Air conditioning system and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-conditioning system and a motor vehicle, in particular to an air-conditioning system (1) for a motor vehicle (2). It is important for the invention to provide a first heat exchanger (3) having a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), which are arranged in a first plane, a second heat exchanger (6) having a third zone (7) and a fourth zone (8), which are arranged in a second plane, each zone (4, 5, 7, 8) being individually temperature-adjustable, the two planes being arranged parallel to each other, -the first and second zones (4, 5) are oriented by rotating 90 DEG relative to the third and fourth zones (7, 8),-a gas flow (9) flowing perpendicular to the two planes flows through the two heat exchangers (3, 6) in succession. As a result, a four-zone air-conditioning installation which has a simple structure and is inexpensive can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, having such an air conditioning system. Background Art

[0002] The market for mid- to high-end vehicles in particular is demanding air conditioning with up to four independently adjustable temperature zones. In terms of energy efficiency, especially in electric vehicles, there is also an increasing demand for single-seat air conditioning, which can also be achieved with a 4-zone air conditioning system.

[0003] Air conditioning systems with air-side regulation of four temperature zones usually have at least two flow paths, i.e. a hot path through one or more heat exchangers and a cold path bypassing one or more heat exchangers. The two air flows are mixed in a mixing chamber and then distributed to flow channels or outlets connected downstream. The temperature regulation is implemented by changing the air mass flow through the hot and cold paths. The heat exchangers used for this purpose do not have to be power-regulated and can also be implemented using single-zone heat exchangers. Here, the heating device on the fluid side can be continuously circulated, for example, or no mass flow regulation can be performed on the fluid side.

[0004] In the air conditioning system on the heater side, there is no cold circuit, that is, all air flows through one / more heat exchangers. Here, temperature regulation is implemented by power regulation of the heat exchanger itself, for example, in the heating device on the fluid side by changing the mass flow on the fluid side.

[0005] The display of a 4-zone HVAC concept can be shown using an air-side method, which, however, requires four adjustable hot and cold paths for four temperature zones. Here, the different temperatures are generated by mixing different hot and cold air mass flows in one zone. The disadvantage here is the larger installation space requirement and the higher costs, since each zone usually requires an actuator-operated hot and cold air flap.

[0006] In heater-side air conditioning systems, the individual zones are generated directly via one or more heat exchangers. All air always flows through one or more heat exchangers and is temperature-controlled by them according to the zone characteristics. Each zone of the heat exchanger corresponds to a temperature zone in the air conditioning system. The disadvantage here is that the multi-zone characteristic makes these components more complex and therefore more expensive to manufacture, and also more complex to integrate into the motor vehicle (for example, due to the separate energy supply to the individual zones of the heater). In addition, a relatively large installation space requirement is required.

