Internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine (10) comprising: a combustion chamber (14), an intake system (12), an exhaust system (16), an exhaust gas reprocessing device (20) disposed in the exhaust system, a heating element (18) disposed upstream of the exhaust gas reprocessing device (20) in the exhaust system (16), and an exhaust gas turbocharger (22), the exhaust gas turbocharger having a compressor impeller as a first impeller (24), a turbine impeller as a second impeller (26), and a motor, wherein at least one of the impellers (24) can be driven during heated operation by means of the motor. 4,26), thereby enabling air to be supplied as a heating medium into the exhaust gas system (16) by means of at least one impeller (24,26) during heating operation. The heating medium can be heated by means of a heating element (18), wherein the heating medium can be guided through the combustion chamber (14) by means of a gas distribution mechanism, and wherein at least one pipe element (28) is provided, which is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas system (16) at a first connecting portion (30) arranged downstream of the exhaust gas retreatment device (20) and at a second connecting portion (32) arranged upstream of the heating element (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles. This invention also relates to a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] DE 10 2017 213 004 A1 discloses an internal combustion engine comprising an internal combustion engine, a fresh air system for supplying fresh air to the internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas system for discharging exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, and at least one exhaust gas reprocessing device integrated within the exhaust gas system. The internal combustion engine further includes an electric compressor integrated into the fresh air system or the exhaust gas system, and a heating device located upstream of or integrated into the exhaust gas reprocessing device for heating the gas flowing through it. The internal combustion engine has a control device designed such that, when the temperature of the internal combustion engine components is below a predetermined limit, it operates the compressor simultaneously with the heating device as needed during the non-operational period of the internal combustion engine.

[0003] Additionally, DE 10 2018 129 955 A1 discloses a method for pre-temperature treating exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, particularly motor vehicle internal combustion engines, for exhaust and purification purposes, wherein air is heated by a heating element in the exhaust gas treatment device. A hot airflow is generated in the exhaust gas treatment device by a fan using the heated air, wherein a first catalytic converter of the exhaust gas treatment device is heated to a minimum operating temperature by the hot airflow.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 001 080 A1 discloses a method for operating a drive device comprising an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system connected to the internal combustion engine, the exhaust system having at least one catalytic converter. In at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine, the catalytic converter is heated by a stream of hot air heated by a heating device, wherein the hot air stream is mixed upstream of the catalytic converter with a stream of cold fresh air to achieve a certain temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide an internal combustion engine and a motor vehicle that enable the heating of an exhaust gas reprocessing device to be carried out advantageously and particularly quickly.

[0006] According to the present invention, this task is accomplished by an internal combustion engine and a motor vehicle having the following characteristics.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle being driven by the internal combustion engine via a driven shaft. The internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber and an intake system through which air can flow, wherein air is supplied to the combustion chamber via the intake system. Additionally, the internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas system through which exhaust gas from the combustion chamber flows, wherein an exhaust gas retreatment device for retreating the exhaust gas is provided within the exhaust gas system. Furthermore, at least one heating element is provided upstream of the exhaust gas retreatment device in the exhaust gas system for heating the gas flowing through the exhaust gas system. The internal combustion engine includes an electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger having a compressor impeller disposed in the intake system as a first impeller for compressing air flowing through the intake system. The electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger also has a turbine impeller disposed in the exhaust gas system and driven by the exhaust gas as a second impeller, and an electric motor. At least one of the two impellers can be driven by an electric motor during the heating operation of the exhaust gas retreatment device. This allows air to be supplied as a heating medium into the exhaust gas system via at least one impeller, where combustion within the combustion chamber is prohibited and the driven shaft is stationary. This heating medium can be heated by a heating element during the heating operation of the exhaust gas retreatment device. Therefore, the heating medium can be, for example, the gas described above or the following gases, which can be heated or reheated by the heating element.

