Vehicle heat management system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle heat management system improved to sufficiently cool coolant flowing toward a rear-seat air conditioning device. The vehicle heat management system comprises: a refrigerant line connected to a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and guiding a first heat exchange medium to cool and heat a first area of a vehicle; a first coolant line connected to a cabin cooler and a chiller and guiding a second heat exchange medium to cool a second area of the vehicle; and a second coolant line connected to a battery and the chiller and guiding the second heat exchange medium to heat the second area of the vehicle and cool the battery, wherein: the first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium exchange heat in the chiller; and the first heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller from the first coolant line, and then exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller from the second coolant line.

Description

Thermal management system for vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal management system for a vehicle.

[0002] Thermal management systems operate on a cycle where liquid refrigerant evaporates within an evaporator, absorbing heat from the surroundings and becoming a gas. It then liquefies again, releasing heat to the surroundings through a condenser. Applying this system to electric or hybrid vehicles offers the advantage of securing a heat source previously lacking in conventional air conditioning systems.

[0003] These conventional thermal management systems deliver refrigerant to the front air conditioning unit, which is located in the front seat of the vehicle, and the rear air conditioning unit, which is located in the rear seat. In other words, conventional thermal management systems require a line to be installed in the vehicle to deliver refrigerant to the rear seat.

[0004] Here, the front and rear air conditioning units may each be equipped with a heater for heating the vehicle. Accordingly, in the vehicle's cooling mode, both the front and rear air conditioning units cool the air using a refrigerant, and in the vehicle's heating mode, both the front and rear air conditioning units heat the air using a heater.

[0005] However, conventional thermal management systems only have a condenser installed in the front-seat climate control system, through which refrigerant flows when the vehicle is in heating mode. While the front-seat climate control system can minimize the amount of energy the heater uses to heat the air through the condenser, the rear-seat climate control system relies solely on the heater, resulting in excessive heater usage, lowering energy efficiency and heating efficiency.

[0006] Therefore, to improve the heating efficiency of the rear-seat air conditioning system, coolant was utilized as a heat exchange medium for the rear-seat air conditioning system. Furthermore, a coolant circulation cycle was configured to pass through the rear-seat air conditioning system. Furthermore, conventional thermal management systems have configured a cycle to cool the vehicle's battery using coolant. Thus, conventional thermal management systems utilize multiple coolant circulation cycles to cool the rear area of ​​the vehicle and the battery.

[0007] Here, the conventional thermal management system implemented cooling of the coolant through a chiller having a coolant zone for receiving coolant, a first coolant zone for receiving coolant passing through the battery, and a second coolant zone for receiving coolant passing through the rear seat air conditioning unit. At this time, the coolant flowing into the coolant zone is moved to overlap with the first coolant zone and then moved to overlap with the second coolant zone. Accordingly, the coolant flowing into the first coolant zone can undergo heat exchange with the refrigerant before being heat-exchanged with the coolant flowing into the second coolant zone.

[0008] However, in the conventional thermal management system, the refrigerant flowing into the chiller is heat-exchanged with the coolant flowing into the first coolant area and then, at an increased temperature, heat-exchanged with the coolant flowing into the second coolant area. Therefore, the coolant flowing into the second coolant area is directed to the rear seat air conditioning unit without achieving the cooling intended during the design process. Therefore, the air that exchanges heat with the coolant passing through the rear seat air conditioning unit may cause a problem in that it does not satisfy the air conditioning satisfaction of passengers riding in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle.

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle thermal management system that can sufficiently cool coolant directed to a rear seat air conditioning device.

[0010] A vehicle radiator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a refrigerant line connected to a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and guiding a first heat exchange medium to cool and heat a first area of ​​a vehicle; a first coolant line connected to a cabin cooler and a chiller, and guiding a second heat exchange medium to cool a second area of ​​the vehicle; and a second coolant line connected to a battery and the chiller, and guiding the second heat exchange medium to heat the second area of ​​the vehicle and cool the battery; wherein the first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium are heat-exchanged in the chiller, and the first heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller first exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller through the first coolant line, and then heat-exchanges with the second heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller through the second coolant line.