[0007] Therefore, in order to realize a 4-zone air conditioning system, electric heat exchangers such as PTC heaters or Peltier elements are usually used. However, the complexity of such electric heat exchangers also increases with the number of zones, and thus, for example, the price also rises, and in particular, the installation space requirement of the controller also increases. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention is therefore directed to the problem of realizing an at least 4-zone air conditioning installation which is not only inexpensive but also space-saving.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention is based on such a general idea that two heat exchangers of at least 2 zones are connected in series so that at least four different zones, that is, temperature zones, can be realized by using them. Here, the 2-zone heat exchanger used for this purpose is technically simple in structure and cheaper than, for example, a 4-zone heat exchanger. Thus, the air conditioning device for a motor vehicle (such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle) according to the present invention has a first heat exchanger, which has a first zone preferably in the shape of an elongated strip and a second zone preferably in the shape of an elongated strip, and the two zones are arranged in a first plane. The first heat exchanger can be, for example, square, so that in this case, the first and second zones preferably in the shape of an elongated strip have a length twice as long as the width respectively. The air conditioning device according to the present invention also has a second heat exchanger, which has a third zone preferably in the shape of an elongated strip and a fourth zone preferably in the shape of an elongated strip, and the two zones are arranged in a second plane. The second heat exchanger can be, for example, square, so that the third and fourth zones preferably in the shape of an elongated strip have a length twice as long as the width respectively. Here, all zones are preferably of equal size. Alternatively, these zones can also have different sizes. A typical common layout of a multi-zone air conditioning device is, for example, that the front zone is assigned about 2 / 3 of the heat exchanger area and the rear zone is assigned about 1 / 3 of the heat exchanger area. Here, the two planes of the two heat exchangers extend parallel to each other, and in the installed state, the air flow flows through them orthogonally. The first and second zones of the first heat exchanger are now oriented orthogonally (i.e., rotated 90°) to the third and fourth zones of the second heat exchanger, so that four different temperature zones can be realized relatively simply and inexpensively depending on the control of each of the two zones of the two heat exchangers. Since the 2-zone heat exchanger itself has long been known and inexpensive, two heat exchangers that have been proven for a long time, that is, whether they are fluid-controlled or electrically controlled, can be combined into an air conditioning facility according to the present invention by simply connecting them in series and rotating them relative to each other, so that four different temperature zones can be realized relatively simply with their help. In addition, this air conditioning facility does not require a mixing chamber or a complex valve or control system, so that the air conditioning facility of the present invention also optimizes the installation space.

[0011] In an advantageous improvement of the air conditioning system according to the invention, the first and second zones of the first heat exchanger are arranged upright and side by side. Here, the first plane of the first heat exchanger can be oriented vertically in the installed state, for example, so that the first zone is arranged upright to the left and the second zone is arranged upright to the right.

[0012] In an advantageous improvement of the air conditioning installation according to the invention, the third and fourth zones of the second heat exchanger are arranged flatly one above the other. Here, the second plane of the second heat exchanger can be oriented vertically, for example, in the installed state, so that the third zone is arranged flatly on top and the fourth zone is arranged flatly below it. Here, the second plane of the second heat exchanger is also arranged vertically in the installed state, so that the first and second heat exchangers are arranged one after another in the flow direction in a vertical plane in the installed state. Here, the first and second heat exchangers or their respective planes are preferably square, so that the first plane can be arranged flush with the second plane in the flow direction. By simply controlling the respective zones of the first and / or second heat exchanger, four independent temperature zones can now be realized downstream of the two heat exchangers, so that, for example, a single-seat air conditioner can be realized in a motor vehicle. Here, the main advantage lies in the optimization of the installation space and the technical simplicity of the two heat exchangers.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment of the air conditioning system according to the invention, the first heat exchanger has at least one further zone, preferably in the form of an elongate strip, which is arranged in the first plane. In this case, at least the further zone can be a fifth zone, which in the installed state is also arranged vertically next to the other two zones. If the second heat exchanger has only two different zones, namely the third and fourth zones, then with this embodiment, six different temperature zones downstream of the two heat exchangers can already be realized.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the air conditioning system according to the invention, the second heat exchanger has at least one further zone, preferably in the form of an elongate strip, for example a sixth zone, which is arranged in the second plane, for example lying flat below the third and fourth zones. If combined with a first heat exchanger which also has three zones, a total of nine different temperature zones downstream of the two heat exchangers can now be obtained and implemented, with the two heat exchangers arranged in a plane rotated by 90°. In this case, for example, single-seat air conditioning and additional air conditioning or temperature control, for example in the foot and head areas, can be implemented. Thus, the individual air conditioning zones or temperature zones can also be subdivided into further so-called sub-zones.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the air conditioning system according to the invention, a flow channel is connected downstream of each of the two subordinate zones of the two heat exchangers. Thus, an air conditioning system having two heat exchangers, each with two zones, can have a first flow channel, which is influenced in temperature by the first zone of the first heat exchanger and the third zone of the second heat exchanger. The second flow channel can, for example, be influenced in temperature by the second zone of the first heat exchanger and the third zone of the second heat exchanger. The third flow channel is influenced in temperature by the first zone of the first heat exchanger and the fourth zone of the second heat exchanger, while the fourth flow channel is influenced in temperature by the second zone of the first heat exchanger and the fourth zone of the second heat exchanger.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, a flow regulating element, for example a flap, is arranged in at least one of the flow channels. The air flow in the respective flow channels to the outlet can be regulated independently by means of such a flap, thereby achieving a particularly individual and thus user-friendly temperature control of the motor vehicle. From a purely theoretical point of view, it is of course conceivable that the blower device conveying the air flow through the two heat exchangers is adjustable in terms of its power.

