INTEGRATED COOLANT HEATING MODULE FOR A VEHICLE
The integrated coolant heating module addresses the issue of excessive components in existing systems by directly linking the water pump and reusable valve to the water heater's attachment parts, achieving weight reduction, cost savings, and improved efficiency for electric vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102020215280
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-12-12
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing coolant heating modules for vehicles require a large number of components for connection, leading to increased weight, cost, and reduced efficiency of electric vehicles.
An integrated coolant heating module where the water pump and reusable valve are directly linked to the attachment parts of the water heater, eliminating the need for separate connecting elements and incorporating a water-cooled capacitor directly connected to the water heater via a coupling part.
This configuration reduces the number of components required, resulting in weight reduction, cost savings, and improved efficiency for electric vehicles, while also promoting modularization and simplified assembly.
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Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND area
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a coolant heating module for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a coolant heating module for a vehicle, the module having a structure in which a multi-port valve and a water pump are coupled to attachments of a water heater, reducing the number of components for connection, resulting in cost savings and improved efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs), and the water heater and a water-cooled condenser are mountable to each other, promoting modularization resulting in easy manufacturing of the module. Description of the state of the art
[0002] Generally, a vehicle is equipped with a water heater and a water-cooled condenser for interior climate control and engine or battery temperature control.
[0003] To modularize the water heater and the water-cooled condenser, a main bracket configured as a guide shape is provided. The main bracket surrounds upper and lower portions of the water heater and the water-cooled condenser, and the water heater and the water-cooled condenser are coupled to the main bracket to be mechanically connected to each other. Furthermore, a plurality of sub-brackets are provided on the main bracket. A water pump and a multi-way valve are coupled to the sub-brackets, and a plurality of fasteners, such as bolts, are required for coupling.
[0004] In a coolant heating module for heating coolant, various studies have been conducted to reduce the space required for modularization. An example of such a coolant heating module is disclosed in KR 10 2019 0122 566 A and DE 10 2019 110 267 A1, which has a structure in which a water heater, a pump, and a valve are integrally modularized. However, in the above prior art, it is necessary to provide a number of connecting members, such as a base bracket, a bracket for fixing a fluid pump, a bracket for fixing a channel switching valve, and a fixing bolt. The coolant heating module configured with a plurality of connecting members as described above is problematic in that the number of required components may increase.This can lead to an increase in cost and a loss of efficiency of an electric vehicle (EV) due to an increase in weight.
[0005] This requires the development of an integrated coolant heating module.
[0006] Furthermore, DE 11 2017 003 668 T5 discloses a thermal management system for a vehicle, which is provided separately from the last heat radiation unit of a cooling system for cooling electronic components required for autonomous driving of a vehicle, optimizes the modularization of units, and thereby promotes the reduction of a housing.
[0007] The foregoing is intended merely to assist in understanding the background of the present disclosure and is not intended to imply that the present disclosure falls within the scope of prior art already known to one skilled in the art. SUMMARY
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems encountered in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an integrated coolant heating module for a vehicle, wherein attachment parts are formed on a water heater so that a water pump and a multi-way valve are coupled to the water heater through the attachment parts without requiring separate connecting members, and a water-cooled condenser is arranged on one side of the water heater, wherein a coupling part is formed on the water heater so that the water heater and the water-cooled condenser are directly connected to each other, and the coupling part is configured to be detachable so that the water heater and the water-cooled condenser are detachably mounted to each other.
[0009] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an integrated coolant heating module for a vehicle is provided according to claim 1. Particularly preferred developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims
[0010] The coupling part of the water heater may be configured to be detachable from the water-cooled condenser so that the water heater and the water-cooled condenser may be detachably mounted to each other.
[0011] Furthermore, the water pump can be coupled to the first and second attachments and the multi-way valve can be coupled to the third attachment.
[0012] The module may further include a bracket provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the water pump and directly coupled to the attachment of the water heater to couple the water pump to the water heater.
[0013] Further, a damper may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the bracket where the bracket and the water pump are in contact with each other, and the damper may be configured to shield noise and vibration of the water pump from being transmitted to a vehicle body through the water heater due to contact between the bracket and the water pump.
[0014] The bracket may include a lower bracket provided along a periphery of a bottom side of the water pump and directly connected to the attachment part of the water heater, and an upper bracket provided along a periphery of a top side of the water pump and having opposite ends connected to the lower bracket.
