Refrigerant circulation device of a vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle refrigerant circulation device, comprising a compressor (110) configured to compress a refrigerant, at least one heat exchanger (120) configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant, at least one valve (130) configured to selectively provide the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger (120), a bracket (140) supporting the compressor (110), and a fluid conduit plate (150) coupled to the bracket (140) and disposed adjacent to the at least one heat exchanger (120) and the at least one valve (130), wherein the fluid conduit plate (150) has a plurality of fluid conduits (160) defined in the fluid conduit plate (150) and configured to provide the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger (120) based on the operation of the at least one valve (130).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle refrigerant circulation device, and more particularly to a vehicle refrigerant circulation device which is incorporated in an air conditioner used for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a special purpose vehicle (PBV), and which is capable of minimizing the use of piping while improving the assemblability of each component.

[0002] In the automotive industry, a new concept of a future mobility vision was introduced to realize a people-friendly and dynamic city of the future.

[0003] One of these future mobility solutions is a special purpose vehicle (PBV) as purpose-based mobility.

[0004] The PBV is an environmentally friendly mobility solution that provides customer services to passengers while traveling to their destination on the ground and can set optimal paths for any situation and perform convoy driving using electric vehicle-based artificial intelligence.

[0005] For example, the PBV may be a means of transport and a fixed facility with case-specific technologies, and a separate driver's seat may be unnecessary if it has autonomous driving functionality. Furthermore, its interior may have expandability.

[0006] In some cases, a PBV can perform the function of a commuter vehicle (e.g. shuttle vehicle) that moves a large number of people, and can also be changed into a leisure space, such as a restaurant, bar, hotel and cinema.

[0007] In some cases, the PBV may be powered by an electric motor and may include a skateboard-like rolling chassis (referred to in the art as a chassis or skateboard) with batteries distributed at a lower portion thereof and a superstructure where passengers can board.

[0008] In some cases where the PBV includes an air conditioning system for controlling the internal temperature of the body, it may be difficult to position components involved in a refrigerant circulation device of the air conditioning system in a narrow mounting space, and an arrangement of piping through which a refrigerant flows may be complicated.

[0009] In addition, due to the limitation of the mounting space of the rolling chassis, some components of the refrigerant circulation device may be mounted on the body, so that an interior space of the body is reduced.

[0010] A rolling chassis mounting technique can simplify the piping of the refrigerant circulation device and support modularization.

[0011] The invention provides a vehicle refrigerant circulation device which is incorporated in an air conditioning system used for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a special purpose vehicle (PBV), and which is capable of minimizing the use of piping while improving the assemblability of each component.

[0012] According to the invention, a refrigerant circulation device of a vehicle may include: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, at least one heat exchanger configured to exchange heat of the refrigerant, at least one valve configured to selectively flow the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger, a bracket on which the compressor is mounted, and a fluid conduit plate mounted on the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve, coupled to the bracket, and internally formed with a plurality of fluid conduits for selectively flowing the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger by selectively operating the at least one valve.

[0013] The holder may include a mounting portion to which the compressor is seated and fixed, and a plate coupling portion integrally formed with the mounting portion and to which the fluid line plate is coupled.

[0014] The mounting portion may be formed perpendicular to the plate coupling portion.

[0015] The plate coupling portion may include a plurality of first through holes configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor or receive the refrigerant from the compressor, and a plurality of first grooves selectively connected to the first through holes on an inner surface facing the fluid conduit plate.

[0016] The fluid conduction plate may have a plurality of second through-holes formed corresponding to the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve, and a plurality of second grooves selectively connected to the second through-holes on an inner surface facing the plate coupling portion.

[0017] The first grooves and the second grooves may be formed in the same shape.

[0018] The first grooves and the second grooves may form a plurality of fluid passages through which the refrigerant flows in a state in which the fluid passage plate is coupled to the plate coupling portion.

[0019] At least one bushing unit may be provided in the mounting portion to minimize transmission of vibrations generated by the compressor.

[0020] The at least one socket unit may include an insulator mounted on the mounting portion and a bolt (e.g., a stud bolt) coupled to a center of the insulator.

[0021] At least one open opening may be formed in the mounting portion.

