CN118119516A

CN118119516A - Temperature control device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN118119516A
Application number: CN202280070489.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·雷宾格尔; D·施罗德
Original assignee: Audi AG
Current assignee: Audi AG
Priority date: 2021-10-19
Filing date: 2022-08-30
Publication date: 2024-05-31
Also published as: WO2023066553A1; DE102021127001A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature control device (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising an air conditioner (18) in which an evaporator (22) designed to cool an air flow and at least one heating device (28) designed to heat the air flow are arranged. The air conditioner (18) has at least one outlet (42) which is designed to introduce air from the air conditioner (18) into the passenger compartment (34) of the motor vehicle. The tempering device (10) comprises a tempering container (16) having a receiving chamber (14) for the articles to be tempered. Air from an air conditioner (18) can be introduced into a receiving chamber (14) of a tempering container (16) via at least one delivery line (44) of the tempering device (10). The temperature-regulating container (16) is connected to the air conditioner (18) via at least one return line (58) of the temperature-regulating device (10). Air from the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) can be returned to the air conditioner (18) via at least one return line (58). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having such a temperature control device (10).

Description

Temperature control device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a temperature control device (Temperiervorrichtung) for a motor vehicle, comprising: an air conditioner for providing cool air and/or hot air; a tempering container having a receiving chamber for an article to be tempered. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a temperature control device.

Background

In motor vehicles, it is desirable if existing cold or hot air streams are used to condition, i.e. heat or keep warm or cool, objects. The conditioned air flow itself may be provided by an air conditioner of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

In this respect, EP 3 075 583 A2 describes a container system for a vehicle in which air conditioned by the air conditioning system of the vehicle is used. In this case, conditioned, i.e. hot or cold, air is introduced into the closed receiving container before the air is discharged via the outlet opening in the dashboard. When the actuating switch is switched on, then the conditioned air flows first through the receiving container and then out of the outlet opening in the dashboard. Conversely, when the operating switch is turned off, the conditioned air flows directly from the outlet.

In this case, it is considered disadvantageous that the conditioned air is only fed to the outlet after flowing through the receiving container, when the conditioned air is used for cooling or heating the articles in the receiving container. This may be accompanied by significant flow losses, which are detrimental to the efficiency of the air conditioning system.

DE 20 2010 000 855 U1 describes a vehicle with an air conditioning device and a beverage carrier, which is formed by a recess in the inner panel. A helically extending medium channel is formed in the wall of the recess forming the beverage holder. Fluid conditioned by the air conditioning system of the vehicle, for example air to be discharged into the passenger compartment, can be introduced into the medium channel via the supply line. And the discharge line of the medium channel is coupled to an air conditioning system of the vehicle.

In connection with this, the situation is considered disadvantageous in that the beverage container may be inserted into the recess. However, due to the design of the recess which is open towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle, only a relatively inefficient tempering of the beverage containers received in the beverage carrier can be achieved.

Furthermore, CN 103453630A describes a storage container for a vehicle, wherein the cold and heat source device comprises a vehicle air conditioning unit. The first line here leads from the hot core into the first chamber. The second line leads from the evaporator chamber arranged beside the heat core into the second chamber.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a tempering device of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which articles received in a receiving chamber of a tempering container can be tempered in an improved manner, and to provide a motor vehicle having such a tempering device.

The object is achieved by a temperature control device having the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments with suitable developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims and in the following description.

The temperature control device for a motor vehicle according to the invention comprises an air conditioner in which an evaporator designed to cool an air flow and at least one heating device designed to heat the air flow are arranged. The air conditioner has at least one outlet which is designed for introducing air from the air conditioner into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The tempering device further comprises a tempering container having a receiving chamber for the articles to be tempered. The air from the air conditioner can be introduced into the receiving chamber of the tempering container via at least one conveying line of the tempering device. The tempering container is connected to the air conditioner via at least one return line of the tempering device. The air from the receiving chamber of the tempering container can be led back into the air conditioner via at least one return line.

The temperature control device can thus be configured to branch off cooled and/or heated air from the air conditioner and to convey a corresponding portion of the air flow via the at least one conveying line to the receiving chamber of the temperature control container. At the same time, another portion of the air flow may be delivered from the air conditioner to the at least one outlet. The air flow which is originally present when the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle comprising the air conditioner is operated can therefore be split off and used on the one hand for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and on the other hand, if necessary, for tempering, i.e. heating or keeping warm and/or cooling, the articles or goods received in the receiving chamber of the tempering container. This is low cost and very efficient. The articles received in the receiving chamber of the tempering container can thus be tempered in an improved manner.

Since the system components of the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle which are present in the past serve to supply hot air and/or cold air, i.e. preferably the evaporator in the refrigerant circuit or the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning system, and at least one heating device of the air conditioning system, the receiving chamber of the temperature control container can be charged with hot air and/or cold air in a particularly cost-effective manner. In addition, the larger receiving chamber of the temperature regulating container itself can be regulated, i.e. cooled and/or heated or warmed, very simply.

The residual cold or residual heat contained in the air from the receiving chamber of the tempering container is led back into the air conditioner via at least one return line. The circulating air operation through the tempering container closed on the peripheral side except for the connection point for the at least one conveying line and for the at least one return line ensures a particularly efficient cooling or heating of the articles received in the receiving chamber. A solution for passive tempering of items received in a tempering container is thus achieved by using a cold air flow and/or a hot air flow from an air conditioner, wherein the tempering air flow is advantageously conducted back into the air conditioner or back into the housing of the air conditioner.