[0011] A chiller including a first air conditioning module arranged in a first area of ​​the vehicle; a second air conditioning module arranged in a second area of ​​the vehicle; and a plate unit having a first movement area through which the second heat exchange medium directed toward the second air conditioning module moves, a second movement area through which the second heat exchange medium directed toward the battery moves, and a third movement area through which the first heat exchange medium moves; wherein the first heat exchange medium passes through the first movement area of ​​the plate unit of the chiller and then passes through the second movement area.

[0012] The first heat exchange medium may be characterized in that it exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium passing through the first movement area of ​​the plate unit of the chiller and then exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium passing through the second movement area of ​​the plate unit of the chiller.

[0013] The chiller may include a first inlet disposed in the first movement area of ​​the plate unit and introducing the first heat exchange medium flowing along the refrigerant line into the interior of the plate unit; and a first discharge port disposed in the second movement area of ​​the plate unit and discharging the first heat exchange medium to the exterior of the plate unit.

[0014] The chiller may include a second inlet disposed in the first moving area of ​​the plate unit and introducing the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first cooling water line into the interior of the plate unit; and a second discharge port disposed in the first moving area of ​​the plate unit and discharging the second heat exchange medium to the exterior of the plate unit.

[0015] The chiller may include a third inlet disposed in the second movement area of ​​the plate unit and introducing the second heat exchange medium flowing along the second cooling water line into the interior of the plate unit; and a third discharge port disposed in the second movement area of ​​the plate unit and discharging the second heat exchange medium to the exterior of the plate unit.

[0016] The first coolant line and the second coolant line may be characterized in that they have a shared area through which the second heat exchange medium can move depending on the air conditioning mode of the vehicle.

[0017] When the vehicle is in cooling mode, the first coolant line and the second coolant line may be characterized in that they form independent lines.

[0018] A coolant heater that accommodates the second heat exchange medium therein and heats the second heat exchange medium; and the first coolant line may include a first-first coolant line that forms a path through which the second heat exchange medium passes through the chiller and the cabin cooler in a cooling mode of the vehicle; and a first-second coolant line that forms a path through which the second heat exchange medium passes through the coolant heater and the cabin cooler in a heating mode of the vehicle.

[0019] The above 1-1 coolant line and the above 1-2 coolant line may be characterized in that they have a shared area through which the second heat exchange medium can move depending on the air conditioning mode of the vehicle.

[0020] The above 1-2 coolant lines and the above 2nd coolant line may be characterized in that they are connected to each other when the dehumidification mode is additionally operated in the heating mode of the vehicle.

[0021] The above 1-2 coolant lines and the above 2nd coolant line may be characterized in that they are connected to each other when the battery temperature raising mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode.

[0022] When the vehicle is in cooling mode, the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first-first coolant line may be characterized in that it passes through the chiller, exchanges heat with the first heat exchange medium, and then flows toward the cabin cooler.

[0023] When the vehicle is in heating mode, the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first-second coolant line may be characterized in that it passes through the coolant heater, is heated, and then flows toward the cabin cooler.

[0024] In the dehumidification mode of the vehicle, the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first and second coolant lines and the second coolant line may sequentially pass through the coolant heater, the battery, and the chiller before reaching the cabin cooler.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coolant directed to the second air conditioning module can be cooled before the coolant directed to the battery. Therefore, sufficient cooling of the air through the second air conditioning module can be achieved, thereby improving the air conditioning experience for passengers in the rear seat of the vehicle.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a chiller of a vehicle thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the path through which the first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium flow inside the chiller.

[0029] Figure 4 is a table recording the measured temperature values ​​of cooling water passing through the first inlet and first outlet of the chiller.

[0030] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0031] Figure 6 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium when the battery cooling mode is additionally operated in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0032] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium in the vehicle's heating mode.

[0033] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium when the dehumidification mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode.

[0034] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium when the battery warm-up mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode.

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0037] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0038] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0039] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0040] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

[0041] These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

[0042] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0043] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged “above or below” each component, “above” or “below” includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as “above” or “below,” it can include the meaning of not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one component.

[0044] Hereinafter, a vehicle thermal management system will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same reference numbers and any duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle thermal management system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention can air-condition a passenger compartment of a vehicle by intersecting a first heat exchange medium or a second heat exchange medium with a third heat exchange medium. The vehicle thermal management system (1) may include a compressor (100), a first air conditioning module (200), a second air conditioning module (300), a second condenser (400), a chiller (500), a coolant heater (600), an accumulator (700), and a circulation line (800). In this embodiment, the first heat exchange medium is referred to as a first heat exchange medium or a refrigerant, and the second heat exchange medium is referred to as a second heat exchange medium or a coolant.