[0008] To enable particularly advantageous and rapid heating of the exhaust gas retreatment device, according to the invention, the internal combustion engine has at least one piping component fluidly connected to the exhaust gas system at a first connecting portion downstream of the exhaust gas retreatment device and a second connecting portion upstream of the heating element. Through this piping component, at least a portion of the heating medium can be diverted from the exhaust gas system at the first connecting portion, introduced into the piping component, returned from the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion, and then reintroduced into the exhaust gas system at the second connecting portion. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine has a valve train with at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve belonging to the combustion chamber. The intake and exhaust valves are collectively referred to as scavenging valves. During heating operation, the intake and exhaust valves are opened simultaneously, thereby allowing the heating medium to be guided from the intake system through the combustion chamber and thus through the scavenging valves into the exhaust gas system. In other words, because the scavenging valves are opened simultaneously, the intake valve opens the intake passage, while the exhaust valve opens the exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The heating medium can now flow through the intake manifold and thus from the intake system into the combustion chamber via the intake manifold and intake valve, then through the combustion chamber and then through the exhaust manifold and thus through the exhaust manifold and exhaust valve into the exhaust system, whereby exhaust gas can be guided into or be guided into the exhaust system from the intake system through the combustion chamber via the scavenging valve.

[0009] Motor vehicles are preferably designed as automobiles, especially passenger cars. The internal combustion engine can be designed as a piston engine and has an engine assembly containing a combustion chamber. Fluid, and generally air, flows into the combustion chamber through the intake system. During ignition operation, the combustion process takes place within the combustion chamber. In the respective combustion processes, the fuel-air mixture is burned, resulting in exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. The fuel-air mixture comprises the air flowing through the intake system and, in particular, liquid fuel, which is input, especially injected directly, into the combustion chamber.

[0010] An exhaust gas reprocessing device is installed in the exhaust gas system, which can also be called an exhaust gas equipment, for reprocessing the exhaust gas. In other words, the exhaust gas reprocessing device is used to purify the exhaust gas by means of, in particular, at least one catalyst and / or at least one filter, such as a particulate filter. With the aid of the catalyst, harmful substances present in the exhaust gas, such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and / or unburned hydrocarbons, are converted into harmless substances by at least one chemical reaction. The catalyst can therefore be designed as a three-way catalytic converter. The catalyst specifically refers to a component that particularly reduces the activation energy of the chemical reaction, thereby allowing the chemical reaction to proceed very rapidly. The activation energy is specifically the energy required to start the chemical reaction. The reaction rate is specifically the speed at which the chemical reaction proceeds. The filter specifically refers to a component that traps solids from the gas stream or liquid stream. This is particularly effective in filtering out solids or harmful substances called particulates or carbon black from the exhaust gas.

[0011] For effective internal combustion engine exhaust purification, it is advantageous for the exhaust gas reprocessing unit, especially the catalytic converter, to have a minimum temperature, which can be referred to as the transition temperature, ignition temperature, or starting temperature. Therefore, heating the exhaust gas reprocessing unit is necessary, especially during cold starts. A cold start specifically refers to the process of putting the internal combustion engine into use, starting, engaging, or activating it, at which point the engine temperature is approximately equal to the ambient temperature. During engine starting, the internal combustion engine transitions from a state where combustion is prohibited in the combustion chamber and the driven shaft is stationary—a state also known as engine standstill—to a starting state, specifically referred to as ignition operation. After a cold start, the exhaust gas reprocessing unit is heated by the exhaust gas. Especially in vehicles with a combination of an internal combustion engine and electric drive, heating or maintaining the exhaust gas temperature is difficult because the exhaust gas mass flow may be small or nonexistent in many operating conditions. Electric drive specifically refers to the electric drive of a motor vehicle, in which the vehicle is at least partially driven by an electric motor.

[0012] A heating element arranged upstream of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit within the exhaust gas system can particularly accelerate the heating of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit, especially after a cold start. This heating element is designed such that it heats the gas flowing through or around it, such as exhaust gas. During normal operation of the internal combustion engine and / or its cold start, the gas is exhaust gas. During the heated operation of the internal combustion engine, which differs from normal operation, the gas is air, which is heated by the heating element and used as a heating medium for the reheating or heating of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit.