Furthermore, by targeted functional activation (in the form of introducing air from the air conditioner into the at least one supply line), the cooling and/or heating requirements of the articles received in the receiving chamber can be adjusted and/or regulated very simply, in particular automatically.

In order to avoid a reduction in the amount of air introduced into the passenger compartment or cabin of the motor vehicle during operation of the air conditioner as a result of the simultaneous supply of air to the passenger compartment and the temperature control container, the supply of the fan, which is preferably arranged in the air conditioner, can optionally be increased, for example, by changing the corresponding control signal associated with the fan/blower. In particular when the temperature-regulating container is loaded with an increased air quantity, the intake air flow into the passenger compartment or into the cabin can thus be kept substantially constant by operating the fan and thus a balance is ensured.

In particular, by determining at least one operating time window or operating period during which air from the air conditioner is introduced into the receiving chamber via the at least one conveying line, energy-consuming continuous operation of the tempering container can be avoided. This is also advantageous in terms of efficient and energy-saving operation of the tempering device.

Furthermore, the power of the air conditioner of the motor vehicle and thus of the air conditioning system comprising the air conditioner in terms of cooling and/or heating the passenger compartment is hardly affected. In particular, furthermore, a particularly high efficiency of the air conditioning system can be achieved, for example, by switching off the tempering container, if the tempering container is not required for tempering the articles, wherein, for example, at least one supply line is closed and thus a line branch of the tempering system, in which the tempering container is located, is deactivated. Both aspects are advantageous in terms of the range of the motor vehicle equipped with the air conditioning system.

This applies not only to the case where the motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine by means of which a refrigerant compressor of the air conditioning device is driven, which refrigerant compressor is preferably arranged in a refrigerant circuit or refrigerant circuit of the motor vehicle comprising an evaporator; but also to electric or hybrid vehicles having an electrically driven refrigerant compressor.

At least one heating device is arranged in the air conditioner, based on the flow direction of the air flow, i.e. on the air side, preferably downstream of the evaporator. In this way, the air flow cooled by means of the evaporator can be reheated or warmed if required, but in particular in the dehumidification mode, very simply by means of the at least one heating device. If, for example, at very high cooling demands, the air flow cooled by means of the evaporator does not need to be heated at all by means of at least one heating device, it is preferably possible to prohibit the at least one heating device from being supplied with air from the evaporator by means of a valve or a gas valve arranged in the air conditioner upstream of the at least one heating device, so that the cooled air bypasses the at least one heating device and is conveyed directly to at least one outlet and/or at least one conveying line of the air conditioner.

In addition, a fan is preferably arranged in the air conditioner, by means of which the intensity of the air flow applied to the evaporator and/or the at least one heating device during operation of the temperature control device can be adjusted.

In a motor vehicle designed as a passenger vehicle, such an air conditioner, which can be arranged, for example, in the central region of the dashboard of the motor vehicle, furthermore preferably has at least one inlet for fresh air or for circulating air returned from the passenger compartment or for part of the circulating air, i.e. for mixing fresh air or ambient air with the circulating air returned from the passenger compartment. If ambient air can be fed to the air conditioner via the at least one inlet, the heat or cold contained in the ambient air can be used in an advantageous manner for heating or cooling the articles received in the receiving chamber of the tempering container.

The tempering container can be connected to the air conditioner via exactly one supply line. This is advantageous in terms of simple wiring and in terms of low costs for providing the temperature regulating device with an inlet air flow.

Additionally or alternatively, the tempering container can be connected to the air conditioner via exactly one return line. This situation is furthermore accompanied in an advantageous manner by a low cost for providing the temperature regulating device with an exhaust gas flow and for wiring.

Furthermore, if the tempering container is connected to the air conditioner only via exactly one conveying line and/or via exactly one return line, fewer potential leakage points are present. A high tightness of the tempering device comprising the tempering container can thus be ensured particularly simply.

It has further proven to be advantageous if the tempering container is connected to the air conditioner via a first supply line and via a second supply line. The air heated by means of the at least one heating device can be introduced into the receiving chamber of the tempering container via the first supply line. The air cooled by means of the evaporator can be introduced via the second supply line into the receiving chamber of the tempering container bypassing the at least one heating device. The hot air provided at the heating device during operation of the heating device and the cold air provided at the evaporator during operation of the evaporator can in this way be introduced in a particularly targeted manner directly and thus with low loss into the receiving chamber of the tempering container. Thus, for example, when receiving an item to be heated or kept warm in the receiving chamber, a corresponding heating or keeping warm can be performed particularly effectively. Similarly, when receiving the object to be cooled in the receiving chamber, the object can be cooled very effectively by means of the cold air provided at the evaporator, which is introduced directly via the second conveying line and bypassing the at least one heating device into the receiving chamber of the tempering container.

In particular, it can be provided that the temperature-regulating container is connected to the air conditioner via the first and second supply lines, but that exactly one common return line is provided, via which the temperature-regulating container is connected to the air conditioner. In this case, low costs for wiring can be realized in an advantageous manner in terms of the return line.

Preferably, the first transfer line opens into a first subchamber of the receiving chamber and the second transfer line opens into a second subchamber of the receiving chamber. The second sub-chamber is separated from the first sub-chamber by a separating wall of the tempering container. The heating or keeping warm of the respective articles can thus be achieved simultaneously in the first subchamber, while the further articles can be cooled or kept cooled in the second subchamber. Thus, both heating and cooling can be achieved in the receiving chamber of the tempering container. This is advantageous, for example, in the case that on the one hand the food etc. is kept warm or heated in the first sub-chamber and on the other hand the beverage is cooled, for example in the second sub-chamber.

