control the cooling water selectively introduced into the radiator by heat exchange of the cooling water with coolant; a cooling part comprising a radiator and a first water pump connected to each other via a cooling line, configured to circulate the water through the cooling line to cool an electrical device, and connected to the battery cooling line via a first valve;and a bypass line configured to selectively connect the connecting line to the coolant line via a second valve provided on the coolant line; BRIEF EXPLANATION

[0016] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a heat pump system for a vehicle that adjusts the temperature of a battery module by using a cooling device, performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant, and improves heating efficiency by utilizing waste heat generated by an electrical component.

[0017] Numerous aspects of the present invention are directed to providing the heat pump system for the vehicle, comprising: a cooling device configured to include a radiator / cooler (hereinafter referred to as radiator), a first water pump, a first valve, and a surge tank connected by a coolant line and configured to circulate a coolant in the coolant line to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant line; a battery cooling device configured to include a battery coolant line connected to the surge tank by a second valve, and a second water pump and a battery module connected by the battery coolant line to circulate the coolant into the battery module; a heating device having a heating line;which is connected to the coolant line through a third valve to heat a vehicle interior using a coolant and a third water pump provided on the heating line, and to a heater, and through the second valve, and which is connected to a refrigerant line of an air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line to adjust a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced into a connection line connecting the coolant line and a branch line (hereinafter referred to as the branch line) and the branch line through the first valve, and a refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioner, wherein a condenser included in the air conditioner may be connected to the heating line to allow the coolant circulating through the heating device to pass therethrough.

[0018] A first end portion of the connecting line may be connected to the refrigerant line through the first valve, and a second end portion of the connecting line may be connected to the branch line between the second valve and a cooling device / heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as cooling device), and the heating device may be provided within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module present in the air conditioning system.

[0019] When the battery module is heated, the connecting line may be open in a state where the coolant line connected to the radiator is closed by operating the first valve, the branch line may be open by operating the second valve, a part of the battery coolant line connected to the surge tank may be closed based on the branch line, the coolant may circulate along the battery coolant line and the branch line by operating the second water pump in the heating device, the coolant line and the heating line may be connected by operating the third valve,In the cooling device, the coolant circulates through the heating line at a temperature increased by the waste heat of the electrical component through the operation of the third water pump, and a heated coolant supplied from the heating line and the coolant line can be introduced through the connecting line from the coolant line into the branch line and is supplied to the battery module, which is connected via the battery coolant line and the branch line.

[0020] The air conditioner may include: a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module configured to include an evaporator connected thereto via the refrigerant line, and an opening and closing damper configured to control the outside air flowing through the evaporator to be selectively introduced into the heating device according to the cooling, heating, and heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle; the condenser connected to the heating line to circulate a coolant therein to perform heat exchange between the coolant and a refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line; a compressor connected between the evaporator and the condenser through the refrigerant line; a heat exchanger provided on the refrigerant line between the condenser and the evaporator; a first expansion valve;provided in the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the evaporator, a second expansion valve provided in the refrigerant connection line, an accumulator (e.g. gas-liquid separator, for example dehumidifier) provided in the refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor and connected to the refrigerant connection line, and a third expansion valve provided in the refrigerant line between the condenser and the heat exchanger.

[0021] The heat exchanger can additionally condense or evaporate the refrigerant condensed in the condenser by exchanging heat with the outside air depending on the selective operation of the third expansion valve.

[0022] The second expansion valve can expand the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant connection line so that it flows to the cooling device when the battery module is cooled by the refrigerant.

[0023] The third expansion valve can selectively expand the refrigerant supplied to the heat exchanger in a heating mode and a heating / dehumidifying mode of the vehicle.

[0024] One end portion of the refrigerant connection line may be connected to the refrigerant line between the heat exchanger and the first expansion valve, and the other end portion of the refrigerant connection line may be connected to the accumulator.

[0025] The heat exchanger can be mounted on the front of the radiator.

[0026] Both the cooling device and the condenser may be a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger may be an air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0027] The HVAC module may further include an air heater on the opposite side of the evaporator, the heater being disposed between the air heater and the evaporator to selectively heat the outside air flowing through the heater.

[0028] The air heating device can be operated to increase the temperature of the outside air flowing through the heating device when the temperature of a coolant supplied to the heating device is lower than the target temperature for the interior heating of the vehicle.

[0029] When the battery module is cooled in the vehicle's cooling mode, a coolant can circulate through the coolant line by operating the first water pump in the cooling device, the connecting line can be closed by operating the first valve, the branch line can be opened by operating the second valve, and a coolant flowing through the cooling device can circulate along the battery coolant line and the branch line by operating the second water pump in a state in which a portion of the battery coolant line connected to the expansion tank is closed with respect to the branch line in the battery cooling device, in the heating device, the coolant line and the heating line can be connected by operating the third valve, so that the coolant is supplied from the cooling device to the air conditioner in a state,in which the refrigerant connection line is open by actuating the second expansion valve, the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant line and the refrigerant connection line, the first and second expansion valves can expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator and the cooling device, respectively, and the third expansion valve can supply the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to the heat exchanger.

[0030] The heating device may supply the refrigerant supplied from the cooling device to the condenser by the operation of the third water pump, and the condenser may condense the refrigerant by heat exchange with the refrigerant, and the heat exchanger may further condense the refrigerant supplied from the condenser by heat exchange with the outside air.

[0031] When recovering waste heat from an external heat source (for example, warm outside air), the electrical component and the battery module can be opened and actuated by the first valve in a heating operation of the vehicle, in the cooling device based on the connecting line, a portion of the coolant line connected to the radiator and a portion of the coolant line connecting the radiator and the expansion tank can be closed by actuating the first valve V1, and in the current state, the coolant passing through the electrical component can be supplied to the cooling device along the open connecting line without passing through the radiator by operating the first water pump, in the battery cooling device, the branch line and the battery coolant line can be opened by operating the second valve,and the coolant passing through the battery module can be supplied to the cooling device along the branch line by the operation of the second water pump, the coolant line and the heating line can form an independent closed circuit by the operation of the third valve, in the heating device, the coolant can circulate along the heating line by the operation of the third water pump, in the air conditioning system, the refrigerant line connecting the condenser and the evaporator can be closed by the operation of the first expansion valve, the refrigerant connection line can be opened by the operation of the second expansion valve, the second expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection line to supply the cooling device, and the third expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to supply the heat exchanger.

[0032] In a heating / dehumidifying mode of the vehicle, the connecting line may be opened by operating the first valve; in the cooling device based on the connecting line, a portion of the coolant line connected to the radiator and a portion of the coolant line connecting the radiator and the surge tank may be closed by operating the first valve V1; and in the current state, the coolant passing through the electrical component may be supplied to the cooling device along the open connecting line without passing through the radiator by operating the first water pump; in the battery cooling device, the branch line may be open by operating the second valve to close the battery coolant line, except for a portion of the battery coolant line connected to the surge tank with respect to the branch line;the coolant exiting the cooling device can be introduced into the expansion tank via the branch line and the open battery coolant line, the coolant line and the heating line can form an independent closed circuit by actuating the third valve, in the heating device the coolant can circulate along the heating line by operating the third water pump, in the air conditioning system the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant line and the refrigerant connecting line can be open by actuating the first and second expansion valves, respectively, and the first and second expansion valves can expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator and the cooling device, respectively.

