Method for thermal conditioning of plurality of components in vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of thermally conditioning a plurality of components in a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising at least one computing unit (10) as a component, the at least one computing unit being configured to perform calculations in the vehicle (100), and the vehicle (100) comprising at least one powertrain (20) as a further component, where the computing unit (10) is configured to perform calculations in the at least one powertrain (20). According to the invention, a calculation required for the operation of the vehicle (100) is carried out, and additionally data exchange with a server (S) located outside the vehicle (100) is repeated, in which method an actual temperature of the calculation unit (10) and the drive train (20) is determined, and in the event that the actual temperature of the drive train (20) is lower than a lower operating temperature of the drive train (20), the calculation unit (10) and the drive train (20) are connected to each other. Data is exchanged between the computing unit (10) and the server (S). The invention also relates to a device (50) for carrying out the method and to a vehicle (100) having such a device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for thermally regulating a plurality of components in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises as a component at least one computing unit which is configured to carry out calculations in the vehicle, and the vehicle comprises as a further component at least one drive train, wherein the computing unit is configured to carry out calculations required for the operation of the vehicle and additionally to repeatedly exchange data with a server arranged outside the vehicle, wherein in the method the actual temperatures of the computing unit and the drive train are determined, and in the event that the actual temperature of the drive train is below a lower operating temperature of the drive train, data is exchanged between the computing unit and the server. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method and a vehicle having such a device. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles, especially motor vehicles, have more and more electronic devices, the operation of which requires computing power. In the future, if at least partially autonomous driving of vehicles is pursued, it is desirable to increase the necessary computing power to a greater extent. The computing power is provided by one or more processors in the vehicle. When performing the required calculations, the processor generates waste heat, which must be exported from the corresponding processor. In particular, in order to exchange larger amounts of data between the vehicle and the infrastructure accessible via a wireless link, high computing power is required, which generates a large amount of waste heat. It is expected that in the near future, hundreds of watts of waste heat will be generated in order to perform the required calculations and data operations. At present, when the calculation occurs, the calculation is performed in the vehicle and the waste heat generated in the process is exported from the processor. In order to export the waste heat, a partially active / active cooling system is used, which consumes energy to cool one or more processors. The energy required for the active cooling system, especially in electric vehicles, is obtained from the vehicle's own battery. As a result, the energy consumed by the active cooling of the processor is no longer available for other functions in the vehicle, thereby increasing the energy consumption of the vehicle or the electric vehicle and reducing the cruising range.

[0003] DE 10 2018 212 537 A1 describes a device and a method for increasing the temperature in at least one part of a vehicle. In the method, waste heat generated by a processor when performing calculations is supplied to at least one other part / component of the vehicle and utilized there. It is also proposed that, when there is a heat demand in the vehicle, the processor can perform additional calculations and the waste heat generated in the process can be used to meet the heat demand.

[0004] DE 10 2019 114 820 B3 describes a method for heating a motor vehicle component / part. In the method, waste heat generated by a computing device is supplied to another vehicle component / part. In addition, the method proposes that when the vehicle is stationary, computing operations that are not relevant to the operation of the vehicle are performed if only a small number of computing operations are required in the vehicle. In this way, more waste heat is generated for heating another vehicle component.

[0005] CN 115107576 A describes a method for temperature management in a vehicle. In the method, the driver's behavior is predicted based on existing data from the driver's profile. Based on this prediction of the driver's behavior, the temperature of components in the vehicle is adjusted. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to utilize waste heat generated during computing in a vehicle more efficiently, in particular to reduce the energy requirement of the vehicle.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by a method for thermally regulating a plurality of components in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises as a component at least one computing unit, which is configured to perform calculations in the vehicle, wherein calculation heat is generated in the computing unit during the calculations, and the vehicle comprises as a further component at least one drive train, which is provided for driving the vehicle and which generates drive heat during operation.

[0008] The computing unit is configured to carry out the calculations required for the operation of the vehicle and to exchange data repeatedly with a server arranged outside the vehicle in order to compare the vehicle data with centrally stored data.

[0009] In the method, actual temperatures of a computing unit and a powertrain are determined, and when the actual temperature of the powertrain is lower than a lower operating temperature of the powertrain, data is exchanged between the computing unit and the server, wherein computing heat generated during the data exchange is at least partially supplied to the powertrain to increase the actual temperature of the powertrain.

