Vehicle heater

Abstract

Vehicle heater (10), comprising: - a heating area (12) for providing heat energy, - a heat exchanger arrangement (14) for transferring heat energy provided in the heating area (12) to a heat transfer medium, wherein the heat exchanger arrangement (14) has a heat transfer medium flow chamber (18) for flow through by the heat transfer medium to be heated, wherein the heat transfer medium enters the heat transfer medium flow chamber (18) at a heat transfer medium inlet (40) and exits the heat transfer medium flow chamber (18) at a heat transfer medium outlet (42),- a heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) with a first flow circuit connection area (26) and a second flow circuit connection area (28) for connecting the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) to a heat transfer medium flow circuit of a vehicle and with a first heat exchanger connection area (29) for connection to the heat transfer medium inlet (40) and a second heat exchanger connection area (31) for connection to the heat transfer medium outlet (42), - at least one securing device (68) for securing the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) to the vehicle heater (10), wherein the first heat exchanger connection area (29) comprises a first connection nozzle (30) to be inserted or already inserted into a first connection opening (36) in a fluid-tight manner and the second heat exchanger connection area (31) comprises a second connection nozzle (32) to be inserted or already inserted into a second connection opening (38) in a fluid-tight manner,wherein the first connection nozzle (30) extends in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the first connection nozzle (30) and is inserted or is inserted in this direction of extension into the first connection opening (36) and wherein the second connection nozzle (32) extends in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the second connection nozzle (32) and is inserted or is inserted in this direction of extension into the second connection opening (38), wherein a first locking section (50) with a first locking device receiving opening (64) is provided on a housing component (48) and a second locking section (62) with a second locking device receiving opening (66) is provided on the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22), characterized in thatthat the locking device (68) for securing the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) is to be positioned or is to be positioned engaging in the first locking device receiving opening (64) and the second locking device receiving opening (66) transversely to the extension direction of the first connection nozzle (30) and transversely to the extension direction of the second connection nozzle (32).

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle heater according to the preamble of claim 1, which can be used, for example, as a parking heater or as an auxiliary heater and comprises a heating area for providing heat energy, preferably by combustion of a fuel / air mixture, and a heat exchanger arrangement for transferring heat energy provided in the heating area to a heat transfer medium. Such vehicle heaters are generally designed so that the heat exchanger assembly can be connected to a heat transfer medium circuit, typically the coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. This allows the coolant, which is generally liquid and flows through the engine during operation, to also flow through a heat transfer medium flow chamber formed within the heat exchanger assembly and absorb heat. Thus, when the internal combustion engine is not running, the vehicle heater can warm the heat transfer medium in the coolant circuit and transfer the heat it carries to the air, for example, that is being introduced into the vehicle interior.During operation of the internal combustion engine, the vehicle heater can be used to transfer additional heat to the heat transfer medium, i.e. the coolant, in order to achieve faster heating of the internal combustion engine or also of a vehicle interior. A vehicle heater according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 101 55 844 A1. In this known vehicle heater, the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly comprises two connection nozzles that can be inserted into corresponding connection openings of the heat exchanger assembly. For securing them to the heat exchanger assembly, the connection nozzles have flange-like locking sections extending radially outwards with openings formed therein. Through these openings, locking elements in the form of screws, extending in the direction of the connection nozzles and thus also in the direction of insertion of the connection nozzles into the receiving connection openings, can be passed and screwed into corresponding internal threaded openings in a locking section of the heat exchanger assembly. The object of the present invention is to design a vehicle heating device in such a way that it can be connected to a heat transfer medium circuit of a vehicle in a simple manner with high variability. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a vehicle heater according to claim 1, comprising a heating area for providing heat energy, a heat exchanger arrangement for transferring heat energy provided in the heating area to a heat transfer medium, wherein the heat exchanger arrangement has a heat transfer medium flow chamber for flow through by the heat transfer medium to be heated, wherein the heat transfer medium enters the heat transfer medium flow chamber at a heat transfer medium inlet and exits the heat transfer medium flow chamber at a heat transfer medium outlet.A heat transfer medium flow connection assembly with a first flow circuit connection area and a second flow circuit connection area for connecting the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly to a heat transfer medium flow circuit of a vehicle, and with a first heat exchanger connection area for connection to the heat transfer medium inlet and a second heat exchanger connection area for connection to the heat transfer medium outlet, as well as at least one securing device for securing the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly to the vehicle heater. In the vehicle heater constructed according to the invention, the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly is provided as the interface between the heat exchanger arrangement and a flow circuit of the heat transfer medium. This assembly can be selected and adapted depending on the vehicle into which the heater is to be integrated or depending on the configuration of the heat transfer medium flow circuit, so that further adaptation measures in other areas of the vehicle heater itself are not necessary. This simplifies the combination of one and the same heater type with a wide variety of vehicles or differently configured heat transfer medium flow circuits simply by selecting a suitable and appropriately adapted heat transfer medium flow connection assembly. To facilitate the simple connection of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly to the heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger connection area comprises a first connection nozzle that is to be inserted or