[0022] The at least one heat exchanger may be configured to condense or evaporate an internally introduced refrigerant by heat exchange with a coolant.

[0023] The at least one heat exchanger may include a first heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant selectively supplied via the fluid lines, a second heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant selectively supplied by the compressor or the first heat exchanger via the fluid lines, and a third heat exchanger configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant selectively supplied by the compressor or the first heat exchanger via the fluid lines.

[0024] The at least one valve may comprise two valves consisting of (e.g., in the form of) a first valve and a second valve, which are connected between the compressor and the first to third heat exchangers via the fluid line to selectively flow the refrigerant supplied from the compressor to the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, or the third heat exchanger.

[0025] The first valve and the second valve may be configured to control a flow movement of the refrigerant or (e.g., and / or) optionally expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0026] A refrigerant circulation device may further include a gas-liquid separator configured to separate a gaseous refrigerant or a liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant that is condensed or evaporated while passing through the at least one heat exchanger.

[0027] The gas-liquid separator can be connected to the compressor and the at least one heat exchanger via the fluid lines.

[0028] The at least one heat exchanger, the at least one valve and the gas-liquid separator are mounted on an outer surface of the fluid conduit plate.

[0029] In some embodiments, with the vehicle refrigerant circulation device included in an air conditioning system used for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a special purpose vehicle (PBV), it may be possible to reduce manufacturing costs by minimizing the use of piping while improving the assemblability of each component.

[0030] In some examples, it may be possible to minimize the heat loss that may occur as the refrigerant moves by minimizing the use of piping through which the refrigerant is circulated.

[0031] In some examples, it may also be possible to simplify arrangement in a narrow space at the front of a vehicle and improve mountability, assembly capability, and maintainability by supporting modularization of the refrigerant circulation device.

[0032] In some examples, it may be possible to maximize an interior space of a vehicle that can be used for various purposes by mounting the modularized refrigerant circulation device in a special purpose vehicle (PBV) on a vehicle body.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a refrigerant circulation device of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device viewed from a different angle; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device viewed from yet another angle; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a holder; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a fluid conduction plate.

[0034] One or more embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a refrigerant circulation device of a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device viewed from a different angle. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device viewed from yet another angle. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the refrigerant circulation device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a holder. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a fluid conducting plate.

[0036] In some embodiments, the refrigerant circulation device may be used, for example, in a purpose-based mobility (special purpose vehicle, hereinafter referred to as PBV).

[0037] The PBV is an electric vehicle-based environmentally friendly mobile vehicle that provides customer services to passengers while traveling to their destination on the ground.

[0038] The PBV can be suitable for setting an optimal path for each situation and for carrying out convoy driving, and can also be a vehicle with a box-like design that has a large interior space.

[0039] Such a PBV has a skateboard-like rolling chassis (also referred to in the art as a substructure) and a body mounted on the rolling chassis.

[0040] A battery assembly may be mounted on the trolley, and a drive electric motor may be installed.

[0041] In some embodiments, with reference to the Fig.1 to 6, a refrigerant circulation device 100 may be provided in an air conditioning system used for cooling and heating the vehicle interior of a special purpose vehicle (PBV) and configured to improve the assemblability of each component while reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing the use of piping.

[0042] In some embodiments, a refrigerant circulation device 100 may include a compressor 110, at least one heat exchanger 120, at least one valve 130, a holder 140, and a fluid conduit plate 150.

[0043] First, the compressor 110 may compress the introduced refrigerant. The at least one heat exchanger 120 may perform heat exchange of the introduced refrigerant with a coolant.

[0044] The at least one heat exchanger 120 condenses or evaporates the refrigerant introduced therein by heat exchange with the coolant.

[0045] That is, the at least one heat exchanger 120 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger for heat exchanging the introduced refrigerant with the coolant.

[0046] In some embodiments, the at least one valve 130 may be provided to selectively flow the refrigerant through the at least one heat exchanger 120. The at least one valve 130 may control a flow of the refrigerant or may selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0047] The bracket 140 may be mounted on a vehicle body. The compressor 110 may be mounted on the bracket 140.

