Air conditioning system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle. It has a main channel for guiding a main air flow of guide air to an interior space of the vehicle. The air conditioning system has a dehumidification device for dehumidification of a first sub-air flow of the main air flow, the dehumidification device being equipped with dehumidification elements for dehumidifying the first sub-air flow. Each dehumidification element is arranged in the main channel such that the first sub-air flow flows through the respective dehumidification element. The dehumidification device has, for each dehumidification element, an air supply channel for guiding the first sub-air flow from the dehumidification element to the main channel and an air exhaust channel for guiding a second sub-air flow from the dehumidification element to the vehicle environment. The dehumidification elements are configured for operation in an adsorption mode for adsorbing humidity and in a desorption mode for desorbing the adsorbed humidity, in the adsorption mode dehumidified air being guided through the air supply channel to the main channel, in the desorption mode humidified air being discharged through the air exhaust channel into the vehicle environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air conditioning system for regulating the air inside a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] An air conditioning system typically includes a main duct for directing a main airflow into the vehicle interior, and at least one cooling device for cooling the air and at least one heating device for heating the air, respectively arranged in the main duct through which air can flow. The main duct leads to multiple air outlets through which the guided air flows into the vehicle interior. This air conditioning system can operate in recirculation mode, where air is drawn in from the vehicle interior and delivered back into the vehicle interior via the main duct, and in external recirculation mode, where air is drawn in from the vehicle's surrounding environment and delivered to the vehicle interior via the main duct. Similarly, this air conditioning system can also typically operate in a mixed mode, where air is drawn in from both the vehicle's surrounding environment and the vehicle interior. Even in recirculation mode, a certain amount of fresh air from the surrounding environment is usually mixed in, for example, to maintain the carbon dioxide content in the vehicle interior air within a non-critical range. Accordingly, recirculation mode typically also includes some form of mixing mode, in which return air from the vehicle interior is mixed with a certain amount of fresh air from the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0003] For a motor vehicle to operate at the highest possible efficiency, the air conditioning system should also operate at the highest possible efficiency. Especially in lower ambient temperatures, it is meaningful for the efficient operation of the air conditioning system to utilize as much preheated air as possible to warm the vehicle's interior. Correspondingly, in lower ambient temperatures, a relatively large amount of return air should be used.

[0004] During recirculation mode, humidity—the proportion of water or water vapor in the recirculated air—increases significantly, attributed to occupants' exhaust fumes or damp objects within the vehicle's interior. This is especially true at lower ambient temperatures, where the likelihood of fogging on vehicle windows increases markedly. To prevent this, the proportion of fresh air must increase accordingly during recirculation mode to incorporate more relatively dry ambient air. However, this reduces the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system because the ambient air must be heated accordingly at lower ambient temperatures.

[0005] Even at higher ambient temperatures, moisture can still enter the vehicle's interior if the ambient air humidity is high. In conventional air conditioning systems, a so-called reheating mode can be used to address this, where warm, humid ambient air is cooled below its dew point by a cooler, causing the moisture to condense and separate as water. This dehumidified air is then reheated by a heater, allowing dry, warm ambient air to be delivered to the vehicle's interior. However, this cooling and subsequent heating of the airflow is very energy-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve this problem, namely, to provide an improved or at least another embodiment of the aforementioned type of air conditioning system, characterized in particular by high energy efficiency.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] This invention is based on the general idea that by dehumidifying the air to be delivered to the vehicle's interior space using a dehumidifier, the likelihood of fogging on the vehicle's windows is reduced, even with a low or no fresh air intake and in low ambient temperatures. This is achievable not only in cases of low ambient temperatures and high return air intake, but also in cases of high ambient temperatures and high fresh air intake. Due to the high return air intake, heating of the vehicle's interior space requires only heating a small amount of cold fresh air from the vehicle's surroundings, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the proposed air conditioning system. The dehumidifier can also be used in external circulation mode to dehumidify humid ambient air without first cooling and then reheating it; in this case, the energy efficiency of the proposed air conditioning system can also be improved.

[0009] Specifically, according to the invention, an air conditioning system is proposed to have a dehumidification device for dehumidifying a first sub-airflow of a main airflow flowing in a main channel. This dehumidification device has at least one dehumidification element for dehumidifying the first sub-airflow, through which the first sub-airflow can flow. Here, each dehumidification element is arranged in the main channel such that, at least during dehumidification operation, the first sub-airflow is separated from the main airflow, thereby flowing through its respective dehumidification element. For each dehumidification element, the dehumidification device has a supply air passage and an exhaust air passage. The supply air passage guides the first sub-airflow from its respective dehumidification element into the main channel, and the exhaust air passage guides a second sub-airflow, which can also be separated from the main airflow flowing in the main channel, from its respective dehumidification element into the vehicle's surrounding environment. Each dehumidifier element is configured to operate in an adsorption mode that adsorbs moisture and in a desorption mode that removes the adsorbed moisture. In adsorption mode, the dehumidified air from the first sub-airflow is guided to the main duct through the air supply duct. In desorption mode, the humidified air from the second sub-airflow is discharged to the vehicle's surrounding environment through the exhaust duct. In other words, during adsorption mode, the dehumidifier elements dehumidify the air flowing through them by adsorbing moisture or by absorbing moisture from the air, i.e., drying it to some extent and making it dehumidified air.