[0010] The method according to the invention is used for thermal regulation and thus setting the temperature of multiple components in a vehicle. The vehicle is preferably an at least partially electrically driven vehicle, which has a battery as an energy storage device and an electric drive motor. However, the method can also be performed in a vehicle with an additional or only internal combustion engine as a drive device. One of the two components in the vehicle whose temperature is regulated or influenced by the method is a computing unit. The term "computing unit" can be understood as one or more processors. The computing unit is arranged to perform calculations in the vehicle, for example for evaluating sensors and for controlling and regulating drive devices and brakes. The computing unit includes a partial area configured to perform the method according to the invention. The method according to the invention can be run, for example, by a separate processor or by a processor that also performs other computing tasks. If the computing unit is used for calculation, waste heat can be generated in the process, which is also referred to as calculation heat. In addition, the vehicle includes a powertrain as a component, which is used to drive the vehicle. The powertrain can, for example, include a battery, an electric motor and power electronics for regulating the electric motor and the battery. The vehicle can include other components that are thermally regulated by the method according to the invention. Such other components can, for example, be an air conditioning device in the interior of the vehicle, which sets the desired temperature for the occupants. The method according to the invention makes it possible to transport the heat in the vehicle to exactly where it is needed. When the vehicle is in operation, the drive train generates waste heat, which is also called drive heat. The drive train has an operating temperature at which it can be used particularly efficiently and at which wear is low. This operating temperature is above the normal ambient temperature of the vehicle and occurs naturally over time during operation due to the drive heat. However, at the start of driving, it is usually necessary to heat the drive train in order to heat it up to the desired operating temperature. The operating temperature refers to the temperature range between the lower operating temperature and the higher operating temperature.

[0011] The computing unit is configured to perform calculations required for the current operation of the vehicle. The calculations involve operations or evaluations that are directly generated by the driving operation. The current operation of the vehicle, for example, requires the evaluation of different sensors, the operation of the navigation system or the control of the drive, steering and brakes. In addition and in addition, the computing unit is also configured to exchange data with a server located outside the vehicle. When exchanging data, data collected during the operation of the vehicle is transmitted and evaluated or compared on the server located outside. This data exchange must be repeated in order to compare the vehicle data with the data on the server located outside. However, this data exchange does not need to be performed at an exactly preset time. Thus, the data exchange can also be performed with a delay compared to the vehicle operation time. The object of the method according to the invention is to perform data exchange between the vehicle or the computing unit and the server arranged outside the vehicle if it is ideal for the energy management of the vehicle. According to the invention, in the method, in particular, the actual temperature of the computing unit and the powertrain is continuously determined. For this purpose, corresponding temperature sensors can be provided in both components. If the actual temperature of the powertrain determined is lower than its lower operating temperature, heat needs to be supplied to the powertrain to convert it into the range of the operating temperature. According to the method according to the invention, in this state, the calculation heat generated by the calculation unit is delivered to the powertrain to increase its actual temperature. If the actual temperature of the calculation unit determined is within the ideal operating temperature of the calculation unit, the calculation heat can be transmitted to the powertrain or other components in the vehicle without the calculation unit doing other tasks. However, if the actual temperature of the calculation unit is lower than its ideal operating temperature or the released calculation heat is not enough to increase the actual temperature of the powertrain to a temperature higher than the lower operating temperature, data is exchanged between the calculation unit and a server located outside the vehicle to increase the amount of calculation heat generated. In this way, if the calculation heat can be ideally used in the vehicle to heat the powertrain, the data exchange that is originally required for a certain period of time and generates more calculation heat is performed. As a result, the calculation heat generated by the data exchange is used more effectively, and the total energy demand of the vehicle is reduced. If the data exchange is carried out arbitrarily without considering the temperature of other components in the vehicle, the calculation heat generated for this purpose must be guided out by cooling, often also by active cooling, in many cases, thereby increasing the energy consumption of the vehicle. Thus, in an electric vehicle, the energy consumption is optimized by the method according to the invention, which significantly reduces the energy requirement for cooling the computing unit or for dissipating the computing heat, and thus the cruising range of the vehicle is increased. At the same time, the energy consumption for heating the drive train to operating temperature is reduced by the method according to the invention, which likewise increases the cruising range of the vehicle. The method according to the invention makes it possible to effectively use the computing heat generated by the required computing for operating other components in the vehicle, and thus reduce the energy consumption overall.In order to transfer the calculation heat or the thermal energy generated during the calculation, a heat exchanger can be provided, which transfers the calculation heat of the calculation unit to the drive train and vice versa. In addition, a further heat exchanger can be provided, which transfers the calculation heat to other components of the vehicle. Of course, if the actual temperature of the drive train is already within the range of its operating temperature, heat, in particular the drive heat of the drive train, can also be transferred to the calculation unit or other components in the vehicle.