[0048] Here, the holder 140 may have a mounting portion 142 and a plate coupling portion 144.

[0049] First, the compressor 110 may be placed on the mounting portion 142 and fixed thereto.

[0050] At least one open opening 142a may be formed in the mounting portion 142. The at least one open opening 142a may be used due to the overall weight of the holder 140.

[0051] In addition, the plate coupling portion 144 is formed integrally with the mounting portion 142.

[0052] Here, the mounting portion 142 may be formed perpendicular to the plate coupling portion 144.

[0053] The plate coupling portion 144 may include a plurality of first through holes 146 and a plurality of first grooves 148.

[0054] The plurality of first through holes 146 may be formed in the plate coupling portion 144 to supply the refrigerant to the compressor 110 or to receive the refrigerant from the compressor 110.

[0055] That is, the compressor 110 is mounted on the mounting portion 142 and may be connected to the first through hole 146 on an outer surface of the plate coupling portion 144 via a connecting member 112.

[0056] In addition, the first groove 148 is provided in a multiple number and can be selectively connected to the first through holes 146 on an inner surface of the plate coupling portion 144 facing the fluid line plate 150.

[0057] In some embodiments, the at least one heat exchanger 120 and the at least one valve 130 are mounted on an outer surface of the fluid conduit plate 150. The fluid conduit plate 150 may be coupled to the plate coupling portion 144.

[0058] Here, the fluid conducting plate 150 may be formed in a shape like that of the plate coupling portion 144.

[0059] A plurality of fluid lines 160 may be formed in an interior of the fluid line plate 150 in a state of being coupled to each other at the plate coupling portion 144 to allow the refrigerant to flow to the at least one heat exchanger 120 by selective operation of the at least one valve 130.

[0060] Here, the fluid conducting plate 150 may have a plurality of second through-holes 152 and a plurality of second grooves 154.

[0061] First, the second through-hole 152 is provided in a multiple number and may be formed in the fluid conduit plate 150 corresponding to the at least one heat exchanger 120 and the at least one valve 130.

[0062] Here, the at least one heat exchanger 120 and the at least one valve 130 may be mounted on the outer surface of the fluid conduit plate 150 via the plurality of second through holes 152.

[0063] In addition, the plurality of second grooves 154 may be selectively connected to the second through holes 152 on an inner surface facing the plate coupling portion 144.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first grooves 148 and the second grooves 154 may be formed to have the same shape as each other.

[0065] In addition, the first grooves 148 and the second grooves 154 may form the plurality of fluid passages 160 through which the refrigerant flows in a state in which the plate coupling portion 144 and the fluid passage plate 150 are coupled to each other.

[0066] In some embodiments, the at least one heat exchanger 120 may include a first heat exchanger 122, a second heat exchanger 124, and a third heat exchanger 126.

[0067] First, the first heat exchanger 122 can selectively condense or evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 110 via the fluid lines 160.

[0068] The second heat exchanger 124 and the third heat exchanger 126 can condense or evaporate the refrigerant selectively supplied from the compressor 110 or the first heat exchanger 122 via the fluid lines 160.

[0069] Here, the refrigerant can then be selectively supplied from the fluid lines 160 from the first heat exchanger 122, the second heat exchanger 124 and the third heat exchanger 126 by the operation of the at least one valve 130.

[0070] That is, the compressor 110, the first heat exchanger 122, the second heat exchanger 124, and the third heat exchanger 126 may be connected to each other via the fluid lines 160 according to the selective operation of the at least one valve 130.

[0071] The refrigerant can be selectively supplied from the compressor 110 to the first heat exchanger 122, the second heat exchanger 124, and the third heat exchanger 126 through the at least one valve 130, which is operated depending on a heating mode or a cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0072] As an example, when the refrigerant from the compressor 110 is supplied to the first heat exchanger 122, the refrigerant passed through the first heat exchanger 122 may be introduced into the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126.

[0073] In some embodiments, the at least one valve 130 may include a first valve 132 and a second valve 134.

[0074] The first valve 132 and the second valve 134 may be connected between the compressor 110 and the first to third heat exchangers 122, 124 and 126 via the fluid lines 160 to selectively flow the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 110 to the first heat exchanger 122, the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126.