Preferably, the separating wall has at least one through-opening which can be selectively closed or at least partially opened by means of at least one closing element. Thus, by placing the at least one closing element in the closed position, it is ensured that the at least one through-hole is closed. In this case, the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber are well thermally isolated from each other. Conversely, if the at least one closing element is moved into the open position and thus at least partially opens the at least one through-hole, air can be transferred from the first subchamber into the second subchamber or from the second subchamber into the first subchamber. For this purpose, the closure element and/or the separating wall can also be removed completely, for example by the operator, for example by the user of the motor vehicle, manually removing the closure element and/or the separating wall from the temperature-regulating container.

The transfer of air between the subchambers can for example be achieved by introducing hot air into both subchambers of the receiving chamber via the first conveying line only or cold air into both subchambers of the receiving chamber via the second conveying line only. Accordingly, the entire volume of the receiving chamber can be selectively used for cooling or heating the articles received in the subchambers by opening at least one through hole.

The large through-opening can be formed in the separating wall, which can be closed or at least partially opened by means of a correspondingly large-area closing element. This can be achieved in a technically particularly simple and cost-effective manner. Additionally or alternatively, a plurality of through holes may be provided in the dividing wall, so that air can be transferred from the first subchamber into the second subchamber or from the second subchamber into the first subchamber by placing the closure element in the open position at a plurality of points. This is advantageous in that the subchamber is loaded with air over a large area and the air in the subchamber is well mixed.

Preferably, the temperature regulating container is connected to the air conditioner via a first return line and via a second return line. In this case, hot air can be returned from the receiving chamber of the tempering container to the air conditioner via the first return line, and cold air can be returned from the receiving chamber of the tempering container to the air conditioner via the second return line. The provision of two return lines enables particularly energy-efficient operation of the temperature control device. The hot air and the cold air can thus be conducted back into the air conditioner in a targeted manner at the energy-efficient location.

Preferably, the first return line opens into the air conditioner downstream of the evaporator. In this way, it is avoided that the evaporator is loaded with hot air flowing out of the first return line. This is particularly advantageous in terms of energy efficiency when using the tempering container. The latter applies in particular to the case that the first return line opens into the air conditioner approximately at the level of the at least one heating device.

In particular, the first return line may be connected to an inlet point at the air conditioner downstream of the at least one gas valve and upstream of the heating device into the air conditioner, wherein the at least one gas valve is arranged between the evaporator and the at least one heating device. In this way, the hot air can be conducted back into the air conditioner in such a way that it is independent of the position of at least one air valve, by means of which the mixing temperature of the air escaping from the air conditioner can be regulated. This is particularly advantageous in terms of energy.

In addition or alternatively, it may be provided that the second return line opens into the air conditioner upstream of the evaporator. The residual cooling contained in the cold air can thus be utilized very well in this way.

Preferably, the temperature control device has at least one closing element, by means of which at least one supply line and/or at least one return line can be prevented from flowing through. As such a closing element, for example, at least one closing valve can be provided, which in its closed position closes the at least one supply line and/or the at least one return line and thus prevents the at least one supply line and/or the at least one return line from flowing through. Accordingly, the at least one supply line and/or the at least one return line can be opened at least partially by placing the at least one closure element in the open position.

In particular, it can be provided that the at least one supply line and/or the at least one return line can be partially flowed through by placing the at least one closure element in the partially open position. In this way, the intensity of the air flow through the at least one feed line and/or the at least one return line can be adjusted very simply.

In particular, when it is not necessary to condition the articles received in the receiving chamber of the tempering container, the tempering container can be stopped by providing at least one closing element. This is advantageous in terms of the efficiency with which the air for cooling and/or heating the passenger compartment and thus for air conditioning or tempering the passenger compartment is subsequently used.

The at least one closing element may be arranged at an inlet of the at least one conveying line, at which inlet the at least one conveying line is coupled to the air conditioner or to a housing of the air conditioner. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one closing element may be arranged at an outlet of the at least one conveying line, at which outlet the at least one conveying line is coupled to the tempering container. Furthermore, at least one closure element may be arranged between the inlet and the outlet of the at least one conveying line. In this way, a high flexibility in the placement of the at least one closing element in the region of the conveying line is achieved, which makes it possible to take place in a proper manner, in particular with respect to the available installation space.

Similarly, the at least one closing element may be arranged at an inlet of the at least one return line, at which inlet the at least one return line is coupled to the tempering container. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one closing element may be arranged at an outlet of the at least one return line, at which outlet the at least one return line is coupled to the air conditioner or to a housing of the air conditioner. Furthermore, at least one closure element may be arranged between the inlet and the outlet of the at least one return line. The advantages described in relation to the supply line apply correspondingly here.

It has further proved to be advantageous if the temperature control device has at least one fan arranged outside the air conditioner, by means of which the receiving chamber of the temperature control container can be caused to flow through. In the at least one conveying line, i.e. upstream of the receiving chamber, a pressure fan can be arranged, for example, by means of which the receiving chamber of the tempering container can be caused to flow through. In addition or alternatively, a suction fan can be arranged in the at least one return line, by means of which suction fan the receiving chamber of the tempering container can be caused to flow through. By means of such a pressure fan and/or such a suction fan, in particular, an active air quantity supply can be achieved, which is independent of the air flow provided by the ventilation device, which is preferably arranged in the air conditioner.