[0017] It is appropriate that the first and / or second heat exchanger is connected to the cooling system of the motor vehicle. This makes it possible, for example, to implement a so-called water-side concept. As an alternative, it is also conceivable that the first and / or second heat exchanger each has an electric heating device, in particular a PTC heating element, which brings the great advantage that a fluid-carrying connection to the cooling system of the motor vehicle can be omitted. This not only reduces the number of parts, but also reduces the storage and logistics costs and the assembly work associated therewith, and thus reduces costs.

[0018] The invention is further based on the general idea that a motor vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning system as described in the preceding paragraphs, whereby the advantages described with respect to the air conditioning system according to the invention are also transferred to the motor vehicle. Specifically, the advantage is that the air conditioning system according to the invention is not only technically simple to construct with components that have been tried and tested for a long time, but also requires a relatively small installation space requirement.

[0019] Further important features and advantages of the invention are revealed in the dependent claims, in the drawings and in the description of the figures in conjunction with the drawings.

[0020] It should be understood that the above-mentioned features and the features to be described below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The components of a superordinate unit (such as a device, apparatus or system) mentioned above and mentioned below and marked separately can form independent components or assemblies of the unit, or be integral regions or sections of the unit, even if this is shown with different markings in the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals identify identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0022] In the figure, it is indicated accordingly:

[0023] Figure 1 is a sectional view of an air conditioning system according to the invention of a motor vehicle according to the invention, showing temperature zones A, C,

[0024] Figure 2 is a possible embodiment of the first heat exchanger,

[0025] Figure 3 is a possible embodiment of the second heat exchanger,

[0026] Figure 4 is a view of two heat exchangers connected in series in the flow direction,

[0027] Figure 5 are different temperatures in different temperature zones in the case of differently controlled zones of two heat exchangers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] according to Figures 1 to 5 The air conditioning system 1 according to the invention for a motor vehicle 2 (not shown in more detail), for example an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, comprises a first heat exchanger 3 which in this case has an elongated first zone 4 and an elongated second zone 5. Figures 1 to 5 , the two zones 4, 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 are arranged vertically and side by side. Furthermore, the first and second zones 4, 5 are arranged in a first plane. In the illustrated example, the air conditioning installation 1 also has a second heat exchanger 6 (see Figures 2 to 4 ), which has a third elongated region 7 and a fourth elongated region 8, both of which are arranged in the second plane. Figure 1 In the final installation state shown, the two planes of the two heat exchangers 3, 6 are arranged parallel to each other and the air flow 9 (see Figure 1 and Figure 4 According to the invention, the longitudinal direction of the first and second zones 4, 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 now extends orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the third and fourth zones 7, 8 of the second heat exchanger 6, which is particularly Figure 1 and Figure 4 Here, “orthogonal” means that the second heat exchanger 6 is arranged rotated 90° relative to the first heat exchanger 3 about an axis extending perpendicularly to the second plane thereof.

