motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) with an internal combustion engine (3) and with an air conditioning device (8) operated by means of a refrigerant, wherein - the motor vehicle (1) has at least one exhaust gas-carrying exhaust component (4), - the motor vehicle (1) has at least one refrigerant component (15) carrying the refrigerant, - at least one such exhaust gas component (4) is at least partially surrounded by a shielding sheath (23), - the vehicle has at least one protective line (26) which is arranged in the region of such an exhaust component (4), - a protective fluid container (21) which can be fluidically connected to at least one such protective line (26) is provided, in which a protective fluid (22) is stored, - the protective line (26) has at least one outlet (30) for discharging protective fluid (22) into the environment of the exhaust gas component (4), - a detection device (16) is provided for detecting damage to the motor vehicle (1) and / or at least one such refrigerant component (15), - the motor vehicle (1) has a control device (20) communicatively connected to the detection device (16), - protective fluid, - the control device (20) is designed such that, in the event of damage detected by the detection device (16), it initiates the introduction of the protective fluid (22) into the environment of the protective line (26).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an air conditioning system.

[0002] Motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine are well known in the art. During operation, such an internal combustion engine produces exhaust gases which are discharged from the internal combustion engine by means of at least one exhaust gas component. Such exhaust gas components can in particular be part of an exhaust manifold or an exhaust gas turbocharger. In principle, such a motor vehicle can also be equipped with an air conditioning system which serves to air condition and in particular cool the motor vehicle, for example an interior of the motor vehicle. Such an air conditioning system is usually operated with the aid of a coolant which usually circulates within the air conditioning system, in particular a refrigeration system. The circulation of the coolant usually takes place with the aid of orby refrigerant components, where such a refrigerant component can be a condenser, a dryer, an evaporator, a line, and the like. In principle, flammable or combustible refrigerants can be used to operate the air conditioning system.

[0003] The disadvantage here is that if the air conditioning system, particularly such a refrigerant component, is damaged, for example, in an accident, the refrigerant can reach such an exhaust component. The exhaust component has an elevated temperature due to the hot exhaust gas flowing through it, so that the refrigerant or the mixture of refrigerant and air can ignite or burn due to the elevated temperature.

[0004] In principle, it is conceivable to surround the exhaust component with a shielding sleeve to protect the area adjacent to the shielding sleeve from increased heat exposure or at least to reduce this exposure. The disadvantage of this approach is that the shielding sleeve also has an elevated temperature due to the elevated temperature of the exhaust component, so the risk of ignition and / or combustion of the refrigerant or the refrigerant-air mixture still exists.

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least different embodiment for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in particular by improved safety.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is based on the general idea of ​​introducing a protective fluid into the environment of an exhaust gas component carrying a refrigerant in the event of damage to a refrigerant component carrying a refrigerant, thus forming a protective layer that prevents the refrigerant escaping in the event of damage to one or more refrigerant components from coming into contact with the hot exhaust gas component and igniting there. At the very least, this reduces the corresponding risk.

[0008] The protective fluid has a particularly ignition-inhibiting and / or cooling effect in order to prevent or at least inhibit ignition of the refrigerant and / or a refrigerant-air mixture.

[0009] According to the inventive concept, the motor vehicle has at least one such exhaust gas component which is connected to an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle in order to discharge exhaust gas generated in the internal combustion engine. Additionally or alternatively, at least one other hot component can be provided, for example in a vehicle with alternative drive technology, e.g. in conjunction with a fuel cell system. The motor vehicle further has an air conditioning device or, for short, an air conditioning system which is operated with the aid of the coolant, wherein the motor vehicle has at least one such refrigerant component through which the coolant flows. It is provided that the exhaust gas component is at least partially surrounded by a shielding casing.This means that the respective exhaust gas component can have a region that is surrounded by such a shielding sleeve, while other regions can be provided with no shielding sleeve. In particular, the shielding sleeve can enclose the exhaust gas component completely or partially. In this case, those regions of the exhaust gas component that have comparatively high temperatures during operation of the motor vehicle or internal combustion engine and / or to which the refrigerant can reach in the event of damage to such a refrigerant component are preferably provided with such a shielding sleeve. Furthermore, at least one protective line is provided for introducing the protective fluid, which is located in the region of at least one such exhaust gas component. The protective line is connected or connectable to a protective fluid container (21) in which the protective fluid is stored.The protective line further has at least one outlet for discharging the protective fluid into the environment of the protective line and thus the exhaust gas component. The protective fluid is discharged if damage, in particular a leak, is detected in at least one such refrigerant component. A detection device is provided for this purpose. The discharge of the protective fluid is preferably initiated by a control device which, if damage is detected by the detection device, initiates the introduction of the protective fluid into the environment of the exhaust gas component. For this purpose, the control device is communicatively connected to the detection device.