[0047] The compressor (100) can compress the refrigerant. The compressor (100) can discharge the refrigerant, which has been compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous state, toward the condenser. Here, the compressor (100) may be referred to as a compressor.

[0048] The first air conditioning module (200) may be placed in the front seat area of ​​the vehicle (also referred to as the "first area"). In addition, the first air conditioning module (200) is connected to an air vent that discharges air-conditioned air toward the front seat area of ​​the vehicle, and may discharge the air-conditioned air toward the air vent. The first air conditioning module (200) may include a first case (210), an evaporator (220), a first condenser (230), and a PTC heater (240).

[0049] The first case (210) can accommodate an evaporator (220), a first condenser (230), and a PTC heater (240) therein. An exhaust port through which cooled or heated air is discharged can be formed in the first case (210).

[0050] The evaporator (220) may be placed inside the first case (210). The evaporator (220) may accommodate a liquid refrigerant that has passed through an outdoor heat exchanger. Air passing through the evaporator (220) may exchange heat with the refrigerant accommodated in the evaporator (220).

[0051] The first condenser (230) can be placed inside the first case (210). The first condenser (230) can convert the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor (100) into a liquid refrigerant.

[0052] A mode door may be placed between the evaporator (220) and the first condenser (230). The mode door may or may not rotate depending on the vehicle's air conditioning mode.

[0053] The PTC heater (240) can be placed in front of the first condenser (230) along the direction in which air flows from the inside to the outside of the first case (210). The PTC heater (240) operates in the vehicle's heating mode and can heat exchange air so that the air passing through the first condenser (230) is heated.

[0054] The second air conditioning module (300) may be placed in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle (also referred to as the "second area"). Furthermore, the second air conditioning module (300) is connected to an air vent that discharges conditioned air toward the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle, and may discharge the conditioned air toward the air vent. The second air conditioning module (300) may include a second case (310) and a cabin cooler (320).

[0055] The second case (310) can accommodate a cabin cooler (320) inside. An exhaust port through which cooled or heated air is discharged can be formed in the second case (310).

[0056] A cabin cooler (320) may be placed inside the second case (310). The cabin cooler (320) may accommodate a second heat exchange medium, i.e., coolant, within the cabin cooler. More specifically, the cabin cooler (320) may accommodate cooled coolant or heated coolant within the cabin cooler. Accordingly, air passing through the cabin cooler (320) may be cooled or heated depending on the vehicle's air conditioning mode.

[0057] The second condenser (400) may be installed at the front side of the vehicle. The second condenser (400) may store refrigerant that has passed through the first condenser (230) of the first air conditioning module (200). Air flowing into the vehicle (air outside the vehicle cabin) may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant stored inside the second condenser (400). Here, the second condenser (400) may be referred to as an outdoor heat exchanger.

[0058] The chiller (500) may have a first heat exchange medium and a second heat exchange medium movable within it. Accordingly, the chiller (500) may cool the first air conditioning module (200) positioned in the front seat area of ​​the vehicle, the second air conditioning module (300) positioned in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle, and the second heat exchange medium (coolant) circulating through the battery (B).

[0059] The coolant heater (600) may be placed on the circulation line (800). The coolant heater (600) may operate in the vehicle's heating mode or battery warm-up mode. The coolant heater (600) may contain coolant therein. The coolant heater (600) may heat the coolant flowing through the circulation line (800).

[0060] The accumulator (700) may be placed on the circulation line (800). The accumulator (700) may receive the refrigerant that has passed through the chiller (500). In addition, the accumulator (700) may receive the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator (220) of the first air conditioning module (200). The accumulator (700) may selectively discharge the refrigerant in a liquid phase (liquid state) and a gaseous phase (gaseous state). The accumulator (700) may be referred to as an accumulator.

[0061] The circulation line (800) may be a line through which the first heat exchange medium or the second heat exchange medium moves. Accordingly, the circulation line (800) may be a pipe. The circulation line (800) may include a first line (810) through which the first heat exchange medium moves and is connected to the first air conditioning module (200), a second line (820) through which the second heat exchange medium moves and is connected to the second air conditioning module (300), and a third line (830) through which the second heat exchange medium moves and is connected to the battery (B). In the present embodiment, the first line (810) may be referred to as a refrigerant line (810), the second line (820) may be referred to as a first coolant line (820), and the third line (830) may be referred to as a second coolant line (830).