[0010] In this document, the term "adsorption" is understood as a broader concept used for processes that lead to enrichment (i.e., adsorption or absorption), that is, processes that lead to absorption, and should also include processes where adsorption and absorption cannot be clearly distinguished. Each dehumidifying element is composed of an adsorbent material and / or has a coating formed of the adsorbent material. The adsorbent material adsorbs moisture or water. The adsorbent material can be an adsorbent material that adsorbs moisture or water, or an absorbent material that absorbs moisture or water. In principle, a configuration in which the dehumidifying element has both adsorbent and absorbent materials is also conceivable.

[0011] Conversely, in desorption mode, the moisture absorbed in the dehumidification element is discharged back into the air flowing through it, thereby wetting the air and making it humidified. In this case, the humidified air is exhausted into the vehicle's surrounding environment through the exhaust duct. Thus, the air to be delivered to the vehicle's interior is dehumidified, and the moisture is then exhausted into the vehicle's surrounding environment at a relatively high concentration, i.e., in a relatively small volume. It is noteworthy that the dehumidification device operates in adsorption mode without an external energy supply. Through this dehumidification process, the air temperature does not change or changes only slightly, thus the dehumidification device operates essentially or almost isothermally, i.e., achieving isothermal dehumidification operation for air or a first sub-airflow.

[0012] Here, one implementation is advantageous in that the air conditioning system is configured such that it can operate in the dehumidification operation during internal circulation mode and / or external circulation mode and / or mixed mode for dehumidifying the first sub-airflow, that is, separating the first sub-airflow and the second sub-airflow from the main airflow, conveying the first sub-airflow with dehumidified air back to the main airflow downstream of the dehumidification device, and discharging the second sub-airflow with humidified air into the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0013] The air conditioning system proposed herein can also be equipped with a control device for operating the air conditioning system in dehumidification mode, wherein the control device is coupled to the dehumidification device. The dehumidification device or dehumidification element is thus controllably configured. The control device is further configured to operate the dehumidification elements alternately in adsorption mode and desorption mode during dehumidification operation. The air conditioning system according to the invention can achieve an internal circulation mode with an extremely low fresh air share at lower ambient temperatures, thus requiring only very little heating of the fresh air. Therefore, the air conditioning system operates with high energy efficiency. The fresh air share can depend on the carbon dioxide share in the return air, which in turn depends on the number and physical condition of the occupants in the vehicle interior. High-efficiency dehumidification can also be achieved in external circulation mode and mixed mode.

[0014] In this document, “configuration” is equivalent to “construction” and / or “setting” and / or “programming”, thus the expression “configure as follows, i.e.…” is equivalent to the expression “construct as follows, i.e.…” and / or “set as follows, i.e.…” and / or “program as follows, i.e.…”.

[0015] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the control device is configured such that it only activates the dehumidification device when the ambient temperature is lower than or higher than a predetermined boundary value.

[0016] A controllable dehumidifier and its controllable dehumidifying elements represent controllable components, characterized in that they are electrically or electronically controllable or operable with the aid of a control device. In this context, the moisture carried in the air is water or water vapor.

[0017] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the dehumidifier may have at least two such dehumidifying elements, namely a first dehumidifying element and a second dehumidifying element, both of which are adjacent to, and fluidly connected to, the main channel on the inlet side. On the outlet side, each dehumidifying element is assigned at least one such air supply channel and at least one such air exhaust channel, the exhaust channel discharging air from the respective dehumidifying element. The dehumidifier is also equipped with a controllable flap device for controlling each air supply channel and each air exhaust channel. The controllable flap device is also a controllable component, characterized in that it is electrically or electronically controllable or operable with the aid of a control device. Here, the flap device is configured for adjustment between a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state, the first dehumidifying element is adjacent to its respective air supply channel on the outlet side, while the second dehumidifying element is adjacent to its respective air exhaust channel on the outlet side. Conversely, in the second switching state, the second dehumidifying element is adjacent to its respective air supply channel on the outlet side, while the first dehumidifying element is adjacent to its respective air exhaust channel on the outlet side. This implementation allows for the continuous use of one dehumidifying element to dry the first sub-airflow, while simultaneously using the second sub-airflow to restore the other dehumidifying element. Thus, by switching accordingly between the two dehumidifying elements, air can be continuously dried and moisture can be discharged into the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0018] The control device can now be configured such that, during dehumidification operation, it operates the flap device alternately between a first switching state and a second switching state. Furthermore, the control device can also be configured such that, during dehumidification operation, in the first switching state, it operates the first dehumidifying element in adsorption mode and the second dehumidifying element in desorption mode, while during dehumidification operation, in the second switching state, it operates the first dehumidifying element in desorption mode and the second dehumidifying element in adsorption mode. With this configuration, one of the two dehumidifying elements is continuously operated in adsorption mode, while the other is simultaneously operated in desorption mode. Thus, the air in the first sub-airflow can be continuously dehumidified with the aid of the dehumidifying elements, while simultaneously using the air in the second sub-airflow to regenerate the other dehumidifying element.