[0015] Further, a through hole allowing insertion of a fastening bolt therein may be formed on each of opposite sides of the lower bracket and the upper bracket, and the fastening bolt may pass through the corresponding through holes of the lower bracket and the upper bracket to couple the lower bracket and the upper bracket to each other.
[0016] Further, a hole allowing insertion of a flange bolt therein may be formed in a top surface of the attachment part of the water heater, a damper bushing that further absorbs noise or vibration of the water pump may be coupled to each of opposite ends of the lower bracket, and the damper bushing and the attachment part may be coupled to each other by the flange bolt, thereby connecting the lower bracket to the water heater.
[0017] The multi-way valve may have a mounting part that is directly connected to the water heater attachment.
[0018] Furthermore, the multi-way valve may be an integrally injection-molded structure having the attachment.
[0019] The module may further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) for integrated control, which simultaneously controls the activation of the water heater, the multi-way valve and the water pump.
[0020] The water pump and the multi-way valve may be directly connected to each other, the inlet of the water heater may be connected to the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port of the water-cooled condenser by a hose, and the multi-way valve may be connected to the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port of the water-cooled condenser by a hose.
[0021] According to the integrated vehicle coolant heating module of the present disclosure, the water pump and the multi-way valve are coupled to the water heater attachments, reducing the number of components required for connection and resulting in weight reduction. Therefore, there are benefits of cost savings and improved efficiency for electric vehicles (EVs).
[0022] Furthermore, the module has a structure that promotes modularization, which has an advantage that the module can be installed in a vehicle while occupying a small space and therefore can be designed easily, and that efficient control can be achieved through the PCB for integrated control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an integrated coolant heating module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the integrated coolant heating module for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Specific structural and functional descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed herein are merely for illustrative purposes of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.
[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. When used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc., when used in this specification, specify the presence of the specified functions, integers, steps, acts, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more functions, integers, steps, acts, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure relates. It is further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless expressly defined as such herein.
[0027] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar parts.
[0028] The present disclosure relates to an integrated coolant heating module 10 for a vehicle, the module comprising a water-cooled condenser 100, a water heater 200, a multi-way valve 300, and a water pump 400 coupled together.
[0029] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the integrated coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the integrated coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the integrated coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the water-cooled condenser 100, the water heater 200, the multi-way valve 300, and the water pump 400.
[0031] The water-cooled condenser 100 may perform a heat exchange function between the coolant and the refrigerant circulating therein. The water-cooled condenser 100 may include a plurality of refrigerant inlet / outlet ports and a plurality of coolant inlet / outlet ports. The coolant inlet / outlet ports may include a first coolant inlet / outlet port 110 and a second coolant inlet / outlet port 120. The first coolant inlet / outlet port 110 may be connected to the water heater 200, and the second coolant inlet / outlet port 120 may be connected to the water pump 400.
[0032] When the integrated vehicle coolant heating module 10 is installed in an actual vehicle, the water pump 400 and the multi-way valve 300 may be directly connected to each other, an inlet of the water heater 200 may be connected to the first coolant inlet / outlet port 110 of the water-cooled condenser 100 by a hose, and the multi-way valve 300 may be connected to the second coolant inlet / outlet port 120 of the water-cooled condenser 100 by a hose. Accordingly, a continuous flow path through which coolant can flow is established. To drive an air conditioner that regulates temperature and humidity in a vehicle interior, or a cooling system that cools an engine, a battery, a drive motor, and the like, a connection between components constituting the module is necessary to enable the flow of coolant.In the present disclosure, the integrated coolant heating module has a modularized structure, thus having advantages of a structurally simple structure, a small occupied space, and a simplified assembly process.
[0033] The water heater 200 can selectively heat coolant flowing through the water-cooled condenser 100 by connecting to the first coolant inlet / outlet port 110 of the water-cooled condenser 100 at its inlet. The second coolant inlet / outlet port 110 of the water-cooled condenser 100 can be connected to the multi-way valve 300.
[0034] The water heater 200 can selectively heat coolant flowing through the water-cooled condenser 100 by being connected to the water-cooled condenser 100. A plurality of attachments can be formed on an outer surface of the water heater 200. The plurality of attachments can be coupled to the multi-port valve 300 and the water pump 400.