[0033] The third expansion valve can expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser to be supplied to the heat exchanger when the temperature of the vehicle interior is low, and when the temperature of the vehicle interior is high, the refrigerant supplied from the condenser can be supplied to the heat exchanger without being in the expanded state.

[0034] When cooling the electrical component and the battery module using the coolant, the connecting line and the branch line may be closed by operating the first and second valves, the coolant cooled in the radiator and stored in the surge tank may be supplied to the electrical component by operating the first water pump, and the coolant stored in the surge tank may be circulated in the battery coolant line connected to the surge tank to be supplied to the battery module by operating the second valve.

[0035] When utilizing the waste heat of the electrical system in the heating mode of the vehicle without operating the air conditioning system, the connecting line can be opened by actuating the first valve; in the cooling device based on the connecting line, a portion of the coolant line connected to the radiator and a portion of the coolant line connecting the radiator and the expansion tank can be closed by actuating the first valve; the branch line can be open by actuating the second valve to close the battery coolant line, except for a portion of the battery coolant line connected to the expansion tank with respect to the branch line; the coolant, whose temperature is increased as it passes through the electrical component by the operation of the first water pump, can be supplied to the heating device along the heating line connected by the third valve without passing through the radiator;the coolant exiting the heating device can be fed to the cooling device along the heating line, the third valve, the coolant line, the connecting line and the branch line, the coolant exiting the cooling device can be fed into the expansion tank through the branch line and the open battery coolant line.

[0036] The first valve can open the coolant line connected to the radiator so that part of the coolant passing through the electrical component can flow into the connecting line and the rest of the coolant can flow into the radiator when the electrical component is overheated.

[0037] As described above, according to the heat pump system for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the battery module can be adjusted depending on the operation mode of the vehicle by using a cooling device for performing heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, and the interior of the vehicle can be heated by using the coolant, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to improve the heating efficiency by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component and using it for the interior heating of the vehicle.

[0039] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to optimize the performance of the battery module by efficiently controlling the temperature of the battery module and to increase the total driving distance of the vehicle by efficiently handling the battery module.

[0040] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the coolant heating device used in the heating device can be used to heat the battery module or to assist an interior heating system of the vehicle, thereby reducing costs and weight.

[0041] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat of the outside air and the waste heat of an electrical component and a battery module are selectively utilized in a heating mode of the vehicle, thereby increasing the heating efficiency.

[0042] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling performance and energy consumption of a compressor can be improved by increasing the condensation or evaporation performance of the refrigerant by means of a condenser and a heat exchanger.

[0043] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have additional features and advantages which will be apparent from or more particularly explained in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an operating state diagram for cooling an electrical component and a battery module using a coolant in the heat pump system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows an operating state diagram for cooling a battery module using a refrigerant in the cooling mode of a vehicle in the heat pump system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows an operating state diagram for the waste heat recovery of external heat of an electrical component and a battery module depending on a heating operation in a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows an operating state diagram for a heating / dehumidifying mode in a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows an operating state diagram for recovering and cooling the waste heat of an electrical component in the heating operation of a vehicle in a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 shows an operating state diagram for heating a battery module in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention contained herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended use and environment of use.

[0045] In the figures, the reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent portions of the present invention in the various figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] The exemplary embodiments described in the exemplary embodiments and configurations shown in the drawings are only the preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is understood that various equivalents and modifications may be adopted as substitutes for these at the time of filing this application.

[0048] To clarify the present invention, portions not related to the description are omitted, and the same elements or equivalents are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the description.

[0049] The size and thickness of the individual elements are arbitrarily indicated in the drawings, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and in the drawings, the thicknesses of the layers, films, plates, regions, etc. are exaggerated for the sake of clarity.

[0050] Throughout this specification and in the following claims, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "include" is to be understood to mean the inclusion of the specified elements but not the exclusion of others.

[0051] In addition, the terms "...unit", "...mechanism", "...section", "...element", etc., as used herein, mean a unit of components that perform at least one or more functions or operations.

[0052] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] The heat pump system for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can adjust the temperature of a battery module 24 by using a cooling device 30 in which a refrigerant and a coolant exchange heat, and utilize the waste heat of an electrical component 15 and the battery module 24, thereby improving heating efficiency.

[0054] Here, in the heat pump system for the electric vehicle, a cooling device 10 for cooling the electric component 15, a battery cooling device 20 for cooling the battery module 24, a heating device 40 for heating an interior space using a coolant, and an air conditioner 50 which is an air conditioning device for cooling the interior space may be connected to each other.

[0055] That is, with reference to Fig. 1, the heat pump system comprises the cooling device 10, the battery cooling device 20, the cooling device 30 and the heating device 40.

[0056] First, the cooling device 10 has a radiator 12 connected to a coolant line 11, a first water pump 14, a first valve V1 and an expansion tank 16.

[0057] The radiator 12 is mounted at the front of the vehicle, and a cooling fan 13 is mounted behind the radiator 12, so that the coolant is cooled by the operation of the cooling fan 13 and the heat exchange with the outside air.

[0058] In addition, the electrical component 15 may include an electrical power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, or an on-board charger (OBC).

[0059] The electrical component 15 arranged as described above may be provided in the coolant line 11 in a water-cooled manner.

[0060] Accordingly, when recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the heating mode of the vehicle, the heat generated by the EPCU, the motor, the inverter or the OBC can be recovered.

[0061] This cooling device 10 can circulate the coolant in the coolant line 11 so that the coolant is supplied to the electrical component 15 provided in the coolant line 11.

[0062] The battery cooling device 20 has a battery coolant line 21 which is connected to the expansion tank 16 via a second valve V2, and a second water pump 22 which is connected to the battery coolant line 21 and the battery module 24.

[0063] The battery cooling device 20 can selectively circulate the coolant in the battery module 24 by operating the second water pump 22.

[0064] Meanwhile, the battery module 24 may be of a water-cooled type that supplies power to the electrical component 15 and is cooled by a coolant flowing along the battery coolant line 21.

[0065] The first water pump 14 and the second water pump 22 can each be an electric water pump.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device 30 is provided in a branch line 31 which is connected to the battery coolant line 21 through the second valve V2.

[0067] The cooling device 30 is connected to a refrigerant line 51 of an air conditioning system 50 via a refrigerant connection line 61. This means that the cooling device 30 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which a coolant flows.

[0068] Accordingly, the cooling device 30 is selectively connectable to the connecting line 35, which connects the coolant line 11 and the branch line 31 to the branch line 31 through the first valve V1. The cooling device 30 can control the temperature of the coolant through heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioning system 50.

[0069] A first end portion of the connecting line 35 can be connected to the coolant line 11 via the first valve V1. A second end portion of the connecting line 35 can be connected to the branch line 31 between the second valve V2 and the cooling device 30.

[0070] The connecting line 35 can be selectively opened or closed depending on the operation of the first valve V1 and the first water pump 14. Furthermore, the connecting line 35 can connect the coolant line 11 and the branch line 31 according to the operation of the first valve V1.

[0071] In addition, the heating device 40 may include a heating line 41 connected to the coolant line 11 via a third valve V3, and a third water pump 42 and a heater 52a provided in the heating line 41 to supply the coolant at the temperature increased as it passes through the electrical component 15.

[0072] The heating device 52a may be provided within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module 52 included in the air conditioning system 50.

