Air conditioning system for a vehicle and method for operating such an air conditioning system

Abstract

Air conditioning device (33) for a vehicle, comprising at least one temperature control device (1) by means of which the air supplied to the interior (26) of the vehicle is to be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control device (1) comprises at least one magnetic device (2) by means of which at least one magnetic field (3a, 3b) can be provided, as well as at least two channels (4, 5) through which an airflow can flow and at least one temperature control element (8) which forms at least respective channel sections (13, 14) of the channels (4, 5) extending through magnetocaloric material (11, 12), wherein the temperature control device (1) is adjustable between at least two different states, wherein in the respective state one of the channel sections (13, 14) is in the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2) and the other channel section (13, 14) is outside the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2).3b) is arranged to temper at least one of the air streams in the respective state by means of the magnetocaloric effect, and wherein the tempering device (1) is configured to cause a turbulent flow of at least one air stream to be tempered, characterized in that at least a part of the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one air stream to be tempered flows is configured as granular material (23), which is arranged at least in a partial region (30) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one air stream to be tempered flows and is permeable to flow by the at least one air stream to be tempered, wherein the partial region (30) is bounded in the flow direction of the at least one air stream to be tempered by at least one membrane (34, 39) that is permeable to the at least one air stream to be tempered and impermeable to the granular material (23).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioning device for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating such an air conditioning device according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0002] Air conditioning systems for vehicles and methods for operating such systems are already well known from the general state of the art and, in particular, from series production vehicle manufacturing. Such an air conditioning system typically comprises a temperature control device by means of which air supplied to the interior of the respective vehicle, for example, a motor vehicle, can be temperature controlled, i.e., cooled and / or heated. For this purpose, the air conditioning system typically includes a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant flows, allowing the air to be cooled as a result of heat transfer from the air to the refrigerant.Furthermore, it is possible to heat the air using an electric heating element and / or a heat exchanger, through which, for example, heat is transferred from a heating fluid flowing through the heat exchanger to the air supplied to the interior.

[0003] Furthermore, US 2016 / 0 025 385 A1 discloses a cooling device which includes both active and regenerative magnetic cooling (AMR) as well as different heat exchangers.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 106 754 A1 discloses a drying device with a drying chamber for holding material to be dried, through which heated drying air is passed and subsequently dehumidified by cooling. It is provided that the heating and / or cooling of the drying air is carried out by means of a magnetocaloric unit.

[0005] A magnetic cooling system is known from US 2015 / 0 089 960 A1. Furthermore, US 2015 / 0 033 763 A1 discloses a composite material for implementing magnetic cooling. In addition, US 2014 / 0 338 365 A1 discloses a magnetic structure. Finally, an aqueous heat transfer medium for magnetic cooling is known from US 2012 / 0 032 105 A1.

[0006] DE 10 2006 014 596 A1 discloses a device for cooling air. DE 10 2006 011 013 A1 discloses a device for generating cold and heat.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to further develop an air conditioning device for a vehicle and a method of the type mentioned above in such a way that a particularly advantageous and efficient air conditioning of the vehicle can be achieved.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by an air conditioning device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to an air conditioning system for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle such as a car, especially a passenger car. The air conditioning system comprises at least one temperature control device by means of which the air supplied to the interior of the vehicle is temperature-controlled, that is, heated and / or cooled.

[0010] In order to be able to climate control or temperature regulation the vehicle, and in particular its interior, particularly advantageously and efficiently, the invention provides that the temperature control device comprises at least one magnetic device by means of which at least one magnetic field can be provided. Furthermore, the temperature control device comprises at least two channels through which an airflow can flow, wherein the respective airflow comprises, for example, air or is formed by air. In addition, the temperature control device comprises at least one temperature control element, which forms at least respective channel sections of the channels extending through magnetocaloric material, such that the airflow flowing through the respective channel flows through the respective channel section and thus through the respective magnetocaloric material.

[0011] The temperature control device is furthermore adjustable or switchable between at least two different states, in particular operating states. In each state, the magnetic device provides, for example, at least one magnetic field, in particular exactly one magnetic field. In each state—particularly during operation of the air conditioning device, especially the temperature control device—one of the channel sections is located within the magnetic field provided by the magnetic device, and the other channel section is located outside the magnetic field provided by the magnetic device. Thus, the provided magnetic field acts on one channel section or on the magnetocaloric material forming that one channel section, while the magnetic field does not act on the other channel section or on the magnetocaloric material forming that other channel section.This makes it possible to temperature-control at least one of the air streams in the respective state by means of the magnetocaloric effect, in particular to cool or heat it. The temperature control device can thus function as a cooling device for cooling and / or as a heating device for heating the at least one air stream. For example, the temperature control element functions as a cooling element for cooling and / or as a heating element for heating the at least one air stream.

