Thermal management system for a vehicle and vehicle with such a system

Abstract

Thermal management system (100) for one vehicle (200), comprising: a heat pump with a first heat exchanger (110), a second heat exchanger (120) and a compressor (140); a distribution unit (150) for receiving at least one valve unit and / or at least one first pump unit for pumping coolant; wherein the system (100) extends from a first connection side (AS1) along an arrangement direction (AR) to a second connection side (AS2) of the system (100) and from a rear (RS) to a front (VS) of the system (100) along a vehicle direction (FR) perpendicular to the arrangement direction, wherein the system (100) is divided along the arrangement direction into first to third system sections (S1-S3), wherein the first system section (S1) has the first connection side (AS1) and the third system section (S3) has the second connection side (AS2) and the second system section (S2) is arranged between the first and third system sections (S1, S3), wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) are arranged in the first system section (S1), the compressor (140) in the second system section (S2) and the distribution unit (150) in the third system section (S3), wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) each have at least one fluid interface connection (FS) on the first connection side (AS1) and / or the front (VS) and the distributor unit (150) each has at least one fluid interface connection (FS) on the front (VS) and / or the second connection side (AS2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a thermal management system for a vehicle and a vehicle with such a system.

[0002] Vehicles have limited installation space for pipes, heat pumps, valves, and pumps for thermal management. Furthermore, the complexity of the interconnections of refrigeration and coolant circuits in vehicles is constantly increasing, as various components such as an engine (especially an electric motor), cabin heating and cooling, a battery, electronic units for controlling the various systems, and other components whose operating temperature needs to be regulated, must be heated and / or cooled by means of these refrigerant and coolant circuits.

[0003] The state of the art is known from DE 10 2019 115 909 A1, US 2003 / 0 159 456 A1, DE 10 2017 221 052 A1, US 2012 / 0 210 746 A1, EP 3 925 814 A2 and US 2023 / 0415 541 A1.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to improve upon at least one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a particularly space-saving and cost-efficient thermal management system, further reducing refrigerant requirements and increasing the system's efficiency.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the problem is solved by a thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising a heat pump with a first heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator, a second heat exchanger, in particular a condenser, and a compressor. The system further comprises a distribution unit for accommodating at least one valve unit and / or at least one first pump unit for pumping coolant. The system extends from a first connection side along an arrangement direction to a second connection side of the system and from a rear to a front of the system along a vehicle direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the system being divided into first to third system sections along the arrangement direction.The first system section has the first connection side, and the third system section has the second connection side. The second system section is located between the first and third system sections. The first and second heat exchangers are located in the first system section, the compressor is located in the second system section, and the distribution unit is located in the third system section. The first and second heat exchangers each have at least one fluid interface connection on the first connection side and / or the front face, and the distribution unit also has at least one fluid interface connection on the front face and / or the second connection side. The first heat exchanger may have one fluid interface connection, and the second heat exchanger may have two fluid interface connections, on the first connection side.The first and second heat exchangers can have at least one fluid interface on the same side or on different sides. The manifold unit can have two, three, or more, in particular four, fluid interface connections on the front side and two, three, four, or more, in particular five, fluid interface connections on the second connection side. The thermal management system can be a heat management system. The system can be configured to control heat energy exchange between at least one coolant circuit and a refrigerant circuit by means of the heat pump. Furthermore, the system can be configured to switch between two or more coolant circuits and the refrigerant circuit by means of integrated valve units.

[0006] The fluid interface connections allow lines for conveying refrigerant or coolant to be connected to the system.

[0007] The previously described arrangement of the individual system components allows for a particularly space-efficient configuration of essential components for regulating and switching refrigerant and coolant circuits. Furthermore, this arrangement advantageously minimizes the connection length between the heat pump units, thus reducing the amount of refrigerant and coolant required. The arrangement also incorporates the distribution unit for switching the various coolant circuits, making installation in the vehicle particularly easy.