[0073] Here, a coolant heating device 43 for selectively heating the coolant circulating in the heating line 41 can be provided in the heating line 41 between the third water pump 42 and the heating device 52a.

[0074] The coolant heating device 43 is turned on when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater 52a during heating operation of the vehicle is lower than a target temperature to heat the coolant circulating in the heating line 41, wherein the coolant increased in temperature flows into the heater 52a.

[0075] The coolant heating device 43 may be an electric heater that operates according to the power supply.

[0076] On the other hand, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is described that the coolant heater 43 is provided in the heating duct 41, but it is not limited thereto, and instead of the coolant heater 43, an air heater 45 for increasing the temperature of the outside air flowing into the vehicle interior may be used.

[0077] The air heating device 45 may be mounted on the rear side of the heater 52a toward the vehicle interior within the HVAC module 52 to selectively heat the outside air flowing through the heater 52a.

[0078] That is, the heater 40 may be connected to one of the coolant heater 43 and the air heater 45.

[0079] The heating device 40 constructed as described above supplies the high-temperature coolant flowing from the cooling device 10 to the heating pipe 41 during the heating operation of the vehicle, or supplies the coolant whose temperature is increased in circulation through the heating pipe 41 to the heater 52a by the operation of the third water pump 42, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0080] Here the first, second and third water pumps can be 14, 26 and 42 electric water pumps.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner 50 includes the HVAC module 52, a condenser 53, a heat exchanger 54, a first expansion valve 55, an evaporator 56, and a compressor 59 connected via the refrigerant line 51.

[0082] First, the HVAC module 52 includes the evaporator 56 connected thereto via the refrigerant line 51 and an opening and closing damper 52b for controlling the outside air passing through the evaporator 56, which is selectively introduced into the heater 52a depending on the cooling, heating, and heating / dehumidification mode of the present vehicle.

[0083] That is, the opening and closing damper 52b is open so that the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 can be introduced into the heater 52a during the vehicle's heating operation. However, during the vehicle's cooling operation, the opening and closing damper 52b closes the heater 52a, allowing the outside air, which is cooled as it passes through the evaporator 56, to flow directly into the vehicle.

[0084] When the coolant heater 43 is not provided in the heater 40, the air heater 45 provided in the HVAC module 52 may be provided on an opposite side of the evaporator 56 with the heater 52a disposed therebetween.

[0085] The air heating device 45 can be operated to increase the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52a when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heater 52a is lower than a target temperature for the interior heating of the vehicle.

[0086] On the other hand, the air heater 45 may be provided within the HVAC module 52 if the coolant heater 43 is not provided in the heating line 41.

[0087] That is, in the heat pump device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only one of the coolant heating device 43 and the air heating device 45 can be used.

[0088] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the condenser 53 is connected to the refrigerant line 51 to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough and to the heating line 41 to allow the coolant circulating through the heater 40 to pass therethrough.

[0089] This condenser 53 can condense the refrigerant by heat exchange with the coolant supplied via the heating line 41. In other words, the condenser 53 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger into which the coolant flows.

[0090] The condenser 53 configured as described above can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 59 and the coolant supplied from the heater 40 to condense the refrigerant.

[0091] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger 54 may be provided in the refrigerant line 51 between the condenser 53 and the evaporator 56.

[0092] The first expansion valve 55 is provided in the refrigerant line 51 between the heat exchanger 54 and the evaporator 56. The first expansion valve 55 receives the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 54 to expand it.

[0093] The accumulator 57 is arranged in the refrigerant line 51 between the evaporator 56 and the compressor 59 and is connected to the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0094] Such an accumulator 57 improves the efficiency and durability of the compressor 59 by supplying only the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 59.

[0095] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first end portion of the refrigerant connection line 61 is connected to the refrigerant line 51 between the heat exchanger 54 and the first expansion valve 55. The second end portion of the refrigerant connection line 61 may be connected to the accumulator 57.

[0096] Here, the accumulator 57 can supply the gaseous refrigerant of the refrigerant supplied via the refrigerant connection line 61 to the compressor 59.

[0097] On the other hand, the refrigerant connection line 61 is provided with a second expansion valve 63, and the refrigerant line 51 between the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 54 may be provided with a third expansion valve 65.

[0098] The second expansion valve 63 can expand the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant connection line 61 to flow into the cooling device 30 when the battery module 24 is cooled with the refrigerant.

[0099] Here, the second expansion valve 63 is operated in the heating mode and in the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle when recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 or the battery module 24.

[0100] The second expansion valve 63 can selectively expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant connection line 61 to supply the cooling device 30.

[0101] That is, the second expansion valve 63 expands the refrigerant exiting from the heat exchanger 54 and flowing in the cooling device 30 and at the same time lowers the temperature of the refrigerant, whereby the temperature of the coolant can be further lowered.

[0102] This allows the battery module 24 to be cooled more efficiently by supplying the coolant with the lower temperature as it passes through the cooling device 30.

[0103] The third expansion valve 65 can selectively expand the refrigerant supplied to the heat exchanger 54 in the heating mode and the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle.

[0104] Here, the heat exchanger 54 can further condense or evaporate the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 53 by heat exchange with the outside air, depending on a selective actuation of the third expansion valve 65.

[0105] In other words, the heat exchanger 54 is mounted at the front of the radiator 12 so that the coolant flowing therein exchanges heat with the outside air.

[0106] Meanwhile, when the heat exchanger 54 condenses the refrigerant, the heat exchanger 54 can increase the subcooling of the refrigerant by further compressing the refrigerant condensed at the condenser 53, thereby improving the COP (Coefficient of Performance), a coefficient of cooling capacity relative to the power required by the compressor.

[0107] The compressor 59 is connected between the evaporator 56 and the condenser 53 via the refrigerant line 51. The present compressor 59 can compress the refrigerant in the gaseous state and supply the compressed refrigerant to the condenser 53.

[0108] The first, second and third expansion valves 55, 63 and 65 may be electronic expansion valves that selectively expand the refrigerant and simultaneously control the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant line 51 or the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0109] In addition, the first and second valves V1 and V2 can be three-way valves that can distribute the flow, and the third valve V3 can be a four-way valve.

[0110] The following describes the operation and effect of the heat pump system for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 7 described in detail.

[0111] First, the operation of the heat pump system for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2 in the cooling of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 using the coolant.

[0112] Fig. 2 shows an operating state diagram for cooling an electrical component and a battery module with a coolant in the heat pump system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] According to Fig. 2, the branch line 31 and the connecting line 35 are closed by actuating the first and second valves V1 and V2.

[0114] In addition, the battery coolant line 21 is connected to the expansion tank 16 by actuating the second valve V2.

[0115] In the current state, the first water pump 14 in the cooling device 10 is operated to cool the electrical component 15. Accordingly, the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 and stored in the surge tank 16 is supplied to the electrical component 15.

[0116] In the battery cooling device 20, the second water pump 22 is operated to cool the battery module 24.

[0117] Accordingly, the coolant stored in the expansion tank 16 is supplied to the battery module 24 while circulating through the battery coolant line 21 connected to the expansion tank 16 by the actuation of the second valve V2.

[0118] That is, the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 and stored in the surge tank 16 circulates through the coolant line 11 and the battery coolant line 21 by the operation of the first and second water pumps 14 and 22, respectively, to efficiently cool the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24.