is to be inserted into a first connection opening in a fluid-tight manner, and the second heat exchanger connection area comprises a second connection nozzle that is to be inserted or is to be inserted into a second connection opening in a fluid-tight manner. A connection can be easily achieved by simply inserting the two nozzles into each other, provided that the first and second connection nozzles are essentially parallel to each other. To easily secure the heat transfer fluid flow connection assembly to the vehicle heater or other components thereof, a first securing section with a first securing device receptacle is provided on a housing component, and a second securing section with a second securing device receptacle is provided on the heat transfer fluid flow connection assembly. The securing device for securing the heat transfer fluid flow connection assembly is positioned to engage in the first and second securing device receptacles.The two locking sections can then be easily positioned relative to each other so that the locking device can be placed in the receiving locking device openings, provided that the first locking section on the housing component extends essentially parallel to the direction of extension of the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece. To achieve a defined positioning of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly, not only by means of nozzles inserted into openings, it is further proposed that at least one abutment area be provided on the housing component to support a support area of ​​the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly in at least one support direction. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the housing component has a first abutment area for supporting a first support area in a first support direction and a second abutment area for supporting a second support area in a second support direction that differs from the first support direction. In order to generate the necessary support interaction when making the connection by inserting connection stubs into connection openings, it is proposed that the first support direction is essentially orthogonal to the second support direction, or / and that the first support direction is essentially orthogonal to the extension direction of the first connection stub and the second connection stub, or / and that the second support direction is essentially parallel to the extension direction of the first connection stub and the second connection stub. The design of the vehicle heater according to the invention can be further simplified by providing a support area in the first safety section, so that a merging of several functions is realized in the first safety section. The housing component can include a housing cover, preferably made of plastic material, and can have a through-hole for each connection port. To secure the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly against loosening in a particularly simple manner, it is proposed that the securing device comprise a locking bolt, preferably a locking bolt / locking dowel unit. The heat transfer fluid flow connection assembly can include at least one flow control unit to adapt to different environments. Such a flow control unit can, for example, be in the form of a flow pump, which can drive the heat transfer fluid into flow as an alternative or additional component to, for example, a coolant pump used in an internal combustion engine. Such a flow control unit could also include a flow valve, which can define a specific flow direction or allow or block flow through certain areas. The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1, a schematic side view of a vehicle heater equipped with a heat transfer medium flow connection assembly; Fig. 2, a top view of the heater of Fig. 1 in view direction II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a schematic sectional view of the heater of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, enlarged to show area IV in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a further, partially simplified sectional view of the vehicle heater of Fig. 1, cut along a line VV in Fig. 4. In the figures, a vehicle heater is generally designated by 10. The fuel-operated vehicle heater shown in the example comprises a heating chamber 12 into which fuel and combustion air are fed and the resulting mixture is burned. The heat generated in the heating chamber 12, which can be constructed, for example, as a vaporizing burner, is transferred in the combustion gases through a heat exchanger arrangement 14 connected to the heating chamber 12. This heat exchanger arrangement 14 can be constructed in a known manner, for example, as a double-walled unit with two nested, for example, pot-shaped heat exchanger housings. In the inner volume of the inner of these two heat exchanger housings, the heat-energy-carrying combustion gases flow towards an exhaust gas outlet 16. In the heat transfer medium flow chamber 18 enclosed between the two heat exchanger housings, which is shown in Fig.As indicated by the dashed line 1, a liquid heat transfer medium flows through the vehicle heater 10, which is to be heated. This medium absorbs some of the heat energy transported in the combustion exhaust gases and thus leaves the heat transfer medium flow chamber 18 in a heated state. To secure the vehicle heater 10, for example to a vehicle frame or the like, a plate-like support 20 can be provided on one side of it, which can be secured to the heater 10 on the one hand and to the vehicle frame or another vehicle component on the other hand, for example by screwing, clamping or in some other way. A heat transfer medium flow connection assembly, generally designated 22 in the figures, enables a flow connection between the heat exchanger arrangement 14, i.e., the heat transfer medium flow chamber 18 formed therein, and a heat transfer medium flow circuit formed in a vehicle. This heat transfer medium flow circuit can, for example, be the coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine, so that the coolant circulating in this coolant circuit, which is to be understood as the heat transfer medium within the meaning of the present invention, can also flow through the heat exchanger arrangement 14 and absorb heat therein. The heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 comprises a body section 24 in which, for example, various units intended for flow control, such as a pump driving the heat transfer medium into flow, a valve arrangement influencing the flow direction or flowability, or the like, may be provided. Two flow circuit connection ports 26, 28 extend essentially parallel to each other from the body 22, to which hose lines of the heat transfer medium flow circuit of a vehicle can be connected, for example, using pipe clamps or the like. Two connection ports 30, 32, providing respective heat exchanger connection areas 29, 31, also extend essentially parallel to each other, essentially orthogonal to the two connection ports 26, 28. These, too, extend essentially parallel to each other. The heat exchanger assembly 14 has, for example, an outer heat exchanger housing 34 with connection openings 36, 38 oriented essentially parallel to each other in relation to the two connection ports 