[0013] To allow for particularly advantageous and rapid heating of the exhaust gas retreatment device, the piping components of the present invention and the valve train of the present invention, particularly, which can be designed as variable or fully variable, are provided. A variable or fully variable valve train refers to a valve train in which the valve travel or opening duration, particularly the opening and / or closing times, of the intake and / or exhaust valves can be variably adjusted or changed. This can be done, in particular, during normal operation and / or during heating operation. During heating operation, the intake and exhaust valves are simultaneously at least partially opened, thereby allowing the heating medium, for example by means of an electric or electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger, to be supplied from the intake system through the combustion chamber into the exhaust system and to the heating element, and / or the heating medium can be supplied within the exhaust system, while simultaneously circulating, particularly through the piping components. In this case, at least one of the two impellers is driven by an electric motor using electrical energy, which can be particularly derived from a power supply device called an on-board power supply. By means of piping, at least a portion of the heating medium heated by the heating element can be returned to the heating element and the exhaust gas reprocessing unit after flowing through it, thus forming a recirculation loop. In this way, not only the exhaust gas reprocessing unit but also other parts of the exhaust system are heated. This results in a very low temperature gradient between the exhaust gas reprocessing unit and its surrounding exhaust system components, thus minimizing heat loss from the exhaust gas reprocessing unit to the surrounding components. In other words, the heat loss of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit is very low. Therefore, the heating and insulation of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit can be arranged very efficiently. Furthermore, the heating medium can be brought to a very high temperature in a short time, thereby heating the exhaust gas reprocessing unit efficiently and effectively. The recirculation loop can operate, in particular, when the engine is stationary. The transport of the heating medium in the recirculation loop can be carried out, or at least assisted, by means of at least one electrically powered impeller, especially by means of a second impeller. In other words, the recirculation loop can be maintained by means of at least one electrically powered impeller. Therefore, temperature regulation of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit is allowed, especially when the engine is stationary. Thus, the internal combustion engine emits very few harmful substances, especially after a cold start.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, a valve is provided in the piping component, thereby allowing regulation of the amount of heating medium flowing through the piping component. For this purpose, the valve can be connected to a regulating device, which is, for example, represented by or also referred to as a control device. The piping component can be partially or completely closed by means of the valve.

[0015] In other designs of the invention, the internal combustion engine has an exhaust gas recirculation line that is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas system at a branch point located downstream of the turbine impeller, particularly downstream of the exhaust gas reprocessing device. Additionally, the exhaust gas recirculation line is fluidly connected to the intake system at an inlet point. This inlet point can be located within the intake system, upstream or downstream of the compressor impeller. Using the exhaust gas recirculation line, at least a portion of the exhaust gas can be diverted from the exhaust gas system at the branch point and introduced into the exhaust gas recirculation line. The exhaust gas introduced into the exhaust gas recirculation line can flow through the exhaust gas recirculation line and be guided to the inlet point and then into the intake system; this can be particularly referred to as a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation device. The exhaust gas can then be guided into the combustion chamber. The portion of the exhaust gas already present in the combustion chamber before the start of combustion can retain very little of the harmful substances that could be formed during combustion. Here, this is particularly nitric oxide or nitrogen dioxide, both collectively referred to as nitrogen oxides. During heating operation, for example, at least a portion of the heating medium can be guided from the branch section to the inlet section and then introduced into the intake system from the inlet section.

[0016] In another embodiment, an exhaust gas return / return valve is installed in the exhaust gas return line, thereby regulating the amount of exhaust gas and / or heating medium flowing through the exhaust gas return line. For this purpose, the exhaust gas return valve can be connected to and controlled by a regulating device, and thus can be operated. The exhaust gas return line can be partially or completely closed, for example, by means of the exhaust gas return valve.