[0012] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that after the rest time of the vehicle, especially after the cold start of the vehicle, at the beginning of driving, data is exchanged between the computing unit and the server, and data determined in the vehicle before the rest time of the vehicle is transmitted during the data exchange. In this embodiment, in the method, data is exchanged between the computing unit and the server in a vehicle state in which the vehicle, especially the powertrain, has only the ambient temperature. This state exists during a cold start. "Cold start" is understood as the beginning of driving as follows, that is, the vehicle is in a rest state before the start of driving and all components have the temperature of the vehicle environment. The advantage of performing data exchange at the beginning of such driving is that the calculation heat generated here can be used particularly effectively to heat the powertrain to a temperature higher than the lower operating temperature. So far, such data exchange in which the computing unit exchanges data of the previous driving with the central server, especially after driving, is performed. In the state after driving, the powertrain of the vehicle is usually heated to the operating temperature, and the calculation heat cannot be used for its heating. Instead, when performing data exchange after the vehicle is driven, the calculation heat must be derived by cooling, which requires energy. Thus, in the embodiment of the method described, by exchanging the data of the last trip before the rest time at the beginning of another trip, not only energy for deriving the calculated heat but also energy for heating the drive train is saved. Alternatively, the data exchange can also be performed during the trip when the actual temperature of the drive train drops below the lower operating temperature. For example, during the trip, such a state can occur when the ambient temperature is very low and at the same time the required drive energy is so low that little drive heat is generated in the drive train.

[0013] In another embodiment of the method, it is provided that, when the actual temperature of the powertrain is higher than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain, the data exchange is performed only when the computing heat generated by the data exchange between the computing unit and the server can be discharged via the passive / passive cooling system of the vehicle, in particular when substantially no energy from the vehicle battery is required to discharge the computing heat. When the actual temperature of the powertrain is higher than its lower operating temperature and the data exchange is meaningful or necessary at the same time, the data exchange is performed when the computing heat generated by the data exchange can be discharged via the passive cooling system. Here, a "passive cooling system" is understood to be a cooling system that substantially does not require energy from the vehicle's energy storage device for discharging waste heat. Such a passive cooling system can be, for example, a running air cooler through which a cooling medium that has previously absorbed heat at the computing unit flows. Alternatively, the passive cooling system can also be a heat conducting plate that absorbs heat from the computing unit and passively / passively outputs it to the vehicle environment.

[0014] In another embodiment, it is provided that the calculation heat generated by the data exchange is output to the environment of the vehicle via a cooler, and / or the time for data exchange between the calculation unit and the server is determined by the calculation unit based on a temperature sensor, a camera or a weather forecast. This embodiment of the method is also performed when the actual temperature of the powertrain is higher than its lower operating temperature. In this case, the calculation heat generated can be output to the vehicle environment via a cooler. Preferably, the cooler passively outputs heat to the vehicle environment by convection. In this way, the operation of the cooler does not require or only requires very little energy from the energy storage device of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, in the method, in order to determine the ideal time for data exchange, information from various sensors on the vehicle can be taken into account. Thus, for example, the temperature in the vehicle or outside the vehicle can be determined by a temperature sensor. Alternatively, a camera installed in or on the vehicle can be used to determine whether it is sunny, cloudy or night. Then the data exchange time can be postponed based on these data, for example, until there is no sunlight and the ambient temperature of the vehicle is low. When the ambient temperature of the vehicle is low, a large amount of waste heat can be output via a passive cooling system. In addition, it is feasible that the calculation unit obtains a weather forecast, for example, via a connection with a server. The data exchange time can then be postponed, for example, based on the weather forecast until a predicted drop in outside temperature or rain. Under these external conditions, a relatively large amount of waste heat can also be passively discharged to the outside of the vehicle. It is also possible for the computing unit to determine the optimal time for data exchange based on a plurality of sensors or information sources.