[0062] In addition, the vehicle thermal management system may include a plurality of expansion valves arranged on a circulation line (800) to expand a refrigerant, which is a first heat exchange medium, a water pump (W) arranged in front of the cabin cooler (320) of the second air conditioning module (300) and the battery (B) along the flow direction of the coolant, which is a second heat exchange medium, and a plurality of branch valves arranged on the circulation line (800) to guide the movement path of the refrigerant or coolant.

[0063] A vehicle thermal management system (1) having such a structure can increase the cooling efficiency of the coolant, which is a second heat exchange medium passing through the second air conditioning module (300) via the chiller (500). The chiller (500) will be described in detail below.

[0064] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a chiller of a vehicle thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a path along which a first heat exchange medium and a second heat exchange medium flow inside the chiller.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the chiller (500) may include a plate unit (510), a first inlet (520), a first outlet (530), a second inlet (540), a second outlet (550), a third inlet (560), and a third outlet (570).

[0066] The plate unit (510) is composed of a plurality of plates, and the plurality of plates can be maintained in a stacked state. Each plate forming the plate unit (510) can have a plurality of protrusions arranged to guide refrigerant and cooling water. The plate unit (510) can accommodate a first heat exchange medium and a second heat exchange medium therein.

[0067] The plate unit (510) may have a first movement area (512) through which a second heat exchange medium (coolant) toward the second air conditioning module (300) moves, a second movement area (514) through which a second heat exchange medium (coolant) toward the battery (B) moves, and a third movement area (516) through which a first heat exchange medium (refrigerant) moves.

[0068] The first movement area (512) and the second movement area (514) may be plates corresponding to odd or even layers among a plurality of plates in a stacked state, and the third movement area (516) may be plates other than the plates that are the first movement area (512) and the second movement area (514). For example, when the first movement area (512) and the second movement area (514) through which the second heat exchange medium passes are plates corresponding to odd layers among the plurality of plates, the third movement area (516) through which the first heat exchange medium passes may be plates corresponding to even layers among the plurality of plates.

[0069] In addition, the first movement area (512) and the second movement area (514) may be composed of plates in which a plurality of plates corresponding to either odd or even layers are not arranged in a cross-like manner. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the first movement area (512) may be the left area of ​​the plate unit (510), and the second movement area (514) may be the right area. However, the positions of the movement areas are not limited thereto, and may change depending on the arrangement positions of the first inlet (520), the first outlet (530), the second inlet (540), and the second outlet (540).

[0070] The first inlet (520) is arranged in the first moving area (512) of the plate unit (510) and can be connected to the first line (810) of the circulation line (800). The first inlet (520) can introduce the refrigerant, which is the first heat exchange medium, into the interior of the plate unit (510).

[0071] The first discharge port (530) is arranged in the second movement area (514) and can be connected to the first line (810) of the circulation line (800). The first discharge port (530) can discharge the refrigerant, which is the first heat exchange medium, that has undergone heat exchange with the cooling water, which is the second heat exchange medium, while passing through the plate unit (510) to the outside of the plate unit (510).

[0072] The second inlet (540) is arranged in the first moving area (512) of the plate unit (510) and can be connected to the second line (820) of the circulation line (800). The second inlet (540) can introduce cooling water, which is a second heat exchange medium flowing along the second line (820), into the interior of the plate unit (510).

[0073] The second discharge port (550) is arranged in the first moving area (512) of the plate unit (510) and can be connected to the second line (820) of the circulation line (800). The second discharge port (550) can discharge the cooling water, which is the second heat exchange medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant, which is the first heat exchange medium, while passing through the plate unit (510), to the outside of the plate unit (510).

[0074] The third inlet (560) is arranged in the second moving area (514) of the plate unit (510) and can be connected to the third line (830) of the circulation line (800). The third inlet (560) can introduce cooling water, which is a second heat exchange medium, into the interior of the plate unit (510).

[0075] The third discharge port (570) is arranged in the second moving area (514) of the plate unit (510) and can be connected to the third line (830) of the circulation line (800). The third discharge port (570) can discharge the cooling water, which is the second heat exchange medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant, which is the first heat exchange medium, while passing through the plate unit (510), to the outside of the plate unit (510).

