IP Library Granted Patent US 12673535
Granted Patent B2
US 12673535 · App. 18/509,770 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Vehicular thermal management module

Inventors: Chun Kyu Kwon (Hwaseong-si, KR); Jong Woo Nam (Seoul, KR); Yong Woong Cha (Yongin-si, KR); Hyun Sub Lee (Hwaseong-si, KR)
Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY; KIA CORPORATION
B60H1/3229B60H1/00278B60H1/00385B60H1/00542F25B41/40F25B43/006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12673535
App. No.
18/509,770
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicular thermal management module includes a low-temperature-side manifold having a low-temperature refrigerant passage, a high-temperature-side manifold having a high-temperature refrigerant passage, and facing the low-temperature-side manifold, a compressor disposed between the low-temperature-side manifold and the high-temperature-side manifold, and an accumulator connected to an inlet of the compressor through a refrigerant line.

Claims (20)

1 . A vehicular thermal management module, comprising:

a module body including a front block part facing a front of a vehicle, a rear block part facing a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a cavity defined by the front block part and the rear block part;

a low-temperature-side manifold positioned within the internal cavity and having a low-temperature refrigerant passage;

a high-temperature-side manifold positioned within the internal cavity and having a high-temperature refrigerant passage, and facing the low-temperature-side manifold;

a compressor positioned within the internal cavity between the low-temperature-side manifold and the high-temperature-side manifold; and

an accumulator positioned within the internal cavity and connected to an inlet of the compressor through a refrigerant line;

wherein the low-temperature-side manifold includes a first plurality of internal passages configured to direct a low-temperature refrigerant into the accumulator;

wherein the high-temperature-side manifold includes a second plurality of internal passages configured to receive a refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and

wherein an outlet of the accumulator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the compressor, the low-temperature-side manifold is fluidly connected to an inlet of the accumulator, and the high-temperature-side manifold is fluidly connected to an outlet of the compressor.

2 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an inverter controlling the compressor contacts the low-temperature-side manifold.

3 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the accumulator contacts the high-temperature-side manifold.

4 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 1 , further comprising a low-temperature-side heat exchanger block contacting the low-temperature-side manifold, wherein the low-temperature-side heat exchanger block has a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant passes, and a coolant passage fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path.

5 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 4 , wherein the low-temperature-side manifold has an inlet passage fluidly communicating with an inlet of the refrigerant passage of the low-temperature-side heat exchanger block, and an outlet passage fluidly communicating with an outlet of the refrigerant passage of the low-temperature-side heat exchanger block.

6 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 4 , wherein the front block part is fluidly connected to an exterior heat exchanger adjacent to a front grille of a vehicle, wherein the front block part has a plurality of internal passages fluidly connected to the exterior heat exchanger, the high-temperature-side manifold, and the low-temperature-side manifold.

7 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 6 , wherein the front block part has an expansion valve embedded therein, and the expansion valve is fluidly connected to an inlet of the low-temperature-side heat exchanger block.

8 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 7 , wherein the rear block part is fluidly connected to an evaporator and an interior condenser positioned in an HVAC casing of an HVAC subsystem, wherein the rear block part has a plurality of internal passages fluidly connected to the evaporator, the interior condenser, the high-temperature-side manifold, and the low-temperature-side manifold.

9 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 8 , wherein the low-temperature-side manifold has a supply passage fluidly connected to an outlet of the exterior heat exchanger and an inlet of the evaporator.

10 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 8 , further comprising a high-temperature-side heat exchanger block contacting the high-temperature-side manifold, wherein the high-temperature-side heat exchanger block has a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant passes, and a coolant passage fluidly connected to a coolant circulation path.

11 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 10 , wherein the front block part includes a high-temperature-side control valve embedded therein, and the high-temperature-side control valve is configured to allow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to be directed to at least one of the exterior heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the high-temperature-side heat exchanger block, and the interior condenser.

12 . The vehicular thermal management module according to claim 10 , wherein the high-temperature-side manifold has an inlet passage fluidly communicating with an inlet of the refrigerant passage of the high-temperature-side heat exchanger block, and an outlet passage fluidly communicating with an outlet of the refrigerant passage of the high-temperature-side heat exchanger block.