[0012] In order to achieve a particularly advantageous and especially efficient and effective heat exchange between the respective magnetocaloric material and the at least one airflow, it is further provided that the temperature control device, in particular the temperature control element, is designed to cause a turbulent flow of at least one airflow to be temperature controlled.

[0013] As is generally known, the magnetocaloric effect, and in particular the positive magnetocaloric effect, refers to the phenomenon or effect whereby a positive magnetocaloric material heats up when exposed to a magnetic field. When the magnetic field is switched off, or when the positive magnetocaloric material is moved outside the magnetic field, the material cools down.If, for example, the other channel section is initially positioned within the magnetic field while the magnetic field is being applied, such that the magnetic field acts on the positive magnetocaloric material through which the other channel section extends, then the positive magnetocaloric material through which the other section extends will initially be heated. If, for example, the corresponding airflow flows through the other channel section initially positioned within the magnetic field, then the positive magnetocaloric material through which the other channel section extends will be cooled by the airflow through the other channel section, so that the positive magnetocaloric material through which the other channel section extends is not heated, or only very slightly.Thus, for example, the airflow passing through the other channel area is heated or used to transport heat away from the positive magnetocaloric material that borders or forms the other channel area.

[0014] If the temperature control device is then switched so that the other channel section is located outside the magnetic field, the positive magnetocaloric material through which the other channel section extends—that is, the positive magnetocaloric material that defines or forms the other channel section—cools down, so that the airflow through the other channel section is cooled by the cooling positive magnetocaloric material. In particular, this makes it possible to cool the airflow through the other channel section very effectively, and especially to such an extent that the airflow through the other channel section has a temperature lower than the ambient temperature.This cooling of the airflow passing through the other channel area can easily be transferred to the one channel area, or to the airflow passing through the one channel area and, for example, the positive magnetocaloric material through which the one channel area extends.

[0015] In particular, it is possible to cool the airflow through the other channel area by means of the magnetocaloric effect, especially by means of the positive magnetocaloric effect, while the airflow through the one channel area, which is arranged in the magnetic field, is heated, since a heat transfer takes place from the magnetocaloric material forming one channel area to the airflow through that one channel area.

[0016] If, for example, the aim is to heat the interior, then an airflow is supplied to or introduced into the interior, which is heated in the manner described. If, however, the aim is to cool the interior, then, alternatively or additionally, an airflow is supplied to or introduced into the interior, which is cooled in the manner described. In particular, it is possible to mix the heated airflow with the cooled airflow, especially in an adjustable ratio, so that a combined airflow can be created that has a particularly advantageous temperature.For example, by adjusting a first proportion of the heated airflow to the total airflow and by adjusting a second proportion of the cooled airflow to the total airflow, whereby the proportions can differ from each other, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the total airflow as required.

[0017] In other words, by means of the air conditioning device according to the invention, at least one of the air streams is tempered, and at least one tempered air stream is used to temper the interior. For this purpose, at least one tempered air stream, in particular the total air stream, is supplied to and introduced into the interior. This allows the interior of the vehicle to be tempered, i.e., cooled or heated, particularly effectively and efficiently.

[0018] Furthermore, it is conceivable to use an alternative or additional magnetocaloric material, in particular a negative magnetocaloric material, by means of which the negative magnetocaloric effect can be used, especially for cooling. Such a negative magnetocaloric material cools down, for example, when it is arranged in a magnetic field provided by the magnetic device. If the material is arranged outside the magnetic field, or if the magnetic field is switched off so that the negative magnetocaloric material is no longer located in the magnetic field, the negative magnetocaloric material heats up.This effect can be used to temper, and in particular to cool, the at least one airflow supplied to the interior, whereby, for example, the airflow which flows through the channel area that is located in the provided magnetic field in the respective state is cooled.