[0008] The first heat exchanger is referred to below as the evaporator and the second heat exchanger is referred to below as the condenser, whereby alternatively the first heat exchanger can be the condenser and the second heat exchanger the evaporator.

[0009] The system can be designed in the form of a housing in which the various system units are arranged and / or enclosed. The housing can be cuboid in shape. The outer and / or inner surfaces of the system can extend parallel or perpendicular to the arrangement and vehicle directions, as well as to a subsequently defined vertical direction.

[0010] The distributor unit, in particular a valve housing section or channel plate section as described below, can be configured to accommodate at least one, two, three, four, or more valve units. Furthermore, the distributor unit, in particular the valve housing section or channel plate section, can be configured to accommodate the first pump unit. Different fluid circuits can be controlled by means of the valve units. The number of valve units can be determined based on the number of fluid interface connections on the distributor unit. In particular, the number of fluid interface connections on the front of the distributor unit can be equal to the number of valve units.

[0011] For reasons related to installation space, it can be advantageous not to include a first pump unit in the distribution unit when there is a predetermined number of valve units, particularly with four or more valve units. Instead, as described below, a second pump unit can be included in the system, which is arranged in particular between the compressor and the distribution unit or on a side of the distribution unit opposite the compressor, especially on the second connection side.

[0012] The fluid interface connections of the distributor unit can be arranged such that they have at least a predetermined distance between them, in particular a distance of 20 to 40 mm, preferably 30 mm.

[0013] The first and / or second pump unit can have at least one pump, in particular two pumps.

[0014] The system can have an arrangement axis that is parallel to the arrangement direction. The system can extend along the arrangement axis, being divided along the arrangement axis into the first to third system sections. In particular, the arrangement axis can pass through the first to third system sections.

[0015] The units arranged in the respective system sections can each be arranged in such a way that the units of a respective system section have a minimal distance between them in order to achieve a particularly compact arrangement.

[0016] The first to third system sections can each have a specific arrangement length along the arrangement direction and / or the arrangement axis. The arrangement length can be determined such that the units of the respective system section can be arranged within that section. Consequently, the arrangement length can be determined based on an arrangement length along the arrangement direction and / or the arrangement axis of the respective units of the system section and / or correspond to a maximum arrangement length of the arrangement lengths and / or a sum of the arrangement lengths of the units.

[0017] The evaporator and condenser can be arranged one behind the other when viewed along the vehicle direction and / or a vehicle axis parallel to the vehicle direction. The evaporator and condenser can have at least partially, and in particular completely, identical shapes. The evaporator and condenser can have a cuboid shape. Viewed along the vehicle direction and / or the vehicle axis, the evaporator and condenser can be arranged to overlap at least partially, and in particular completely. Consequently, viewed along the axis of arrangement, the evaporator and condenser can have at least partially, and in particular completely, identical coordinates, while viewed along the vehicle axis, they can have different coordinates. The cuboid shape can be arranged such that the outer surfaces of the cuboid are parallel or perpendicular to the arrangement, vehicle, and height directions.

[0018] The system may further include an expansion tank for the heat pump, which is located in the first system section. The expansion tank may be designed to receive and release refrigerant. The expansion tank may be cylindrical, at least in sections, and have a longitudinal axis extending parallel to a vertical direction and / or a vertical axis parallel to the vertical direction, the vertical direction being perpendicular to the system and vehicle directions.

[0019] The units of the heat pump can be connected to each other via pipes.

[0020] The arrangement, vehicle and height directions can extend in a straight line.

[0021] The evaporator and condenser can form the heat pump section, and the expansion tank, viewed along the vehicle's direction of travel and / or axis, can be located before or after the first heat pump section. Consequently, the expansion tank can be positioned such that it is not located between the heat pump section and the compressor. Alternatively or additionally, the evaporator and condenser can form the heat pump section, and the expansion tank, viewed along the direction of travel, can be located between the heat pump section and the compressor. Consequently, viewed along the vehicle's direction of travel, the expansion tank cannot be located before or after the first heat pump section.