[0019] In principle, it is conceivable to assign a common air supply duct and a common air exhaust duct to the two dehumidifying elements on the outlet side. In this case, the flap device can be configured such that, in the first switching state, it connects the first dehumidifying element to the common air supply duct and the second dehumidifying element to the common air exhaust duct, while in the second switching state, it connects the first dehumidifying element to the common air exhaust duct and the second dehumidifying element to the common air supply duct.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, each of the two dehumidifying elements can be assigned a separate air supply channel and a separate air exhaust channel on the outlet side. Thus, the first dehumidifying element is assigned a first air supply channel and a first air exhaust channel on the outlet side, while the second dehumidifying element is assigned a second air supply channel and a second air exhaust channel on the outlet side. This allows for a particularly simple and reliable structure for the dehumidifying device.

[0021] According to an advantageous improvement, the flap device can have two separate controllable flap units: a first flap unit for controlling the first air supply channel and the first air exhaust channel, and a second flap unit for controlling the second air supply channel and the second air exhaust channel. These two controllable flap units also represent separately controllable components, characterized in that they are electrically or electronically controllable or manipulated with the aid of a control device. The two flap units can be adjusted between a first switching position and a second switching position, in which their respective air supply channels are open and their respective exhaust channels are blocked, and in the second switching position, their respective air supply channels are blocked and their respective exhaust channels are open. The control device can now be configured such that, to set the first switching state, it controls the first flap unit to the first switching position and controls the second flap unit to the second switching position, and vice versa, to set the second switching state, it controls the first flap unit to the second switching position and controls the second flap unit to the first switching position. This results in a simple structure characterized by high reliability.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, each dehumidifying element may have at least one moisture-absorbing, air-permeable body, which has an electrically heated section, wherein the respective heating section is turned off for adsorption mode and turned on for desorption mode. Here, the control device can be configured to turn off the adsorption mode and turn on the heating section of each dehumidifying element for desorption mode. With the aid of the electrically heated section, each body or each dehumidifying element can be heated for desorption mode, thereby allowing for better desorption of stored moisture.

[0023] The body can be ceramic, depending on the appropriate method. A ceramic body can be made particularly easy to be hygroscopic.

[0024] One particularly advantageous implementation involves a body configured as a semiconductor body, especially a ceramic semiconductor body with a positive temperature coefficient. This PTC semiconductor body integrates the heating element into the body or into the heating element of each dehumidification element. Such a PTC semiconductor body or PTC element is characterized by high reliability during operation. Here, PTC stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient in a common way.

[0025] The substrate can have a moisture-absorbing coating, depending on the appropriate method. In particular, in the case of a substrate constructed as a PTC semiconductor substrate, the substrate's ability to absorb moisture can be significantly improved by means of a moisture-absorbing coating.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the control device can be configured to switch the flap device between a first switching state and a second switching state during dehumidification operation based on a predetermined switching time. This results in particularly reliable operation of the air conditioning system.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the control device is configured such that, during dehumidification operation, it switches the flapper device between a first switching state and a second switching state based on the adsorption degree of the dehumidification elements operating in adsorption mode. Here, the adsorption degree corresponds to the moisture load state of each dehumidification element. By monitoring the adsorption degree, for example, when the adsorption degree reaches a predetermined boundary value (from which point the moisture absorption effect of the corresponding dehumidification element operating in adsorption mode is no longer sufficient to achieve the desired dehumidification of the return air), the flapper device can be controlled to switch between the two switching states as needed.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the control device may be configured to switch the flapper between a first switching state and a second switching state during dehumidification operation based on the humidity of the air in the supply air passage of the dehumidifying element operating in adsorption mode. In other words, in this case, the humidity of the dehumidified air is monitored and compared with a predetermined boundary value. Once the humidity of the dehumidified air reaches the predetermined boundary value, the flapper is manipulated to change the switching state, so that the moisture-saturated dehumidifying element now operates in desorption mode to revert, while the reverted dehumidifying element now operates in adsorption mode.

