HEATING PUMP SYSTEM

Abstract

A heat pump system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit that is flowable through by a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit has a first partial circuit with a low pressure accumulator, a compressor, a heat pump heater, and an exterior heat exchanger. The refrigerant circuit has a second partial circuit with an evaporator and a chiller. The refrigerant circuit has a valve arrangement. The first partial circuit and the second partial circuit are fluidically connected with one another exclusively via the valve arrangement.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a refrigerant circuit that is flowable through by a refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit having a first partial circuit with a low pressure accumulator, a compressor, a heat pump heater and an exterior heat exchanger, the refrigerant circuit having a second partial circuit with an evaporator and a chiller, wherein the refrigerant circuit has a valve arrangement, and the first partial circuit and the second partial circuit are fluidically connected with one another exclusively via the valve arrangement.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: in the first partial circuit the low pressure accumulator, the compressor, the heat pump heater and the exterior heat exchanger are connected with one another in a fluid-directing and serial manner via a first partial circuit line, the first partial circuit line is connected in a fluid-directing manner with the valve arrangement at a first partial circuit inlet arranged upstream of the low pressure accumulator and at a first partial circuit outlet arranged downstream of the exterior heat exchanger, in the first partial circuit the exterior heat exchanger flowable around via a bypass line, and the bypass line is connected at a bypass inlet, arranged upstream of the exterior heat exchanger to the first partial circuit line and at a bypass outlet with the valve arrangement in a fluid-directing manner.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: in the second partial circuit the evaporator and the chiller are connected with one another in a fluid-directing and parallel manner via a second partial circuit line, and the second partial circuit line is connected with the valve arrangement in a fluid-directing manner at a second partial circuit inlet arranged upstream of the evaporator and the chiller, and at a second partial circuit outlet arranged downstream of the evaporator and the chiller.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of: a regulatable expansion valve arranged directly upstream of the exterior heat exchanger, a regulatable expansion valve arranged directly upstream of the evaporator, and a regulatable expansion valve arranged directly upstream of the chiller.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein the heat pump system is operable in a cooling mode, wherein: in the cooling mode, the regulatable expansion valve arranged upstream of the exterior heat exchanger is opened in a throttle-free manner at the exterior heat exchanger; and the regulatable expansion valve at the evaporator and the regulatable expansion valve at the chiller respectively form a throttle, and in the cooling mode, the bypass line in the first partial circuit is closed through the valve arrangement; the first partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected to a second partial circuit inlet; and a second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected to the first partial circuit inlet.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein the heat pump system is operable in a first heating mode, wherein in the first heating mode, the regulatable expansion valve at the exterior heat exchanger and the regulatable expansion valve at the chiller respectively form a throttle; and the regulatable expansion valve at the evaporator is closed, and in the first heating mode, the bypass outlet is fluidically connected with a second partial circuit inlet through the valve arrangement; and the first partial circuit outlet and a second partial circuit outlet are fluidically connected to the first partial circuit inlet.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 4, wherein the heat pump system is operable in a second heating mode, wherein: in the second heating mode, the regulatable expansion valve at the exterior heat exchanger and the first partial circuit outlet are closed; the regulatable expansion valve is closed at the evaporator; and the regulatable expansion valve at the chiller forms a throttle, and in the second heating mode, through the valve arrangement the bypass outlet is fluidically connected with a second partial circuit inlet; and a second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected to the first partial circuit inlet.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: the valve arrangement has a first 2/1-way valve, a second 2/1-way valve and a non-return valve, the first 2/1-way valve interconnects the first partial circuit outlet and the first partial circuit inlet with one another, the second 2/1-way valve interconnects the bypass outlet and a second partial circuit inlet with one another, the non-return valve fluidically connects a first connection point, arranged upstream of the first 2/1-way valve, and a second connection point, arranged downstream of the second 2/1-way valve, and a second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet at a third connection point arranged downstream of the first 2/1-way valve.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: the valve arrangement has a 2/1-way valve and a 3/2-way valve, the 2/1-way valve interconnects the bypass outlet and a second partial circuit inlet with one another, the 3/2-way valve interconnects with one another the first partial circuit outlet, the first partial circuit inlet and a first connection point arranged downstream of the 2/1-way valve, and a second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet at a second connection point arranged downstream of the 3/2-way valve.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: the valve arrangement has a 4-way valve, the 4-way valve interconnects with one another the first partial circuit outlet, the first partial circuit inlet, the bypass outlet and a second partial circuit inlet, and a second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet at a connection point arranged downstream of the 4-way valve.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein the valve arrangement is securely connected with the low pressure accumulator, so that a separate structurally cohesive structural unit is formed.