[0029] In this case, the third elongated zone 7 and the fourth elongated zone 8 are arranged flatly one above the other. By arranging the two heat exchangers 3, 6 in a plane rotated by 90° relative to each other, it is now possible to realize a total of four temperature zones A to D (see Figure 4 and 5 ). In addition, the two heat exchangers 3, 6 are preferably constructed in the same structure and are fluid-temperature-controlled or electrically heated / temperature-controlled, which not only helps to reduce the number of parts and the storage and logistics costs associated therewith, but also reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs. It goes without saying that it is also conceivable that the first heat exchanger 3 is a fluid-temperature-controlled heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger 6 is electrically operated, or vice versa. Thus, the two heat exchangers 3, 6 can also be constructed in different ways. In the case of fluid-temperature-controlled heat exchangers 3, 6, they can be integrated into the cooling system or refrigeration circuit of the motor vehicle and temperature-controlled by it.

[0030] It goes without saying that the two heat exchangers 3, 6 can also be arranged parallel to each other in such a way that the first and second zones 4, 5 are arranged horizontally one above the other, while the third and fourth zones 7, 8 of the second heat exchanger 6 are arranged vertically and side by side. The individual zones 4, 5, 7, 8 are understood here to be different temperature zones, which can be individually controlled by corresponding control devices.

[0031] Here, the air conditioning system 1 according to the invention or the two heat exchangers 3 , 6 combined with one another are preferably arranged according to the invention. Figures 1 to 5 The embodiment shown is purely exemplary, so that the first heat exchanger 3 can also have, for example, elongated additional zones (temperature zones) arranged in the first plane. In the case of such a combination of a first heat exchanger 3 which is identical with respect to its outer dimensions with a second heat exchanger 6 which has only two temperature zones (i.e., the third zone 7 and the fourth zone 8), six different temperature zones can already be realized. If the second heat exchanger 6 also has at least one elongated additional zone arranged in the second plane of the second heat exchanger 6, nine different temperature zones can already be realized.

[0032] In this case, the first and / or second heat exchanger 3, 6 can be connected with its zones 4, 5 or 7, 8, for example, to a cooling system or refrigeration circuit of the motor vehicle 2, wherein it is also conceivable to arrange a heating device, in particular a PTC heating element or a Peltier element, in the individual zones 4, 5, 7, 8. It is also conceivable, as described above, for one of the heat exchangers 3, 6 to be a fluid-temperature-controlled heat exchanger, while the other heat exchanger 6, 3 is electrically operated, or vice versa.

[0033] Further observation Figure 1, it can be seen that downstream of each of the two heat exchangers 3, 6, two zones 4, 5, 7, 8 arranged one after the other in the flow direction of the air flow 9, there are associated flow channels 10, 11, 12, 12'. The temperatures of four different temperature zones A to D can be independently adjusted in the motor vehicle 2 via the flow channels 10 to 12'.

[0034] according to Figure 1 , flow channels 10, 12 are shown here, since the cross section is in temperature zones A and C. The reference numerals for flow channels 11, 12' are written in brackets and indicate these flow channels, which can be seen in the cross section through temperature zones B, D. Figure 1 In the selected cross-sectional position, the temperature zones B, D and the flow channels 11, 12' are located above the drawing plane. The zone 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 is located above the drawing plane. Figure 1 The brackets are also written in the middle because only when the cross section is Figure 1 The selected position in the drawing can only be seen when it passes through the temperature zones B, D and the flow channels 11, 12' and is located above the drawing plane.

[0035] In order to be able to control the gas flow 9 in each flow channel 10, 11, 12, 12' independently, a flow regulating element 13 can be arranged in at least one of the flow channels 10, 11, 12, 12' or in another flow channel (see Figure 1 ), in particular a valve. The four flow channels 10, 11, 12, 12' of the associated temperature zones A to D terminate in the interior space at least at outlets 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Each outlet 14 to 18 may be provided with an associated flow regulating element 13 (see Figure 1 ), in particular the valve and thus can be adjusted.

[0036] Here, according to Figure 5 Five different temperatures, which are merely indicated by way of example, are shown at the outlet of the individual temperature zones A to D in the case of different activation of the individual zones 4 , 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 and the zones 7 , 8 of the second heat exchanger 6 .