[0010] The present invention also makes it possible to use small amounts of gas and thus a small space requirement for accommodating a protective fluid container - by creating a protective fluid layer as a "stable protective atmosphere" between the exhaust gas component and the surrounding shielding shell.

[0011] The environment of the exhaust component includes both the space between the exhaust component and the associated shielding shell, as well as the space outside the shielding shell, i.e., the space on the outer side of the shielding shell facing away from the exhaust component. Embodiments are conceivable in which any combination of these variants is used.

[0012] According to preferred embodiments, at least one such protective line is designed as a capillary so that it requires as little space as possible and / or enables a flow of the protective fluid at increased flow velocities.

[0013] The release of the protective fluid into the environment can be achieved by arranging such a protective line between the exhaust component and the associated shielding cover. The protective line has at least one outlet that releases the protective fluid between the exhaust component and the shielding cover.

[0014] In further variants, at least one such protective line is provided, which is arranged on the outer side of the shielding cover facing away from the associated exhaust gas component. Such a protective line further comprises at least one such outlet for discharging the protective fluid onto the outer side of the shielding cover. Such a protective line can also comprise at least one outlet for discharging the protective fluid between the exhaust gas component and the shielding cover.

[0015] Furthermore, embodiments are conceivable in which at least one such protective line is arranged within such an exhaust component. This protective line further comprises at least one such outlet for discharging the protective gas between the exhaust component and the shielding shell.

[0016] It is also conceivable to design the shielding shell with multiple walls and to provide the protective line between at least two walls of the shielding shell. In this case, the protective line is designed as a gap between the walls of the shielding shell. The multi-walled design of the shielding shell results in a reduced temperature on the outside of the shielding shell, as heat transfer between the exhaust component and the outside of the shielding shell is reduced. This also reduces the space required for the protective line.

[0017] Such an exhaust component can be any exhaust-carrying component of the motor vehicle. The respective exhaust component is therefore, in particular, an exhaust line. Likewise, the exhaust component can be an exhaust manifold or at least partially form such an exhaust manifold. Likewise, the exhaust component can be an exhaust turbocharger or at least partially form the exhaust turbocharger. The same applies to the refrigerant component, which can be a refrigerant line. The refrigerant component can also be a condenser, a dryer, an evaporator, and the like of the air conditioning system or at least partially form these.

[0018] In principle, any refrigerant can be used to operate the air conditioning system, although the solution according to the invention is preferably used when the refrigerant is flammable or combustible. One such refrigerant is, for example, R1234yf, also known as 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

[0019] It is understood that the at least one exhaust component and the at least one refrigerant component are fluidically separated from one another during normal operation, i.e., without damaging the at least one exhaust component and / or the at least one refrigerant component. Furthermore, the at least one exhaust component and the at least one refrigerant component are preferably also spatially separated from one another during normal operation of the motor vehicle. Thus, the risk of ignition or combustion of the refrigerant is prevented during normal operation of the motor vehicle.

[0020] In principle, any fluid that prevents or inhibits the ignition of the refrigerant can be used as the protective fluid. A gas is preferably used as the protective fluid. The advantage of this is that excessive thermal expansion of the protective fluid does not occur during cooling of the shielding shell, thus preventing or at least reducing corresponding damage.