[0029] According to a suitable embodiment, the dehumidifier may have a sensing mechanism for detecting the adsorption degree of the dehumidifier element operating in adsorption mode and / or for detecting the humidity of the air in the return air duct of the dehumidifier element operating in adsorption mode. A control device may be coupled to the sensing mechanism and thereby obtain the current value of the adsorption degree or humidity, and may compare them with corresponding boundary values. The sensing mechanism can, in principle, be placed arbitrarily or freely in the air conditioning system or motor vehicle.

[0030] Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the accompanying drawings, and the attached drawings in conjunction with the drawings.

[0031] It should be understood that the features described above and below can be used not only in the corresponding specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, components mentioned above and below that are superior units of a separately identified device, apparatus, or system may correspondingly form individual members or parts of that unit, or may correspondingly be an entire region or segment of that unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and further described in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals identify the same or similar or functionally identical parts.

[0033] The attached figures schematically illustrate:

[0034] Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram of a motor vehicle's air conditioning system in its first operating state is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 The view shown shows that the air conditioning system is in its second operating state. Detailed Implementation

[0036] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The motor vehicle 1 includes a vehicle interior space 2 and an air conditioning system 3 for air conditioning the vehicle interior space 2. The air conditioning system 3 has a main channel 4 configured to direct a main airflow 23 of guiding air 5 into the vehicle interior space 2. The air 5 and the main airflow 23... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flow arrows are shown in the middle.

[0037] The air conditioning system 3 is configured to operate selectively in recirculation mode, external recirculation mode, and a hybrid mode. In recirculation mode, air 5 is drawn in primarily or solely from the vehicle interior space 2 and then re-delivered to the vehicle interior space 2 via the main duct 4. Here, air 5 from the vehicle's surrounding environment 6, also referred to as fresh air, can be supplied to the recirculation air 5 from the vehicle interior space 2, or more or less. In external recirculation mode, air 5 is drawn in primarily or solely from the vehicle's surrounding environment 6 and then delivered to the vehicle interior space 2 via the main duct 4. In hybrid mode, air 5 is partially drawn in from the vehicle's surrounding environment 6 and partially drawn in from the vehicle interior space 2 and then delivered to the vehicle interior space 2 via the main duct 4.

[0038] The air conditioning system 3 may also be equipped with a heating device H, through which air 5 can flow and which is configured to heat the air 5. The air conditioning system 3 may also be equipped with a cooling device K, through which air 5 can flow and which is configured to cool the air 5.

[0039] The air conditioning system 3 proposed herein is equipped with a dehumidifier 7, which is configured to dehumidify the air 5 of the first sub-airflow 24, which in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image is shown by an arrow. The dehumidifier 7 thus enables dehumidification operation for dehumidifying the first sub-airflow. For this purpose, the dehumidifier 7 is configured to be controllable and coupled to the control device 8, for example, via a corresponding control line 9. The control device 8 is configured to control or operate the air conditioning system 3 such that it enables the air conditioning system 3 to operate in dehumidification mode during internal circulation mode and / or external circulation mode and / or during mixed mode.

[0040] The dehumidification device 7 has at least one dehumidification element 10, which is configured to dehumidify a first sub-airflow 24, and the first sub-airflow 24 is for this purpose able to flow through the dehumidification element. Specifically, the control device 8 is capable of being coupled to each dehumidification element 10 in a suitable manner. The dehumidification elements 10 are arranged in the main channel 4 such that, at least during dehumidification operation, for this purpose, a first sub-airflow 24 separated from the main airflow 23 guided in the main channel 4 flows through its respective dehumidification element 10. The first sub-airflow 24 guided through its respective dehumidification element 10 may, for example, be 5% or 10% of the total air 5 guided in the main channel 4.

[0041] The dehumidifying element 10 is configured such that it can operate at least partially in adsorption mode SB and at least partially in desorption mode DB. In adsorption mode SB, each dehumidifying element 10 adsorbs moisture from the air 5 flowing through it. The air 5 flowing through the dehumidifying element 10 thus becomes dehumidified air 5'. In desorption mode DB, each dehumidifying element 10 desorbs the moisture adsorbed on or therein and discharges it to the air 5 flowing through it. Here, the air 5 flowing through the dehumidifying element 10 becomes humidified air 5''. For each dehumidifying element 10, the dehumidifying device 7 has an air supply passage 11 and an air exhaust passage 12. The air supply passage 11 guides the air 5 from the respective dehumidifying element 10, i.e., the dehumidified air 5' in the first sub-airflow 24, back to the main passage 4. Conversely, the exhaust duct 12 delivers the air 5 from its respective dehumidification element 10, i.e., the humidified air 5'' in the second sub-airflow 25, to the vehicle's surrounding environment 6. Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is shown in the middle by arrow symbolism.