[0022] The compressor can have a cylindrical section, and this cylindrical section can extend along a longitudinal cylinder axis with a predetermined cylinder length, wherein the longitudinal cylinder axis extends parallel to the arrangement direction and / or arrangement axis, or parallel to the vehicle direction and / or vehicle axis. An arrangement of the longitudinal cylinder axis parallel to the vehicle axis allows for a particularly compact system design. An arrangement of the longitudinal cylinder axis parallel to the arrangement axis also allows for a particularly shallow installation depth in the direction of travel and thus along the vehicle axis.

[0023] Furthermore, viewed along the axis of arrangement, the heat pump section, the compressor, the expansion tank, the second pump unit, and / or the distribution unit can each have a predetermined minimum distance between them. The heat pump section and the distribution unit can have a minimum distance between them along the direction of arrangement, which corresponds to the diameter of the cylindrical section when the cylinder's longitudinal axis is parallel to the vehicle direction or the direction of arrangement. The minimum distance between the heat pump section and the distribution unit can be further supplemented by a fraction of the diameter of the cylindrical section of the expansion tank or by the entire diameter of the cylindrical section of the expansion tank.Furthermore, the minimum distance can be supplemented by a safety distance to ensure that the various units of the system are at least partially not in direct contact with each other, whereby this safety distance may only be a few centimeters or millimeters.

[0024] Depending on the requirements, the system can be arranged accordingly within the vehicle, with the vehicle's direction of travel parallel to a (forward) direction of travel. Depending on the requirements, the system can be arranged such that the first system section is located on either the left or right side of the vehicle, viewed along the direction of travel, with the third system section correspondingly located on either the right or left side.

[0025] The compressor can be arranged in the second system section in such a way that the compressor's fluid interface connections for connecting to the heat pump section are located on a heat pump side of the compressor facing the first heat pump section.

[0026] The system can further include a second pump unit for pumping coolant, located in the third system section. In particular, the second pump unit can be included as an alternative to the first pump unit, for example, if there is no longer enough installation space for a pump unit in the distribution unit due to the increased number of valve units. Viewed along the arrangement direction, the second pump unit can be located between the compressor and the distribution unit. Alternatively, the second pump unit can be located on the second connection side of the distribution unit, thus opposite the compressor. The second pump unit can be connected to and / or provided attached to the distribution unit.

[0027] The first and / or second pump unit can be fluidically connected to the distribution unit for pumping a fluid in the distribution unit.

[0028] The system can extend from a bottom to a top along the vertical direction and / or the vertical axis running parallel to the vertical direction and perpendicular to the arrangement and vehicle directions. The second pump unit, viewed along the vertical direction and / or vertical axis, can be arranged at least partially, and in particular completely, above or below the cylindrical section of the compressor.

[0029] In addition to the cylindrical section, the compressor can include a cuboid section, which is arranged at one end of the cylindrical section. The compressor's fluid interface connections can be located on the cuboid section. The outer surfaces of the cuboid section can be configured such that the edges run parallel or perpendicular to the arrangement, vehicle, and vertical axes. The cylindrical section can have a diameter or radius that is smaller than the vertical length along the vertical direction and / or vertical axis of the cuboid section. Accordingly, the unused installation space above or below the cylindrical section can be advantageously utilized by arranging the second pump unit above or below the cylindrical section. This allows the overall system length along the arrangement direction and / or axis to be reduced.Advantageously, the compressor's fluid interface connections are arranged on an outer surface of the cuboid section facing the heat pump section.

[0030] When the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical section of the compressor is arranged parallel to the arrangement direction and / or arrangement axis, the cuboid section of the compressor, viewed along the arrangement direction and / or arrangement axis, can be arranged between the heat pump section and the cylindrical section of the compressor or between the cylindrical section of the compressor and the distribution unit.

[0031] The first and / or the second pump unit may have a cylindrical shape at least in sections, and the cylindrical shape may extend along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder that extends parallel to the direction of travel and / or the vehicle axis.