[0015] It is also possible that, in the case where the actual temperature of the powertrain is lower than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain, as an additional or alternative to the data exchange between the computing unit and the server, the computing unit performs a calculation that is independent of the operation of the vehicle, and the calculation heat generated in the process is at least partially transmitted to the powertrain, in particular, the calculation that is independent of the operation is performed based on the data transmitted by the server. In this embodiment of the method, it is provided that if heat is required to heat the powertrain to a temperature higher than the lower operating temperature, then as an additional or alternative to the data exchange between the computing unit and the server, the computing unit performs at least a calculation that is independent of the operation of the vehicle. This calculation is not necessary for the actual operation of the vehicle. That is, for example, the calculation of other applications can be transferred to the computing unit of the vehicle, and after the calculation, the computing unit transmits the result back to the server again. Thus, capacity is provided in the computing unit of the vehicle for external calculations, which can be performed by paying. In this way, an external user uses the computing capacity of the computing unit of the vehicle, and in the process generates calculation heat in the vehicle by the calculation performed, which can be used to heat another component, such as the powertrain. Thus, by selling computing power, part of the costs of the energy requirement for generating computing heat and heating the drive train can be covered. Such calculations, which are independent of the operation of the vehicle, can advantageously be performed at the beginning of a journey, in particular after a cold start of the vehicle, in order to provide as much computing heat as possible for heating the drive train.

[0016] In another embodiment, it is provided that the computing unit predicts the behavior of one or more vehicle drivers based on the data collected about the corresponding drivers and / or based on the data provided by the corresponding drivers, and when the actual temperature of the powertrain is lower than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain, the data exchange between the computing unit and the server is at least partially carried out before the vehicle starts to drive, and the calculation heat generated during the data exchange is at least partially delivered to the powertrain for preheating the powertrain. In this embodiment, the behavior of the driver driving the vehicle is predicted by the computing unit. Here, multiple drivers can be registered in one vehicle according to the vehicle. The identification of each corresponding driver can be carried out, for example, by a private key or manual input at the beginning of driving. For each driver, the data collected for the driver can be stored in the memory of the computing unit. Such collected data can be, for example, the routes that have been traveled and the time of traveling these routes. In addition, the behavior of the corresponding driver can also be predicted based on the data provided by the driver, for example, by the driving destination entered in the navigation system. In this embodiment of the method, the prediction of the driver's behavior is taken into account when selecting the time for data exchange between the computing unit and the server located outside. Thus, for example, data exchange can be started before the actual start of the journey based on this prediction in order to preheat the powertrain of the vehicle. If it is predicted that a certain driver will travel the same route at a certain time every day, for example to go to work, the data exchange can be started before the start of the predicted journey and the calculated heat of the data exchange can be used to heat the powertrain or other components in the vehicle. In this way, the driver will find that the vehicle is already thermally prepared when starting the journey and the powertrain of the vehicle already has the optimal operating temperature. In order to predict the behavior of the driver, artificial intelligence can also be used, which is either implemented in the vehicle itself or on a server located outside the vehicle. In addition, navigation system data related to the route that another driver has already traveled can be used in this method. These data can, for example, reveal sections / journey stages where almost no driving energy is required, so that the data exchange can be designed in such sections in order to keep the powertrain at the desired operating temperature during driving. By using artificial intelligence, the method can improve and more effectively design the thermal regulation of components in the vehicle by learning from the collected and input data.