[0042] The control device 8 is now configured such that, during dehumidification operation, it operates each dehumidification element 10 alternately in adsorption mode AD and desorption mode DB. In adsorption mode SB, each dehumidification element 10 dries the guided air 5 in the first sub-airflow 24 and delivers the dried air 5' to the air supply duct 11, which in turn delivers the dried air 5' to the main duct 4. In other words, the first sub-airflow 24 is again delivered or mixed into the main airflow 23. Simultaneously, the air 5 guided in the second sub-airflow 25, which is also separated from the main airflow 23, is used for the reduction of the respective dehumidification element 10, where the air 5 is humidified and delivered as humidified air 5'' to the vehicle's surrounding environment 6 through the exhaust duct 12.

[0043] According to the particularly advantageous embodiment shown herein, the dehumidifier 7 has at least two such dehumidifying elements 10, namely, a first dehumidifying element 10.1 and a second dehumidifying element 10.2. The two dehumidifying elements 10 are adjacent to the main channel 4 on the inlet side. The inlet side of each dehumidifying element 10 is arranged on the inflow side with respect to the main airflow 23 and... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The middle section is located below each dehumidifying element 10. Furthermore, on the outlet side, each of the two dehumidifying elements 10 is equipped with at least one such air supply duct 11 and at least one such air exhaust duct 12. The outlet side of each dehumidifying element 10 is arranged on the outflow side with respect to the main airflow 23 and... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dehumidifier 7 is located above each dehumidifying element 10. Furthermore, the dehumidifier 7 is equipped with a controllable flap device 13, configured to control each supply air duct 11 and each exhaust air duct 12. For this purpose, the flap device 13 can... Figure 1 The first switching state SZ1 shown is... Figure 2 Adjustment is made between the second switching states SZ2 shown. According to... Figure 1 In the first switching state SZ1, the first dehumidifying element 10.1 is adjacent to its respective air supply duct 11 on the outlet side, while the second dehumidifying element 10.2 is adjacent to its respective exhaust duct 12 on the outlet side. Unlike this, according to... Figure 2 In the second switching state SZ2, the second dehumidifying element 10.2 is adjacent to its respective air supply duct 11 on the outlet side, while the first dehumidifying element 10.1 is adjacent to its respective exhaust duct 12 on the outlet side. Furthermore, the control device 8 is configured such that, during dehumidification operation, its operating flap device 13 alternately adjusts between the first switching state SZ1 and the second switching state SZ2. Furthermore, the control device 8 is configured such that, during dehumidification operation, it adjusts according to... Figure 1In the first switching state SZ1, the first dehumidification element 10.1 is operated in adsorption mode SB, and the second dehumidification element 10.2 is operated in desorption mode DB. During dehumidification operation, the control device 8 adjusts according to... Figure 2 In the second switching state SZ2, the first dehumidification element 10.1 is operated in desorption mode DB and the second dehumidification element 10.2 is operated in adsorption mode SB.

[0044] In the embodiment shown here, each of the two dehumidifying elements 10 is assigned a separate air supply channel 11 and a separate air exhaust channel 12 on the outlet side. Thus, the first dehumidifying element 10.1 is assigned a first air supply channel 11.1 and a first air exhaust channel 12.1 on the outlet side, while the second dehumidifying element 10.2 is assigned a second air supply channel 11.2 and a second air exhaust channel 12.2 on the outlet side. In this case, the flap device 13 is appropriately equipped with two separate, controllable flap units 14, namely, a first flap unit 14.1 to control the first air supply channel 11.1 and the first air exhaust channel 12.1, and a second flap unit 14.2 to control the second air supply channel 11.2 and the second air exhaust channel 12.2. The two flap units 14 are adjustable between a first switching position SS1 and a second switching position SS2, respectively. For this purpose, the two flap units 14 can be exemplaryly equipped with flaps 22 that are adjustable between the two switching positions SS1 and SS2. In the first switching position SS1, the corresponding air supply duct 11 is opened and the corresponding exhaust duct 12 is blocked. Specifically, in the first switching position SS1, the flap 22 blocks the exhaust duct 12 and releases the air supply duct 11. In the second switching position SS2, the corresponding air supply duct 11 is blocked and the corresponding exhaust duct 12 is opened. Specifically, in the second switching position SS2, the flap 22 blocks the air supply duct 11 and releases the exhaust duct 12. The control device 8 is now configured such that, in order to adjust according to Figure 1 In the first switching state SZ1, the first flap unit 14.1 is adjusted to the first switching position SS1, and the second flap unit 14.2 is adjusted to the second switching position SS2. Accordingly, in the first switching state SZ1, the first sub-airflow 24 flows through the first dehumidifying element 10.1 switched to adsorption mode SB, and is dried there. The second sub-airflow 25 belonging to the first dehumidifying element 10.1 is inactive in the first switching state SZ1 and... Figure 1 The arrows are shown using discontinuous lines. Furthermore, in the first switching state SZ1, the second sub-airflow 25 flows through the second dehumidification element 10.2 in the desorption mode DB and is wetted there. The first sub-airflow 24 belonging to the second dehumidification element 10.2 is inactive in the first switching state SZ1 and... Figure 1The arrows are shown using discontinuous lines. This is to adjust according to... Figure 2 In the second switching state SZ2, the control device 8 manipulates the first flap unit 14.1 to adjust to the second switching position SS2 and manipulates the second flap unit 14.2 to adjust to the first switching position SS1. Accordingly, in the second switching state SZ2, the first sub-airflow 24 flows through the second dehumidifying element 10.2 switched to adsorption mode SB and is dried there. The second sub-airflow 25 belonging to the second dehumidifying element 10.2 does not function in the second switching state SZ2 and is... Figure 2 The arrows are shown using discontinuous lines. Furthermore, in the second switching state SZ2, the second sub-airflow 25 flows through the first dehumidifying element 10.1, which has switched to desorption mode DB, and is wetted there. The first sub-airflow 24 belonging to the first dehumidifying element 10.1 is inactive in the second switching state SZ2 and... Figure 2 The arrows are shown in the diagram using discontinuous lines.