12. A motor vehicle, comprising: a heat pump system, the heat pump system including a refrigerant circuit; the refrigerant circuit having a first partial circuit with a low pressure accumulator, a compressor, a heat pump heater, and an exterior heat exchanger; the refrigerant circuit having a second partial circuit with an evaporator and a chiller; the refrigerant circuit having a valve arrangement; wherein the first partial circuit and the second partial circuit are fluidically connected with one another exclusively via the valve arrangement.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: in the first partial circuit the low pressure accumulator, the compressor, the heat pump heater and the exterior heat exchanger are connected with one another in a fluid-directing and serial manner via a first partial circuit line; the first partial circuit line is connected in a fluid-directing manner with the valve arrangement at a first partial circuit inlet arranged upstream of the low pressure accumulator and at a first partial circuit outlet arranged downstream of the exterior heat exchanger; in the first partial circuit the exterior heat exchanger flowable around via a bypass line; and the bypass line is connected at a bypass inlet, arranged upstream of the exterior heat exchanger to the first partial circuit line and at a bypass outlet with the valve arrangement in a fluid-directing manner.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein: in the second partial circuit the evaporator and the chiller are connected with one another in a fluid-directing and parallel manner via a second partial circuit line; and the second partial circuit line is connected with the valve arrangement in a fluid-directing manner at a second partial circuit inlet arranged upstream of the evaporator and the chiller, and at a second partial circuit outlet arranged downstream of the evaporator and the chiller.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the heat pump system includes: a first regulatable expansion valve arranged directly upstream of the exterior heat exchanger; a second regulatable expansion valve arranged directly upstream of the evaporator; and a third regulatable expansion valve arranged directly upstream of the chiller.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the heat pump system is operable in a cooling mode, wherein: in the cooling mode, the first expansion valve is opened in a throttle-free manner at the exterior heat exchanger, and the second expansion valve and the third expansion valve respectively form a throttle; and in the cooling mode, the bypass line in the first partial circuit is closed through the valve arranged, the first partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected to the second partial circuit inlet, and the second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected to the first partial circuit inlet.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the heat pump system is operable in a first heating mode, wherein: in the heating mode, the first expansion valve and the third expansion valve respectively form a throttle, and the second expansion valve is closed; and in the first heating mode, the bypass outlet is fluidically connected with the second partial circuit inlet through the valve arrangement, and the first partial circuit outlet and the second partial circuit outlet are fluidically connected to the first partial circuit inlet.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the heat pump system is operable in a second heating mode, wherein: in the second heating mode, the first expansion valve and the first partial circuit outlet are closed, the second expansion valve is closed, and the third expansion valve forms a throttle, and in the second heating mode, through the valve arrangement the bypass outlet is fluidically connected with the second partial circuit inlet, and the second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected to the first partial circuit inlet.

19. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein: the valve arrangement includes a 2/1-way valve and a 3/2-way valve; the 2/1-way valve interconnects the bypass outlet and the second partial circuit inlet with one another; the 3/2-way valve interconnects with one another the first partial circuit outlet, the first partial circuit inlet and a first connection point arranged downstream of the 2/1-way valve; and the second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet at a second connection point arranged downstream of the 3/2-way valve.

20. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein: the valve arrangement includes a 4-way valve; the 4-way valve interconnects with one another the first partial circuit outlet, the first partial circuit inlet, the bypass outlet and the second partial circuit inlet; and the second partial circuit outlet is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet at a connection point arranged downstream of the 4-way valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] There are shown, respectively schematically

[0030] FIG. 1 a circuit diagram of a heat pump system according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 a circuit diagram of a heat pump system according to the invention in a cooling mode;

[0032] FIG. 3 a circuit diagram of a heat pump system according to the invention in a first heating mode;

[0033] FIG. 4 a circuit diagram of a heat pump according to the invention in a second heating mode;

[0034] FIGS. 5 to 7 views of a differently configured valve arrangement in the heat pump system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of a heat pump system 1 according to the invention for a motor vehicle. The heat pump system 1 has here a refrigerant circuit 2, able to be flowed through by a refrigerant, and two coolant circuits 3a and 3b, able to be flowed through by a coolant. The coolant circuits 3a and 3b are provided for the cooling of components 4 of the motor vehicle. The coolant circuits 3a and 3b comprise here several valves 5, several pumps 6, a coolant cooler 7 and a heater 8. The two coolant circuits 3a and 3b are able to be fluidically connected to one another via valves 5, so that the coolant can be cooled in the shared coolant cooler 7. However, the two coolant circuits 3a and 3b are also fluidically separable from one another via valves 5. The two coolant circuits 3a and 3b are connected to the refrigerant circuit 2 in a heat-transferring manner, as is explained more closely in the following.

[0036] The refrigerant circuit 2 has a first partial circuit 9a and a second partial circuit 9b.

[0037] The first partial circuit 9a comprises here a low pressure accumulator 10, a compressor 11, a heat pump heater 12 and an exterior heat exchanger 13. The heat pump heater 12 is a refrigerant-air heat exchanger and forms a part of an air-conditioning system 14 of the motor vehicle. The heat pump heater 12 is accordingly formed for heat exchange between the refrigerant and an interior air IL flowing in the air-conditioning system 14 to the interior. The exterior heat exchanger 13 is a refrigerant-air heat exchanger and is configured for heat exchange between the refrigerant and an ambient air UL. In the first partial circuit 9a, a regulatable expansion valve 13 is arranged directly upstream of the exterior heat exchanger 13.

[0038] The second partial circuit 9b comprises an evaporator 15 and a chiller 16. A regulatable expansion valve 15a is arranged upstream of the evaporator 15, and a regulatable expansion valve 16a is arranged upstream of the chiller 16. In addition, a non-return valve 15b is arranged directly downstream of the evaporator 15. The evaporator 15 is a refrigerant-air heat exchanger and forms a part of the air-conditioning system 14 of the motor vehicle. The evaporator 15 is configured here for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the interior air IL in the air-conditioning system 14. The chiller 16 is a refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger and is provided for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant in the coolant circuits 3a and 3b. The refrigerant circuit 2 and the coolant circuits 3a and 3b are therefore connected to one another in a heat-transferring manner in the heat pump system 1 via the chiller 16.

[0039] The refrigerant circuit 2 has, in addition, a valve arrangement 17, wherein the first partial circuit 9a and the second partial circuit 9b are fluidically connected to one another exclusively via the valve arrangement 17.

[0040] In the first partial circuit 9a, the low pressure accumulator 10, the compressor 11, the heat pump heater 12 and the exterior heat exchanger 13 are connected to one another in a fluid-directing and serial manner via first partial circuit line 18. The first partial circuit line 18 is connected in a fluid-directing manner to the valve arrangement 17 at a first partial circuit inlet 18a and at a first partial circuit outlet 18b. In addition, the exterior heat exchanger 13 is able to be flowed around via a bypass line 19. The bypass line 19 is connected here at a bypass inlet 19a to the first partial circuit line 18 and at a bypass outlet 19b with the valve arrangement 17 in a fluid-directing manner. In the second partial circuit 9b, the evaporator 15 and the chiller 16 are connected to one another via a second partial circuit line 20 in a fluid-directing and parallel manner. The second partial circuit line 20 is connected at a second partial circuit inlet 20a and at a second partial circuit outlet 20b with the valve arrangement 17 in a fluid-directing manner. In the valve arrangement 17 here the second partial circuit outlet 20b is always connected fluidically with the first partial circuit inlet 18a.

