Integrated-Type Air-Conditioning System

An integrated-type air-conditioning system comprising:

• a refrigerant circuit configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough, the refrigerant circuit comprising:
• a first refrigerant line comprising a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger;
• and
• a second refrigerant line comprising a second expansion device and an integrated heat exchanger, the second refrigerant line branching from a branch point between the indoor heat exchanger and the first expansion device in the first refrigerant line and branching from a point between the compressor and the indoor heat exchanger through a switching valve to be connected to the compressor;
• a first coolant circuit comprising a battery, a first water pump, a first radiator, and a first valve, the first coolant circuit being configured to allow a coolant to flow therethrough and being connected to the integrated heat exchanger so as to allow the coolant to exchange heat with the refrigerant;
• a second coolant circuit comprising a PE part, a second water pump, a second radiator, and a second valve, the second coolant circuit being configured to allow the coolant to flow therethrough and being connected to the integrated heat exchanger so as to allow the coolant to exchange heat with the refrigerant;
• and
• a controller configured to control the compressor, the first expansion device, the second expansion device, the first water pump, the second water pump, the switching valve, the first valve, and the second valve according to an air-conditioning mode and a heat management mode.

A method of operating an integrated-type air-conditioning system in an electric vehicle, the method comprising:

• allowing a refrigerant to flow through refrigerant circuit that comprises a first refrigerant line and a second refrigerant line, the first refrigerant line comprising a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger and the second refrigerant line comprising a second expansion device and an integrated heat exchanger, wherein the second refrigerant line branches from a branch point between the indoor heat exchanger and the first expansion device in the first refrigerant line and branches from a point between the compressor and the indoor heat exchanger through a switching valve to be connected to the compressor;
• allowing a coolant to flow through a first coolant circuit that is connected to the integrated heat exchanger so that the coolant exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the first coolant circuit comprising a battery, a first water pump, a first radiator, and a first valve;
• allowing the coolant to flow through a second coolant circuit that is connected to the integrated heat exchanger so that the coolant exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the second coolant circuit comprising a PE (power electric) part, a second water pump, a second radiator, and a second valve;
• and
• controlling the compressor, the first expansion device, the second expansion device, the first water pump, the second water pump, the switching valve, the first valve, and the second valve according to an air-conditioning mode and a heat management mode.