Furthermore, a particularly large air mass flow through the receiving chamber of the tempering container can be achieved by means of at least one such fan or an additional fan arranged outside the air conditioner. This is advantageous in terms of efficient cooling and/or heating of the articles received in the receiving chamber.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one fan or an additional fan arranged outside the air conditioner may be arranged in the tempering container. In this way, in particular large and therefore powerful fans can be accommodated very simply within the temperature control device.

Such a fan may also be provided in each of the subchambers if the receiving chamber of the tempering container is divided into a first subchamber and a second subchamber.

At least one fan arranged outside the air conditioner is also used in an advantageous manner for good mixing of the air flowing through the receiving chamber of the temperature-regulating container when the fan is running. This is advantageous in respect of a uniform cooling and/or heating of the articles received in the receiving chamber.

The motor vehicle according to the invention has a temperature control device according to the invention. Here, the air conditioner is a component of an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle. The refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle preferably comprises, in addition to an evaporator, a refrigerant compressor and (when using a subcritical refrigerant) a condenser for liquefaction or (when using a supercritical refrigerant) a gas cooler for cooling the refrigerant compressed by means of the refrigerant compressor. Furthermore, the refrigerant cycle of the air conditioning apparatus preferably comprises an expansion mechanism upstream of the evaporator, by means of which the refrigerant is moderated from a high pressure level to a low pressure level.

Furthermore, the air conditioning system preferably comprises a fan arranged in the air conditioner, which fan is designed to charge the evaporator with an air flow which is cooled by the evaporator during operation of the refrigerant circuit or the refrigerant circuit. The air conditioning system further comprises at least one heating device, which is arranged in the air conditioner or in a housing of the air conditioner.

The at least one heating device may be provided by or comprise a heat exchanger which is loaded with coolant when the heating device is in operation. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one heating device may comprise a heat spreader in which compressed refrigerant is used as a heat source. Additionally or alternatively, the heating means may be formed by or comprise an electric heater. In addition or alternatively, the at least one heating device may be provided by or comprise, for example, a PTC element (ptc=positive temperature coefficient), which is subjected to an electrical current during operation of the heating device.

In particular, by adjusting the temperature of the air flow present on the outlet side of the evaporator and/or by adjusting the orientation of the air valve arranged between the evaporator and the at least one heating device, the temperature of the air that is fed from the air conditioner via the at least one feed line to the receiving chamber of the tempering container can be actively influenced or changed.

However, according to a design of the at least one heating device, it can also be provided that the heating power of the heating device is varied in order to influence the temperature of the air supplied to the receiving chamber of the tempering container via the at least one supply line. The latter applies in particular if the at least one heating device is designed as a heat emitter and/or an electric heater or comprises such a heating element.

Preferably, the temperature regulating container is arranged in the front compartment of the motor vehicle. In this way, a short path for guiding the air flow through the at least one conveying line up to the receiving chamber of the tempering container and back from the receiving chamber of the tempering container to the air conditioner through the at least one return line can be achieved. This is advantageous in terms of a simple construction of the tempering device and a simple installation of the tempering container in the motor vehicle.

In particular, at least one tempering container may be arranged in the luggage compartment of the front compartment. In this case, the tempering container is very easily accessible by opening the luggage compartment. This is advantageous in terms of using the articles received in the tempering container, for example, during a driving pause of a motor vehicle equipped with the tempering device. For example, during such an pause, the tempering container can be opened by a user of the motor vehicle in order to remove the tempered product.

The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the temperature control device according to the invention also apply to the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa.

The invention thus also includes a development of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which has the features as already described in connection with the development of the temperature control device according to the invention. For this reason, a corresponding development of the motor vehicle according to the invention is not described here.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger or commercial motor vehicle, or as a motor bus.

The invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments. Thus, the invention also includes implementations having a combination of features of a plurality of the described embodiments, respectively, as long as the embodiments are not described as mutually exclusive.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described below. The figure shows:

Fig. 1 shows a first variant of a temperature control device for a motor vehicle in a very schematic manner, wherein an air conditioner is coupled to a temperature control container via exactly one supply line and via exactly one return line;

Fig. 2 shows a variant of the tempering device, in which the tempering container is coupled to the air conditioner via two supply lines and a common return line;

fig. 3 shows a further variant of the temperature control device, in which two supply lines and two return lines are provided;

Fig. 4 shows a variant of the tempering device according to fig. 2, wherein the receiving chamber of the tempering container is divided into two subchambers by means of a dividing wall;

fig. 5 shows a variant of the tempering device according to fig. 3, wherein the receiving chamber of the tempering container is likewise divided into two subchambers by means of a dividing wall;

Fig. 6 shows a variant of the temperature control device according to fig. 5, wherein in particular the possible positions of the closing valve and the fan are schematically shown; and

Fig. 7 shows a motor vehicle with a temperature control device in a very schematic manner, wherein the air conditioner is a component of the air conditioning device of the motor vehicle.

Detailed Description

The examples described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the examples, the described components of the embodiments are each individual features of the invention which can be regarded as independent of one another and which also improve the invention independently of one another. Thus, the present disclosure should also include different combinations of features than those of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the described embodiments may be supplemented by other of the already described features of the invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate functionally identical elements, respectively.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a temperature control device 10, which can be used, for example, in a motor vehicle 12 (see fig. 7). By means of the tempering device 10, a passive cooling and/or heating of the articles or goods that can be arranged or placed in the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 can be achieved. For this purpose, the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 is loaded with hot air and/or cold air from the air conditioner 18 of the tempering device 10. The tempering container 16 is designed as a container which is closed with respect to the environment and can therefore also be referred to as an incubator. For accessing the items (not shown) received in the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16, at least one lid of the tempering container 16 may be opened, for example. The tempering container 16 or the oven can be placed at any location in the motor vehicle 12.