[0017] Another embodiment features an internal combustion engine with a return line that is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas system at a third connection point located upstream of the turbine impeller and to the intake system at a fourth connection point. The fourth connection point is preferably located downstream of the compressor impeller. Through the return line, at least a portion of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas system can be diverted from the exhaust gas system and introduced into the return line. The exhaust gas introduced into the return line can flow through the return line in a first flow direction and thereby be guided from the third connection point to the fourth connection point and introduced into the intake system at the fourth connection point; this can be particularly referred to as high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. During heating operation, at least a portion or all of the heating medium can be diverted from the intake system at the fourth connection point and introduced into the return line. The exhaust gas introduced into the return line can flow through the return line in a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction and be guided from the fourth connection point to the third connection point via the return line. Here, the heating medium is guided from the intake system, bypassing the combustion chamber or all combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine, into the exhaust system and then to the heating element, whereby the heating medium and, consequently, the exhaust gas reprocessing device can be heated very effectively.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, a return valve is provided in the return line, thereby allowing adjustment of the amount of waste gas and / or heating medium flowing through the return line. For this purpose, the return valve can be connected to and controlled by a regulating device. The return line can be partially or completely closed, for example, by means of the return valve.

[0019] Finally, it has been found particularly advantageous that the heating element has at least one electric heating element and / or at least one burner and / or at least one electrocatalyst. An electric heating element specifically refers to a heating element that converts electric current into heat. A burner specifically refers to a heating element in which at least one fuel, particularly liquid or gaseous, is combusted in a flame-forming or flameless manner and therefore catalytically, particularly releasing or outputting heat. An electrocatalyst specifically refers to a catalyst that is heated or can be heated by means of an electric heating element, wherein the electric heating element can, for example, be fixed to the catalytic housing and / or connected to the catalytic structure or catalytically active structure of the catalytic reactor.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle having the internal combustion engine of the invention according to the first aspect. Advantages and advantageous designs of the first aspect of the invention will be regarded as advantages and advantageous designs of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa. The motor vehicle of the invention is preferably designed as an automobile, especially a passenger car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The features and combinations thereof mentioned above in the specification, as well as those mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the unique drawings, may be used not only in their respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] This drawing is the only one to show a schematic view of the internal combustion engine of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The only schematic diagram shows an internal combustion engine 10 for a motor vehicle, particularly a car preferably designed as a passenger car. Here, the motor vehicle is driven by the internal combustion engine 10. The internal combustion engine 10 has an intake system 12, at least one cylinder, and an exhaust system 16. The cylinder portion defines a combustion chamber 14. The internal combustion engine 10 has a piston that is movably housed within the cylinder. The piston portion defines the combustion chamber 14. In the embodiment shown, it is a four-cylinder engine containing exactly four combustion chambers 14.

[0024] The intake system allows a fluid in the form of air to flow through it, which is then guided into the combustion chamber 14. Within the combustion chamber 14, a combustion process occurs during the ignition and operation of the internal combustion engine 10, thereby generating exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine 10. The exhaust gases may also flow through an exhaust system 12, referred to as an exhaust gas device, and exit the combustion chamber 14 via the exhaust system 12. At least one heating element 18 and an exhaust gas retreatment device 20 are provided within the exhaust system 16, wherein the heating element 18 is arranged upstream of the exhaust gas retreatment device 20. The exhaust gas retreatment device 20 includes at least one exhaust gas purification component. This exhaust gas purification component may be designed, for example, as an oxidation catalyst, particularly a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a NOx storage catalyst (NSK), an SCR catalyst (selective catalytic reduction catalyst), a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or an SCR catalyst on a diesel particulate filter (SDPF).

[0025] Oxidation catalysts specifically refer to catalysts that remove carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons from exhaust gases by oxidation using residual oxygen. Residual oxygen specifically refers to oxygen molecules that are not part of the chemical reaction during combustion and are therefore available for further chemical reactions. NOx storage catalysts (NSK) specifically refer to catalysts in which nitrogen oxides are chemically combined and thus removed from exhaust gases in a storage section. Subsequently, nitrogen oxides can be released from the storage section during internal combustion engine operation in an oxygen-deficient state and reduced using reducing components such as unburned hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide. SCR catalysts specifically refer to catalysts in which nitrogen oxides react with urea from an input urea solution in a reductive oxidation reaction to produce nitrogen and water. Diesel particulate filters (DPF) specifically refer to filters that remove particles, also known as carbon black or dust, from exhaust gases.