[0037] The following should be combined with examples (i.e., Figure 5 Examples on the left side of the top row) briefly explained Figure 5 :

[0038] The letters A to D are used to designate the temperature zones after the flow through the two heat exchangers 3, 6. At the top right of the respective temperature zone A to D is the value zero (0), a plus sign (+) or a minus sign (-), wherein zero (0) corresponds to a reference value (reference temperature), while a plus sign (+) is greater than the reference value (reference temperature) and a minus sign (-) is below the reference value (reference temperature) zero (0). The double minus sign (--) (see Figure 5The lower right figure) indicates a temperature that is significantly lower than the reference value (reference temperature).

[0039] Below the respective temperature zone A to D are the temperatures of the first heat exchanger 3 in its respective first or second zone 4 , 5 , while below this in the bottom row of the respective temperature zone A to D the temperatures of the third or fourth zone 7 , 8 of the second heat exchanger 6 are shown.

[0040] exist Figure 5 In the upper left view, which corresponds to the closed state of the air conditioning system 1 or the two heat exchangers 3, 6 and / or an operating state requiring the same temperature in all four temperature zones A to D, all zones 4, 5 as well as 7 and 8 of the two heat exchangers 3, 6 have a temperature corresponding to the reference value zero (0), so that the air flow flowing out of the respective temperature zones A to D also has a temperature corresponding to the reference value zero (0), i.e., the reference temperature.

[0041] Here, the first temperature zone A passes through the first zone 4 of the first heat exchanger 3 and the third zone 7 of the second heat exchanger 6, and can therefore also be referred to as the first temperature zone A (4-7). Here, the first temperature zone A is assigned a first flow channel 10. Here, the second temperature zone B passes through the second zone 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 and the third zone 7 of the second heat exchanger 6, and can therefore also be referred to as the second temperature zone B (5-7). Here, the second temperature zone B is assigned a second flow channel 11. The third temperature zone C passes through the first zone 4 of the first heat exchanger 3 and the fourth zone 8 of the second heat exchanger 6, and can therefore also be referred to as the third temperature zone C (4-8), and the fourth temperature zone D passes through the second zone 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 and the fourth zone 8 of the second heat exchanger 6, and can therefore also be referred to as the fourth temperature zone D (5-8). Here, the third temperature zone C is assigned a third flow channel 12, and the fourth temperature zone D is assigned a fourth flow channel 12'.

[0042] observe Figure 5 In the lower right figure of FIG. 1 , it can be seen that in the first temperature zone A, the first zone 4 of the first heat exchanger 3 has a plus sign (+), i.e., the first zone 4 is hotter than the reference value zero (0), while the third zone 7 of the second heat exchanger 6 has a minus sign (-), and is thus colder than the reference value zero (0) (in each case with respect to the reference temperature). Here, if the positive (temperature) deviation of the first zone 4 of the first heat exchanger 3 from the reference value zero (0) is equal to the negative (temperature) deviation of the third zone 7 of the second heat exchanger 6, the two values ​​cancel each other out, so that in the upper right corner, the value zero (0) is displayed for the temperature zone A, i.e., the temperature of the temperature zone A corresponds to the reference temperature.

[0043] exist Figure 5In the temperature zone B in the lower right view, the second zone 5 of the first heat exchanger 3 has a minus sign (-), so that it is cooler than the reference value zero (0). In the same way, the third zone 7 of the second heat exchanger 6 is also cooler than the reference value zero (0) and is also shown as a minus sign (-). Since both zones 5, 7 are below the reference value zero (0), the air flowing out of the temperature zone B has a double minus sign (--), which is shown in the upper right corner. The air flowing out of the temperature zone B is cooled or heated to a lesser extent by both zones 5, 7 of the two heat exchangers 3, 6, so that its temperature is significantly lower than the reference temperature.