[0035] The multi-port valve 300 is a valve with multiple ports and can perform a function of regulating a coolant flow. The multi-port valve 300 can be coupled to an attachment part of the water heater 200. In the prior art, a separate connecting element, e.g., a sub-bracket, is provided at a rear side of the multi-port valve 300, and the connecting element is configured to connect to a main bracket of the water heater 200. However, in the present disclosure, the multi-port valve 300 is configured to be directly coupled to the attachment part of the water heater 200, thus offering the advantage of eliminating the need to provide the separate connecting element, e.g., the sub-bracket.
[0036] The water pump 400 may perform a function of generating water pressure by regulating the flow rate of coolant between the multi-way valve 300 and the water-cooled condenser 100. The water pump 400 may be coupled to an attachment of the water heater 200. The water pump 400 may have a first side connected to the multi-way valve 300 and a second side connected to the second coolant inlet / outlet port 120 of the water-cooled condenser 100.
[0037] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the water heater 200 may include a main body 210 and a cover 220. The main body 210 may have a built-in heating module. The coolant may be introduced into the main body 210, and the introduced coolant may be heated by the heating module. The main body 210 may be configured to have an open top. The cover 220 may be coupled to a top of the main body 210 to cover the main body 210.
[0038] The cover 220 may be an integrally injection-molded structure having a plurality of attachments. That is, the cover 220 may be configured to be capable of being integrally injection-molded with the attachments, thereby eliminating the need to provide separate elements for coupling the multi-way valve 300 and the water pump 400 to the cover 220.
[0039] When the integrated coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in an actual vehicle, respective lower ends of the water heater 200 and the water-cooled condenser 100 may be coupled to a vehicle body. That is, a lower end of the main body 210 of the water heater 200 is coupled to the vehicle body, and the cover 220 is located on the top of the main body 210. The water-cooled condenser 100 may be arranged on one side of the water heater 200. The main body 210 of the water heater 200 may have a coupling part 230 formed on a side surface thereof and coupled to the water-cooled condenser 100. The water-cooled condenser 100 may be directly coupled to the water heater 200 through the coupling part 230.The coupling part 230 may be configured to be selectively detachable from the water-cooled condenser 100, so that the water heater 200 and the water-cooled condenser 100 may be integrally detachably mounted to each other.
[0040] In the prior art, a separate connecting member, such as the main bracket, provided at an upper and a lower portion of the water heater 200 and the water-cooled condenser 100 to surround the water heater 200 and the water-cooled condenser 100 is required for modularization. In the present disclosure, the water heater 200 and the water-cooled condenser 100 are connected to the main bracket, and the water pump 400 and the multi-way valve 300 are located above the water heater 200 and the water-cooled condenser 100. This structure increases the number of components constituting the module and thus increases the weight of the entire system. Therefore, there is a problem in increasing costs and reducing the efficiency of an electric vehicle (EV).
[0041] However, in the integrated coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrates that the water-cooled condenser 100 and the water heater 200 are mountable to each other in such a manner that the water-cooled condenser 100 is coupled to the water heater 200 through the coupling part 230 of the water heater 200. This structure offers an advantage in that modularization can be achieved without requiring the provision of the connecting member, such as the main bracket. This modularization can thus reduce the number of required components, resulting in a structurally simple structure that can reduce manufacturing costs.
[0042] The plurality of attachments may be formed on or on the top of the cover 220 such that they are exposed to the outside. As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the attachments may include a first attachment 221, a second attachment 222, and a third attachment 223. These attachments may be arranged in a triangular shape.
[0043] The first attachment part 221 may be formed at a first end of the top surface of the cover 220, the second attachment part 222 may be formed at a second end of the top surface of the cover 220, and the third attachment part 223 may be formed at a front end of the top surface of the cover 220 on the central axis between the first and second attachment parts 221 and 222.
[0044] The water pump 400 may be coupled to the first attachment 221 and the second attachment 222. The water pump 400 may be fixed to the top of the water heater 200 by the first attachment 221 and the second attachment 222 and may generate refrigerant pressure between the multi-way valve 300 and the water-cooled condenser 100.
[0045] The multi-way valve 300 may be coupled to the third attachment 223. The multi-way valve 300 may be connected to the water pump 400, with a bottom side coupled to the water heater 200 through the third attachment 223. The multi-way valve 300 may regulate the flow direction of coolant.