[0026] The internal combustion engine 10 also has an electric, electrically assisted, or electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger 22, which includes a compressor impeller as a first impeller 24 arranged in the intake system 12, a turbine impeller as a second impeller 26 arranged in the exhaust system 16, and a shaft. The first impeller 24 and the second impeller 26 are mounted on the shaft and are anti-rotationally connected to the shaft. The first impeller 24, the second impeller 26, and the shaft are, for example, separate components, connected to each other such that relative movement between these components and movement relative to each other axially and radially along the shaft is prohibited or avoided. The first impeller 24 is used, for example, to compress air that can be supplied to the combustion chamber 14 via the intake system 12. With the aid of the second impeller 26, exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust system 16 from the combustion chamber 14 is expanded, thereby driving the second impeller 26 by the exhaust gas. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine 10 has an electric motor, thereby allowing the exhaust gas turbocharger 22 to be driven by electrical energy. The motor can be designed such that it drives the shaft of the exhaust gas turbocharger 22, thereby driving the first impeller 24 and the second impeller 26. Alternatively, the motor can be designed such that the first impeller 24 and / or the second impeller 26 can be directly driven by the motor. This means that the shaft is not directly driven by the motor. The internal combustion engine 10 also has a driven shaft, for example designed as a crankshaft, through which the internal combustion engine can provide torque to drive the vehicle, especially during the ignition operation of the internal combustion engine 10. During the heating operation of the internal combustion engine 10, air as a heating medium is supplied to the exhaust gas system 16 via an electrically assisted exhaust gas turbocharger 22, wherein at least one of the two impellers 24, 26 is electrically driven by a motor. During heating operation, combustion is prohibited in the combustion chamber 14 or all combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine, and the driven shaft is stationary during heating operation. Furthermore, during heating operation, the heating medium becomes heated by the heating element 18, thereby the exhaust gas reprocessing device 20 becomes heated or is heated by the heating medium that becomes heated during heating operation.

[0027] To enable particularly advantageous and rapid heating of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit 20, the internal combustion engine 10 has a valve train with at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve associated with the combustion chamber 14. During heating operation, the intake and exhaust valves are opened simultaneously, thereby allowing the heating medium to be guided from the intake system 12 through the combustion chamber into the exhaust gas system 16. The corresponding delivery of the heating medium from the intake system 12 through the combustion chamber into the exhaust gas system 16 is accomplished by means of an electrically powered exhaust gas turbocharger 22, in which at least one of the two impellers 24, 26 is electrically driven. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine 10 has at least one piping element 28 in fluid communication with the exhaust gas system 16 at a first connecting portion 30 located downstream of the exhaust gas reprocessing unit 20 and a second connecting portion 32 located upstream of the heating element 18, particularly upstream of the turbine impeller 26. With the aid of pipe fitting 28, at least a portion of the heating medium flowing through the exhaust gas system 16 can be diverted from the exhaust gas system 16 at the first connecting portion 30 and can be returned from the first connecting portion 30 to the second connecting portion 32, where it can be introduced back into the exhaust gas system 16. This demonstrates the return of the heating medium, as it is fed back from the first connecting portion 30 to the corresponding upstream second connecting portion 32 via pipe fitting 28 and then introduced into the exhaust gas system 16. The return of the heating medium forms a first recirculation loop, in which or via this loop the heating medium can circulate between the connecting portions 30 and 32. The first recirculation loop can operate, particularly in a state referred to as engine standstill, via an electric exhaust gas turbocharger 22. Thus, the exhaust gas retreatment device 20 can be heated while the engine is standstill and therefore its temperature can be adjusted particularly advantageously. Consequently, the internal combustion engine 10 has very few harmful emissions. Engine standstill means that no combustion process is taking place in the internal combustion engine 10 and the driven shaft is stationary.

[0028] A valve 34 is provided in the piping component 28, thereby allowing the amount of heating medium flowing through the piping component 28 to be adjusted. For this purpose, the valve 28 can be connected to a regulating device, such as a control device.