[0021] In addition, protective fluids that are non-flammable and / or non-ignitable are preferred. Accordingly, contact of the protective fluid with the exhaust component or other warm components of the vehicle cannot lead to ignition or burning of the protective fluid, thus increasing overall safety. Furthermore, the protective fluid can, in principle, escape from the protective line without creating increased ignition and / or burning risks. In particular, CO can be used as the protective fluid. 2 be used.

[0022] The introduction or discharge of the protective fluid into the protective line or the discharge of the protective fluid from the outlets can be implemented in any manner. For example, it is conceivable to introduce the protective fluid into the protective line using a conveying device, such as a pump. The conveying device is preferably connected to the control device in a communicative manner.

[0023] According to a further variant, the protective fluid can be stored at elevated pressure, particularly high pressure, in the protective fluid container. The protective fluid container is thus designed as a high-pressure container. Consequently, no conveying device or the like is required to introduce the protective fluid into the protective line, thus eliminating the corresponding components and achieving a reduction in weight and space requirements. Furthermore, the risk of damage to these components preventing or complicating the introduction of the protective fluid into the protective line is eliminated. Of course, the high-pressure container can also be combined with such a conveying device.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the protective fluid container is provided with a valve device. The valve device, which can be electrically and / or mechanically operated, is preferably connected to the control device, so that the penetration of the protective fluid into the protective line can be initiated by opening the valve device and stopped by closing the valve device. It is also conceivable to equip the outlets with such a valve device, which is also communicatively connected to the control device.

[0025] The protective fluid container is advantageously replaceable. This means that the protective fluid container can be replaced with a new protective fluid container as needed, particularly after the protective fluid has been introduced into the protective line. The cooling container can therefore be designed as a cartridge. It is also conceivable to design the protective fluid container in such a way that it is refillable. For this purpose, the aforementioned valve device or another valve device can be provided.

[0026] In principle, the shielding cover can be designed or configured in any way. In particular, the shielding cover can be designed as a shielding plate and made of sheet metal.

[0027] It is conceivable that such a protective line could be fluidically connected to at least one such exhaust component. The fluidic connection between the protective line and the exhaust component is advantageously established when the protective fluid is introduced into the protective line. This creates a flow within the protective line, which leads to improved cooling of the shielding shell. In this case, the protective fluid is preferably non-combustible and / or non-ignitable.

[0028] The detection device can be implemented in any desired manner, provided it can detect damage to the motor vehicle, in particular to at least one such refrigerant component. The detection device is preferably designed such that it can detect a leak of at least one such exhaust gas component.

[0029] The detection device can have an airbag control device or be communicatively connected thereto, so that the deployment of an airbag of the motor vehicle can be used as an indication of damage, in particular an accident. Alternatively or additionally, the detection device can have a fire detection device or be communicatively connected thereto. Accordingly, a fire in the motor vehicle, in particular within the motor vehicle, is used as an indication of damage. It is also conceivable to provide the detection device with a pressure measuring device. The pressure measuring device is used to monitor the pressure of the refrigerant within at least one such refrigerant component and to infer damage, in particular a leak, to at least one such refrigerant component based on pressure fluctuations.

[0030] It is understood that each exhaust component may have multiple such shielding covers. It is also possible to provide multiple exhaust components with such a common shielding cover. Furthermore, the motor vehicle may have multiple such shielding covers assigned to different exhaust components.

[0031] The respective protective lines can be supplied with protective fluid using a common protective fluid container. It is also conceivable to supply one such protective line or several such protective lines with protective fluid using such an associated protective fluid container, and to supply at least one other such protective line with protective fluid using another such protective fluid container. Different protective fluids can also be used in this case.

[0032] The inventive concept is of course also suitable for increasing the protection of vehicles without an internal combustion engine and / or vehicles with alternative drive systems. To this end, the protective line is arranged near hot components where the refrigerant can ignite.

[0033] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0034] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0036] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 a highly simplified, circuit diagram-like representation of a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a section through an exhaust component of the motor vehicle, Fig. 3 a section through the exhaust component in another embodiment.