However, it is preferable to implement an air flow regulating device, here in the form of an air conditioner 18, coupled to what would otherwise be present in the motor vehicle 12. The structure of the preferred arrangement of the air conditioner 18 (which is schematically shown in fig. 1) will be described in detail below. In one aspect, an evaporator 22 is disposed in the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. The evaporator 22 is connected in a manner known per se to a refrigerant circuit 24 or a refrigerant circuit, which is an integral part of an air conditioning system 26 of the motor vehicle 12 (see fig. 7).

In addition, at least one heating device 28 of an air conditioning system 26 is arranged in the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. The at least one heating device 28 may be formed by a heat spreader and/or a heat exchanger through which a coolant flows and/or an electric heater or have at least one such heating means. The heating device 28 is arranged downstream of the evaporator 22 within the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18.

During operation of the air conditioning system 26, the evaporator 22 is acted upon by air via a fan 30, which is likewise arranged in the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18, and this air enters the housing 20 via at least one inlet 32. In particular fresh air or ambient air, may enter the air conditioner 18 via the inlet 32. In addition, in the circulating air operation of the air conditioning system 26, air from the passenger compartment 34 of the motor vehicle 12 can be introduced as circulating air into the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18 via the at least one inlet 32. In partial cycle air operation, both cycle air and fresh air may be introduced into the air conditioner 18. This mode of operation is indicated in fig. 1 by the arrow pointing to the inlet 32.

In the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18, a gas valve 36 is preferably arranged downstream of the evaporator 22 and upstream of the at least one heating device 28. When the air valve 36 is open, air cooled by the evaporator 22 flows to the at least one heating device 28 and continues to flow from the heating device 28 through the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. The corresponding flow of hot air 38 is indicated in fig. 1 by a corresponding arrow. Conversely, when the gas valve 36 is closed, at least one heating device 28 is bypassed or bypassed. The bypass of the at least one heating device 28 is indicated in fig. 1 by further arrows by means of the air conditioner 18 or a corresponding cold air flow 40 provided in the air conditioner 18.

According to fig. 1, the air conditioner 18 or the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18 has at least one outlet 42. At least one outlet 42 is configured to direct air from the air conditioner 18 into the passenger compartment 34 of the motor vehicle 12. In particular, a corresponding air guide channel can be guided from a plurality of such outlets 42 to an air outlet opening which is arranged at different points in the motor vehicle 12, but which is not shown separately here for reasons of clarity.

In the tempering device 10 according to fig. 1, air from the air conditioner 18 may be introduced into the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container via exactly one conveying line 44. To this end, the delivery conduit 44 has an inlet 46 at which the delivery conduit 44 is coupled to the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. One of the hot air streams 38 and/or one of the cold air streams 40 may be introduced into the transfer line 44 via the inlet 46.

In this case, a first closing element in the form of a first valve 48 and a second closing element in the form of a second valve 50 are schematically shown in fig. 1. If the first valve 48 is closed, one of the hot air flows 40 is blocked and only cold air enters the delivery line 44 via the inlet 46. In contrast, if the first valve 48 is opened and the second valve 50 is closed, one of the cold air streams 40 is blocked by the second valve 50 and only one of the hot air streams 38 enters the transfer line 44 via the inlet 46. When the first and second valves 48, 50 are opened, hot and cold air enters the transfer line 44 via the inlet 46. This results in a mixing temperature which can be varied by varying the proportions of cold air and hot air. The valves 48, 50 serve as closure elements by means of which the feed line 44 can be prevented from flowing through.

In the region of the outlet 52, the conveying line 44 is coupled to the tempering container 16. Accordingly, cold air 54 (which is indicated by a first arrow in fig. 1) or hot air 56 (which is indicated by a second arrow in fig. 2) can enter the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 via exactly one conveying line 44 and flow through the tempering container 16.

Furthermore, in the tempering device 10 according to fig. 1, the tempering container 16 is connected to the air conditioner 18 via exactly one return line 58. Via the return line 58, the air from the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 can be returned to the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18, for example in the form of cold air 54 or hot air 56. To this end, the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18 has a further inlet 60, at which the return line 58 is coupled to the air conditioner 18. Furthermore, the tempering container 16 has an outlet 62, at which the return line 58 is coupled to the tempering container 16.

The heat or cold generated in the air conditioner 18 by operating the evaporator 22 and/or the at least one heating device 28 is therefore used on the one hand for cooling and/or dehumidifying or heating the passenger compartment 34. This is illustrated in fig. 1 by a hot or cold air flow of the hot or cold air flow 38, 40 being delivered to at least one outlet 42 which is designed for introducing air from the air conditioner 18 into the passenger compartment 34 of the motor vehicle 12.

In addition, at least one of the hot air stream 38 and/or the cold air stream 40 is measured in the air conditioner 18. The respective hot air stream 38 and/or cold air stream 40 is introduced into the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 via at least one conveying line 44. It is furthermore preferred that the heat and/or cold contained in the fresh air supplied to the air conditioner 18 can be used in the tempering device 10 in such a way that the fresh air is supplied via the supply line 44 to the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16. The evaporator 22 and/or the heating device 28 need not be operated.