[0017] It is feasible that the data collected for the corresponding driver include a known, already traveled route, a known speed profile and / or a known travel time, and / or the data provided by the corresponding driver include a trip plan from a calendar entry or an explicit input, and / or the corresponding driver is asked whether he wants to travel a known route before the start of the journey. The data collected for the corresponding driver can include all acquired data that the motor vehicle has collected on the same or similar route that has been traveled. These data can include a destination, a distance and a speed profile. It is also advantageous that the data provided by the corresponding driver include an electronic calendar entry, which contains the time and destination of the planned journey. This calendar entry is particularly helpful for data exchange before the planned journey is about to begin, so as to preheat the powertrain and other components in the vehicle through the generated calculation heat. It is also feasible that the driver manually enters a trip plan at the vehicle or in the vehicle, such as a trip planned for tomorrow, which can also achieve preheating of the powertrain before the start of the journey. It is also advantageous that the calculation unit provides one or more possible predicted travel destinations for the corresponding driver to choose from at the beginning of the journey. In this way, in the method, the predictions of the computing unit can be confirmed in a simple manner, thereby avoiding prediction errors and thus poor thermal management in the vehicle component.

[0018] In another embodiment, it is provided that, in the case of an actual temperature of the powertrain being higher than a lower operating temperature of the powertrain, the data exchange between the computing unit and the server is carried out if the calculation heat generated by the data exchange between the computing unit and the server can be discharged via the passive cooling system of the vehicle according to the predicted corresponding driver behavior of the vehicle, or if it is predicted that the actual temperature of the powertrain will drop below the lower operating temperature of the powertrain and thus the calculation heat generated during the data exchange will need to be transferred to heat the powertrain. In this embodiment, as described above, the corresponding driver behavior of the vehicle is predicted. This prediction can also be used to define the time of the data exchange when the powertrain already has an operating temperature so that the calculation heat generated in the process can be discharged via the passive cooling system of the vehicle, thereby saving at least energy for actively cooling the computing unit. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the data exchange at this time to counteract overcooling of the powertrain or other components if it is predicted that the powertrain will cool below the lower operating temperature during driving.

[0019] The object of the invention is also achieved by a device for thermally regulating a plurality of components in a vehicle, the device comprising:

[0020] at least one computing unit which forms part of the vehicle and is configured to carry out calculations in the vehicle,

[0021] at least one drive train forming part of the vehicle and being provided for driving the vehicle, and

[0022] at least one heat exchanger which is thermally connected at least to the computing unit and the drive train,

[0023] Therein, the computing unit is configured to execute the method according to one of the above-described embodiments, and the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the computing unit to the drive train, or vice versa, in a manner regulated by the computing unit.

[0024] The device according to the invention is configured to carry out a method for thermally regulating a plurality of components in a vehicle according to one of the embodiments described above. The device is thus arranged in a vehicle, preferably in an at least partially electric vehicle. The device according to the invention thus comprises components which also belong to the vehicle.

[0025] The device according to the invention comprises at least one computing unit, which is configured to perform calculations in the vehicle. In addition, the computing unit is configured to adjust other components of the device and to perform the method according to the invention. In addition, the computing unit is configured to repeatedly exchange data with a server located outside the vehicle for comparing vehicle data with centrally stored data. The data exchange is used to compare data generated or determined in the vehicle with data stored on the server. The requirements for such data exchange and at which time and at what intervals the data exchange must or should be performed have been described in conjunction with the method. In addition, the device according to the invention comprises at least one powertrain arranged to drive the vehicle. The powertrain can include, for example, a battery and a drive motor. In addition to the powertrain, the device according to the invention can also include other components that should be thermally regulated in the vehicle. In addition, the device according to the invention also comprises at least one heat exchanger, which constitutes a technical means for exchanging heat between the computing unit and the powertrain. Therefore, the heat exchanger can be configured, for example, to transmit the calculation heat generated in the computing unit to the powertrain, in order to make the actual temperature of the powertrain higher than its lower operating temperature. But the heat exchanger can also be used to transport heat in the reverse direction, for example, to transfer the drive waste heat of the powertrain to the computing unit or other components of the device. For example, the heat exchanger can be implemented as a ring pipeline for guiding fluid, which is not only thermally connected to the computing unit but also to the powertrain. Here, the fluid in the ring pipeline absorbs heat at the component and outputs heat again at other components. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can also be implemented as a heat pump, for example, which transports heat between different temperature levels of two different components of the device. For this purpose, such a heat pump can also include a fluid pipeline, which contains a medium, which evaporates in one component to take away heat and condenses again in another component. It is also feasible to implement the heat exchanger as a simple, heat-conducting solid, for example, as a strip made of a heat-conducting material. The computing unit is configured to perform the method according to the present invention, and within the scope of the method, the heat exchanger is adjusted so that the required heat exchange is performed between two components in the vehicle, especially between the computing unit and the powertrain. The device according to the present invention is simple in structure and can be integrated in the vehicle at low cost. By means of the device according to the invention, the heat generated in the vehicle during calculations of the computing unit is effectively utilized to reduce the energy requirement of the vehicle.