[0032] The distributor unit can have corresponding valve receiving housings for receiving the valve unit(s), which are designed in such a way that they are at least partially cylindrical and a longitudinal axis of the cylinder extends parallel to the vehicle direction and / or vehicle axis.

[0033] The distribution unit can comprise or consist of a channel plate section with the fluid interface connection on the front, a valve housing section with the fluid interface connection on the second connection side, and an electronics section with electronic units for controlling the distribution unit. The valve housing section can be arranged between the channel plate section and the electronics section, with the channel plate section or the valve housing section being configured to accommodate the valve unit and / or the first pump unit. The valve housing section and the channel plate section can each have at least one fluid interface and be arranged such that fluidic exchange between these interfaces is possible.The channel plate section can be configured to fluidically connect the fluid interface ports on the front side to the fluid interface of the channel plate section and further to the fluid interface of the valve body section. The valve body section can be configured to provide a fluidic connection between the fluid interface of the valve body section, which is fluidically connected to the fluid interface of the channel plate assembly, and the fluid interface ports on the second connection side.

[0034] The channel plate section, the valve housing section and the electronics section can be arranged and / or attached to each other.

[0035] The channel plate section, the valve housing section, and / or the electronics section can be designed in the form of a housing. The electronics section can contain the electronic units within the housing. Alternatively, the electronics section can contain the electronic units without a housing, with the electronic units being at least partially arranged on the valve housing section.

[0036] The channel plate section can have one or more lines and / or channels for guiding fluid to and / or from the fluid interface connections and to and from the fluid interfaces of the channel plate section. The lines and / or channels of the channel plate section can be at least partially interconnected. The lines and / or channels can be located within the channel plate section and connect the respective fluid interface connections and / or fluid interfaces. This allows for a pre-defined configuration of connections to be provided at the factory, enabling simple and rapid implementation.

[0037] The electronic units may include actuators for driving the first and / or second pump units and / or the valve units.

[0038] The channel plate section and the valve housing section can be cuboid and / or plate-shaped. Each channel plate section and the valve housing section can have a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, arranged perpendicular to the arrangement direction and / or arrangement axis, and have a predetermined height length along the height direction and / or height axis and a predetermined vehicle length along the vehicle directions and / or vehicle axis. The channel plate section and the valve housing section can each extend from the first to the second surface along the arrangement direction and / or arrangement axis with a predetermined arrangement length, where the arrangement length is in each case less than the height length and the vehicle length. The second surface of the channel plate section can therefore face the first surface of the valve housing section.The second pump unit can be located on and / or attached to the first surface of the channel plate section.

[0039] The fluid interface connections on the front of the distributor unit can extend in the direction of the vehicle axis and / or vehicle direction. The fluid interface connections on the second connection side of the distributor unit can be curved, extending first from the second connection side and then towards the rear.

[0040] The heights of the channel plate section and the valve housing section can be identical, as can the vehicle lengths of the channel plate section and the valve housing section. Alternatively or additionally, the channel plate section and the valve housing section can be arranged to overlap at least partially, and in particular completely, when viewed along the arrangement direction and / or axis. Furthermore, the channel plate section, the electronics section, and the valve housing section can be arranged to overlap at least partially, and in particular completely, when viewed along the arrangement direction and / or axis. Consequently, a particularly compact arrangement of the distributor unit can be provided.

[0041] The channel plate section and the valve body section can be arranged to seal against each other. Additionally or alternatively, the distributor unit can further include a sealing medium positioned between the channel plate section and the valve body section to seal them. The sealing medium can consist of or comprise one or more metals. The sealing medium can be a screen-printed material.

[0042] The system can include the first and / or second pump unit and / or at least one valve unit.

[0043] The distribution unit, the compressor, the expansion tank and the heat pump section can be arranged in such a way that, viewed along the direction of arrangement and / or the axis of arrangement, they are at least partially, and in particular completely, overlapping.