The amount of air introduced into the receiving chamber 14 of the temperature-regulating container 16 via the supply line 44 is on the one hand dependent on the cross-section of the supply line 44 through which flow can take place. Furthermore, the amount of air introduced into the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 may be varied by means of the air valve 36 and/or the valves 48, 50. Additionally or alternatively, the amount of air that is introduced into the passenger compartment 34 on the one hand and into the tempering container 16 on the other hand can be influenced by varying the rotational speed of the fan 30. In particular, the air quantity can thus be set within the tempering container 16 by means of the valve and/or the fan 30. Passive air volume provision may be achieved here, wherein the fan 30 provides an air flow. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to influence which part of the air or air flow enters the supply line 44 by adjusting the valves 48, 50.

Alternatively, the active air volume supply can be achieved by using at least one additional fan 90, 98, 100 (see fig. 3,4 or 5). Such fans may be arranged, for example, in the conveying line 44 and/or the return line 58 and/or the receiving chamber 14. In this case, additionally or alternatively, the desired air quantity can be set by at least one fan 90, 98, 100 or an additional fan.

In operation of the temperature control device 10, the evaporator 22 dehumidifies and cools an air flow provided by means of the fan 30, which is introduced into an interior or passenger compartment 34 of the motor vehicle 12 during operation of an air conditioning device 26 (see fig. 7) of the motor vehicle 12. However, a part of the air flow is used here for conditioning the oven or tempering container 16 via a separate air channel in the form of at least one conveying line 44.

Furthermore, if necessary during operation of the tempering device 10, the at least one heating device 28 heats the air flow from the evaporator 22, so that the air which is firstly cooled and simultaneously dehumidified and then at least slightly heated again by means of the at least one heating device 28 is conveyed via the conveying line 44 to the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16. The air from the air conditioner 18 may be introduced into the receiving chamber 14 as hot air 56 while correspondingly strongly heating the cooled and dehumidified air stream.

When the air from the evaporator 22 is not heated at all or at most slightly by means of the heating device 28, the air from the air conditioner 18 is in contrast introduced into the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 in the form of cold air 54. The tempering container 16 and thus the articles or goods (not shown here) received in the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 can thus be heated or cooled by the tempering device 10.

The conditioned air flow flowing through the tempering container 16 is in turn fed to the air conditioner 18 for cabin air intake preparation, so that a closed tempering cycle is achieved. However, air from the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 can also be initially conveyed via the return line 58 to at least one further (not shown here).

The variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 2 corresponds to a large extent to the variant shown in fig. 1. Only the differences between the variant shown in fig. 1 and the variant shown in fig. 2 will be discussed, wherein however, not all details already described with respect to fig. 1 are shown in fig. 2. In the variant according to fig. 2, the first and the second conveying line 64, 66 are coupled on one side to the tempering container 16 and on the other side to the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18.

The air heated by means of the at least one heating device 28 can be introduced as hot air into the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 via the first conveying line 64. And the air cooled by means of the evaporator 22 can be introduced as cold air into the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 by way of the second conveying line 66 bypassing the heating device 28. The first transfer line 64 is coupled to the tempering container 16 by a first coupling portion 68, while the second transfer line 66 is coupled to the tempering container 16 by a second coupling portion 70.

For example, valves 72, 74 can be arranged in the region of the connections 68, 70, by means of which each one of the supply lines 64, 66 can be closed. The first supply line 64 can be closed or at least partially opened, for example, by means of a valve 72 arranged in the region of the coupling 68. Similarly, the second supply line 66 can be closed or at least partially opened by means of a valve 74 arranged in the region of the second coupling 70. The valves 72, 74 thus serve as closure elements, by means of which the feed lines 64, 66 can be prevented from flowing through.

In the variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 2, however, only exactly one return line 58 is additionally provided, wherein the return line 58 is indicated in fig. 2 by a first arrow 76 by the flow of cold air. In addition, a further arrow 78 in fig. 2 indicates that the common return line 58 is flown through by hot air.

In the variant of the tempering device 10 shown in fig. 2, hot air can enter the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18 upstream of the evaporator 22 via the common return line 58, when the inlet 60 for coupling the common return line 58 to the air conditioner 18 is arranged upstream of the evaporator 22 at the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. Thus, the provision of only one common return line 58 is advantageous in terms of outlay for the wiring and the coupling arrangement, but is less advantageous in terms of energy than in the case of the variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 3.

In the variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 3, a first supply line 64 and a second supply line 66 are also provided on the one hand.

However, the tempering container 16 is connected to the air conditioner 18 via a first return line 80 and via a second return line 82, in this case to the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. The hot air 56 may be directed back into the air conditioner 18 from the receiving chamber 14 via a first return line 80. And the cold air 54 may be led back into the air conditioner 18 from the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 via the second guiding back line 82. Here, a first return line 80 and a second return line 82 are connected at the outlet 62. The second return line 82 leads to the inlet 60, which in this case opens into the air conditioner 18 upstream of the evaporator 22.

In contrast, the first return line 80 is connected to the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18 via a further inlet 84. The second inlet 84 is arranged downstream of the evaporator 22 and approximately at the level of the heating device 28. In the variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 3, the first return line 80 thus opens into the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18 downstream of the evaporator 22. With this preferred positioning of the inlet 84, it is achieved that the air is guided back into the air conditioner 18 in an energy-particularly advantageous manner, preferably as seen in the flow direction from the evaporator 22 to the heating device 28, between the air valve 36 and the heating device 28.