[0026] Finally, the object of the invention is achieved by a vehicle, in particular an at least partially electric vehicle, having a device according to the embodiments described above. By means of the device according to the invention which the vehicle according to the invention has, the method according to the invention can be carried out in the vehicle. In this way, the waste heat generated during the calculation can be used more efficiently and the energy requirement of the vehicle can be reduced thereby.

[0027] The features, functions and advantages disclosed in conjunction with the method are considered to be disclosed in conjunction with the device and the vehicle. Likewise, conversely, the features, functions and advantages disclosed in conjunction with the device and the vehicle are also considered to be disclosed in conjunction with the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is schematically illustrated with the aid of embodiments in the drawings and is further described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] in:

[0030] Figure 1 An embodiment of a vehicle having the device according to the invention is shown in a schematic diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1The schematic diagram shows an embodiment of a vehicle 100 with a device 50 according to the invention. The vehicle 100 shown is an electric vehicle 100. A drive train 20 is provided to drive the vehicle 100, which is symbolically represented in the figure by a box-shaped housing near the bottom of the vehicle. The drive train 20 includes a battery, a drive motor and the power electronics required for regulating the drive train 20. A computing unit 10 is symbolically represented at the front of the vehicle 100, which is configured to perform calculations generated in the vehicle. In addition, the computing unit 10 can also perform calculations that are independent of the actual operation of the vehicle 100. In addition, the computing unit 10 is configured to repeatedly exchange data with a server S located outside the vehicle 100. This data exchange is required in order to exchange and compare the data collected or input in the vehicle 100 with the data memory located on the server S. This data exchange helps, for example, to collect information about the vehicle and its driver and evaluate it in order to continuously improve the vehicle 100 and its regulating electronics. The data exchange between the computing unit 10 and the server S is realized via a wireless link, for example via a radio link or a mobile radio link. In addition, the vehicle 100 includes a cooler K, which is arranged on the front side of the vehicle 100 on the right side. The cooler K is configured to passively output heat to the vehicle environment when all components of the device 50 have been fully heated and have the desired operating temperature. The cooler K is implemented as a driving wind cooler that is surrounded by the driving wind when the vehicle is driving. When the driving wind flows around the cooler K, it absorbs heat from the cooler by convection and outputs it to the vehicle environment again. As a result, the cooler K dissipates heat passively and does not require energy from the battery of the vehicle 100. As a result, the cooler K is a passive cooling system of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 according to the present invention shown in the device 50 also includes a heat exchanger 30, which is symbolically shown near the bottom of the vehicle. The heat exchanger 30 is configured to transport heat between different components of the device 50. In the embodiment shown, the heat exchanger 30 includes two fluid lines that connect the heat exchanger 30 to the powertrain 20, the computing unit 10 and the cooler K. One of the two fluid lines forms a supply line and the other forms a return line for the liquid medium. The heat exchanger 30 also includes an electronic control device and a plurality of valves, which are arranged to switch the fluid lines to one another. The structural details of the heat exchanger 30 are not shown. If, for example, the vehicle 100 starts driving after a cold start, when the actual temperature of the drive train 20 is below its lower operating temperature, then according to the method according to the invention, the calculation unit 10 can perform a data exchange between the calculation unit 10 and the server S. By the calculations generated during the data exchange, the calculation unit 10 generates calculation heat for heating the drive train 20.In this case, the heat exchanger 30 is adjusted so that the fluid absorbs heat in the computing unit 10, is supplied to the drive train 20 via corresponding fluid lines and releases heat again there. In another case, if the drive train 20 has reached its operating temperature, the heat exchanger 30 can be adjusted, for example, so that the fluid flows from the computing unit 10 to the cooler K, where it is passively cooled. As an alternative to the described embodiment of the heat exchanger 30, the heat exchanger can also be designed in a different way, for example as a heat pump with two or more temperature levels.