[0075] Here, the first valve 132 and the second valve 134 can control the flow movement of the refrigerant or optionally expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0076] That is, the first valve 132 and the second valve 134 can control the flow movement of the refrigerant introduced from the compressor 110 or the at least one heat exchanger 120 and selectively expand the introduced refrigerant and flow the expanded refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger 120.

[0077] The first and second valves 132 and 134 may be mounted on the outer surface of the fluid conduit plate 150.

[0078] In some embodiments, at least one bushing unit 170 may be provided on the mounting portion 142 of the bracket 140 to minimize the transmission of vibrations generated by the compressor 110 to the vehicle body.

[0079] That is, the bushing unit 170 can minimize the transmission of vibrations generated by the compressor 110 to the vehicle body via the bracket 140.

[0080] The socket unit 170 may include an insulator 172 and a bolt 174.

[0081] First, an outer periphery of the insulator 172 may be vulcanized and bonded to a bushing hole formed in the mounting portion 142. The insulator 172 may be formed in a bridge shape and a cylindrical shape with a through hole and molded from a rubber material.

[0082] In addition, an outer periphery of the bolt 174 may be vulcanized and bonded to a center of the insulator 172 and fixed to the vehicle body frame.

[0083] Accordingly, when the vibration is generated from the compressor 110 in a vertical direction, the isolator 172 can absorb the vertical vibration of the compressor 110.

[0084] In addition, the rest of the vibration, except for (e.g., excluding) the vibration in the vertical direction generated by the compressor 110, is transmitted to the isolator 172 via the screw bolt 174 and can be efficiently isolated by the spring force (e.g., elastic force) of the isolator 172.

[0085] In some embodiments, the bolt 174 is described as being vulcanized and bonded to the insulator 172 of the socket unit 170, but this is not limited thereto.

[0086] That is, instead of the screw bolt 174, an inner ring suitable for being screwed in the center of the socket unit 170 may be vulcanized and connected to the insulator 172.

[0087] In some embodiments, the refrigerant circulation device 100 may further include a gas-liquid separator 180 configured to separate gaseous refrigerant or liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant that is condensed or evaporated while passing through the first heat exchanger 122, the second heat exchanger 124, or the third heat exchanger 126.

[0088] In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separator 180 may be mounted on an outer surface of the fluid conduit plate 150 between the first heat exchanger 122 and the second heat exchanger 124.

[0089] The refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 122 or the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126 and flowing into the fluid line 160 can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 180.

[0090] The gas-liquid separator 180 may be connected to the at least one valve 130 and the compressor 110 via the fluid lines 160.

[0091] That is, the gas-liquid separator 180 can separate gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant passed through the first heat exchanger 122 or the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126.

[0092] The gas-liquid separator 180 may supply the gaseous refrigerant among the refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 122 or the second heat exchanger 124 or the third heat exchanger 126 to the compressor 110.

[0093] Accordingly, the gas-liquid separator 180 can supply only the gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 110, thereby improving the efficiency and durability of the compressor 110.

[0094] With the refrigerant circulation device incorporated in an air conditioning system used for cooling and heating the passenger compartment of a special purpose vehicle (PBV), it may be possible to reduce manufacturing costs by minimizing the use of piping while improving the assemblability of each component.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the heat loss that may occur while the refrigerant is moving by minimizing the use of a piping through which the refrigerant is circulated.

[0096] According to the present invention, it is also possible to simplify arrangement in a narrow space at the front of a vehicle and improve mountability, assemblability, and maintainability by supporting modularization of the refrigerant circulation device 100.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to maximize an interior space of a vehicle that can be used for various purposes by mounting the special purpose vehicle (PBV) modularized refrigerant circulation device 100 on a vehicle body.