As can also be seen from fig. 3, the valves 72, 74 for prohibiting the feed lines 64, 66 from flowing through or such closing elements can be arranged in the region of the couplings 68, 70 or in the region of the respective feed line 64, 66 or at the location where the respective feed line 64, 66 is coupled to the air conditioner 18 or the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18. In a similar manner, the return lines 80, 82 can be closed by means of respective closing elements or respective valves 86, 88. For example, a valve 86 is arranged in the first return line 80 between the outlet 62 of the tempering container 16 and the inlet 84 of the air conditioner 18. In contrast, the valve 88 is arranged in the second return line 82 between the outlet 62 of the tempering container 16 and the inlet 60 of the air conditioner 18. It is however equally possible to provide valves 86, 88 in the region of outlet 62 and/or inlets 60, 84. The valves 86, 88 are arranged at or in the return lines 80, 82, in particular can be predefined or set, via which return line 80, 82 air is to be returned to the housing 20 of the air conditioner 18.

Furthermore, in the variant of the tempering device 10 according to fig. 3, a further fan or an additional fan 90 is shown which is arranged in addition to the fan 30 arranged in the air conditioner 18 and which is arranged in the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16. By means of such an additional fan 90, a mixing of the air in the receiving chamber 14 and an air suction or air discharge can be achieved. Furthermore, by operating the additional fan 90, the air quantity fed to the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 via the feed lines 64, 66 can be increased in addition to the fan 30 or the main fan arranged in the air conditioner. Additionally or alternatively, such additional fans 90 may be disposed in at least one of the delivery lines 64, 66 and/or at least one of the return lines 80, 82.

In the variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 4, two supply lines 64, 66 are provided, and possible positions of the valves 72, 74 are provided, as shown in fig. 3. However, only exactly one common return line 58 is provided here. Furthermore, the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 is divided into a first sub-chamber 92 and a second sub-chamber 94. The first supply line 64 opens into the first subchamber 92. In contrast, the second supply line 66 opens into the second subchamber 94. The two subchambers 92, 94 are flow separated from each other by a dividing wall 96. Thus, the first subchamber 92 may be traversed by the hot air 56, while the second subchamber 94 may be traversed by the cold air 54.

In particular in this embodiment, for example, in the region of the supply lines 64, 66, respective additional fans 98, 100 can be arranged in order to promote a stronger air flow through the respective subchambers 92, 94 with respect to the intensity of the air flow provided by the fan 30 or the main fan. For example, an additional fan 98 may be disposed in the first transfer line 64 and an additional fan 100 may be disposed in the second transfer line 66. Additionally or alternatively, an additional fan designed as a suction fan may be arranged in the return line 58 in order to convey a stronger air flow through the subchambers 92, 94. Such additional fans 90, 100 may thus be provided in particular for varying the amount of air.

According to fig. 4, the separating wall 96 can have a through-opening 102 which can be selectively closed or at least partially opened by means of a closing element 104. For example, the closure element 104 may be designed as a valve. When the through-hole 102 constructed in the partition wall 96 is opened due to the opening of the valve, the two subchambers 92, 94 are in flow connection with each other. In this manner, cold air 54 may also be introduced into the first subchamber 92, or hot air 56 may also be introduced into the second subchamber 94. Thus, the first subchamber 92 and the second subchamber 94 may be charged with the heated air 56 via the first transfer line 64. Alternatively, the cold air 54 may be charged to the second subchamber 94 and the first subchamber 92 via the second delivery conduit 66.

In the variant of the temperature control device 10 shown in fig. 5, two supply lines 64, 66 and two return lines 80, 82 are provided. In this connection, the variant according to fig. 5 corresponds to the variant according to fig. 3. In the variant of the temperature control device 10 according to fig. 5, however, the receiving chamber 14 is divided into a first subchamber 92 and a second subchamber 94, wherein the subchambers 92, 94 can be coupled to one another in a flowing manner by opening the closing element 104 and thus opening the through-opening 102 formed in the dividing wall 96. In this connection, the variant according to fig. 5 corresponds to the variant according to fig. 4.

In the variant of the temperature control device 10 according to fig. 5, however, no two additional fans or additional fans 98, 100 are arranged in the region of the supply lines 64, 66. More precisely, an additional fan 98 is arranged in the first subchamber 92, while an additional fan 100 is arranged in the second subchamber 94. An air flow having the temperature of the air from the air conditioner 18 can be fed to the tempering container 16, for example, by means of the additional fans 98, 100, and to the articles arranged in the subchambers 92, 94, corresponding to the air conditioning demand.

By means of a control (not shown), a corresponding air conditioning can be effected, for example, by changing the discharge temperature of the evaporator 22. Furthermore, the temperature of the air supplied to the tempering container 16 can be influenced or changed by the heating power of the at least one heating device 28. In addition, the temperature of the intake air fed to the tempering container 16 can be actively influenced or changed by adjusting a gas valve 36 arranged upstream of the at least one heating device 28.

The corresponding configuration or operation of the tempering container 16 is preferably implemented by a programming unit or a data input unit, which is not shown or described further, by means of which an operator, for example a user of the motor vehicle 12, can store requirements, in particular with regard to tempering of the articles received in the tempering container 16. The programming unit or data input unit preferably controls the corresponding cooperation of the air conditioner 18 with the tempering container 16.

The variant of the temperature control device 10 according to fig. 6 corresponds in terms of structure essentially to the variant shown in fig. 5. Here, two supply lines 64, 66 are thus also provided, wherein different possibilities of arrangement of the valves 72, 74 are indicated. Furthermore, the receiving chamber 14 of the tempering container 16 is divided into two subchambers 92, 94 and the dividing wall 96 is provided with a through hole 102 and a closing element 104. However, the first return line 80 is connected to the first subchamber 92 via its own coupling 106, while the second return line 82 is connected to the second subchamber 94 via its own coupling 108.