[0119] The air conditioning system 50 is not operating because the vehicle's cooling mode is not activated.

[0120] On the other hand, although it has been described in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention that both the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 are cooled, the present invention is not limited to this, and when one of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 is separately cooled, the first and second water pumps 14 and 22 can be selectively operated.

[0121] The process in the case of cooling the battery module 24 in the cooling mode of the vehicle is described in relation to Fig. 3 described.

[0122] Fig. 3 shows an operating state diagram for cooling a battery module by using a refrigerant in the cooling mode of a vehicle in the heat pump system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] In the cooling device 10, the coolant is circulated in the coolant line 11 by the operation of the first water pump 14, see Fig. 3. Accordingly, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 is circulated to the electrical component 15.

[0124] The first connecting line 33 is closed by actuating the first valve V1.

[0125] In the heating device 40, the coolant line 11 and the heating line 41 are connected by actuating the third valve V3 so that the coolant supplied from the coolant line 11 is circulated.

[0126] Thus, the coolant cooled by the radiator 12 can be supplied to the condenser 53 by the operation of the first and third water pumps 14 and 42.

[0127] In the battery cooling device 20, the branch line 31 is opened by actuating the second valve V2. A portion of the battery coolant line 21 connected to the expansion tank 16 is closed based on the branch line 31.

[0128] In the present state, the coolant that has passed through the cooler 30 can be supplied to the battery module 24 while circulating along the branch line 31 and the battery coolant line 21 connected to the branch line 31 without flowing through the surge tank 16 by the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0129] That is, in the battery cooling device 20, a closed circuit through which the coolant circulates independently can be formed by connecting the open branch line 31 to the battery coolant line 21 in a state where the connection with the port of the surge tank 16 is closed by operating the second valve V2.

[0130] In the air conditioning system 50, each individual element cools the interior of the vehicle. Accordingly, the refrigerant is circulated along the refrigerant line 51.

[0131] The refrigerant line 51, which connects the heat exchanger 54 and the evaporator 56, is open by the actuation of the first expansion valve 55. The refrigerant connection line 61 is open by the actuation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0132] Accordingly, the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger 54 can circulate along the refrigerant line 51 and the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0133] The first and second expansion valves 55 and 63 can expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 56 and the cooler 30, respectively. The third expansion valve 65 can allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 53 to flow into the heat exchanger 54 without expanding.

[0134] Meanwhile, the heating device 40 supplies the coolant supplied from the cooling device 10 to the condenser 53 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0135] Accordingly, the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant using the refrigerant flowing along the heating pipe 41. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 54 can further condense the refrigerant flowing in from the condenser 53 by operating the third expansion valve 65 through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0136] The coolant passing through the cooling device 30 is circulated in the battery coolant line 21 and the first branch line 31 without passing through the surge tank 16 to cool the battery module by the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0137] The coolant passing through the cooling device 30 is cooled by heat exchange with the expanded refrigerant supplied to the cooling device 30. The cooled coolant in the cooling device 30 is supplied to the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 is cooled by the cooled coolant.

[0138] That is, the second expansion valve 63 expands a part of the refrigerant through the sub-condenser 54 to supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooling device 30 and opens the refrigerant communication line 61.

[0139] Accordingly, the refrigerant exiting from the heat exchanger 54 is expanded into a low-temperature and low-pressure state by actuating the second expansion valve 63 and flows into the cooling device 30 connected to the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0140] Then, the refrigerant flowing into the cooling device 30 exchanges heat with the coolant and, after flowing through the accumulator 57, flows through the refrigerant connecting line 61 into the compressor 59.

[0141] In other words, the coolant with the elevated temperature from cooling the battery module 24 is cooled by heat exchange within the cooling device 30 with the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The cooled coolant is returned to the battery module 24 via the battery coolant line 21 and the branch line 31.

[0142] That is, the coolant can efficiently cool the battery module 24 while repeating the process described above.

[0143] Meanwhile, the remaining refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 54 flows through the refrigerant line 51 to cool the interior of the vehicle and passes through the first expansion valve 55, the evaporator 56, the compressor 59, and the condenser 53 in sequence.

[0144] Here, the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 56 as it flows through the evaporator 56.

[0145] Currently, the opening / closing damper 52b reduces a portion of the cooled outside air passing through the heater 52a so that it does not pass through the heater 52a. Thus, the cooled outside air can be directly directed into the vehicle interior, thereby cooling the vehicle interior.

[0146] On the other hand, in the evaporator 56, the refrigerant, the amount of condensate of which is increased while passing successively through the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 54, is expanded and supplied, whereby the refrigerant with the even lower temperature evaporates.

[0147] That is, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the condenser 53 condenses the refrigerant, and the heat exchanger 54 further condenses the refrigerant, thereby promoting the formation of the subcooled refrigerant.

[0148] Since the subcooled refrigerant evaporates at the lower temperature in the evaporator 56, the temperature of the refrigerant heat-exchanged at the evaporator 56 can be further reduced, thereby improving the cooling performance and efficiency.

[0149] During the repetition of the above-described process, the refrigerant in the cooling mode can cool the interior of the vehicle and at the same time cool the coolant by the heat exchange as it passes through the cooling device 30.

[0150] The low-temperature coolant cooled by the cooling device 30 flows into the battery module 24. Accordingly, the battery module 24 can be efficiently cooled by the supplied low-temperature coolant.

[0151] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the operation in the case of recovering the waste heat of the external heat source, the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 in the heating operation of the vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 4 described.

[0152] Fig. 4 shows an operating state diagram for the waste heat recovery of external heat, an electrical component and a battery module depending on a heating operation in a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0153] With reference to Fig. 4, the heat pump system can absorb the outside air heat together with the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in an initial start-up idle state IDLE of the vehicle or in an initial driving state in which the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 is insufficient.

[0154] First, the first water pump 14 in the cooling device 10 is operated to circulate the coolant.

[0155] The connecting line 35 is opened by actuating the first valve V1. At the same time, based on the connecting line 35, a section of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 and a section of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the expansion tank 16 are closed by actuating the first valve V1.

[0156] In the present state, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 can be supplied to the cooling device 30 along the open connecting line 35 without passing through the radiator 12 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0157] Meanwhile, in the battery cooling device 20, the branch line 31 and the battery coolant line 21 are opened by operating the second valve V2. The coolant flowing through the battery module 24 can be supplied to the cooling device 30 along the branch line 31 by operating the second water pump 22.

[0158] That is, in the cooling device 10, the coolant line 11 is connected to the branch line 31 through the open connection line 35. In the battery cooling device 20, on the basis of the branch line 31, a portion of the battery coolant line 21 connected to the battery module 24 and a portion of the battery coolant line 21 connected to the surge tank 16 are connected to the branch line 31.

[0159] Thus, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 continuously circulates along the coolant line 11, the connecting line 35 and the branch line 31 without passing through the radiator 12 and absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15, so that the temperature is increased.

[0160] In addition, the coolant flowing through the battery module 24 continuously circulates along the battery coolant line 21 and the branch line 31 and absorbs the waste heat of the battery module 24, so that the temperature is increased.

[0161] The coolant with the increased temperature can be supplied to the cooling device 30 provided on the branch line 31. That is, the waste heat generated by the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 increases the temperature of the coolant circulating through the coolant line 11 and the battery coolant line 21, respectively.