[0029] By means of an exhaust valve 35, designed as, for example, an exhaust plate valve, located downstream of the first connection point 30 within the exhaust system 16, the mass flow of exhaust gas and / or heating medium leaving the internal combustion engine 10 can be reduced, prohibited, or intercepted. To achieve the desired mass flow, the exhaust valve 35 can be connected to a regulating device, such as a control device, capable of driving and thereby operating, particularly controlling or adjusting, the exhaust valve 35. By at least partially closing the exhaust system 16 via the exhaust valve 35, a significant amount of heating medium can be caused to flow through the recirculation loop, i.e., circulate through or along the recirculation loop. Here, the recirculation loop includes a conduit 28, through which the heating medium flowing through the recirculation loop flows and thus circulates. Through this circulation or recirculation, the exhaust gas retreatment device 20 can be heated quickly and efficiently.

[0030] The internal combustion engine 10 has an exhaust gas recirculation line 36. The exhaust gas recirculation line 36 is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas system 16 at a branch section 38 located downstream of the exhaust gas retreatment device 20. Additionally, the exhaust gas recirculation line 36 is fluidly connected to the intake system 12 at an inlet section 40. With the help of the exhaust gas recirculation line 36, at least a portion of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas system 16 can be guided from the branch section 38 to the inlet section 40 and then introduced into the intake system 12, particularly during ignition operation. The inlet section is located downstream of the first impeller 24 within the intake system, but may also be located upstream of the first impeller 24, which is not shown in the figures. During heating operation, at least a portion of the heating medium can be guided from the branch section 38 to the inlet section 40 and then introduced into the intake system 12. Therefore, a second recirculation loop for the heating medium can be established via the exhaust gas recirculation line 36 during heating operation. The heating medium is supplied via an electrically operated first impeller 24 and / or an electrically operated second impeller 26 of the exhaust gas turbocharger 22. The second recirculation loop can operate independently of or in conjunction with the first recirculation loop. An exhaust gas return valve 42 is provided in the exhaust gas return line 36, thereby regulating the amount of exhaust gas and / or heating medium flowing through the exhaust gas return line 36. For this purpose, the exhaust gas return valve 42 can be connected to a regulating device, for example, indicated by a control device.

[0031] The internal combustion engine 10 has a return line 44, which is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas system at a third connecting portion 46 located upstream of the second impeller 26 and fluidly connected to the intake system 12 at a fourth connecting portion 48. The fourth connecting portion 48 is preferably located downstream of the first impeller 24. Through the return line 44, at least a portion of the exhaust gas can be guided from the third connecting portion 46 to the fourth connecting portion 48 in a first flow direction and can enter the intake system 12 at the fourth connecting portion 48. During heating operation, the heating medium can be guided from the fourth connecting portion 48 to the third connecting portion 46 in a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction and can enter the exhaust gas system 16 at the third connecting portion 46. Here, the heating medium is delivered from the intake system, bypassing the combustion chamber 14, to the heating element 18, at least by means of the electrically operated first impeller 24. A return valve 50 is provided in the return line 44, thereby allowing adjustment of the amount of exhaust gas or heating medium flowing through the return line 44. For this purpose, the return valve 50 can be connected to a regulating device, for example, in the form of a control device.

[0032] The heating element 18 may have an electric heating element and / or a burner and / or an electric catalytic converter.