[0019] The invention is based in particular on the following findings: Conventional air conditioning units in modern vehicles require considerable installation space due to their design and, moreover, use environmentally harmful refrigerants as fluids, especially as refrigerants, to temperature-control the interior or the air supplied to the interior. For this reason, research into new types of air conditioning systems is now being intensified. The air conditioning device according to the invention utilizes the magnetocaloric effect to temperature-control at least one of the air streams. The respective air stream originates, for example, at least substantially directly from the environment of the temperature control device, in particular the vehicle, and flows, for example, during operation of the air conditioning device, at least substantially directly into the environment of the temperature control device and out of it.By utilizing the magnetocaloric effect, for example, the at least one airflow supplied to the interior, and thus the interior, can be tempered without the use of environmentally harmful refrigerants and without an excessive number of costly, heavy, and space-intensive heat exchangers, so that the number of parts, weight, space requirements, and costs of the air conditioning system can be kept particularly low.

[0020] The magnetocaloric effect arises, for example, particularly in the case of a positive magnetocaloric effect, from the alignment of the magnetic moments (spins) of the magnetocaloric material by the magnetic field. The temperature of a body is fundamentally a measure of the motion and disorder of its atomic constituents, i.e., its entropy. When a magnetic field is applied to a magnetocaloric material, that is, when the magnetocaloric material is positioned within the magnetic field so that the magnetic field acts upon it, the previously disordered magnetic moments align parallel to the applied magnetic field.

[0021] This effect does not contradict the second law of thermodynamics, as the total entropy of the system either remains constant or increases. In the magnetocaloric effect, the total entropy of the system consists of both thermal and magnetic entropy. When a magnetic field is applied to the magnetocaloric material, the magnetic entropy decreases due to the alignment of the magnetic moments (spins), which necessitates an increase in the thermal entropy of the system. This is reflected in a rise in the material's temperature. Upon removal of the magnetic field, the magnetic entropy increases again, as the magnetic alignment of the moments changes from an ordered arrangement to disorder (the natural behavior of a material towards higher entropy). During this process, the thermal entropy of the overall system decreases, causing the temperature of the magnetocaloric material to drop abruptly.This effect is also known as adiabatic demagnetization. By skillfully applying this magnetocaloric effect, for example by cooling the magnetocaloric material located in the magnetic field, temperatures of the magnetocaloric material can be achieved after leaving the magnetic field that are lower than the ambient temperature, so that, for example, one of the air streams can be effectively cooled.

[0022] Typically, the magnetocaloric material used is an alloy exhibiting a magnetocaloric effect. Such an alloy usually contains rare earth elements and other alloying elements. Magnetocaloric alloys based on lanthanum, iron, and silicon, all of which are non-toxic, can be produced, for example, using powder metallurgy. In this process, suitable starting alloys are ground into a powder and then either sintered directly using a laser or pressed into so-called green compacts and subsequently densified and hardened by heat treatment below their melting temperature. It is important, for example, that the Curie temperature of the alloy used is matched to the specific application. As mentioned above, a distinction can be made between so-called positive and negative magnetocaloric materials.Positive magnetocaloric materials, such as alloys of lanthanides including gadolinium, dysprosium, and ytterbium, produce heat or are heated when a magnetic field is applied. When the magnetic field is removed, the positive magnetocaloric material absorbs heat from its surroundings. Conversely, negative magnetocaloric materials, such as alloys of Fe-Rh, Co-Mn-Si-Ge, or Ni-Mn-Sn, have the property of absorbing heat from their surroundings when a magnetic field is applied and releasing heat when the magnetic field is removed.

[0023] For example, alloys are used that have low hysteresis behavior, meaning materials that react quickly to changes in external conditions, such as switching from the arrangement in the magnetic field to the arrangement outside the magnetic field, and that adapt to the behavior, for example to the amount of magnetization.

[0024] Known technical implementations of prototypes as AMR (Active Magnetic Regenerative) cooling systems primarily utilize fluid-filled intermediate storage tanks, spatially separated from one another, for temperature control. Heat exchangers are also used to dissipate heat to the environment. When the magnetocaloric material used in the respective AMR cooling system, particularly positive magnetocaloric material such as lanthanide alloys, is magnetized, it heats up due to the magnetocaloric effect while within the magnetic field. In an AMR cycle, this material acts as a heat exchanger between two separate intermediate storage tanks. A fluid from the first, cold intermediate storage tank is conveyed through tubes of a specific shape via the magnetocaloric material towards the second intermediate storage tank. In doing so, it absorbs the thermal energy generated by the adiabatic magnetization process.After the magnetic field is switched off, the warm fluid from the second intermediate storage unit is directed towards the first intermediate storage unit. In doing so, it transfers its thermal energy to the surrounding conductive material, causing it to heat up and cool down in the process. If the AMR cycle is equipped with additional heat exchangers that complete the cooling circuit and transfer the temperatures from the two fluid storage units to the environment, it becomes possible, for example, to operate a refrigerator using magnetocaloric material.