[0162] In the heating device 40, the coolant circulates along the heating line 41 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0163] The coolant line 11 and the heating line 41 can form the independent closed circuit by actuating the third valve V3.

[0164] Thus, the coolant circulating through the heating line 41 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the heater 52a by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0165] Here, the coolant heating device 43 is operated when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating line 41 is lower than the target temperature, so that the coolant circulating in the heating line 41 can be heated.

[0166] On the other hand, when the air heater 45 is used instead of the coolant heater 43, the air heater 45 operates when the temperature of the outside air flowing through the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature, and the outside air flowing into the interior of the vehicle can be heated.

[0167] In the air conditioning system 50, each individual element heats the vehicle interior. The refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant line 51.

[0168] Here, the refrigerant line 51, which connects the condenser 53 and the evaporator 56, is closed by the actuation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0169] The refrigerant connection line 61 is open by the actuation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0170] Here, the second expansion valve 63 can supply the refrigerant to the cooling device 30 by expanding the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 54 into the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0171] The third expansion valve 65 can also supply the refrigerant to the heat exchanger 54 by expanding the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 53.

[0172] Thus, the heat exchanger 54 recovers the external heat, while the expanded refrigerant evaporates through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0173] The coolant, which absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 and is increased in temperature, is recovered by increasing the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooling device 30 while passing through the cooling device 30 by the operation of the first and second water pumps 14 and 22.

[0174] That is, the cooling device 30 receives the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 54 and expanded by actuation of the second expansion valve 63 via the refrigerant connection line 61 and evaporates the supplied refrigerant by heat exchange with the coolant, the temperature of which is increased as it flows through the electrical component 15 or the battery module 24, wherein the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 is recovered.

[0175] Next, the refrigerant passing through the cooling device 30 is supplied to the accumulator 57 along the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0176] The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 57 is separated into gas and liquid.

[0177] From the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid, the gaseous refrigerant is fed to the compressor 59.

[0178] The refrigerant compressed at high temperature and high pressure from the compressor 59 flows into the condenser 53.

[0179] Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 can increase the temperature of the coolant by heat exchange with the coolant circulating through the heating line 41. The coolant with increased temperature is supplied to the heater 52a.

[0180] Meanwhile, the opening / closing damper 52b is open so that the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 and passing through the evaporator 56 passes through the heater 52a.

[0181] As a result, the incoming outside air flows into the interior in an uncooled temperature state as it passes through the evaporator 56, which is not supplied with refrigerant. The incoming outside air is converted to a high-temperature state as it passes through the heating device 52a, and is blown into the interior of the vehicle, thus heating the vehicle interior.

[0182] That is, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention absorbs the external heat of the heat exchanger 54 in the required cooling in the initial start idle state (IDLE) of the vehicle or in the initial driving state and is used to increase the temperature of the refrigerant by utilizing the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24, thereby reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59 and improving the cooling efficiency.

[0183] Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 is recovered together, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and the waste heat of the battery module 24 may be selectively recovered.

[0184] That is, when the waste heat of the battery module 24 is not recovered, in the battery cooling device 20, a remainder of the battery coolant line 21 except for a portion of the battery coolant line 21 connected to the surge tank 16 is closed based on the branch line 31, and the operation of the second water pump 22 can be stopped.

[0185] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the operation in the case of recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 depending on the heating / dehumidifying mode of the vehicle will be explained with reference to Fig. 5 described.

[0186] Fig. 5 shows an operating state diagram for a heating / dehumidifying mode in a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0187] With reference to Fig. 5, the heat pump system can recover the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle to carry out the interior heating of the vehicle.

[0188] Here, the heat pump system can recover the outside heat together with the waste heat from the electrical component 15 at low interior temperatures. At high temperatures inside the vehicle, however, the waste heat from the electrical component 15 can only be recovered for use in the vehicle's interior heating.

[0189] First, the first water pump 14 in the cooling device 10 is operated to circulate the coolant.

[0190] The connecting line 35 is opened by actuating the first valve V1. At the same time, based on the connecting line 35, a section of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 and a section of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the expansion tank 16 are closed by actuating the first valve V1.

[0191] In the present state, the coolant passing through the electrical component 15 can be supplied to the cooling device 30 along the open connecting line 35 without passing through the radiator 12 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0192] Meanwhile, in the battery cooling device 20, the branch line 31 is open by the operation of the second valve V2, and a rest of the battery coolant line 21 is closed except for a portion of the battery coolant line 21 connected to the surge tank 16 based on the branch line 31.

[0193] That is, the battery coolant line 21 connecting the second water pump 22 and the battery module 24 is closed and the operation of the second water pump 22 is stopped.

[0194] In the present state, the coolant flowing through the electrical component 15 is continuously circulated along the coolant pipe 11, the connecting pipe 35 and the branch pipe 31 without passing through the radiator 12 and absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15 so that the temperature is increased.

[0195] The coolant with the increased temperature can be supplied to the cooling device 30 provided on the branch line 31.

[0196] The coolant discharged from the cooling device 30 is supplied to the expansion tank 16 via the branch line 31 and the open battery coolant line 21. Accordingly, the coolant passes through the electrical component 15 along the coolant line 11 from the expansion tank 16 by the operation of the first water pump 14, and can flow into the connecting line 35.

[0197] That is, the waste heat generated by the electrical component 15 increases the temperature of the coolant circulating through the coolant line 11, the connecting line 35, the branch line 31 and the open battery coolant line 21.

[0198] In the heating device 40, the coolant circulates along the heating line 41 by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0199] The coolant line 11 and the heating line 41 can form the independent closed circuit by actuating the third valve V3.

[0200] Thus, the coolant circulating through the heating line 41 can be supplied to the condenser 53 after passing through the heater 52a by the operation of the third water pump 42.

[0201] Here, the coolant heating device 43 is operated when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating line 41 is lower than the target temperature, so that the coolant circulating in the heating line 41 can be heated.

[0202] On the other hand, when the air heater 45 is used instead of the coolant heater 43, the air heater 45 operates when the temperature of the outside air passing through the heater 52a is lower than the target temperature, and the outside air flowing into the interior of the vehicle can be heated.

[0203] In the air conditioning system 50, each individual element heats the vehicle interior. The refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant line 51.

[0204] Here, the refrigerant line 51 connecting the condenser 53 and the evaporator 56 is opened by the operation of the first expansion valve 55.

[0205] The refrigerant connection line 61 is open by the actuation of the second expansion valve 63.

[0206] In this case, the first and second expansion valves 55 and 63 can expand the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 54 to the refrigerant connection line 61 and the refrigerant line 51 so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 56 and the cooling device 30.

[0207] In addition, at low temperatures in the vehicle interior, the third expansion valve 65 can expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 53 to supply it to the heat exchanger 54.

[0208] Accordingly, the heat exchanger 54 recovers the external heat, while the expanded refrigerant evaporates through heat exchange with the outside air.

[0209] Conversely, the third expansion valve 65 can allow the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 53 to flow into the heat exchanger 54 without expanding at high temperatures in the vehicle interior.

[0210] Accordingly, the heat exchanger 54 can condense the refrigerant by heat exchange with the outside air.

[0211] In addition, the coolant whose temperature is increased by absorbing the waste heat of the electrical component 15 is recovered, while the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooling device 30 is increased as it passes through the cooling device 30 by the operation of the first water pump 14.