[0076] Here, the first heat exchange medium can pass through the first movement area (512) of the plate unit (510) of the chiller (500) and then the second movement area (514). Accordingly, the first heat exchange medium can be heat-exchanged with the second heat exchange medium passing through the first movement area (512) of the plate unit (510) of the chiller (500) and then heat-exchanged with the second heat exchange medium passing through the second movement area (514). This can prevent a deterioration in the heat exchange performance of the second air conditioning module (300) in the vehicle thermal management system (1) of the present embodiment, which can cool the second air conditioning module (300) and the battery (B) through coolant.

[0077] If the refrigerant, which is the first heat exchange medium, passes through the second movement area (514) of the plate unit (510) of the chiller (500) and then passes through the first movement area (512), the cooling water, which is the second heat exchange medium passing through the first movement area (512), exchanges heat with the first heat exchange medium, which has a higher temperature, after exchanging heat with the cooling water while passing through the second movement area (514). As a result, the cooling water heading to the second air conditioning module (300) may cause a problem in that it cannot sufficiently cool the air passing through the cabin cooler (320) of the second air conditioning module (300).

[0078] Accordingly, by exchanging heat with the refrigerant before the cooling water heading to the second air conditioning module (300) is heated before the cooling water heading to the battery (B), sufficient cooling of the air discharged from the second air conditioning module (300) can be achieved.

[0079] In this way, the vehicle thermal management system (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a first heat exchange medium (refrigerant) flowing into a chiller (500) first exchanges heat with a second heat exchange medium (coolant) flowing into the chiller (500) through a first coolant line (820), and then heat exchanges with a second heat exchange medium (coolant) flowing into the chiller (500) through a second coolant line (830). Therefore, the temperature of the coolant flowing into the second air conditioning module (300) can be lowered compared to a chiller of a conventional thermal management system. Therefore, the air conditioning satisfaction of passengers riding in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle can be increased.

[0080] Figure 4 is a table recording the measured temperature values ​​of cooling water passing through the first inlet and first outlet of the chiller.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a table, and the comparative example is an example in which the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the first inlet (520) of the chiller and the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the first outlet (530) are measured when the refrigerant moves to a position overlapping the second movement area (514) of the chiller (500) and then moves to a position overlapping the first movement area (512), and the embodiment is an example in which the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the first inlet (520) of the chiller (500) and the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the first outlet (530) are measured when the refrigerant moves to a position overlapping the first movement area (512) of the chiller (500) and then moves to a position overlapping the second movement area (514).

[0082] Referring to the table in Fig. 4, it can be seen that the temperature of the first exhaust port (530) of the embodiment is measured to be lower than that of the comparative example. Therefore, it can be seen that in the embodiment, the cooling water directed toward the cabin cooler (320) of the second air conditioning module (300) is cooled to a lower temperature and directed toward the second air conditioning module (300) than in the comparative example.

[0083] In this way, the vehicle thermal management system (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention has a structure that prioritizes heat exchange of coolant directed to the second air conditioning module (300) over coolant directed to the battery (B), thereby improving the cooling performance of air discharged to the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle compared to a conventional heat pump system. Accordingly, the air conditioning satisfaction of passengers riding in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle can be improved.

[0084] Below, the path through which the second heat exchange medium (coolant) circulates within the vehicle thermal management system (1) is described.

[0085] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0086] Referring to Fig. 5, in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the second heat exchange medium (hereinafter referred to as “coolant”) may flow along the 1-1 coolant line (822). More specifically, in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the coolant flowing along the 1-1 coolant line (822) sequentially passes through the water pump (W), the chiller (500), and the cabin cooler (320) and then flows back to the water pump (W). Here, the coolant passing through the chiller (500) may be cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant, which is the first heat exchange medium passing through the chiller (500), and may then move toward the cabin cooler (320).

[0087] Figure 6 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium when the battery cooling mode is additionally operated in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 6, when the battery cooling mode is additionally operated in the cooling mode of the vehicle, coolant can flow along the first coolant line (822) and the second coolant line (830).

[0089] First, when the battery cooling mode is additionally operated in the vehicle's cooling mode, the coolant flowing along the 1-1 coolant line (822) sequentially passes through the water pump (W), the chiller (500), and the cabin cooler (320) and then flows back to the water pump (W). Here, the coolant passing through the chiller (500) is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant passing through the chiller (500) and moves toward the cabin cooler (320) in a cooled state.