[0046] As in Fig. 1 and Fig.2, the integrated coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a bracket 410. The bracket 410 may be provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the water pump 400. The bracket 410 may be directly coupled to the attachments of the water heater 200 to perform a function of coupling the water pump 400 to the water heater 200. That is, the water pump 400 may be indirectly coupled to the water heater 200 through the bracket 410, rather than directly coupled to the attachments of the water heater 200.
[0047] A damper 420 may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the bracket 410 where the bracket 410 and the water pump 400 are in contact with each other. The damper 420 may be made of a material capable of absorbing shock, such as a rubber material. The damper 420 may perform a function of shielding noise or vibration of the water pump 400 from being transmitted through the water heater 200 to the vehicle body due to contact between the bracket 410 and the water pump 400.
[0048] The bracket 410 may include a lower bracket and an upper bracket. The lower bracket may be provided along a periphery of a bottom surface of the water pump 400 and directly connected to the attachments of the water heater 200. The upper bracket 410 may be provided along a periphery of a top surface of the water pump 400, with opposite ends connected to the lower bracket.
[0049] Furthermore, a through hole 411, which allows insertion of a fastening bolt 412, may be formed on each of opposite sides of the lower bracket and the upper bracket. The fastening bolt 412 may pass through the corresponding through holes 411 of the lower bracket and the upper bracket to couple the lower bracket and the upper bracket to each other. Since the lower bracket and the upper bracket are firmly coupled to each other by the fastening bolt 412, and the lower bracket is connected to the attachment parts of the water heater 200, the water pump 400 can be firmly fixed in position.
[0050] Furthermore, a hole H allowing insertion of a flange bolt B may be formed in a top surface of each of the attachment parts of the water heater 200. A damper bushing D that further absorbs noise or vibration of the water pump may be coupled to each of opposite ends of the lower bracket. The damper bushing D and a corresponding one of the attachment parts may be coupled to each other by the flange bolt, thereby connecting the lower bracket to the water heater 200. Here, the damper bushing D of the lower bracket may be supported by the flange bolt B, thereby firmly connecting the lower bracket to the water heater 200 without requiring additional screwing.
[0051] The multi-way valve 300 may have a first side connected to the water pump 400 and a second side with a mounting part 310 directly connected to the attachment part of the water heater 200. The multi-way valve 300 may be connected and coupled to the attachment part by the mounting part 310. The mounting part 310 may be connected to the third attachment part 223 of the water heater 200.
[0052] The multi-way valve 300 may be an integrally injection-molded structure including the attachment part 310. The attachment part 310 may not be provided as a separate element; rather, the multi-way valve 300 may be injection-molded and manufactured together with the attachment part 310 to form an integrally injection-molded structure including the attachment part 310. The multi-way valve 300 may be connected to the attachment part without requiring the provision of a separate element. This structure provides an advantage of easy assembly.
[0053] Furthermore, the integrated vehicle coolant heating module 10 for the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) P for integrated control.
[0054] According to the prior art, each of the water heater 200, the water pump 400, and the multi-way valve 300 is configured to include a driver PCB for controlling the driving. Since the PCB for controlling the coolant flow must be provided separately for each component, there are problems of cost increase and weight increase due to the increase in the number of components.
[0055] However, in the present disclosure, by including the PCB P for integrated control, there is an advantage in that the water heater 200, the water pump 400, and the multi-way valve 300 can be integrally controlled. That is, the water heater 200, the water pump 400, and the multi-way valve 300 are integrally modularized with each other and can thus be individually controlled by one PCB P for integrated control. This provides an effect that system efficiency can be improved and cost and weight can be reduced compared to the case where the PCB is provided for each component.
[0056] The integrated vehicle coolant heating module 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a reduced number of different components compared to the prior art, thereby reducing the weight of the entire system. Therefore, there are advantages of improved electric vehicle (EV) efficiency and cost savings. Another advantage is simple assembly of the components, resulting in easy manufacturing of the module.