[0045] Each dehumidifying element 10 has a moisture-absorbing body 15 through which air can flow, and this body has an electric heating element 16. A control device 8 is coupled to each electric heating element 16 and is configured to turn off the heating element 16 for adsorption mode SB and turn it on for desorption mode DB. Here, the body 15 can be a ceramic body, and preferably a ceramic semiconductor body 17 with a positive temperature coefficient, thereby forming a PTC element 18. The body 15 may be equipped with a moisture-absorbing coating 19 to achieve the moisture absorption function. Each body 15 may be equipped with at least one channel through which air can flow through the body 15 and further through the respective dehumidifying element 10. In a suitable manner, the body 15 has multiple such channels. In particular, the body 15 may have a honeycomb structure.

[0046] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dehumidifier 7 may be equipped with a sensing mechanism 20, which is configured to detect the adsorption degree of the dehumidifier element 10 operating in adsorption mode SB and / or to detect the humidity of the air 5 in the air supply channel 11 of the dehumidifier element 10 operating in adsorption mode SB. The control device 8 is coupled to the sensing mechanism 20 in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, the control device 8 may be configured such that, during the internal circulation mode, it performs the switching of the flap device 13 between a first switching state SZ1 and a second switching state SZ2 based on a predetermined switching time and / or based on the adsorption degree of the dehumidifier element 10 operating in adsorption mode SB and / or based on the humidity of the air 5 in the air supply channel 11 of the dehumidifier element 10 operating in adsorption mode SB.

[0047] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dehumidifier 7 may be equipped with at least one adjustment drive 21 for adjusting the flap device 13 between two switching states SZ1 and SZ2. In this example, two adjustment drive 21s are provided, each assigned to a flap unit 14, so that the flap unit can be adjusted between two switching positions SS1 and SS2. The control device 8 is coupled to each adjustment drive 21 in a suitable manner, particularly via control lines 9. Furthermore, the control device 8 is configured such that, in the internal circulation mode, it controls each adjustment drive 21 to alternately adjust the flap device 13 between the first switching state SZ1 and the second switching state SZ2, and thereby controls the two flap units 14 to adjust between the two switching positions SS1 and SS2.

[0048] exist Figure 1 The document describes a first operating state of the air conditioning system 3, in which a first switching state SZ1 exists for the flap device 13. In this first switching state, the first flap unit 14.1 is in a first switching position SS1, while the second flap unit 14.2 is in a second switching position SS2. Consequently, the first exhaust duct 12.1 and the second supply duct 11.2 are blocked, while the first supply duct 11.1 and the second exhaust duct 12.2 are open. Simultaneously, in the first switching state SZ1, the first dehumidification element 10.1 operates in adsorption mode SB, while the second dehumidification element 10.2 operates in desorption mode DB. Therefore, the first sub-airflow 24 functions at the first dehumidification element 10.1, while the second sub-airflow 25 does not function there; conversely, the second sub-airflow 25 functions at the second dehumidification element 10.2, while the first sub-airflow 24 does not function there. This differs from the previous description. Figure 2 The description illustrates a second operating state of the air conditioning system 3, in which a second switching state SZ2 exists for the flap device 13. In this second switching state, the first flap unit 14.1 is in the second switching position SS2, while the second flap unit 14.2 is in the first switching position SS1. Consequently, the second exhaust duct 12.2 and the first supply duct 11.1 are blocked, while the second supply duct 11.2 and the first exhaust duct 12.1 are open. Furthermore, in the second switching state SZ2, the first dehumidification element 10.1 operates in desorption mode DB, while the second dehumidification element 10.2 operates in adsorption mode SB. Therefore, the second sub-airflow 25 functions at the first dehumidification element 10.1, while the first sub-airflow 24 functions at the second dehumidification element 10.2, while the second sub-airflow 25 functions there.