[0090] Next, when the battery cooling mode is additionally operated in the vehicle's cooling mode, the coolant flowing along the second coolant line (830) sequentially passes through the water pump (W), the chiller (500), and the battery (B) and then heads back to the water pump (W). Here, the coolant passing through the chiller (500) is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant passing through the chiller (500) and moves toward the battery (B) in a cooled state.

[0091] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium in the vehicle's heating mode.

[0092] Referring to Fig. 7, in the vehicle heating mode, coolant may flow along the first-second coolant line (824). More specifically, in the vehicle heating mode, coolant flowing along the first-second coolant line (824) sequentially passes through the water pump (W), the coolant heater (600), and the cabin cooler (320) and then flows back to the water pump (W). Here, the coolant is heated while passing through the coolant heater (600) and moves toward the cabin cooler (320) in a heated state.

[0093] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium when the dehumidification mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 8, when the dehumidification mode is additionally operated in the vehicle's heating mode, the coolant may flow along the first-second coolant line (824) and the second coolant line (830). (Here, the first-second coolant line (824) and the second coolant line (830) may be connected by a branch valve disposed on the circulation line (800).)

[0095] More specifically, when the dehumidification mode is additionally operated in the vehicle's heating mode, the coolant flowing along the first-second coolant line (824) and the second coolant line (830) sequentially passes through the water pump (W) positioned in front of the cabin cooler (320), the cabin cooler (320), the coolant heater (600), the water pump (W) positioned in front of the battery (B), the battery (B), and the chiller (500), and then again flows toward the water pump (W) positioned in front of the cabin cooler (320).

[0096] Here, the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant line passes through the first condenser (230) of the first air conditioning module (200) and the expansion valve, expands to a low-temperature, low-pressure state, and then passes through the branch valve arranged above the expansion valve based on FIG. 8 to flow into the evaporator (220) of the first air conditioning module (200). The refrigerant flowing into the evaporator (220) through this path intersects with the air passing through the evaporator (220). At this time, the air can be dried. When the dried air flows into the interior of the vehicle from the first air conditioning module (200), the interior of the vehicle can be dehumidified while the interior of the vehicle is being heated.

[0097] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the flow path of the second heat exchange medium when the battery warm-up mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 9, when the battery warm-up mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode, coolant may flow along the first-second coolant line (824) and the second coolant line (830). (Here, the first-second coolant line (824) and the second coolant line (830) may be connected by a branch valve disposed on the circulation line (800).)

[0099] More specifically, when the battery warm-up mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode, the coolant flowing along the first-second coolant line (824) and the second coolant line (830) sequentially passes through the water pump (W) positioned in front of the cabin cooler (320), the cabin cooler (320), the coolant heater (600), the water pump (W) positioned in front of the battery (B), the battery (B), and the chiller (500), and then again flows toward the water pump (W) positioned in front of the cabin cooler (320).

[0100] That is, when the battery warm-up mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode, the path along which the coolant, which is the second heat exchange medium, flows is the same as the path along which the coolant flows in Fig. 8. Here, the difference from the mode in Fig. 8 is that the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve is not directed to the evaporator (220) of the first air conditioning module (200) by the branch valve located above the expansion valve based on Fig. 9.

[0101] In this way, the vehicle thermal management system (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention can implement various coolant flow paths for implementing various air conditioning modes.

[0102] While the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims below. Furthermore, any differences resulting from such modifications and variations should be construed as being within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0103] [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1: Vehicle thermal management system 100: Compressor

