A thermal management system for use in a vehicle includes a first cooling circuit for cooling a battery; and a second cooling circuit for cooling an electric motor configured to drive the vehicle. The first and second cooling circuits are connected to each other: (a) in series by a multi-way valve in a first mode of the thermal management system and in a first valve position of the multi-way valve, or (b) in parallel in a second mode of the thermal management system and in a second valve position of the multi-way valve. In a third mode of the thermal management system and in a third valve position, the multi-way valve is configured to take up an intermediate position in which coolant flows of the first and second cooling circuits are mixed with each other as needed.

A heat management device may include: a first heat circuit; a second heat circuit; a heat exchanger configured to cool the first heat circuit and heat the second heat circuit; air-heating apparatus configured to heat air using the second heat circuit; a battery and electrical apparatus configured to be cooled by the first heat circuit; and a radiator configured to exchange heat between the first heat circuit and outside air. A controller may be configured, in the second process, to cause the heat exchanger to cool the heat exchanger passage while a heat medium circulates in the heat exchanger passage and the battery passage and bypasses the radiator passage. The controller may be configured, in the third process, to cause the radiator to cool the heat medium while the heat medium circulates in the radiator passage and the electrical apparatus passage and bypasses the heat exchanger passage.

A heat management device may include: a first heat circuit; a second heat circuit; a heat exchanger configured to cool the first heat circuit and heat the second heat circuit; air-heating apparatus configured to heat air using the second heat circuit; a battery and electrical apparatus configured to be cooled by the first heat circuit; and a radiator configured to exchange heat between the first heat circuit and outside air. A controller may be configured, in the second process, to cause the heat exchanger to cool the heat exchanger passage while a heat medium circulates in the heat exchanger passage and the battery passage and bypasses the radiator passage. The controller may be configured, in the third process, to cause the radiator to cool the heat medium while the heat medium circulates in the radiator passage and the electrical apparatus passage and bypasses the heat exchanger passage.

A heat pump system, a heat management method and a vehicle are provided. The heat pump system includes an integrated heat exchanger integrated with a superconducting liquid flow passage and a refrigerant flow passage. The refrigerant flow passage is provided inside an on-board refrigerant circulation loop and is used for cooling and/or heating to adjust the temperature within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The superconducting liquid flow passage is in communication with a motor heat dissipating conduit, for absorbing the heat generated by an on board motor and transferring the heat to the integrated heat exchanger by means of phase change heat transfer. The heat pump system can increase the energy utilization rate for the vehicle and reduce the allowable ambient temperature of the heat pump system.

A vehicle includes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for heating and cooling a passenger compartment. The HVAC system includes a refrigerant loop and a coolant loop, and an auxiliary coolant loop for heating and cooling at least a portion of the passenger compartment. The auxiliary coolant loop includes a pump for moving a coolant, within the auxiliary coolant loop, through a first heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant loop via an expansion device, a second heat exchanger positioned within the passenger compartment, and a third heat exchanger coupled to the coolant loop. A flow control valve controls a flow of coolant to the third heat exchanger. The temperature of the coolant within the auxiliary coolant loop is controlled utilizing the flow valve and the pump. The first and third heat exchangers may be in parallel for controlling the movement of coolant there between to control temperature.

A vehicle includes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for heating and cooling a passenger compartment. The HVAC system includes a refrigerant loop and a coolant loop, and an auxiliary coolant loop for heating and cooling at least a portion of the passenger compartment. The auxiliary coolant loop includes a pump for moving a coolant, within the auxiliary coolant loop, through a first heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant loop via an expansion device, a second heat exchanger positioned within the passenger compartment, and a third heat exchanger coupled to the coolant loop. A flow control valve controls a flow of coolant to the third heat exchanger. The temperature of the coolant within the auxiliary coolant loop is controlled utilizing the flow valve and the pump. The first and third heat exchangers may be in parallel for controlling the movement of coolant there between to control temperature.

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle which can enhance heating performance of a plug-in hybrid vehicle by heating engine coolant necessary for heating using a refrigerant cycle. The heat pump system for a vehicle includes: an evaporator disposed inside an air-conditioning case to exchange heat between air and refrigerant; a heater core disposed inside the air-conditioning case to exchange heat between air and coolant; a first coolant line connecting an engine with the heater core so that the coolant is circulated; a first refrigerant circulation loop which circulates a compressor for compressing and discharging the refrigerant, an air-cooled condenser for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air, a first expansion means for expanding the refrigerant, and the evaporator in a cooling mode; and a second refrigerant circulation loop which circulates the compressor, a water-cooled heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant, a second expansion means for expanding the refrigerant, and the air-cooled condenser in a heating mode. The water-cooled heat exchanger is disposed in the first coolant line between the engine and the heater core to exchange heat between the refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure passing through the compressor and the coolant of the first coolant line.

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle which can enhance heating performance of a plug-in hybrid vehicle by heating engine coolant necessary for heating using a refrigerant cycle. The heat pump system for a vehicle includes: an evaporator disposed inside an air-conditioning case to exchange heat between air and refrigerant; a heater core disposed inside the air-conditioning case to exchange heat between air and coolant; a first coolant line connecting an engine with the heater core so that the coolant is circulated; a first refrigerant circulation loop which circulates a compressor for compressing and discharging the refrigerant, an air-cooled condenser for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air, a first expansion means for expanding the refrigerant, and the evaporator in a cooling mode; and a second refrigerant circulation loop which circulates the compressor, a water-cooled heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant, a second expansion means for expanding the refrigerant, and the air-cooled condenser in a heating mode. The water-cooled heat exchanger is disposed in the first coolant line between the engine and the heater core to exchange heat between the refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure passing through the compressor and the coolant of the first coolant line.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. In one example, a cabin of the vehicle may be heated firstly to a first temperature by flowing coolant to a heat exchanger, coolant may be diverted away from the heat exchanger and toward the engine in order to increase a temperature of the engine, and the coolant may then flow again to the heat exchanger in order to heat the cabin to a second temperature. An amount of fuel savings resulting from heating the engine by diverting coolant away from the heat exchanger may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle via a display device.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. In one example, a cabin of the vehicle may be heated firstly to a first temperature by flowing coolant to a heat exchanger, coolant may be diverted away from the heat exchanger and toward the engine in order to increase a temperature of the engine, and the coolant may then flow again to the heat exchanger in order to heat the cabin to a second temperature. An amount of fuel savings resulting from heating the engine by diverting coolant away from the heat exchanger may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle via a display device.