[0212] That is, the cooling device 30 receives the refrigerant supplied from the heat exchanger 54 and expanded by actuating the second expansion valve 63 via the refrigerant connection line 61, and evaporates the supplied refrigerant by heat exchange with the coolant whose temperature is increased when passing through the electrical component 15, whereby the waste heat of the electrical component 15 is recovered.

[0213] Next, the refrigerant passing through the cooling device 30 is supplied to the accumulator 57 along the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0214] The refrigerant supplied to the accumulator 57 is separated into gas and liquid.

[0215] From the refrigerant separated into gas and liquid, the gaseous refrigerant is fed to the compressor 59.

[0216] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 59 at high temperature and high pressure flows to the condenser 53.

[0217] Here, the refrigerant supplied to the condenser 53 can increase the temperature of the coolant by heat exchange with the coolant circulating through the heating line 41. The coolant with increased temperature is supplied to the heater 52a.

[0218] On the other hand, the expanded refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 56 by the operation of the first expansion valve 55 exchanges heat with the outside air passing through the evaporator 56 and is then supplied to the compressor 59 through the accumulator 57 along the refrigerant line 51.

[0219] That is, the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 56 can be supplied to the compressor 59 together with the refrigerant flowing into the accumulator 57 through the refrigerant connection line 61.

[0220] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 59 at high temperature and high pressure is then fed to the condenser 53.

[0221] Here, the opening / closing damper 52b is open so that the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 and passing through the evaporator 56 passes through the heater 52a.

[0222] That is, the outside air supplied to the HVAC module 52 is dehumidified in a low-temperature state by the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 56 as it passes through the evaporator 56. Next, the outside air is converted to a high-temperature state as it passes through the heater 52a and flows into the vehicle interior, thereby heating and dehumidifying the vehicle interior.

[0223] That is, the heat pump system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention selectively absorbs the outside heat depending on the inside temperature of the vehicle together with the waste heat generated by the electrical component 15 in the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle, by using it to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, reduce the power consumption of the compressor 59, and improve the heating efficiency.

[0224] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the operation in the case of using the waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the heating operation of the vehicle without operating the air conditioning system 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 described.

[0225] Fig. 6 shows an operating state diagram for recovering and cooling the waste heat of an electrical component in the heating operation of a vehicle in a heat pump device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0226] According to Fig. 6, the heat management system can recover the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and use it to heat the vehicle interior.

[0227] First, the first water pump 14 in the cooling device 10 is operated to circulate the coolant. In this case, the air conditioning system 50 is stopped.

[0228] The connecting line 35 is opened by actuating the first valve V1.

[0229] Accordingly, in the cooling device 10 based on the connecting line 35, a portion of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 and a part of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the expansion tank 16 is closed by actuating the first valve V1.

[0230] The branch line 31 is opened by operating the second valve V1 to close the battery coolant line 21 except for a part of the battery cooling water line 21 connected to the surge tank 16 based on the branch line 31.

[0231] That is, the battery coolant line 21 connecting the second water pump 22 and the battery module 24 is closed and the operation of the second water pump 22 is stopped.

[0232] In the present state, the coolant, the temperature of which is increased by the operation of the first water pump 14 when passing through the electric component 15, is supplied to the heater 52a along the heating line 41 connected through the third valve V3 without passing through the radiator 12.

[0233] Here, the coolant introduced into the heating line 41 passes through the heater 52a by the operation of the third water pump 42. Currently, the coolant heating device 43 is operated when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating line 41 is below the target temperature, so that the coolant circulating in the heating line 41 can be heated.

[0234] However, if the air heating device 45 is used instead of the coolant heating device 43, the air heating device 45 can be operated selectively depending on the temperature of the outside air flowing through the heating device 52a.

[0235] The air heating device 45 can be operated when the temperature of the outside air flowing through the heater 52a is lower than a target temperature, thereby heating the outside air flowing into the interior of the vehicle.

[0236] The air heating device 45 is operated when the temperature of the outside air that has completed heat exchange with the heated coolant when passing through the heater 52a is lower than a predetermined temperature or a target heating temperature.

[0237] Consequently, during operation of the air heater 45, the outside air can be heated while passing through the air heater 45 to be introduced into the vehicle interior in a state of increased temperature.

[0238] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the coolant discharged from the heater 52a is introduced into the coolant line 11 via the heating line 41 and the third valve V3 and then supplied to the cooling device 30 via the connecting line 35 and the branch line 31.

[0239] Since the coolant supplied to the cooling device 30 does not flow in the cooling device 30, the coolant can pass through the cooling device 30 without heat exchange with the refrigerant.

[0240] The coolant discharged from the cooling device 30 passes successively through the branch line 31 and the open battery coolant line 21 and is fed back into the expansion tank 16.

[0241] That is, the coolant that has passed through the electrical component 15 continues to circulate along the coolant line 11, the heating line 41, the connecting line 35, the branch line 31, and a portion of the battery coolant line 21 without passing through the radiator 12, and absorbs the waste heat of the electrical component 15, so that its temperature rises.

[0242] The coolant with the increased temperature is introduced into the heating line 41 connected to the coolant line 11 by actuating the third valve V3. Accordingly, the heated coolant introduced into the heating line 41 is supplied to the heating device 52a.

[0243] The opening and closing flap 52b is opened so that the outside air flowing into the HVAC module 52 flows through the heating device 52a.

[0244] Accordingly, the outside air supplied from the outside flows in a room-temperature state where it is not cooled when passing through the evaporator 56 to which no refrigerant is supplied. The introduced outside air can be converted to a high-temperature state when passing through the heater 52a, and flows into the vehicle and heats the vehicle interior.

[0245] In other words, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to recover the waste heat generated in the electrical component 15 when repeating the above-described process and use the waste heat for the interior heating, thereby reducing the power consumption and improving the overall heating efficiency.

[0246] On the other hand, in a process of heating the vehicle interior by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 using the coolant when the electrical component 15 is overheated, a portion of the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 and a portion of the coolant line 11 connecting the radiator 12 and the expansion tank 16 are opened by actuating the first valve V1.

[0247] Accordingly, the remaining coolant not supplied to the heater 52a is cooled by the cooler 12.

[0248] The fully cooled coolant can recover the waste heat as it passes through the electrical component 15 and, at the same time, efficiently cool the electrical component 15 together with the coolant introduced into the expansion tank 16 via the connecting line 35, the branch line 31 and a part of the battery coolant line 21.

[0249] When the electrical component 15 is overheated, the first valve V1 can open the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 so that part of the coolant flowing through the electrical component 15 can flow into the connecting line 35 and the rest of the coolant can flow into the radiator 12.

[0250] As a result, a portion of the coolant cooled in the cooler 12 can be supplied to the electrical component 15, thereby preventing overheating of the electrical component 15.

[0251] Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to recover the waste heat generated in the electrical component 15 and use the waste heat for interior heating, thereby reducing power consumption and improving the overall heating efficiency.

[0252] At the same time, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by controlling the operation of the first valve V1 configured to distribute the flow to be cooled, a part of the coolant can be introduced into the radiator 12 and then supplied to the electrical component 15, thereby efficiently cooling the electrical component 15 and ensuring the cooling performance of the electrical component 15.

[0253] The operation in the case of heating the battery module 26 is in relation to Fig. 7 described.

[0254] Fig. 7 shows an operating state diagram for heating a battery module in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0255] With reference to Fig. 7, the heat pump system can heat the battery module 26 by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15.