[0044] In accordance with Figure 5 In the temperature zone C of the lower right view, the first zone 4 of the first heat exchanger 3 has a value or temperature greater than the reference value zero (0), i.e., greater than the reference temperature, and is therefore marked with a plus sign (+). Conversely, the fourth zone 8 of the second heat exchanger 6 has a value or temperature corresponding to the reference value zero (0), i.e., the reference temperature, and is therefore entered here as zero (0). In summary, the air flowing out of the temperature zone C thus has a value or temperature greater than the reference value zero (0) or the reference temperature, and is therefore marked with a plus sign (+) in the upper right corner of the temperature zone C.

[0045] In summary, with the air conditioning system 1 according to the invention and the motor vehicle 2 according to the invention, a very efficient and structurally simple and cost-effective multi-zone air conditioning system, in this case a four-zone air conditioning system, can be realized, for which no complex control or regulation processes or complex mixing chambers and mixing flaps are required. This is achieved by using two two-zone heat exchangers 3, 6, which are known per se, have been proven for a long time and are cost-effective, and are arranged rotated 90° relative to each other in the flow direction, so that four different temperature zones A to D can be obtained in total. In this case, the two heat exchangers 3, 6 can have the same structure, wherein one heat exchanger can be fluid temperature-controlled and the other can be electrically heated.

[0046] The air conditioning system 1 according to the invention requires very little installation space, which is very advantageous in particular in modern electric vehicles.

Claims

1. Air conditioning installations (1) for motor vehicles (2), It is characterized in that - providing a first heat exchanger (3) having a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), the first zone and the second zone being arranged in a first plane, - providing a second heat exchanger (6) having a third zone (7) and a fourth zone (8), said third zone and said fourth zone being arranged in the second plane, - Each zone (4, 5, 7, 8) can be individually temperature-controlled. - two planes arranged parallel to each other, - the first and second zones (4, 5) are oriented rotated 90° relative to the third and fourth zones (7, 8), - An air flow (9) flowing perpendicularly to the two planes flows through the two heat exchangers (3, 6) in sequence.

2. The air conditioning facility according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The first and second regions (4, 5) are arranged vertically side by side.

3. The air conditioning facility according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The third and fourth areas (7, 8) are arranged flatly one on top of the other.

4. The air conditioning installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The first heat exchanger (3) has at least one further zone which is arranged in the first plane.

5. Air conditioning installation according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The second heat exchanger (6) has at least one further zone arranged in the second plane.

6. Air conditioning installation according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A respective flow channel (10, 11, 12, 12') is connected downstream of each of the two respective zones (4, 5, 7, 8) of the two heat exchangers (3, 6).

7. The air conditioning facility according to claim 6, It is characterized in that A flow regulating element (13), in particular a flap, is arranged in at least one flow channel (10, 11, 12, 12').

8. Air conditioning installation according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The first region (4), the second region (5), the third region (7) and the fourth region (8) are configured in an elongated manner.

9. Air conditioning installation according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The first and second heat exchangers (3, 6) are designed to be structurally identical and are fluid- or electrically temperature-controlled.

10. The air conditioning installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that - the first heat exchanger (3) is electrically temperature-controlled and has an electrical heating element and / or a Peltier element, and the second heat exchanger (6) is fluid temperature-controlled, or The first heat exchanger (3) is fluid temperature-controlled, while the second heat exchanger (6) is electrically temperature-controlled and has an electrical heating element and / or a Peltier element. 11 . A motor vehicle ( 2 ) having an air conditioning system ( 1 ) according to claim 1 .

12. A motor vehicle (2) having an air conditioning system (1) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that In the case where the first and second heat exchangers (3, 6) are fluid temperature controlled, the first and second heat exchangers are coupled to a cooling system or refrigeration circuit of the motor vehicle (2).

13. A motor vehicle (2) having an air conditioning system (1) according to claim 10, It is characterized in that In the case where the first heat exchanger (3) or the second heat exchanger (6) is fluid temperature controlled, the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is coupled to a cooling system or a refrigeration circuit of the motor vehicle (2).

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