[0105] 200: 1st air conditioning module 210: 1st case

[0106] 220: Evaporator 230: First condenser

[0107] 240: PTC heater 300: Second air conditioning module

[0108] 310: Second Case 320: Cabin Cooler

[0109] 400: Second condenser 500: Chiller

[0110] 510: Plate unit 512: First moving area

[0111] 514: Second Movement Area 516: Third Movement Area

[0112] 520: First inlet 530: First outlet

[0113] 540: Second inlet 550: Second outlet

[0114] 560: Third inlet 570: Third outlet

[0115] 600: Coolant heater 700: Accumulator

[0116] 800: Circulation line 810: First line, refrigerant line

[0117] 820: Second line, first coolant line 822: First-first coolant line

[0118] 824: Coolant line 1-2 830: Line 3, Coolant line 2

[0119] B: Battery W: Water pump

Claims

1. A refrigerant line connected to a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, and guiding a first heat exchange medium to cool or heat a first area of ​​the vehicle; A first coolant line connected to the cabin cooler and chiller and guiding a second heat exchange medium to cool a second area of ​​the vehicle; and A second coolant line connected to the battery and the chiller, heating a second area of ​​the vehicle, and guiding the second heat exchange medium to cool the battery; In the above chiller, the first heat exchange medium and the second heat exchange medium exchange heat, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the first heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller first exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller through the first coolant line and then exchanges heat with the second heat exchange medium flowing into the chiller through the second coolant line.

2. In paragraph 1, A first air conditioning module arranged in a first area of ​​the vehicle; A second air conditioning module arranged in a second area of ​​the vehicle; and A chiller having a plate unit having a first movement area through which the second heat exchange medium directed toward the second air conditioning module moves, a second movement area through which the second heat exchange medium directed toward the battery moves, and a third movement area through which the first heat exchange medium moves; A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the first heat exchange medium passes through the first movement area of ​​the plate unit of the chiller and then passes through the second movement area.

3. In paragraph 2, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the first heat exchange medium is heat-exchanged with the second heat exchange medium passing through the first movement area of ​​the plate unit of the chiller and then heat-exchanged with the second heat exchange medium passing through the second movement area of ​​the plate unit of the chiller.

4. In paragraph 2, The above chiller, A vehicle thermal management system comprising: a first inlet disposed in the first moving area of ​​the plate unit and introducing the first heat exchange medium flowing along the refrigerant line into the interior of the plate unit; and a first discharge port disposed in the second moving area of ​​the plate unit and discharging the first heat exchange medium to the exterior of the plate unit.

5. In paragraph 4, The above chiller, A vehicle thermal management system comprising: a second inlet disposed in the first moving area of ​​the plate unit and introducing the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first coolant line into the interior of the plate unit; and a second discharge port disposed in the first moving area of ​​the plate unit and discharging the second heat exchange medium to the exterior of the plate unit.

6. In paragraph 5, The above chiller, A vehicle thermal management system comprising: a third inlet disposed in the second moving area of ​​the plate unit and introducing the second heat exchange medium flowing along the second coolant line into the interior of the plate unit; and a third discharge port disposed in the second moving area of ​​the plate unit and discharging the second heat exchange medium to the exterior of the plate unit.

7. In paragraph 1, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the first coolant line and the second coolant line have a shared area through which the second heat exchange medium can move according to the vehicle's air conditioning mode.

8. In paragraph 1, When the vehicle is in cooling mode, A vehicle thermal management system characterized in that the first coolant line and the second coolant line constitute independent lines.

9. In paragraph 1, A coolant heater that accommodates the second heat exchange medium therein and heats the second heat exchange medium; The above first cooling water line, A first-first coolant line forming a path through which the second heat exchange medium passes through the chiller and the cabin cooler in the cooling mode of the vehicle; and A vehicle thermal management system comprising a first-second coolant line forming a path through which the second heat exchange medium passes through the coolant heater and the cabin cooler in the vehicle heating mode.

10. In paragraph 9, A vehicle thermal management system characterized in that the first-first coolant line and the first-second coolant line have a shared area through which the second heat exchange medium can move according to the vehicle's air conditioning mode.

11. In paragraph 9, A vehicle thermal management system characterized in that the first and second coolant lines and the second coolant line are connected to each other when the dehumidification mode is additionally operated in the vehicle's heating mode.

12. In paragraph 9, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the first and second coolant lines and the second coolant line are connected to each other when the battery temperature raising mode is additionally operated in the vehicle heating mode.

13. In paragraph 9, When the vehicle is in cooling mode, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first-first cooling water line passes through the chiller, exchanges heat with the first heat exchange medium, and then flows toward the cabin cooler.

14. In paragraph 9, When the vehicle is in heating mode, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first and second coolant lines passes through the coolant heater, is heated, and then flows toward the cabin cooler.

15. In paragraph 9, When the vehicle is in dehumidification mode, A vehicle thermal management system, characterized in that the second heat exchange medium flowing along the first and second coolant lines and the second coolant line sequentially passes through the coolant heater, the battery, and the chiller before reaching the cabin cooler.

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