[0256] First, in the cooling device 10, the connecting line 35 is open in a state where the coolant line 11 connected to the radiator 12 is closed by actuating the first valve V1. Here, the air conditioner 50 is stopped.

[0257] The branch line 31 is opened by actuating the second valve V2. Accordingly, based on the branch line 31, a remainder of the battery coolant line 21 is open except for a portion of the battery coolant line 21 connected to the expansion tank 16.

[0258] As a result, the battery coolant line 21 connected to the expansion tank 16 is closed, and the remaining battery coolant line 21 connected to the battery module 24 may be open.

[0259] That is, the battery coolant line 21 connecting the second water pump 22 and the battery module 24 in the battery cooling device 20 is open to be connected to the branch line 31.

[0260] Accordingly, in the battery cooling device 20, the coolant is circulated along the open battery coolant line 21 and the branch line 31 by the operation of the second water pump 22.

[0261] Part of the coolant flowing through the battery module 24 can be introduced into the expansion tank 16 connected via the second valve V2, and the remaining coolant can flow into the branch line 31.

[0262] In the heating device 40, the coolant line 11 and the heating line 41 are now connected by actuating the third valve V3.

[0263] In the current state, the coolant, the temperature of which is increased by the operation of the first water pump 14 as it passes through the electrical component 15, without passing through the radiator 12, is fed into the heating line 41 connected via the third valve V3.

[0264] This means that the coolant with the increased temperature due to waste heat of the electrical component 15 in the coolant line 11 can circulate through the heating line 41 by the operation of the third water pump V3.

[0265] The coolant heating device 43 is operated to heat the coolant when the temperature of the coolant circulating along the heating line 41 is lower than the target temperature. Accordingly, the temperature of the coolant circulating in the heating line 41 rises as it passes through the coolant heating device 43.

[0266] Accordingly, the coolant, which experiences a temperature increase upon passing through the coolant heating device 43, is led from the heating line 41 through the third valve V3 into the coolant line 11. Accordingly, the heated coolant is introduced from the coolant line 11 through the connecting line 31 into the branch line 31.

[0267] The heated coolant introduced into the branch line 31 can be supplied to the battery module 24, which is connected via the battery coolant line 21 and the branch line 31.

[0268] As a result, the heated coolant may increase the temperature of the battery module 24.

[0269] As a result, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to quickly raise the temperature of the battery module 24 while repeating the above-described operation, efficiently managing the temperature of the battery module 24.

[0270] Therefore, when the heat pump system for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied as described above, the temperature of the battery module 24 can be adjusted according to the operation mode of the vehicle by using a cooling device 30 for performing heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant, and the interior of the vehicle can be heated by the coolant, thereby simplifying the entire system.

[0271] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to improve the efficiency of the heating by recovering the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and using it for internal heating.

[0272] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to optimize the performance of the battery module 24 by efficiently controlling the temperature of the battery module 24 and to increase the total driving distance of the vehicle by efficiently handling the battery module 24.

[0273] Furthermore, the present invention can use the coolant heater 43 used in the heater 40 to heat the battery module 24 or to assist in interior heating of the vehicle, thereby reducing cost and weight.

[0274] Furthermore, in the heating mode of the vehicle, the present invention specifically utilizes the external heat and the waste heat of the electrical component 15 and the battery module 24 and thus improves the heating efficiency.

[0275] The present invention also improves the condensation or evaporation performance of the refrigerant by using the condenser 53 and the heat exchanger 54, thereby improving the cooling performance and reducing the power consumption of the compressor 59.

[0276] Furthermore, the present invention can reduce production costs and weight and improve space utilization by simplifying the overall system.

[0277] For ease of explanation and for precise definition in the appended claims, the terms "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," "up," "down," "upward," "downward," "front," "back," "rear," "inside," "outside," "inward," "outward," "inside," "outside," "forward," and "backward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of those features as illustrated in the figures. It is further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0278] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical application.