Claims
[1] Integrated coolant heating module (10) for a vehicle, the module (10) comprising: a water-cooled condenser (100) having a plurality of refrigerant inlet / outlet ports and a plurality of coolant inlet / outlet ports (110, 120), the water-cooled condenser (100) being configured to exchange heat between coolant and refrigerant circulating therein; a water heater (200) having an outer surface having a plurality of attachments, wherein the water heater (200) is coupled on one side to the water-cooled condenser (100), and the water heater (200) is configured to selectively heat coolant flowing through the water-cooled condenser (100) by being connected at an inlet of the water-cooled condenser (100) to a first coolant inlet / outlet port (110, 120) of the water-cooled condenser (100); a multi-way valve (300) coupled to one of the plurality of attachments of the water heater (200), the multi-way valve (300) being configured to regulate a flow direction of the coolant; and a water pump (400) coupled to a second of the plurality of attachments of the water heater (200), the water pump (400) having a first side connected to the multi-way valve (300) and a second side connected to a second coolant inlet / outlet port (110, 120) of the water-cooled condenser (100), the water pump (400) being configured to generate a pressure of the coolant between the multi-way valve (300) and the water-cooled condenser (100), wherein the water heater (200) comprises: a main body (210) with a built-in heating module; and a cover (220) covering the main body (210); wherein the cover (220) is an integrally injection-molded structure having the plurality of attachments, wherein a lower end of the water heater (200) and a lower end of the water-cooled condenser (100) are coupled to a vehicle body, wherein the water-cooled condenser (100) is arranged on one side of the water heater (200), the main body of the water heater (200) has a coupling part (230) formed on a side surface thereof and coupled to the water-cooled condenser (100), and the water heater (200) and the water-cooled condenser (100) are directly coupled to each other by the coupling part (230), and wherein the main body of the water heater (200) has an open top and the cover is coupled to the top of the main body (210); and a first (221), a second (222) and a third (223) attachment part are formed on an upper side of the cover (220) and are arranged in a triangular shape, wherein the first attachment part (221) is formed at a first end of the top side of the cover (220), the second attachment part (222) is formed at a second end of the top side of the cover (220), and the third attachment part (223) is formed at a front end of the top side of the cover (220) on a central axis between the first (221) and the second (222) attachment part. [2] The module of claim 1, wherein the coupling part (230) of the water heater (200) is configured to be detachable from the water-cooled condenser (100) so that the water heater (200) and the water-cooled condenser (100) are detachably mounted to each other. [3] The module of claim 2, wherein the water pump (400) is coupled to the first (221) and second (222) attachments and the multi-way valve (300) is coupled to the third attachment (223). [4] Module according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a bracket (410) provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the water pump (400) and directly coupled to the attachment part of the water heater (200) to couple the water pump (400) to the water heater (200). [5] The module according to claim 4, wherein a damper (420) is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the bracket (410) where the bracket (410) and the water pump (400) are in contact with each other, and the damper (420) is configured to shield noise or vibration of the water pump (400) from being transmitted to a vehicle body through the water heater (200) due to contact between the bracket (410) and the water pump (400). [6] Module according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the holder comprises: a lower bracket provided along a circumference of a bottom of the water pump (400) and directly connected to the attachment part of the water heater (200); and an upper bracket provided along a circumference of a top surface of the water pump (400) and having opposite ends connected to the lower bracket. [7] The module according to claim 6, wherein a through hole (411) allowing insertion of a fastening bolt (412) therein is formed on each of opposite sides of the lower bracket and the upper bracket, and the fastening bolt (412) passes through the corresponding through holes (411) of the lower bracket and the upper bracket to couple the lower bracket and the upper bracket to each other. [8] The module according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a hole (H) allowing insertion of a flange bolt (B) therein is formed in a top surface of the attachment part of the water heater (200), a damper bushing (D) that additionally absorbs noise or vibration of the water pump (400) is coupled to each of opposite ends of the lower bracket, and the damper bushing (D) and the attachment part are coupled to each other by the flange bolt (B), whereby the lower bracket is connected to the water heater (200). [9] Module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multi-way valve (300) has a fastening part (310) which is directly connected to the attachment part of the water heater (200). [10] The module of claim 9, wherein the multi-way valve (300) is an integrally injection-molded structure having the attachment member (310). [11] Module according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) (P) for integrated control, which controls the activation of the water heater (200), the multi-way valve (300) and the water pump (400) simultaneously. [12] Module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water pump (400) and the multi-way valve (300) are directly connected to each other, the inlet of the water heater is connected by a first hose to the first coolant inlet / outlet port of the water-cooled condenser (100), and the multi-way valve (300) is connected by a second hose to the second coolant inlet / outlet port of the water-cooled condenser (100).
Citation Information
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