[0044] The evaporator's fluid interface port can be connected to the vehicle's interior radiator for cooling the cabin. A first fluid interface port on the condenser can be connected to the vehicle's interior heater for heating the cabin. A second fluid interface port on the condenser can be connected to an engine cooling system for cooling an engine, particularly an electric motor. The fluid interface ports on the front of the manifold can be connected to a radiator and / or an expansion valve in the vehicle. The fluid interface ports on the second connection side of the manifold can be connected to the vehicle's interior heater, an inverter (which can be arranged downstream of the interior radiator, particularly with respect to fluid flow), a vehicle battery, the engine, and the compressor.

[0045] The task is solved by a vehicle according to a second aspect, comprising a system according to the first aspect.

[0046] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a thermal management system for a vehicle according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a thermal management system for a vehicle according to a second embodiment; Fig. 3 A schematic embodiment of a distribution unit of the system: and Fig. 4 a vehicle with such a system.

[0047] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally equivalent or similar elements are designated with the same reference symbols.

[0048] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a thermal management system 100 for a vehicle 200. By means of the system 100 described below, a particularly space-compact arrangement for a heat pump and associated pump units and valve units can be provided.

[0049] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows an arrangement direction AR, a vehicle direction FR perpendicular to the arrangement direction, and an elevation direction HR perpendicular to the arrangement direction AR and vehicle direction FR. System 100 can comprise the following axes: an arrangement axis parallel to the arrangement direction AR, a vehicle axis parallel to the vehicle direction FR, and an elevation axis parallel to the elevation direction HR. The directions HR, AR, and FR are straight lines.

[0050] System 100 comprises a heat pump with an evaporator 110, a condenser 120, an expansion tank 130, and a compressor 140. System 100 further comprises a distribution unit 150 for accommodating at least one valve unit and / or at least one first pump unit for pumping refrigerant, as well as a second pump unit 160 for pumping refrigerant. According to the present first embodiment, the distribution unit 150 does not include a first pump unit, since four valve units are incorporated into the distribution unit 150. The second pump unit 160 is provided accordingly.

[0051] System 100 extends from a first connection side AS1 along the arrangement direction AR to a second connection side AS2 of System 100, and from a rear RS to a front VS of System 100 along the vehicle direction FR. Furthermore, System 100 extends from a bottom US to a top OS along the vertical direction HR.

[0052] System 100 is divided into first to third system sections S1-S3 along the arrangement direction. According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the required installation space for system sections S1-S3, indicated by dashed lines. Alternatively, system 100 can be designed as a housing subdivided into the three system sections S1-S3.

[0053] The first system section S1 has the first connection side AS1 and the third system section S3 has the second connection side AS2, wherein the second system section S2, viewed along the arrangement direction AR, is arranged between the first and third system sections S1, S3.

[0054] The evaporator 110, the condenser 120 and the expansion tank 130 are arranged in the first system section S1, the compressor 140 in the second system section S2 and the distribution unit 150 in the third system section S3.

[0055] The evaporator 110 and the condenser 120 each have at least one fluid interface connection FS on the first connection side AS1. According to the Fig. 1. The evaporator 110 has one fluid interface connection FS and the condenser 120 has two fluid interface connections FS. Alternatively or additionally, the evaporator 110 and the condenser 120 can each have at least one fluid interface connection VS on the front side.

[0056] The distribution unit 150 has at least one fluid interface connection FS on both the front (VS) and the second connection side (AS2). According to the Fig. 1 The distributor unit 150 has four fluid interface connections FS on the front side VS and AS2 on the second connection side (not shown in Fig. 1, see Fig. 3) five fluid interface connections FS. Alternatively, the distributor unit 150 can have at least one fluid interface connection FS only on the front side VS or on the second connection side AS2.

[0057] The evaporator 110 and the condenser 120 are identical in design and arranged such that, viewed along the vehicle direction FR, they completely overlap. The evaporator 110 and the condenser 120 can form a heat pump section. Furthermore, the expansion tank 130, viewed along the vehicle direction FR, is located on the front side VS and thus downstream of the heat pump section. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the compressor 140 has a cylindrical section, with a longitudinal axis of the cylinder extending parallel to the vehicle direction FR. Furthermore, it is evident from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the heat pump section has a shorter vehicle length along the vehicle direction FR than the cylindrical section. Accordingly, the overall length of the system 100 along the arrangement direction AR can already be reduced by positioning the expansion tank 130 at the location shown. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, which runs parallel to the vehicle direction FR, reduces the overall length of the system 100.