[0025] In contrast, due to the switchability between states, the air conditioning device according to the invention allows at least one of the air streams, which is directed, for example, from the environment into the interior of the vehicle, to be cooled or heated at least essentially continuously.

[0026] In particular, the following disadvantages of conventional air conditioning systems compared to the magnetocaloric air conditioning system according to the invention were identified: use of harmful refrigerants; loud operating noise due to the operation of a compressor; large installation space requirement; low efficiency; significant drying of the air; no heat input possible; higher costs due to the use of heat exchangers and the refrigerant. These disadvantages can now be avoided. Furthermore, the disadvantages of AMR cycle-based cooling systems lie in the complexity of the intermediate storage circuits for existing prototypes. Additionally, AMR cycle-based cooling systems require considerable installation space and are expensive because heat exchangers are necessary for the cycle. Moreover, series production readiness is not yet guaranteed.

[0027] The installation space required for the air conditioning system according to the invention can also be kept particularly small compared to conventional air conditioning systems. Significant cost savings are possible due to the elimination of heat exchangers and refrigerants. Unlike conventional air conditioning systems, the air conditioning system according to the invention can also allow heat to be introduced into the vehicle. Energy consumption can be reduced by up to 30 percent when using the air conditioning system according to the invention compared to conventional air conditioning systems. Furthermore, excessive drying of the air can be reduced.

[0028] Compared to other cooling systems with a magnetocaloric effect, the system complexity of the air conditioning device according to the invention is significantly reduced. Furthermore, weight savings can be achieved using the invention. Also in contrast to other cooling systems with a magnetocaloric effect, the air conditioning device according to the invention enables at least a substantially continuous cooling mass flow.

[0029] Preferably, it is provided that at least the airflow to be tempered, and thus the air forming the at least one airflow, is supplied to and introduced into the interior, so that the magnetocaloric air conditioning device according to the invention is tempered, for example, without the interposition of a coolant or a heat exchanger through which the air supplied to the interior is tempered by means of the magnetocaloric effect. Instead, a heat exchange takes place at least substantially directly between the magnetocaloric material and only the airflow, or the air flowing through the magnetocaloric material, wherein the airflow, or the air forming the airflow, is drawn in, for example, from the environment of the vehicle via an air filter and passed through the magnetocaloric material to temper the at least one airflow.Preferably, a dehumidification device is provided for dehumidifying the at least one airflow supplied to the interior. This prevents condensation from forming in the magnetocaloric material and the magnetic device, thus preventing corrosion and achieving a particularly high efficiency.

[0030] However, it has been found that the heat exchange between air and magnetocaloric material is less efficient than the heat exchange between a fluid (e.g., a liquid) and the magnetocaloric material if no countermeasures are taken. The invention therefore aims in particular to achieve a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the magnetocaloric material and at least one airflow, which is supplied to or introduced into the interior space. Specifically, two possibilities have been identified by which a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the airflow and the respective magnetocaloric material can be achieved. A first of these possibilities is to use a particularly large quantity of magnetocaloric material.A second possibility is to realize the heat exchange or heat transfer between the magnetocaloric material and the at least one airflow through turbulent flow and, if necessary, through advantageous surfaces or through an advantageous surface area to volume ratio of the magnetocaloric material.

[0031] Furthermore, it was found that the weight of vehicles plays an important role, for example, in minimizing the vehicle's energy consumption. Therefore, a low vehicle weight is desirable. Consequently, the available mass of magnetocaloric material should not be arbitrarily large, meaning that the first option cannot be used, or can only be used to a very limited extent. Therefore, the heat exchange between the at least one airflow and the magnetocaloric material through which the at least one airflow flows, or through which it can flow, should be achieved through an advantageous airflow pattern in order to achieve good heating and / or cooling performance while simultaneously minimizing the weight and space requirements of the air conditioning system.