30, 32. Connection opening 36 can, for example, provide a heat exchanger inlet 40, while connection opening 38 can provide a heat exchanger outlet 42. The two connection openings 36, 38 are oriented and positioned relative to each other such that the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 with its connection ports 30, 32 can be inserted into these connection openings 36, 38. Sealing elements 44, 46, for example, designed as O-rings or the like, can surround the connection ports 30, 32 and create a fluid-tight seal when the connection ports 30, 32 are inserted into the connection openings 36, 38. It is understood that other sealing configurations or...A wide variety of sealing materials can be used here. The heat transfer medium flowing from the heat transfer fluid circuit of a vehicle, for example via connection port 28, can pass through body section 24 and connection port 30 into the heat transfer fluid flow chamber 18, flow through this chamber, and be returned to the heat transfer fluid flow circuit via connection opening 38, connection port 32, and port 26. It is understood that this flow direction could also be reversed. In addition to the holding effect already generated by inserting the connection nozzles 30, 32 into the connection openings 36, 38, a first securing section, generally designated 50, is provided on a component, e.g., housing component 48, of the vehicle heater 10. This housing component 48 can, for example, be constructed as a housing cover made of plastic material or the like, in order to partially cover, for example, the outer heat exchanger housing 34 in the area of ​​the heat exchanger assembly 14. Various sensors or other assemblies can, for example, be protected under this housing component 48.Since this housing component 48 also extends into an area where the connection nozzles 30, 32 are to be inserted into the corresponding connection openings 36, 38, the housing component 48 can have a through-opening 52, 54 corresponding to each of these connection nozzles. The housing component 48 itself can be fixed to the vehicle heater 10, in the illustrated example of the heat exchanger assembly 14, for example to the outer heat exchanger housing 34, by one or more fastening screws 56. The first securing section 50 extends from the housing component 48 essentially in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the two connection nozzles 30, 32 when these are inserted into the corresponding connection openings 36, 38. On this first securing section 50, a buttress surface 58 forms a bearing area against which a support surface 60 of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22, providing a support area, can preferably bear in a planar position. In this area of ​​mutual contact between the housing component 48 and the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22, the first securing section 50 and an area of ​​the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 providing a second securing section 62 each have through-openings 64, 66 for a securing element 68 that secures the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 to the housing component 48.In the illustrated example, this locking element 68 is designed as a locking bolt / locking dowel unit. A locking dowel 70, made of flexible material, is inserted into the two through-holes 64, 66, so that its extended head 72 engages behind the second locking section 62. A locking bolt 74, made of a comparatively rigid material, for example, metal, is pressed into an inner opening of the locking dowel 70. This bolt is held in the locking dowel 70 by an interference fit, possibly also by positive locking, and simultaneously expands the dowel so that the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 cannot detach from the housing component 48. This locking effect also ensures stable contact between the support surface 60 and the abutment surface 58.Advantageously, these two surfaces extend essentially parallel to a plane defined by the two longitudinal axes of the connecting pieces 30, 32, so that when these connecting pieces 30, 32 are inserted into the corresponding connecting openings 36, 38 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting pieces 30, 32, these two surfaces 58, 60 are also moved into mutual contact with each other and the through-openings 64, 66 are aligned with each other. To further stabilize the positioning of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 with respect to the housing component 48, a further abutment surface 78 can be provided on a planar area 76 of the housing component 48 that extends approximately orthogonally to the first securing section 50. On the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22, for example, a further support surface 80 can be provided on a downwardly projecting projection, which, with the connection nozzles 30, 32 correctly positioned with respect to the heat exchanger arrangement 14 and the through-openings 64, 66 also aligned with each other, prevents further displacement of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22. The heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22 is supported and thus positioned in a defined manner relative to the housing component 48 by the paired surfaces 58, 60 and 78, 70 in two essentially orthogonal directions. This is further supported by the locking action of the locking element 68 and by the connecting spigots 30, 32 engaging in the connection openings 36, 38. A stable positioning of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly 22, secured against undefined movement, is thus ensured. This positioning can be easily released by pulling the locking bolt 74 out of the locking dowel 70, then pulling the flexible locking dowel 70 out of the through-holes 64, 66, after which the connecting spigots 30, 32 can be pulled out of the connection openings 36, 38. The above-described design according to the invention makes it possible to construct a vehicle heater in a modular fashion, wherein the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly forms a module component that can be selected, for example, to be adapted to various vehicle heaters or heat exchanger arrangements on the one hand, and / or to variously configured heat transfer medium flow circuits on the other. Thus, different such assemblies can be provided for different installation environments, which, for example, can have different dimensions, different flow control units, or even different internal flow paths, for example, to generate bypass flows or the like.On the other hand, the heat exchanger assemblies of differently designed vehicle heaters can be constructed in such a way that the connection openings, into which the connection nozzles of the heat transfer fluid flow connection assembly are inserted, are identically dimensioned and positioned relative to each other, so that one and the same heat transfer fluid flow connection assembly can be used for a wide variety of vehicle heaters or heat exchanger assemblies. This increases applicability due to its modular nature and also leads to significantly reduced manufacturing and storage costs. Furthermore, the assembly process, and especially the connection to a vehicle's heat transfer fluid flow circuit, is particularly easy to carry out.