[0058] Compressor 100 has a cuboid section which is attached to an end section of the cylindrical section, according to the Fig. 1 is located on the rear side RS. The heat pump section has a predetermined height length along the vertical direction HR, which is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical section of the compressor 140. To utilize the installation space as efficiently as possible, the cuboid section of the compressor 140 extends towards the top OS. The cuboid section of the compressor 140 has, according to the Fig. 1 an arrangement length along the arrangement direction AR which is less than or equal to the diameter of the cylindrical section.

[0059] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the distributor unit 150 comprises or consists of a channel plate section 151 with fluid interface connections FS on the front side VS, a valve housing section 152 with fluid interface connections FS on the second connection side AS2, and an electronics section 153 with electronic units for controlling the distributor unit 150. The valve housing section 152 is arranged between the channel plate section 151 and the electronics section 153. Furthermore, the channel plate section 151 or the valve housing section 152 is designed to accommodate one or more, here four, valve units and / or a first pump unit. According to the Fig. 1. The valve housing section 152 does not include a pump unit.

[0060] Furthermore, the channel plate section 151, the valve housing section 152, and the electronics section 153 are designed as housings arranged adjacent to one another. A sealing material, in particular a sealing sheet, is arranged between the channel plate section 151 and the valve housing section 152 for fluidic sealing between them. The sealing material may have through-openings for fluidic exchange between the channel plate section 151 and the valve housing section 152.

[0061] The fluid interface units FS are designed for fluidic connection to lines for conveying cooling and / or refrigerant. The channel plate section 151 has the fluid interface connections FS on its front surface VS, whereby, for example, coolant can be conveyed via these fluid interface connections FS through lines and / or channels within the channel plate section 151 to fluid interfaces on a second surface of the channel plate section 151. Viewed along the arrangement direction AR, the channel plate section 151, the valve housing section 152, and the electronics housing 153 each extend from a first surface to a second surface opposite the first surface. Accordingly, the second surface of the channel plate section 151 faces the first surface of the valve housing section 152.

[0062] The valve housing section 152 has fluid interfaces on its first surface, which are arranged opposite the fluid interfaces on the second surface of the channel plate section 151, thus enabling fluidic exchange between them. The fluid interfaces of the distributor housing section 152 are designed for the fluidic flow of, for example, coolant to the valve units housed within the valve housings of the valve housing section 152. By means of appropriately adjustable switching states of the valve units, the coolant can be further directed to the fluid interface ports FS on the second connection side AS2. The distributor unit 150 therefore provides a compact arrangement with valve units.

[0063] The channel plate section 151 and the valve housing section 152 are cuboid-shaped, in particular plate-shaped, wherein the surfaces of the channel plate section 151 and the valve housing section 152 extend parallel and perpendicular to the directions HR, AR and FR, respectively. According to the Fig. 1 is an arrangement length of the channel plate section 151 and the valve housing section 152 less than a height length along the vertical direction HR and a vehicle length along the vehicle direction FR. The valve receiving housings for receiving the valve units of the valve housing section 152 can be cylindrical such that the longitudinal axes of the cylinders of the valve units, in particular the slide valves, extend parallel to the vehicle direction FR.

[0064] Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 1 shows that the pump unit 160 has a cylindrical shape, at least in sections, and that a longitudinal axis of the cylinder runs parallel to the vehicle direction FR. The pump unit 160 is arranged such that, viewed along the arrangement direction AR, it overlaps section by section with the cylindrical section of the compressor 140. Alternatively, the pump unit 160 can be arranged such that it does not overlap with the compressor 140 along the arrangement direction AR.