Claims

[1] A heat pump system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a cooling device (10) comprising: a radiator (12), a first water pump (14), a first valve (V1) and an expansion tank (16) connected by a coolant line (11) and arranged such that a coolant circulates in the coolant line (11) to cool at least one electrical component (15) mounted in the coolant line (11), a battery cooling device (20) comprising a battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16) via a second valve (V2), and a second water pump (22) and a battery module (24) connected via the battery coolant line (21) to circulate the coolant into the battery module (24), a heating device (40) comprising a heating line (41) connected to the coolant line (11) via a third valve (V3) for heating a vehicle interior using the coolant and a third water pump (42) attached to the heating line (41), and a heating device (52a), and a cooling device (30) mounted in a branch line (31) connected to the battery coolant line (21) through the second valve (V2) and connected to a refrigerant line (51) of an air conditioner (50) through a refrigerant connecting line (61), for adjusting a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant selectively introduced into a connecting line (35) connecting the coolant line (11) and the branch line (31) through the first valve (V1) and the branch line (31), and a refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioner (50), wherein a condenser (53) provided by the air conditioner (50) is connected to the heating line (41) to allow the coolant circulating through the heating device (40) to pass therethrough. [2] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a first end portion of the connecting line (35) is connected to the coolant line (11) through the first valve (V1) and a second end portion of the connecting line (35) is connected to the portion connected between the second valve (V2) and the cooling device (30), and wherein the heating device (52a) is mounted within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning module, HVAC module, (52) included in the air conditioning system (50). [3] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, when the battery module (24) is heated, the connecting line (35) is open in a state in which the coolant line (11) connected to the radiator (12) is closed by actuation of the first valve (V1), the branch line (31) is open by actuating the second valve (V2), a section of the battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16) is closed based on the branch line (31), the coolant circulates along the battery coolant line (21) and the branch line (31) by the operation of the second water pump (22), in the heating device (40), the coolant line (11) and the heating line (41) are connected by the actuation of the third valve (V3), in the cooling device (10), the coolant circulates through the heating line (41) at the temperature increased by the waste heat of the at least one electrical component (15) by the operation of the third water pump (42), and the heated coolant introduced from the heating line (41) and the coolant line (11) is led from the coolant line (11) through the connecting line (35) into the branch line (31) and is supplied to the battery module (24) which is connected via the battery coolant line (21) and the branch line (31). [4] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioning system (50) comprises: the heating, ventilation and air conditioning module, HVAC module, (52), which has an evaporator (56) connected thereto via the refrigerant line (51) and a damper (52b) arranged to control the outside air flowing through the evaporator (56) so that it is selectively introduced into the heating device (52a) depending on the cooling, heating and heating / dehumidification modes of the vehicle, the condenser (53) connected to the heating line (41) for circulating the coolant therein to perform heat exchange between the coolant and a refrigerant supplied through the refrigerant line (51), a compressor (59) connected via the refrigerant line (51) between the evaporator (56) and the condenser (53), a heat exchanger (54) mounted on the refrigerant line (51) between the condenser (53) and the evaporator (56), a first expansion valve (55) mounted in the refrigerant line (51) between the heat exchanger (54) and the evaporator (56), a second expansion valve (63) mounted in the refrigerant connection line (61), an accumulator (57) mounted in the refrigerant line (51) between the evaporator (56) and the compressor (59) and connected to the refrigerant connection line (61), and a third expansion valve (65) mounted in the refrigerant line (51) between the condenser (53) and the heat exchanger (54). [5] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the heat exchanger (54) condenses or evaporates the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (53) by heat exchange with the outside air in response to a selective operation of the third expansion valve (65). [6] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second expansion valve (63) is configured to expand the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant connection line (61) to flow to the cooling device (30) when the battery module (24) is cooled by the refrigerant. [7] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the third expansion valve (65) is arranged to selectively expand the refrigerant supplied to the heat exchanger (54) in the heating mode and the heating / dehumidification mode of the vehicle. [8] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a first end portion of the refrigerant connection line (61) is connected through the cooling device (30) to the refrigerant line (51) between the heat exchanger (54) and the first expansion valve (55), and wherein a second end portion of the refrigerant connection line (61) is connected to the accumulator (57). [9] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the heat exchanger (54) is mounted on the front of the radiator (12). [10] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein both the cooler (30) and the condenser (53) are a water-cooled heat exchanger and the heat exchanger (54) is an air-cooled heat exchanger. [11] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the HVAC module (52) further comprises an air heating device (45) mounted with the heating device (52a) therebetween on a side opposite to the evaporator (56) for selectively heating the outside air flowing through the heating device (52a). [12] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the air heating device (45) is operated to increase the temperature of the outside air flowing through the heating device (52a) when the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heating device (52a) is lower than a target temperature for the interior heating of the vehicle. [13] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein, when the battery module (24) is cooled in the vehicle's cooling mode, the coolant circulates through the coolant line (11) by operating the first water pump (14) in the cooling device (10), the connecting line (35) is closed by actuating the first valve (V1), the branch line (31) is open by the operation of the second valve (V2) and the coolant flowing through the cooling device (30) circulates along the battery coolant line (21) and the branch line (31) by the operation of the second water pump (22) in a state in which a portion of the battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16) is closed with respect to the branch line (31) in the battery cooling device (20), in the heating device (40), the coolant line (11) and the heating line (41) are connected by actuating the third valve (V3), so that the coolant is supplied from the cooling device (10), in the air conditioning system (50), in a state in which the refrigerant connection line (61) is open by actuating the second expansion valve (63), the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant line (51) and the refrigerant connection line (61), the first and second expansion valves (55, 63) expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator (56) and the cooling device (30), respectively, and the third expansion valve (65) allows the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) to flow into the heat exchanger (54). [14] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the heating device (40) supplies the refrigerant supplied from the cooling device (10) to the condenser (53) by the operation of the third water pump (42), and wherein the condenser (53) condenses the refrigerant by heat exchange with the refrigerant and the heat exchanger (54) additionally condenses the refrigerant flowing in from the condenser (53) by heat exchange with the outside air. [15] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 14, wherein, when waste heat from an external heat source, the electrical component (15) and the battery module (24) is recovered in a heating mode of the vehicle, the connecting line (35) is open through the first valve (V1) and the first valve (V1) is actuated, in the cooling device (10), a section of the coolant line (11) connected to the radiator (12) and a section of the coolant line (11) connecting the radiator (12) and the expansion tank (16) is closed by actuating the first valve (V1), and the coolant passing through the at least one electrical component (15) is supplied to the cooling device (30) along the open connecting line (35) without passing through the radiator (12) by operating the first water pump (14), in the battery cooling device (20), the branch line (31) and the battery coolant line (21) are each open by the actuation of the second valve (V2), and the coolant passing through the battery module (24) is supplied to the cooling device (30) along the branch line (31) by the operation of the second water pump (22), the coolant line (11) and the heating line (41) each form an independent closed circuit by actuating the third valve (V3), in the heating device (40) the coolant circulates along the heating line (41) by the operation of the third water pump (42), in the air conditioning system (50), the refrigerant line (51) connecting the condenser (53) and the evaporator (56) is closed by actuating the first expansion valve (55), the refrigerant connection line (61) is open by the actuation of the second expansion valve (63), the second expansion valve (55) is arranged to expand the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant connection line (61) in order to supply it to the cooling device (30), and the third expansion valve (65) is arranged to expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) for supply to the heat exchanger (54). [16] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein in the vehicle's heating / dehumidification mode, the connecting line (35) is open by actuating the first valve (V1), in the cooling device (10), a section of the coolant line (11) connected to the radiator (12) and a section of the coolant line (11) connecting the radiator (12) and the expansion tank (16) is closed by actuating the first valve (V1), and the coolant passing through the at least one electrical component (15) is supplied to the cooling device (30) along the open connecting line (35) without passing through the radiator (12) by operating the first water pump (14), in the battery cooling device (20), the branch line (31) is open by actuating the second valve (V2) to close the battery coolant line (21) with respect to the branch line (31), except for a section of the battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16), the coolant emerging from the cooling device (30) is led into the expansion tank (16) via the branch line (31) and the open battery coolant line (21), the coolant line (11) and the heating line (41) each form an independent closed circuit by actuating the third valve (V1), in the heating device (40) the coolant circulates along the heating line (41) by the operation of the third water pump (42), in the air conditioning system (50) the refrigerant is circulated along the refrigerant line (51) and the refrigerant connection line (61) is opened by actuating the first or second expansion valve (55, 63), and the first and second expansion valves (55, 63) expand the refrigerant so that the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator (56) and the cooling device (30), respectively. [17] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the third expansion valve (65) is configured to expand the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) flowing into the heat exchanger (54) when a temperature of the vehicle interior is lower than a predetermined value, and wherein, when the temperature of the vehicle interior is higher than the predetermined value, the refrigerant supplied from the condenser (53) is supplied to the heat exchanger (54) without being expanded. [18] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if the at least one electrical component (15) and the Battery module (24) is cooled using the coolant, the connecting line (35) and the branch line (31) are closed (V1, V2) by actuating the first and second valves, the coolant, which is cooled in the radiator (12) and stored in the expansion tank (16), is supplied to the at least one electrical component (15) by the operation of the first water pump (14), and the coolant stored in the expansion tank (16) is circulated in the battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16) by actuating the second valve (V2) to be supplied to the battery module (24). [19] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the waste heat of the at least one electrical component (15) is used in a heating mode of the vehicle without operation of the air conditioning system (50), the connecting line (35) is open by actuating the first valve (V1), in the cooling device (10), a section of the coolant line (11) connected to the radiator (12) and a section of the coolant line (11) connecting the radiator (12) and the expansion tank (16) is closed by actuating the first valve (V1), the branch line (31) is open by actuating the second valve (V2) to close the battery coolant line (21) with respect to the branch line (31), with the exception of a section of the battery coolant line (21) connected to the expansion tank (16), the coolant, the temperature of which is increased by the operation of the first water pump (14) as it passes through the at least one electrical component (15), is supplied to the heating device (52a) along the heating line (41) connected by the third valve (V3) without passing through the radiator (12), the coolant emerging from the heating device (52a) is guided along the heating line (41), the third valve (V3), the coolant line (11), the connecting line (35) and the branch line (31) into the cooling device (30), and the coolant discharged from the cooling device (30) is introduced into the expansion tank (16) via the branch line (31) and the open battery coolant line (21). [20] The heat pump system for a vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the first valve (V1) opens the coolant line (11) connected to the radiator (12) to allow a part of the coolant passing through the at least one electrical component (15) to flow into the connection line (35) and allow a remainder of the coolant passing through the at least one electrical component (15) to flow into the radiator (12) when the at least one electrical component (15) is overheated.

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