[0032] The channel through which the respective airflow passes is a flow channel, and thus the respective channel section is also a flow channel or flow channel section. In such a flow channel, which is at least partially formed from magnetocaloric material, there is a conflict of objectives between achieving the strongest possible magnetocaloric effect, optimal heat transfer, and low pressure drop or low flow resistance within the flow channel. To enable particularly advantageous heat exchange between the flowing airflow and the magnetocaloric material, turbulent flow of at least one airflow is beneficial, as such turbulent flow allows for better heat exchange than laminar flow.

[0033] However, the more turbulent the flow, the higher the flow resistance and thus the pressure drop in the flow channel, and the greater the energy required to move the same quantity or mass of air forming the airflow through the channel per unit of time. One way to minimize flow resistance would be to enlarge the flow channel, particularly in the area through which the airflow is free of obstructions. This would provide sufficient space for the turbulent flow, allowing the flow resistance and pressure drop to be kept especially low. However, such an enlargement of the flow channel reduces the proportion of magnetocaloric material, thereby diminishing the magnetocaloric effect and potentially resulting in a smaller temperature gradient within the air conditioning system.This simultaneously reduces the temperature control requirements, i.e., the cooling and / or heating capacities. The aim is to find an optimum between the three competing objectives of magnetocaloric effect, good heat exchange, and the lowest possible pressure loss, which can be achieved within the scope of the invention.

[0034] In the invention, at least a portion of the magnetocaloric material of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is designed as granular material, which is arranged in at least a partial region of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows and is permeable to the airflow. The granular material is, for example, a powder that is contained in the partial region, for example, in a container of the channel. The use of the granular material enables a particularly advantageous turbulent flow of the at least one airflow. Furthermore, a particularly large surface area of ​​the magnetocaloric material can be achieved, thus enabling a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the at least one airflow and the magnetocaloric material.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the invention, the partial area is bounded in the flow direction of the at least one airflow to be tempered, particularly on at least one side and preferably on both sides, by at least one membrane that is permeable to the at least one airflow to be tempered and impermeable to the granular material. This means that the at least one airflow, or the air forming the at least one airflow, can flow through the membrane, while the granular material cannot penetrate the membrane but is retained by it. The membrane is thus designed as a permeable or semi-permeable membrane, with, for example, each end of the partial area being closed by at least one such membrane.The membrane allows air to flow into and out of the sub-area, but prevents the granular matter from escaping the respective channel or moving in an undesired manner.

[0036] It has proven particularly advantageous if at least the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered or temperature-controlled flows has a honeycomb structure with honeycombs through which the airflow to be tempered flows, the walls of which are formed from the magnetocaloric material of the channel through which the airflow to be tempered flows. The honeycomb structure, which can be manufactured, for example, by an additive manufacturing process, in particular by a rapid prototyping process, is also referred to as a honeycomb structure. The honeycombs are formed, for example, by struts made of magnetocaloric material. The interior of each honeycomb serves as a turbulent flow channel to, for example, create turbulent flow while simultaneously achieving an advantageous magnetocaloric effect and keeping pressure loss low.

[0037] Another embodiment is characterized in that at least the magnetocaloric material of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows has a porous structure, at least in a partial region, through which the airflow to be tempered flows. The porous structure thus has a plurality of pores through which the at least one airflow flows, thereby enabling a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the magnetocaloric material and the at least one airflow, a particularly advantageous magnetocaloric effect, and a low pressure loss. The porous structure can have any shape and is preferably cylindrical, especially on its outer circumference, and thus, for example, has at least substantially the shape of a right circular cylinder on its outer circumference.In this case, for example, there are no fixed flow channels; instead, the at least one airflow can flow, at least essentially arbitrarily, through the porous structure, particularly through its pores, whereby the porosity of the porous structure results in a particularly advantageous turbulent flow of the at least one airflow. The porous structure can be produced, for example, by an additive manufacturing process, particularly a rapid prototyping process, or by foaming, so that the porous structure is, for example, designed as a foam or a foam element. The porous structure is, for example, designed or produced as a metal foam or in the manner of a metal foam.

[0038] It has proven particularly advantageous if the membrane is designed as a switchable membrane with adjustable air permeability. In particular, the membrane can be designed as a piezoelectrically switchable membrane, whereby the permeability of the membrane can be set, in particular regulated or controlled, by a desired output temperature of the temperature control device or of the air supplied to the interior, and thus, for example, of the at least one airflow, and / or by a flow velocity of the at least one airflow. By adjusting the permeability of the membrane, for example, a quantity or mass of the at least one airflow can be set, so that a quantity or mass of the temperature-controlled air supplied to the interior can be adjusted as required by means of the membrane.This allows for individual adjustment, in particular control, of the air conditioning system, as well as essentially optimal operation of the respective channel.