[0037] Accordingly Fig. 1, a motor vehicle 1 has an interior 2 in which passengers of the motor vehicle can be seated. The motor vehicle further has an internal combustion engine 3, which serves to drive the motor vehicle 1 or contributes to the drive of the motor vehicle 1. The internal combustion engine 3 is fluidly connected to at least one exhaust component 4, which discharges the exhaust gas produced in the internal combustion engine 3. Such an exhaust component 4, which is designed as an exhaust manifold 5, is provided directly on the internal combustion engine 4. The exhaust gas produced in the internal combustion engine 3 is further guided through an exhaust component 4 designed as a catalytic converter 6 in order to purify the exhaust gas. For this purpose, an exhaust component 4 designed as an exhaust line 4' runs between the exhaust manifold 5 and the catalytic converter 6. Downstream of the catalytic converter 6, another such exhaust line 4' is provided, which discharges the exhaust gas into the environment.The exhaust gas thus flows in an exhaust gas flow direction 7 from the internal combustion engine 3 by means of the exhaust manifold 5 in the direction of the catalytic converter 6 and then into the environment.

[0038] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises an air conditioning system 8, or air conditioning system 8 for short. The air conditioning system 8 comprises several refrigerant components 15 that carry a refrigerant. These include an evaporator 9, a dryer 10, a condenser 11, and a compressor 12. The air conditioning system 8 is operated with the aid of the refrigerant, which circulates in a coolant circulation direction 13 from the evaporator 9 toward the compressor 12 and then through the condenser 11 via the dryer 10 back to the evaporator 9. This generates cold air 14, which is introduced into the interior 2 of the motor vehicle 1 to cool the interior 2. The refrigerant is circulated with the aid of refrigerant components 15 configured as a refrigerant line 15', which fluidically connect the other refrigerant components 9, 10, 11, 12.

[0039] A detection device 16 serves to detect damage to the motor vehicle 1, for example, to detect an accident. The detection device 16 is further capable of detecting a leak in at least one such refrigerant component 15. For this purpose, the detection device 16 has a pressure measuring device 17 that determines or monitors the pressure in the refrigerant in at least one such refrigerant component 15. The detection device 16 can furthermore have an airbag control device 18 and a fire detection device 19. The motor vehicle 1 has a control device 20 that is communicatively connected to the detection device 16.

[0040] According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the motor vehicle further comprises a protective fluid container 21, which in the present case is designed as a high-pressure container 21', in which a protective fluid 22, for example CO 2 , stored under pressure.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a section through such an exhaust gas component 4. It can be seen therein that the exhaust gas component 4 is partially surrounded by a shielding sleeve 23, wherein the shielding sleeve 23 encloses the exhaust gas component 4 in this region.

[0042] In addition, a protective line 26 is arranged between an exhaust gas component outer side 24 facing the shielding sleeve 23 and a shielding sleeve outer side 25 of the shielding sleeve 23 facing away from the exhaust gas component 4. The protective line 26 is designed as a capillary 26' and extends on one side through the shielding sleeve 23. The protective line 26 has a plurality of outlets 30, wherein here purely by way of example, two such outlets 30 are arranged within the shielding sleeve 23 and one such outlet 30 is arranged outside the shielding sleeve 23. The outlets 30 are directed radially outwards. Preferably, a plurality of such protective lines 26 are provided, which are distributed in the circumferential direction, wherein in Fig. 2 only a single such protective line 26 can be seen. In this exemplary embodiment, only one such protective line 26 is visible. If the detection device 16 detects damage to the motor vehicle 1, in particular a leak of at least one such refrigerant component 15, this is transmitted to the control device 20. The control device 20 then initiates the introduction of the protective fluid 22 into the protective line 26. The protective fluid 22 subsequently flows out of the outlets 30. Within the shielding casing 23, protection is thus achieved in that the protective fluid 22 cools the shielding casing 23 and / or the exhaust gas component 4. This protection means that refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant component 15 cannot ignite on the shielding casing 23 or in the vicinity of the shielding casing 23.The protective fluid 22 flowing from the outlet 30 outside the shielding sleeve 23 further forms a protective atmosphere around the shielding sleeve 23 and / or the exhaust gas component 4, thus achieving an ignition-inhibiting effect and preventing the refrigerant from igniting. Overall, the risk of ignition of the refrigerant in the area of ​​the shielding sleeve 23 is thus prevented or at least reduced.