[0033] List of reference numerals

[0034] 10 Internal Combustion Engine

[0035] 12. Intake System

[0036] 14 Combustion Chamber

[0037] 16 Exhaust Gas System

[0038] 18 Heating element

[0039] 20. Waste gas reprocessing unit

[0040] 22 Exhaust Gas Turbocharger

[0041] 24 Compressor impeller

[0042] 26 Turbine impeller

[0043] 28 Piping fittings

[0044] 30 First Connecting Part

[0045] 32 Second Connecting Part

[0046] 34 Valves

[0047] 35 Exhaust gas valve components

[0048] 36. Exhaust gas return pipeline

[0049] 38 Diversion Section

[0050] 40. Access point

[0051] 42 Exhaust gas return valve

[0052] 44 Return Pipeline

[0053] 46 Third connecting part

[0054] 48. Fourth connecting part

[0055] 50 Return valve

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine (10) for a motor vehicle, having: a driven shaft by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven by the internal combustion engine (10); an intake system (12) through which air to be fed to at least one combustion chamber (14) of the internal combustion engine (10) can flow; an exhaust system (16) through which exhaust gas from the combustion chamber (14) can flow; an exhaust gas aftertreatment device (20) for aftertreatment of the exhaust gas, which is arranged in the exhaust system; at least one heating element (18) for heating gas flowing through the exhaust system (16), which is arranged in the exhaust system (16) upstream of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device (20); and a compressor wheel (24) which is arranged in the intake system (12) and serves for compressing air flowing through the intake system (12), and a turbine wheel (26) which is arranged in the exhaust system (16) and can be driven by exhaust gas, by means of which electric machine at least one of the compressor wheel (24) and the turbine wheel (26) can be driven in a heating mode for heating the exhaust gas aftertreatment device (20), whereby in the heating mode by means of the at least one wheel air can be fed as a heating medium into the exhaust system (16), which heating medium can be heated by means of the heating element (18) in the heating mode for heating the exhaust gas aftertreatment device (20), wherein during the heating mode a combustion process in the combustion chamber (14) is inhibited and the driven shaft is stopped, characterized in that at least one line element (28) is provided, which is in fluid connection to the exhaust system (16) at a first communication point (30) arranged downstream of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device (20) and at a second communication point (32) arranged upstream of the turbine wheel (26), such that at least a portion of the heating medium can flow back from the first communication point (30) to the second communication point (32) and can be introduced into the exhaust system (16) at the second communication point (32), wherein the internal combustion engine (10) has a valve mechanism having at least one intake valve assigned to the combustion chamber (14) and at least one exhaust valve assigned to the combustion chamber (14), and wherein in the heating mode the intake valve and the exhaust valve are opened simultaneously, whereby in the heating mode the heating medium can be guided from the intake system (12) through the combustion chamber (14) into the exhaust system (16). A valve element (34) is provided, which is arranged in the line element (28) and can adjust the amount of heating medium which can flow through the line element (28). An exhaust gas backflow line (36) is provided, which is in fluid connection to the exhaust system (16) at a split-off point (38) arranged downstream of the turbine wheel (26) and to the intake system (12) at an introduction point (40), such that at least a portion of the exhaust gas and / or at least a portion of the heating medium in the heating mode can be guided from the split-off point (38) to the introduction point (40) and can be introduced into the intake system (12) at the introduction point (40). The split-off point (38) is arranged downstream of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device (20). ​ ​ An electrically assisted exhaust-gas turbocharger (22) having a compressor wheel (24) as a first impeller, a turbine wheel (26) as a second impeller and an electric machine, wherein ​ ​ ​ 2. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that ​ 3. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that ​ 4. The internal combustion engine according to claim 3, characterized by ​ 5. The internal combustion engine according to claim 3, characterized by The passage site (40) is arranged upstream or downstream of the compressor wheel (24).

6. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that A waste gas return valve (42) is provided, which is arranged in the waste gas return line (36) and which is able to adjust the amount of waste gas and / or the amount of heating medium that can flow through the waste gas return line (36).

7. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A return line (44) is provided, which is in fluid connection with the waste gas system (16) at a third communication site (46) arranged upstream of the turbine wheel (26) and with the intake system (12) at a fourth communication site (48), such that at least a portion of the waste gas can be guided from the third communication site (46) to the fourth communication site (48) and can be passed into the intake system (12) at the fourth communication site (48), and / or at least a portion of the heating medium can be guided from the fourth communication site (48) to the third communication site (46) and can be passed into the waste gas system (16) at the third communication site (46), and / or in a heating operation.

8. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that The fourth communication site (48) is arranged downstream of the compressor wheel (24).

9. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that A return valve (50) is provided, which is arranged in the return line (44) and which is able to adjust the amount of waste gas and / or the amount of heating medium that can flow through the return line (44).

10. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The heating device (18) has at least one electric heating device and / or a burner.

11. Motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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