[0049] List of reference numerals

[0050] 1 Motor vehicles

[0051] 2. Vehicle interior space

[0052] 3. Air conditioning system

[0053] 4 main channels

[0054] 5 air

[0055] 5' Dry air

[0056] 5'' Moist air

[0057] 6. Surrounding environment of the vehicle

[0058] 7 Dehumidifier

[0059] 8 control devices

[0060] 9 control circuits

[0061] 10 dehumidification elements

[0062] 11 air supply channels

[0063] 12 exhaust ducts

[0064] 13 Flip-up Device

[0065] 14-panel unit

[0066] 15 main bodies

[0067] 16 Heating Section

[0068] 17 Ceramic Body

[0069] 18 PTC components

[0070] 19 cladding layers

[0071] 20 sensor mechanisms

[0072] 21 Adjustment drive device

[0073] 22 flip board

[0074] 23 Main airflow

[0075] 24 First Sub-Airflow

[0076] 25 Second Sub-Airflow

[0077] SZ1 First Switching State

[0078] SZ2 Second Switching State

[0079] SS1 First Switch Position

[0080] SS2 Second Switch Position

[0081] H heating device

[0082] K cooling device

[0083] SB adsorption mode

[0084] DB Detachment Mode

Claims

1. An air conditioning system (3) for conditioning the air in the interior space (2) of a motor vehicle (1). - The air conditioning system has a main channel (4) for guiding the main airflow (23) of the guide air (5) to the vehicle interior space (2). - in, The air conditioning system (3) has a dehumidification device (7) for dehumidifying a first sub-airflow (24) of a main airflow (23) flowing in the main channel (4), the dehumidification device having at least one dehumidification element (10) for dehumidifying the first sub-airflow (24), the first sub-airflow (24) being able to flow through the dehumidification element. - Each dehumidifying element (10) is arranged in the main channel (4) such that the first sub-airflow (24) flows through its respective dehumidifying element (10) at least during dehumidification operation. - Among them, for each dehumidifying element (10), the dehumidifying device (7) has an air supply channel (11) that guides the first sub-airflow (24) from the respective dehumidifying element (10) to the main channel (4) and an exhaust channel (12) that guides the second sub-airflow (25) from the respective dehumidifying element (10) to the vehicle surrounding environment (6) of the motor vehicle (1). - Each dehumidifying element (10) is configured to operate in an adsorption mode (SB) for adsorbing moisture and in a desorption mode (DB) for desorbing the adsorbed moisture, wherein in the adsorption mode the dehumidified air (5') of the first sub-airflow (24) is guided to the main channel (4) through the air supply channel (11), and in the desorption mode the humidified air (5'') of the second sub-airflow (25) is discharged to the vehicle surrounding environment (6) through the exhaust channel (12).

2. The air conditioning device (3) according to claim 1. Its features are, - The air conditioning system (3) is configured such that it can operate in dehumidification mode during internal circulation mode and / or external circulation mode and / or during mixed mode. - This separates the first sub-airflow (24) and the second sub-airflow (25) from the main airflow (23). - The first sub-airflow (24) containing dehumidified air (5') is then supplied downstream of the dehumidification device (7) to the main airflow (23), and - A second sub-airflow (25) of moistened air (5'') is directed into the vehicle's surrounding environment (6).

3. The air conditioning device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, - The air conditioning system (3) has a control device (8) for operating the air conditioning system (3), the control device being coupled to the dehumidification device (7). - The control device (8) is configured to operate the air conditioning system (3) in dehumidification operation, that is, the control device alternately manipulates the corresponding dehumidification element (10) in dehumidification operation to operate in the adsorption mode (SB) and the desorption mode (DB).