[0039] It is conceivable that the granular material, which is arranged, for example, between the two membranes mentioned, could be slightly melted, or in particular slightly sintered, in order to fix the granular material in place or to prevent excessive displacement of the material, so that, for example, flow channels formed by the material for at least one airflow cannot be so easily blocked. Thus, excessive movement of the granular material can also be avoided when the vehicle is in motion.

[0040] To achieve a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the at least one airflow and the granular material, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the granular material comprises spherical and / or tetrahedral particles. The advantage of tetrahedral particles of the granular material is that such tetrahedral particles, and thus particles formed as tetrahedra, have a particularly large surface area to volume ratio, which enables a particularly advantageous heat exchange. Furthermore, such tetrahedra can be produced easily and cost-effectively using various methods. Preferably, the granular material, or the particles of the granular material, are made of a metallic material.Another embodiment is characterized by the fact that the granular material has particles of different sizes in order to provide a particularly advantageous heat exchange or heat transfer.

[0041] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the partial area in which the granular material is contained is limited in the circumferential direction of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows by a container containing the granular material, which is made of magnetocaloric material.

[0042] It has proven particularly advantageous if the container, especially on its inner circumference, is cylindrical and thus has the shape of an at least substantially straight circular cylinder. This allows the flow resistance and pressure loss to be kept particularly low.

[0043] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is spirally shaped, at least in a partial or length section, such that at least the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows has a spiral shape, at least in the aforementioned partial or length section. This forms, for example, an at least substantially spiral flow channel. At least the spiral section is preferably bounded or formed by magnetocaloric material. The spiral section is, for example, designed to resemble a spring, thereby enabling particularly advantageous heat exchange.The spiral section can be manufactured, for example, using an additive manufacturing process, particularly a rapid prototyping method, or by extruding a tube that is subsequently formed into a spiral, especially bent, after extrusion. The tube could be made of a magnetocaloric material, for instance. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the tube already has a spiral geometry after extrusion. In particular, several interlocking spirals are conceivable, forming a flow channel that is as long as possible and at least substantially spiral in shape with a large surface area, thus enabling particularly efficient heat exchange.

[0044] As already mentioned, it has proven particularly advantageous if at least the spiral section is formed from the magnetocaloric material of the channel through which at least one airflow to be tempered can flow.

[0045] Another embodiment is characterized in that at least one section of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is subdivided by at least one lamella into at least two sub-channels through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows, wherein the at least one lamella is formed from the magnetocaloric material of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows. The channel itself, for example, has the shape of a right circular cylinder on its inner circumference and is thus inherently cylindrical and is subdivided, for example, into two cylindrical parts by means of the lamella. Preferably, the lamella is arranged in the middle of the channel, so that, for example, the at least substantially cylindrical channel is subdivided into two cylindrical halves. These cylindrical halves are the aforementioned sub-channels.This subdivision of the channel allows for a particularly advantageous flow, especially turbulent flow, while simultaneously enabling a particularly advantageous heat exchange.

[0046] It has proven particularly advantageous to arrange at least one guiding element inside the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows, in order to create turbulent flow. This allows for a particularly favorable turbulent flow, resulting in a particularly favorable heat transfer. Consequently, a particularly efficient and effective operation of the air conditioning system can be achieved. For example, the at least one guiding element comprises at least one or a plurality of separation edges by means of which turbulent flow of the at least one airflow can be created.

[0047] Finally, it has proven particularly advantageous if at least the magnetocaloric material of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is produced by an additive manufacturing process, in particular by sintering and preferably by laser sintering such as selective laser sintering (SLM or SLS). This allows, for example, a particularly rough surface of the magnetocaloric material, especially on the inner circumference, particularly in the channel area, thereby enabling a particularly advantageous heat exchange. Overall, it is evident that a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the at least one airflow and the magnetocaloric material can be achieved in the air conditioning device according to the invention. The described embodiments serve to optimize the channel in order to resolve the conflict of objectives described at the outset.The invention is based on the understanding that turbulent flow is desirable to achieve the best possible heat exchange between the at least one airflow and the magnetocaloric material. The temperature gradient of the magnetocaloric effect in the magnetocaloric material should not be attenuated by the geometry of the channel through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows and which acts as a turbulent flow channel. To this end, an advantageous surface-to-volume ratio of the magnetocaloric material should be sought in order to maintain the magnetocaloric, and thus tempering (i.e., heating or cooling), effect despite optimized heat transfer.