Claims

[1] Refrigerant circulation device of a vehicle, comprising: a compressor (110) configured to compress a refrigerant, at least one heat exchanger (120) configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant, at least one valve (130) configured to selectively provide the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger (120), a holder (140) supporting the compressor (110), and a fluid conduit plate (150) coupled to the holder (140) and disposed adjacent to the at least one heat exchanger (120) and the at least one valve (130), the fluid conduit plate (150) having a plurality of fluid conduits (160) defined in the fluid conduit plate (150) and configured to provide the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger (120) based on operation of the at least one valve (130). [2] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the holder (140) comprises: a mounting portion (142) to which the compressor (110) is fixed, and a plate coupling portion (144) connected to the mounting portion (142) and coupled to the fluid conduit plate (150). [3] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the mounting portion (142) is arranged perpendicular to the plate coupling portion (144). [4] Refrigerant circulation device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plate coupling portion (144) defines: a plurality of first through-holes (146) configured to supply the refrigerant to the compressor (110) or to receive the refrigerant from the compressor (110), and a plurality of first grooves (148) defined in an inner surface of the plate coupling portion (144) and connected to one or more of the plurality of first through-holes (146), the inner surface of the plate coupling portion (144) facing the fluid conduit plate (150). [5] Refrigerant circulation device according to claim 4, wherein the fluid conduit plate (150) defines: a plurality of second through-openings (152) configured to communicate with the at least one heat exchanger (120) and the at least one valve (130), and a plurality of second grooves (154) defined in an inner surface of the fluid conduit plate (150) and connected to one or more of the plurality of second through-holes (152), the inner surface of the fluid conduit plate (150) facing the plate coupling portion (144). [6] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5, wherein the shapes of the plurality of first grooves (148) are identical to the shapes of the plurality of second grooves (154) respectively. [7] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the plurality of first grooves (148) are respectively coupled to the plurality of second grooves (154) to thereby define the plurality of fluid passages (160) in a state in which the fluid passage plate (150) is coupled to the plate coupling portion (144). [8] The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising at least one bushing unit (170) disposed on the mounting portion (142) and configured to reduce transmission of vibrations generated by the compressor (110). [9] Refrigerant circulation device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one socket unit (170) comprises: an insulator (172) arranged on the mounting portion (142), and a screw bolt (174) coupled to a center of the insulator (172). [10] The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the mounting portion (142) defines at least one open opening (142a). [11] The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (120) is configured to exchange heat between a coolant and the refrigerant in the plurality of fluid lines (160) to thereby condense or evaporate the refrigerant. [12] Refrigerant circulation device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (120) comprises: a first heat exchanger (122) configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant supplied via the plurality of fluid lines (160), a second heat exchanger (124) configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the compressor (110) or the first heat exchanger (122) via the fluid lines (160), and a third heat exchanger (126) configured to condense or evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the compressor (110) or the first heat exchanger (122) via the plurality of fluid lines (160). [13] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one valve (130) comprises a first valve (132) and a second valve (134) connected to the compressor (110) and the first to third heat exchangers (122, 124, 126) via the plurality of fluid lines (160), and wherein the first valve (132) and the second valve (134) are configured to selectively supply the refrigerant from the compressor (110) to at least one of the first heat exchanger (122), the second heat exchanger (124), or the third heat exchanger (126). [14] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 13, wherein the first valve (132) and the second valve (134) are configured to control movement of the refrigerant or to expand the refrigerant introduced into the plurality of fluid lines (160). [15] The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a gas-liquid separator (180) configured to separate a gaseous refrigerant or a liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant that is condensed or evaporated while passing through the at least one heat exchanger (120). [16] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 15, wherein the gas-liquid separator (180) is connected to the compressor (110) and the at least one heat exchanger (120) via the plurality of fluid lines (160). [17] Refrigerant circulation device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the at least one heat exchanger (120), the at least one valve (130) and the gas-liquid separator (180) are arranged on an outer surface of the fluid conduit plate (150). [18] The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein an inner surface of the fluid passage plate (150) and an inner surface of the holder (140) oppose and contact each other to thereby define the plurality of fluid passages (160) therebetween. [19] The refrigerant circulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the holder (140) has an L-shape defining a first surface and a second surface orthogonal to the first surface, and wherein the fluid conduit plate (150) has a planar shape and is coupled to one of the first surface or the second surface of the holder (140). [20] The refrigerant circulation device according to claim 19, wherein the compressor (110) has one or more connecting elements (112) connecting the compressor (110) to the first surface and the second surface of the holder (140).

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