[0041] Via the valve arrangement 17, the partial circuits 9a and 9b can be interconnected with one another in a differing manner and thereby the heat pump system 1 can be operated in differing operating modes. The individual operating modes are explained more closely in the following with the aid of FIG. 2-4.

[0042] The valve arrangement 17 per se can be realized in a differing manner. In FIG. 1 the valve arrangement 17 is shown in a first embodiment and has a first 2/1-way valve 21, a second 2/1-way valve 22 and a non-return valve 23. The first 2/1-way valve 21 interconnects the first partial circuit outlet 18b and the first partial circuit inlet 18a with one another. The second 2/1-way valve 22 interconnects the bypass outlet 19b and the second partial circuit inlet 20a with one another. The non-return valve 23 connects fluidically with one another a connection point 24, arranged upstream of the first 2/1-way valve 21 and a connection point 25 arranged downstream of the second 2/1-way valve. In addition, the second partial circuit outlet 20b is fluidically connected at a connection point 32, arranged downstream of the first 2/1-way valve 21, with the first partial circuit inlet 18a. The individual valves 21, 22 and 23 of the valve arrangement 17 can be securely connected to the low pressure accumulator 10 or respectively can be flanged onto the low pressure accumulator 10, so that a structurally cohesive structural unit 33 is formed. The valve arrangement 17 in the first embodiment is also shown in FIG. 5.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the heat pump system 1 according to the invention in a cooling mode. In the cooling mode, the expansion valve 13a is opened in a throttle-free manner and the expansion valves 15a and 16a form respectively a throttle. The 2/1-way valves 21 and 22 are closed. Thereby, the first partial circuit outlet 18b is fluidically connected via the non-return valve 23 with the second partial circuit inlet 20a, and the second partial circuit outlet 20b is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet 18a. The bypass line 19 is closed. In FIG. 2, regions of the refrigerant circuit 2 which are not flowed through are represented by broken lines.

[0044] The refrigerant flows through the compressor 11 and is compressed. In the cooling mode, the heat pump heater 12 is switched off and no heat exchange takes place between the refrigerant and the interior air IL via the heat pump heater 12. As the bypass line 19 is closed, the refrigerant flows after the heat pump heater 12 via the expansion valve 13a, which is opened in a throttle-free manner, into the exterior heat exchanger 13. In the exterior heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant emits heat to the ambient air UL and is liquefied. Subsequently, the refrigerant is directed through the valve arrangement 17 from the first partial circuit outlet 18b via the non-return valve 23 to the second partial circuit inlet 20a to the evaporator 15 and to the chiller 16. The refrigerant is throttled through the expansion valves 15a and 16a and a transition takes place to the low pressure and to the lower temperature. Thereby, the refrigerant can evaporate in the evaporator 15 and in the chiller 16 with the corresponding heat absorption. As a result, the coolant of the two coolant circuits 3a and 3b in the chiller and the interior air IL of the air-conditioning system 14 are cooled in the evaporator 15. Subsequently, the refrigerant flows out from the chiller 16 and from the evaporator 15 to the second partial circuit outlet 20b and is directed through the valve arrangement 17 to the second partial circuit inlet 18a and thereby into the first partial circuit 9a.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the heat pump system 1 according to the invention in a first heating mode. In the first heating mode, the expansion valve 13a and the expansion valve 16a form respectively a throttle. The expansion valve 15a is closed. The 2/1-way valves 21 and 22 are opened. Thereby, the bypass outlet 19b is fluidically connected with the second partial circuit inlet 20a. In addition, the first partial circuit outlet 18b and the second partial circuit outlet 20b are fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet 18a. In FIG. 3, regions of the refrigerant circuit 2 which are not flowed through are represented by broken lines.