[0065] System 100 is designed such that the various units of system sections S1-S3 are arranged as close and / or densely as possible to each other in order to provide a particularly compact installation. System sections S1-S3 can have lengths along the AR, HR, and FR directions that are based on or correspond to the lengths of the units of System 100 along the AR, HR, and FR directions.

[0066] According to the Fig. 1. The arrangement length of the first system section S1 corresponds to the arrangement length of the heat pump section along the arrangement direction AR. The arrangement length of the first system section S1 can further be based, at least partially, on a diameter of the expansion tank 130 along the arrangement direction. An arrangement length of the second system section S2 corresponds to the diameter of the cylindrical section of the compressor 140. An arrangement length of the third system section S3 corresponds to the arrangement length of the distribution unit 150 along the arrangement direction AR and, at least partially, to a diameter of the cylindrical section of the second pump unit 160. Without a second pump unit 160, the arrangement length of the third system section S3 corresponds to the arrangement length of the distribution unit 150.

[0067] A height length of System 100 can correspond to a maximum height length of one of the units of System 100 along the height direction HR, so that all units of System 100 can be arranged within this maximum height length.

[0068] A vehicle length of System 100 can correspond to a maximum vehicle length of one of the units of System 100 along the vehicle direction, so that all units of System 100 can be arranged within this maximum vehicle length.

[0069] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of system 100, in which, compared to the Fig. 1 the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical section of the compressor 140 runs parallel to the arrangement direction AR. In comparison to the Fig. While this means a greater system length of 100 along the AR direction, it results in a shorter vehicle length along the FR direction. Furthermore, the arrangement shown allows for advantageously short lines between the heat pump units, thus requiring a smaller amount of refrigerant.

[0070] Depending on the requirements, a system can therefore be 100 according to the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 are installed in a vehicle 200. The systems 100 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be arranged in reverse according to the requirements of the vehicle's connections, so that in system 100 of the Fig. 1 the third system section S3 on the left side and the first system section S1 on the right side of the Fig. 1 is located. The same applies to system 100 of the Fig. 2. In other words, the structure can be rotated 180 degrees within a plane, with the plane running parallel to the arrangement and vehicle directions AR, FR.

[0071] Fig. Figure 3 shows the distributor unit 150 in detail. The fluid interface connections FS on the front VS of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 extend from the front VS or an associated surface of the channel plate section 151 in the vehicle direction FR. The fluid interface connections can have different connection types to allow connection with different lines.

[0072] The fluid interface connections on the second connection side AS2 or an associated surface, here the second surface of the valve housing section 152, are shown. These are curved, extending from the second surface and then curving to allow lines to be connected from the rear RS or along the vehicle direction FR. The fluid interface connections FS can be configured differently, at least in part.

[0073] Furthermore, electronics section 153 is shown with a housing to protect the electronic units contained within the housing for controlling the distribution unit 150 from dust and moisture. The electronic units may also include actuators for operating the valves and / or pumps.

[0074] Fig.Figure 4 shows a vehicle 200 with a system 100 according to one of the previous embodiments. Using the system 100, it is possible to provide a particularly compact arrangement of a heat pump with a corresponding distribution unit, so that the installation space can be used for other purposes or reduced overall. Furthermore, installation and maintenance are simplified, and costs are reduced. Reference sign 100 Thermal Management System 110 evaporators FS Fluid Interface Connection 120 Capacitor 130 expansion tanks 140 Compressor 150 distribution unit 151 Channel plate section 152 Valve housing section 153 Electronics section 160 pump unit S1-S3 first to third system section HR Altitude FR Vehicle direction AR arrangement direction VS Front RS back OS top US subpage AS1 first connection side AS2 second connection side 200 vehicles