Claims

Vehicle heater (10), comprising: - a heating area (12) for providing heat energy, - a heat exchanger arrangement (14) for transferring heat energy provided in the heating area (12) to a heat transfer medium, wherein the heat exchanger arrangement (14) has a heat transfer medium flow chamber (18) for flow through by the heat transfer medium to be heated, wherein the heat transfer medium enters the heat transfer medium flow chamber (18) at a heat transfer medium inlet (40) and exits the heat transfer medium flow chamber (18) at a heat transfer medium outlet (42),- a heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) with a first flow circuit connection area (26) and a second flow circuit connection area (28) for connecting the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) to a heat transfer medium flow circuit of a vehicle and with a first heat exchanger connection area (29) for connection to the heat transfer medium inlet (40) and a second heat exchanger connection area (31) for connection to the heat transfer medium outlet (42), - at least one securing device (68) for securing the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) to the vehicle heater (10), wherein the first heat exchanger connection area (29) comprises a first connection nozzle (30) to be inserted or already inserted into a first connection opening (36) in a fluid-tight manner and the second heat exchanger connection area (31) comprises a second connection nozzle (32) to be inserted or already inserted into a second connection opening (38) in a fluid-tight manner,wherein the first connection nozzle (30) extends in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the first connection nozzle (30) and is inserted or is inserted in this direction of extension into the first connection opening (36) and wherein the second connection nozzle (32) extends in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the second connection nozzle (32) and is inserted or is inserted in this direction of extension into the second connection opening (38), wherein a first locking section (50) with a first locking device receiving opening (64) is provided on a housing component (48) and a second locking section (62) with a second locking device receiving opening (66) is provided on the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22), characterized in thatthat the locking device (68) for securing the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) is to be positioned or is to be positioned engaging in the first locking device receiving opening (64) and the second locking device receiving opening (66) transversely to the extension direction of the first connection nozzle (30) and transversely to the extension direction of the second connection nozzle (32). Vehicle heater (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connection nozzle (30) and the second connection nozzle (32) extend substantially parallel to each other. Vehicle heater (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first safety section (50) on the housing component (48) extends substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the first connection nozzle (30) and the second connection nozzle (32). Vehicle heater (10) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that at least one abutment area (58, 78) is provided on the housing component (48) for supporting a support area (60, 80) of the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22) in at least one support direction. Vehicle heater (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that a first support area (58) for supporting a first support area (60) in a first support direction and a second support area (78) for supporting a second support area (80) in a second support direction different from the first support direction are provided on the housing component (48). Vehicle heater (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first support direction is essentially orthogonal to the second support direction, or / and that the first support direction is essentially orthogonal to the extension direction of the first connection nozzle (30) and to the extension direction of the second connection nozzle (32), or / and that the second support direction is essentially parallel to the extension direction of the first connection nozzle (30) and to the extension direction of the second connection nozzle (32). Vehicle heater (10) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first securing section (50) provides a support area (58). Vehicle heater (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the housing component (48) comprises a housing cover preferably made of plastic material. Vehicle heater (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a connection port opening (52, 54) is formed in the housing component (48) in association with each connection port (30, 32). Vehicle heater (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking device (68) comprises a locking bolt (74), preferably a locking bolt (74) / locking dowel (70) unit. Vehicle heater (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one flow control unit, preferably a flow pump and / or flow valve, is provided on the heat transfer medium flow connection assembly (22).

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