[0048] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an air conditioning device for a vehicle, which has at least one temperature control device by means of which the air supplied to the interior of the vehicle is tempered.

[0049] In order to achieve a particularly advantageous and especially efficient and effective air conditioning or temperature control of the interior, it is provided according to the invention that the temperature control device comprises at least one magnetic device by means of which a magnetic field is provided, and at least two channels through which an airflow can flow, as well as at least one temperature control element which forms at least respective channel areas of the channels extending through magnetocaloric material, wherein the temperature control device is adjusted between at least two different states.In each state, one of the channel sections is located within the magnetic field provided by the magnetic device, and the other channel section is located outside the magnetic field provided by the magnetic device, such that in each state at least one of the airflows is tempered by means of the magnetocaloric effect. A turbulent flow of at least one of the airflows to be tempered is thereby created by means of the tempering device, in particular by means of the tempering element. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa. It is possible that the tempering device is designed such that, in a first of the states, the magnetic device provides the at least one magnetic field as a first magnetic field in a first region.In the first region, for example, one of the channel regions is located. In the second state, the magnetic device provides, for example, a second magnetic field in a second region. The second region is different from the first region. This means that the second region is arranged without overlapping with the first region. The second channel region is located within the second region. In the first state, the magnetic device does not provide the second magnetic field, and in the second state, the magnetic device does not provide the first magnetic field. In other words, for example, in the first state, the first magnetic field is activated, while the second magnetic field is deactivated, i.e., switched off. In the second state, for example, the second magnetic field is activated, while the first magnetic field is deactivated, i.e., switched off.Thus, in each state, one of the channel sections is exposed to the magnetic field, while the magnetic field does not act on the other channel section. This allows, for example, the airflow through one channel section to be cooled by means of the magnetocaloric effect, in particular by means of the negative magnetocaloric effect. In this embodiment, for example, the temperature control element and the magnetic device, or the respective magnetic field, are fixed relative to each other.

[0050] It has proven particularly advantageous, however, if the temperature control element and the magnetic field or magnetic device are rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation, assuming a first rotational position relative to each other in one state and a second rotational position different from the first in the second state. In each rotational position, one channel section is located within the magnetic field and the other channel section is located outside the magnetic field. This allows for an essentially continuous volume or mass flow of the air to be tempered by the temperature control device, thus enabling particularly pleasant and effective temperature control.

[0051] In other words, if the magnetic device provides the magnetic field during operation of the temperature control unit, the temperature control element is rotatable relative to the magnetic field. The temperature control element forms the respective channel sections extending through the magnetocaloric material, so that the airflow passing through each channel flows through that section and thus through the magnetocaloric material. Therefore, particularly during operation of the temperature control unit, in each rotational position, one channel section is located within the magnetic field and the other outside of it.Thus, the provided magnetic field acts on one channel section, or rather on the magnetocaloric material forming that channel section, while the magnetic field does not act on the other section, or rather on the magnetocaloric material forming the other channel section. This makes it possible to temper at least one of the airflows using the magnetocaloric effect in each rotational position.

[0052] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 Partially a schematic and cutaway front view of an air conditioning device according to the invention, wherein the air conditioning device uses the magnetocaloric effect to cool at least one air stream; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the air conditioning system; Fig. 3. Partially a schematic sectional view of the air conditioning device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 4. Partially a schematic perspective view of the air conditioning unit according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 5. Partially a schematic and cutaway perspective view of the air conditioning device according to a third embodiment.

[0053] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0054] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic, cutaway front view of an air conditioning unit 33 for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle such as a passenger car. As will be explained in more detail below, the air conditioning unit 33 is used as a component of the vehicle to regulate the temperature of the air supplied to the vehicle's interior, i.e., to cool and / or heat it. For this purpose, the air conditioning unit 33 comprises a temperature control device 1, which can function, for example, as a cooling device for cooling the air and / or as a heating device for heating the air supplied to the interior. The air conditioning unit 33 includes a magnetic device 2, by means of which at least two magnetic fields 3a and 3b can be provided.This means that, within a method for operating the air conditioning device 33, the magnetic device 2 provides at least one magnetic field when the air conditioning device 33, the temperature control device 1 and thus the magnetic device 2 are activated, which is in . Fig. 1 is shown particularly schematically and is labelled 3a or 3b.