Claims

[1] Thermal management system (100) for a vehicle (200), comprising: a heat pump with a first heat exchanger (110), a second heat exchanger (120) and a compressor (140); a distribution unit (150) for receiving at least one valve unit and / or at least one first pump unit for pumping coolant; wherein the system (100) extends from a first connection side (AS1) along an arrangement direction (AR) to a second connection side (AS2) of the system (100) and from a rear (RS) to a front (VS) of the system (100) along a vehicle direction (FR) perpendicular to the arrangement direction, wherein the system (100) is divided along the arrangement direction into first to third system sections (S1-S3), wherein the first system section (S1) has the first connection side (AS1) and the third system section (S3) has the second connection side (AS2) and the second system section (S2) is arranged between the first and third system sections (S1, S3), wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) are arranged in the first system section (S1), the compressor (140) in the second system section (S2) and the distribution unit (150) in the third system section (S3), wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) each have at least one fluid interface connection (FS) on the first connection side (AS1) and / or the front (VS) and the distributor unit (150) each has at least one fluid interface connection (FS) on the front (VS) and / or the second connection side (AS2). [2] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) are arranged one behind the other when viewed along the direction of travel (FR). [3] System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an expansion tank (130) of the heat pump, which is located in the first system section (S1). [4] System (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) form a heat pump section and the expansion tank (130), viewed along the direction of travel (FR), is located in front of or behind the heat pump section, and / or wherein the first heat exchanger (110) and the second heat exchanger (120) form a heat pump section and the expansion tank (130), viewed along the arrangement direction (AR), is arranged between the heat pump section and the compressor (140). [5] System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressor (140) has a cylindrical section and the cylindrical section extends along a longitudinal cylinder axis with a predetermined cylinder length, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylinder extends parallel to the arrangement direction (AR) or parallel to the vehicle direction (FR). [6] System (100) according to claim 5 in combination with claim 4, wherein the compressor (140) is arranged in the second system section (S2) such that fluid interfaces of the compressor are arranged on a heat pump side of the compressor (140) which faces the heat pump section. [7] System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a second pump unit (160) for pumping coolant, which is arranged in the third system section (S3), wherein the second pump unit (160), viewed along the arrangement direction (AR), is arranged between the compressor (140) and the distribution unit (150). [8] System (100) according to claim 7, wherein the system (100) extends from a bottom (US) to a top (OS) along a vertical direction (HR) that extends perpendicular to the arrangement and vehicle directions (AR, FR), wherein the second pump unit (160), viewed along the vertical direction (HR), is arranged at least sectionally above or below the cylindrical section of the compressor (140). [9] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second pump unit (160) has a cylindrical shape at least in sections and the cylindrical shape extends along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder which extends parallel to the direction of travel (FR). [10] System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distributor unit (150) comprises or consists of a channel plate section (151) with the fluid interface port (FS) on the front (VS), a valve body section (152) with the fluid interface port (FS) on the second port side (AS2) and an electronics section (153) with electronic units for controlling the distributor unit (150), wherein the valve housing section (152) is arranged between the channel plate section (151) and the electronics section (153), wherein the channel plate section (151) or the valve housing section (152) is designed to accommodate the valve unit and / or the first pump unit. [11] System (100) according to claim 10, wherein the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) are cuboid and / or plate-shaped, wherein the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) each have a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, which are arranged perpendicular to the arrangement direction (AR) and have a predetermined height length along the height direction (HR) and a predetermined vehicle length along the vehicle directions (FR), wherein the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) each extend along the arrangement direction (AR) from the first to the second surface with a predetermined arrangement length, where the arrangement length is smaller than the height length and the vehicle length. [12] System (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the height lengths of the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) are identical, wherein the vehicle lengths of the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) are identical, and / or wherein the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152), viewed along the arrangement direction (AR), are arranged at least partially, in particular completely, overlapping. [13] System (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) are arranged such that they seal against each other, and / or wherein the distributor unit (150) further comprises a sealing medium which is arranged between the channel plate section (151) and the valve housing section (152) for sealing the latter. [14] System (100) according to one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 4, wherein the distribution unit (150), the compressor (140), the expansion tank (130) and the heat pump section are arranged such that, viewed along the arrangement direction (AR), they are arranged at least partially, in particular completely, overlapping. [15] Vehicle (200) comprising a system (100) according to any of the preceding claims.

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