[0032] Reference numerals list

[0033] 10 Computational Units

[0034] 20 Powertrain

[0035] 30 Heat exchanger

[0036] 50 devices

[0037] 100 Vehicles

[0038] K Cooler

[0039] S Server

Claims

1. A method for thermally regulating a plurality of components in a vehicle (100), wherein: The vehicle (100) comprises as a component at least one computing unit (10), which is configured to perform computing in the vehicle (100), wherein computing heat is generated in the computing unit during computing, and the vehicle (100) comprises as a further component at least one drive train (20), which is configured to drive the vehicle (100) and generates driving heat during operation. The computing unit (10) is configured to perform the calculations required for the operation of the vehicle (100) and to additionally repeatedly exchange data with a server (S) located outside the vehicle (100) in order to compare vehicle data with centrally stored data. In the method, the actual temperatures of the computing unit (10) and the powertrain (20) are determined. When the actual temperature of the powertrain (20) is lower than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain (20), data is exchanged between the computing unit (10) and the server (S), wherein computing heat generated during the data exchange is at least partially supplied to the powertrain (20) to increase the actual temperature of the powertrain.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After a rest period of the vehicle (100), in particular after a cold start of the vehicle (100), at the start of driving, data is exchanged between a computing unit (10) and a server (S), during which data determined in the vehicle before the rest period of the vehicle (100) are transmitted.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: When the actual temperature of the powertrain (20) is higher than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain (20), data exchange is only performed when the computing heat generated by the data exchange between the computing unit (10) and the server (S) can be discharged via the passive cooling system of the vehicle (100), in particular when substantially no energy from the vehicle battery is required to discharge the computing heat.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The computing heat generated by the data exchange is output to the environment of the vehicle (100) via a cooler (K), and / or the computing unit (10) determines the time for data exchange between the computing unit (10) and the server (S) based on a temperature sensor, a camera or a weather forecast.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: In the case where the actual temperature of the powertrain (20) is lower than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain (20), as an additional or alternative to data exchange between the computing unit (10) and the server (S), the computing unit (10) performs calculations unrelated to the operation of the vehicle (100) and at least partially transmits the computing heat generated in the process to the powertrain (20), in particular, the unrelated calculations are performed based on data transmitted by the server (S).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The computing unit (10) predicts the behavior of one or more drivers of the vehicle (100) based on data collected about the corresponding drivers and / or based on data provided by the corresponding drivers. When the actual temperature of the powertrain (20) is lower than a lower operating temperature of the powertrain (20), data exchange between the computing unit (10) and the server (S) is at least partially performed before the vehicle (100) starts to travel, and computing heat generated during the data exchange is at least partially transmitted to the powertrain (20) to preheat the powertrain.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The data collected for the respective driver include a known, already travelled route, a known speed profile and / or a known travel time, and / or the data provided by the respective driver include a calendar entry or an explicitly entered trip plan, and / or the respective driver is asked before the start of the journey whether he wants to travel a known route.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein: In the case where the actual temperature of the powertrain (20) is higher than the lower operating temperature of the powertrain (20), the data exchange is performed between the computing unit (10) and the server (S) if the computing heat generated by the data exchange between the computing unit (10) and the server (S) based on the predicted corresponding driver behavior of the vehicle (100) can be discharged via the passive cooling system of the vehicle (100), or if it is predicted that the actual temperature of the powertrain (20) will drop below the lower operating temperature of the powertrain (20) and thus it will be necessary to transfer the computing heat generated during the data exchange to heat the powertrain (20).

9. An apparatus (50) for thermally regulating a plurality of components in a vehicle (100), the apparatus comprising: at least one computing unit (10), which forms part of the vehicle and is configured to perform calculations in the vehicle (100), at least one drive train (20) forming part of the vehicle and being provided for driving the vehicle (100), and - at least one heat exchanger (30) which is thermally connected at least to the computing unit (10) and the drive train (20), The computing unit (10) is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 above, and the heat exchanger (30) is configured to transfer heat from the computing unit (10) to the powertrain (20), or vice versa, in a manner regulated by the computing unit (10).

10. A vehicle (100), in particular an at least partially electric vehicle (100), comprising a device (50) according to claim 9.

Images