[0046] The refrigerant flows through the compressor 11 and is compressed. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows at a high pressure and at a high temperature into the heat pump heater 12. The heat pump heater 12 serves here as a condenser in which the refrigerant condenses and emits heat to the interior air IL. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows further to the bypass inlet 19a. As the expansion valve 13a forms a throttle and the bypass line 19 is opened, the refrigerant is divided at the bypass inlet 19a. A first part of the refrigerant flows via the bypass line 19 and is directed through the valve arrangement 17 to the second partial circuit inlet 20a. The first part of the refrigerant is then throttled via the expansion valve 16a and evaporates in the chiller 16 with corresponding heat absorption. Thereby, the coolant is cooled in the coolant circuits 3a and 3b. The evaporator 15 is not flowed through here. Subsequently, the refrigerant flows to the second partial circuit outlet 20b and is directed through the valve arrangement 17 to the first partial circuit inlet 18a and further into the first partial circuit 9a. A second part of the coolant is throttled via the expansion valve 13a and subsequently evaporates in the exterior heat exchanger 13. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows to the first partial circuit outlet 18b. Owing to the pressure difference, the non-return valve 23 remains closed and the refrigerant flows to the first partial circuit inlet 18a and further into the first partial circuit 9a.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the heat pump system 1 according to the invention in a second heating mode. In the second heating mode, the expansion valve 13a and the expansion valve 15a are closed at the evaporator. The expansion valve 16a forms a throttle. The 2/1-way valve 21 is closed and the 2/1-way valve 22 is opened. Thereby, the bypass outlet 19b is fluidically connected to the second partial circuit inlet 20a. In FIG. 4, regions of the refrigerant circuit 2 which are not flowed through are represented by broken lines.

[0048] In the second heating mode, the expansion valve 13a and thereby the first partial circuit outlet 18b is closed. In contrast to the first heating mode, the complete refrigerant flows via the bypass line 19 to the bypass outlet 19b. Otherwise, the second heating mode corresponds to the first heating mode according to FIG. 3.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a view of the valve arrangement 17 in the first embodiment in the structural unit 33. As explained in detail with the aid of FIG. 2-4, the valve arrangement 17 in the first embodiment has two 2/1-way valves 21 and 22 and the non-return valve 23. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is to be made at this point to the above remarks. The valves 21, 22 and 23 of the valve arrangement 17 are flanged onto the low pressure accumulator 10, so that the structurally cohesive structural unit 33 is formed.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a view of the valve arrangement 17 in a second embodiment in the structural unit 33. The valve arrangement 17 has here a 2/1-way valve 26 and a 3/2-way valve 27. The 2/1-way valve 26 interconnects the bypass outlet 19b and the second partial circuit inlet 20a with one another. The 3/2-way valve 27 interconnects the first partial circuit outlet 18b, the first partial circuit inlet 18a and a connection point 28, arranged downstream of the 2/1-way valve 26, at the second partial circuit line 20 with one another. In addition, the second partial circuit outlet 20b is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet 18a at a connection point 29 arranged downstream of the 3/2-way valve 27.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a view of the valve arrangement 17 in a third embodiment in the structural unit 33. The valve arrangement 17 has here a 4-way valve 30. The 4-way valve 30 interconnects the first partial circuit outlet 18b, the first partial circuit inlet 18a, the bypass outlet 19b and the second partial circuit inlet 20a with one another. In addition, the second partial circuit outlet 20b is fluidically connected with the first partial circuit inlet 18a at a connection point 31 arranged downstream of the 4-way valve 30.

[0052] It shall be understood that the operating modes described above in FIG. 2-4 are able to be realized in an identical manner with the embodiments of the valve arrangement 17 shown in FIG. 5-7.