[0043] To introduce the refrigerant 22 into the protective line 26, the protective line 26 is fluidically connected to the protective fluid container 21, whereby this connection is interrupted by a valve device 27. If the protective fluid 22 is to enter the protective line 26, the valve device 27 is opened with the aid of the control device 20, whereby this can be done electrically, for example. As shown in Fig. 2, the protective line 26 can also be fluidically connected to the exhaust gas component 4, wherein this fluidic connection can be interrupted by means of a further valve device 27. The valve device 27 connected to the exhaust gas component 4 can be opened to release protective fluid 22 from the protective line 26 or to reduce the pressure in the protective line 26. During normal operation, i.e., without the detection of damage by the detection device 16, both valve devices 27 are closed, so that the protective line 26 is fluidically separated from the exhaust gas component 4 and the protective fluid container 21.

[0044] Fig. Figure 3 shows another embodiment in which the shielding cover 23 is formed with multiple walls. The protective line 26 is formed between an inner first wall 28 and an outer second wall 29 of the shielding cover 23 and is thus spaced apart from the exhaust gas component 4. Compared to the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the protective line 26 here has only outlets 30 within the shielding sleeve 23. Purely by way of example, two such outlets 30 are directed radially outward and two radially inward. The radially outwardly directed outlets 30 ensure the formation of the protective atmosphere, while the inwardly directed outlets 30 allow protective fluid 22 to pass between the shielding sleeve 23 and the exhaust component 4.

[0045] It is conceivable to provide the respective outlet 30 with a closing mechanism, such as a valve or the like, to open and / or close the associated outlet 30. The respective outlet 30 is opened as needed, i.e., in particular, upon detection of a leak in at least one such refrigerant component 15. When all outlets 30 are closed, the protective line 26 can thus be separated from the environment.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with an internal combustion engine (3) and with an air conditioning device (8) operated by means of a refrigerant, wherein - the motor vehicle (1) has at least one exhaust gas-carrying exhaust component (4), - the motor vehicle (1) has at least one refrigerant component (15) carrying the refrigerant, - at least one such exhaust gas component (4) is at least partially surrounded by a shielding sheath (23), - the vehicle has at least one protective line (26) which is arranged in the region of such an exhaust component (4), - a protective fluid container (21) which can be fluidically connected to at least one such protective line (26) is provided, in which a protective fluid (22) is stored, - the protective line (26) has at least one outlet (30) for discharging protective fluid (22) into the environment of the exhaust gas component (4), - a detection device (16) is provided for detecting damage to the motor vehicle (1) and / or at least one such refrigerant component (15), - the motor vehicle (1) has a control device (20) communicatively connected to the detection device (16), - protective fluid, - the control device (20) is designed such that, in the event of damage detected by the detection device (16), it initiates the introduction of the protective fluid (22) into the environment of the protective line (26). [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one such protective line (26) is designed as a capillary (26'). [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one such outlet (30) for discharging protective fluid (22) is provided between the exhaust gas component (4) and the shielding shell (23). [4] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that at least one such outlet (30) for discharging protective fluid (22) is provided on the shielding shell outer side (25) facing away from the exhaust gas component (4) and / or that at least one such outlet (30) for discharging protective fluid (22) is provided on the exhaust gas component outer side (24) facing away from the exhaust gas component (4). [5] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that at least one such protective line (26) is arranged between the exhaust gas component (4) and the shielding sheath (23). [6] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that at least one such protective line (26) is arranged on the outer side (25) of the shielding casing facing away from the associated exhaust gas component (4). [7] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat at least one such protective line (26) is arranged within such an exhaust gas component (4). [8] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the shielding sheath (23) is designed with multiple walls, wherein at least one such protective line (26) is formed by two adjacent walls (28, 29) of the shielding sheath (23).

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