4. The air conditioning device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, - The dehumidification device (7) has at least two such dehumidification elements (10), namely a first dehumidification element (10.1) and a second dehumidification element (10.2), which are adjacent to the main channel (4) on the inlet side. - At least one such air supply passage (11) and at least one such air exhaust passage (12) are provided for the two dehumidification elements (10) on the outlet side. - The dehumidification device (7) has a controllable flap device (13) for controlling the corresponding air supply channel (11) and the corresponding air exhaust channel (12), the flap device being adjustable between a first switching state (SZ1) and a second switching state (SZ2). - In the first switching state (SZ1), the first dehumidifying element (10.1) is adjacent to its respective supply air duct (11) on the outlet side, while the second dehumidifying element (10.2) is adjacent to its respective exhaust air duct (12) on the outlet side. - In the second switching state (SZ2), the second dehumidifying element (10.2) is adjacent to its respective air supply duct (11) on the outlet side, while the first dehumidifying element (10.1) is adjacent to its respective exhaust duct (12) on the outlet side.

5. The air conditioning device (3) according to claims 3 and 4. Its features are, - The control device (8) is configured such that during dehumidification operation, the control device alternately operates the flap device (13) to adjust between the first switching state (SZ1) and the second switching state (SZ2). - The control device (8) is further configured to: in a first switching state (SZ1) during dehumidification operation, operate the first dehumidification element (10.1) to operate in adsorption mode (SB) and operate the second dehumidification element (10.2) to operate in desorption mode (DB); and in a second switching state (SZ2) during internal circulation mode, operate the first dehumidification element (10.1) to operate in desorption mode (DB) and operate the second dehumidification element (10.2) to operate in adsorption mode (SB).

6. The air conditioning device (3) according to claim 4 or 5. Its features are, - Each of the two dehumidifying elements (10) is provided with a separate air supply channel (11) and a separate air exhaust channel (12) on the outlet side, so that the first dehumidifying element (10.1) is provided with a first air supply channel (11.1) and a first air exhaust channel (12.1) on the outlet side, while the second dehumidifying element (10.2) is provided with a second air supply channel (11.2) and a second air exhaust channel (12.2) on the outlet side.

7. The air conditioning device (3) according to claim 6. Its features are, - The flap device (13) has two separate controllable flap units (14), namely, a first flap unit (14.1) for controlling the first air supply channel (11.1) and the first air exhaust channel (12.1) and a second flap unit (14.2) for controlling the second air supply channel (11.2) and the second air exhaust channel (12.2). - The two flap units (14) can be adjusted between a first switching position (SS1) and a second switching position (SS2), respectively. In the first switching position (SS1), the respective air supply channel (11) is open and the respective air exhaust channel (12) is blocked. In the second switching position (SS2), the respective air supply channel (11) is blocked and the respective air exhaust channel (12) is open.

8. The air conditioning device (3) according to claims 3 and 7. Its features are, - The control device (8) is configured such that, in order to adjust the first switching state (SZ1), the control device manipulates the first flap unit (14.1) to adjust to the first switching position (SS1) and manipulates the second flap unit (14.2) to adjust to the second switching position (SS2); and in order to adjust the second switching state (SZ2), the control device manipulates the first flap unit (14.1) to adjust to the second switching position (SS2) and manipulates the second flap unit (14.2) to adjust to the first switching position (SS1).

9. The air conditioning system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, - Each dehumidifying element (10) has a moisture-absorbing body (15) through which air (5) can flow, and the body has an electric heating part (16). - The corresponding heating element (16) is turned off for the adsorption mode (SB) and turned on for the desorption mode (DB).

10. The air conditioning system (3) according to claim 9. Its features are, - The main body (15) is a ceramic body.

11. The air conditioning system (3) according to claim 9 or 10. Its features are, - The main body (15) is a semiconductor main body with a positive temperature coefficient.

12. The air conditioning system (3) according to any one of claims 9 to 11. Its features are, - The main body (15) has a moisture-absorbing coating (19).

13. The air conditioning system (3) according to claim 3 or the air conditioning system (3) according to any one of claims 3 and 2 to 12. Its features are, The control device (8) is configured to, - This causes the control device to rely on a predetermined switching time during dehumidification operation to switch the flap device (13) between the first switching state (SZ1) and the second switching state (SZ2), and / or - This causes the control device to rely on the adsorption degree of the dehumidifying element (10) operating in adsorption mode (SB) during dehumidification operation to perform the switching of the flap device (13) between the first switching state (SZ1) and the second switching state (SZ2), and / or - The control device relies on the humidity of the air (5) in the air supply channel (11) of the dehumidification element (10) operating in adsorption mode (SB) to perform the switching of the flap device (13) between the first switching state (SZ1) and the second switching state (SZ2).

14. The air conditioning system (3) according to claim 13. Its features are, - The dehumidification device (7) has a sensing mechanism (20) for detecting the adsorption degree of the dehumidification element (10) operating in adsorption mode (SB) and / or for detecting the humidity of the air (5) in the air supply channel (11) of the dehumidification element (10) operating in adsorption mode (SB). - The control device (8) is coupled to the sensing mechanism (20).

Images