In addition, fig. 6 shows that the valves 86, 88 for blocking or opening the return lines 80, 82 can be arranged in the region of the inlets 60, 84 or in the region of the return lines 80, 82 themselves or in the region of the couplings 106, 108. Furthermore, the possible orientations of the arrangement of the at least one additional fan 98, 100 are indicated by further markings 110. Accordingly, the additional fan 98 may be arranged, for example, in the first supply line 64 and/or in the first subchamber 92 and/or in the first return line 80. In a similar manner, an additional fan 100 may be disposed in the second delivery conduit 66 and/or in the second subchamber 94 and/or in the second return conduit 82.

Fig. 7 shows a motor vehicle 12 with a temperature control device 10 in a very schematic manner. With regard to the tempering device 10, only the tempering container 16 and an evaporator 22 arranged in the air conditioner 18 (not shown in fig. 7) are shown in fig. 7. According to fig. 7, the tempering container 16 can be arranged in particular in the region of a front compartment 112 of the motor vehicle 12, i.e. in particular in a luggage compartment 114 which is arranged or provided in the front compartment 112.

Fig. 7 also shows a very schematic illustration of an air conditioning system 26 of the motor vehicle 12, the components of which are the air conditioner 18 and the refrigerant circuit 24 with its components. Thus, the refrigerant cycle 24 comprises, in a manner known per se, a refrigerant compressor 116 which compresses a gentle and gaseous refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 22. The compressed, gaseous refrigerant is delivered to a condenser 118 or gas cooler of the refrigerant cycle 24. The refrigerant is liquefied in condenser 118. The liquefied refrigerant is in turn delivered to the evaporator 22 via an expansion valve 120 or similar expansion mechanism of the refrigerant cycle 24.

Heat is extracted from the air flowing through or overflowing the evaporator 22 by the evaporation of the refrigerant moderated at the expansion valve 120, and thus the air is cooled. The cooled air is then heated, if necessary, by means of at least one heating device 28 (not shown in fig. 7).

In general, examples show how passive cooling and heating of the volume of the receiving chamber 14 in the form of a tempering container 16 can be achieved.

Claims

1. A thermostat device for a motor vehicle (12), the thermostat device comprising: an air conditioner (18) in which an evaporator (22) designed for cooling an air flow and at least one heating device (28) designed for heating the air flow are arranged, wherein the air conditioner (18) has at least one outlet (42) designed for introducing air from the air conditioner (18) into a passenger compartment (34) of the motor vehicle (12); a tempering container (16) having a receiving chamber (14) for articles to be tempered, wherein air from an air conditioner (18) can be introduced into the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) via at least one conveying line (44, 64, 66) of the tempering device (10), wherein the tempering container (16) is connected to the air conditioner (18) via at least one return line (58, 80, 82) of the tempering device (10), wherein air from the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) can be returned to the air conditioner (18) via the at least one return line (58, 80, 82).

2. The temperature-regulating device according to claim 1,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The temperature-regulating container (16) is connected to the air conditioner (18) via exactly one supply line (44) and/or via exactly one return line (58).

3. Temperature regulating device according to any one of the preceding claims,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The tempering container (16) is connected to the air conditioner (18) via a first conveying line (64) and via a second conveying line (66), wherein air heated by means of the at least one heating device (28) can be introduced into the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) via the first conveying line (64), wherein air cooled by means of the evaporator (22) can be introduced into the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) bypassing the at least one heating device (28) via the second conveying line (66).

4. A temperature-regulating device according to claim 3,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The first supply line (64) opens into a first sub-chamber (92) of the receiving chamber (14), and the second supply line (66) opens into a second sub-chamber (94) of the receiving chamber (14), which is separated from the first sub-chamber (92) by a separating wall (96) of the tempering container (16).

5. The temperature-regulating device according to claim 4,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The separating wall (96) has at least one through-opening (102) which can be selectively closed or at least partially opened by means of at least one closing element (104).

6. Temperature regulating device according to any one of the preceding claims,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The tempering container (16) is connected to the air conditioner (18) via a first return line (80) and via a second return line (82), wherein hot air (56) can be returned from the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) to the air conditioner (18) via the first return line (80), and wherein cold air (54) can be returned from the receiving chamber (14) of the tempering container (16) to the air conditioner (18) via the second return line (82).

7. The temperature-regulating device according to claim 6,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The first return line (80) opens into the air conditioner (18) downstream of the evaporator (22), in particular at the level of the at least one heating device (28), and/or the second return line (82) opens into the air conditioner (18) upstream of the evaporator (22).

8. Temperature regulating device according to any one of the preceding claims,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The temperature control device (10) has at least one closing element (48, 50, 72, 74, 86, 88) by means of which the at least one supply line (44, 64, 66) and/or the at least one return line (58, 80, 82) can be prevented from flowing through, and/or the temperature control device (10) has at least one fan (90, 98, 100) arranged outside the air conditioner (18) by means of which the receiving chamber (14) of the temperature control container (16) can be caused to flow through.

9. A motor vehicle having a temperature regulating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air conditioner (18) is an integral part of an air conditioning device (26) of the motor vehicle (12).

10. An automobile according to claim 9,

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The temperature control container (16) is arranged in a front compartment (112) of the motor vehicle (12), in particular in a luggage compartment (114) of the front compartment (112).