[0055] For example, during operation, it is stipulated that the magnetic device 2 provides exactly one of the magnetic fields 3a and 3b. In conjunction with Fig. 2. It is evident that the temperature control device 1 has at least two channels 4 and 5 through which a respective airflow can flow. In Fig. The airflow through channel 4 during operation of the temperature control device 1 is illustrated by arrow 6. Furthermore, the airflow through channel 5 during operation of the temperature control device 1 is shown in Fig. Figure 2 is illustrated with an arrow 7. At least one of the airflows includes at least part of the air supplied to the interior, by means of which the interior can be tempered, i.e., cooled and / or heated.

[0056] How particularly good looks Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the temperature control device 1 comprises at least one temperature control element 8, which is rotatable about a rotation axis 9, also referred to as the axis of rotation, relative to the magnetic device 2 and thus relative to the magnetic fields 3a and 3b, between at least two different rotational positions. As will be explained in more detail below, the temperature control element 8 functions as a heat exchanger, wherein the temperature control element 8 is in the Fig. The illustrated embodiment in Figure 1 is designed as a turret, in particular as a heat exchanger turret. The temperature control element 8, for example, has at least the essential shape of a cylinder. The temperature control device 1 comprises, for example, a Fig. 1. A base 10, shown in a particularly schematic representation, to which the temperature control element 8 and the magnetic device 2 are each held, at least indirectly, and in particular directly. The temperature control element 8 is rotatably held on the base 10, and in particular rotatably mounted on the base 10. The base 10 comprises, for example, a frame or at least one support element, by means of which the temperature control device 1 can be attached, for example, to a frame or holder of the air conditioning unit 33. It is particularly provided that the temperature control element 8 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 9 relative to the base 10, while the magnetic device 2 is not rotatable relative to the base 10. In particular, the magnetic device 2 is attached, at least indirectly, to the base 10, so that the magnetic device 2 is stationary relative to the base 10.

[0057] The temperature control element 8 forms at least respective channel regions 13 and 14 of channels 4 and 5, extending through magnetocaloric material 11 and 12 respectively. In the case of the Fig. In the illustrated embodiment 1, the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 is designed as a positive magnetocaloric material. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the rotation of the temperature control element 8 relative to the magnetic device 2 and relative to the base 10 by an arrow 15. For example, in a first rotational position, the channel areas 13 are part of or assigned to channel 4. Furthermore, in the first rotational position, the channel areas 14 are parts of or assigned to channel 5. In a second rotational position, different from the first, for example, the channel areas 14 are assigned to or part of channel 4, while in the second rotational position, the channel areas 13 are assigned to or part of channel 5.

[0058] The channel regions 13 extend through the magnetocaloric material 11, while the channel regions 14 extend through the magnetocaloric material 12. Fig. Figure 1 shows that the channel regions 13 are, for example, arranged in pairs from each other and spaced apart from the channel regions 14, which are themselves spaced apart in pairs. In particular, the channel regions 13 are thermally insulated from the channel regions 14. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the magnetocaloric material 11 is spaced apart from and / or thermally insulated from the magnetocaloric material 12. The magnetocaloric materials 11 and 12 are, for example, formed by the same magnetocaloric material, which may be an alloy with a magnetocaloric effect. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the magnetocaloric material 11 forms the channel regions 13, and the magnetocaloric material 12 forms the channel regions 14. In particular, each channel region 13 is completely formed or bounded in its circumferential direction by the magnetocaloric material 11. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that each channel region 14 is completely formed or bounded in its circumferential direction by the magnetocaloric material 12.

[0059] By moving or rotating the temperature control element 8, and thus the channel sections 13 and 14, as required, and by activating and deactivating the magnetic fields 3a and 3b as required, at least one of the airflows can be temperature-controlled as required by means of the magnetocaloric effect, thereby enabling efficient and effective temperature control of the interior space. For this purpose, the temperature control device 1, and thus the air conditioning unit 33, can be switched between a first operating state configured as cooling mode and a second operating state configured as heating mode. Within each operating state, the temperature control device 1 can again be adjusted between a first state and a second state. In cooling mode, one of the airflows is cooled and supplied to the interior space to cool it.In heating mode, one of the air streams is heated and fed into the interior to warm or heat the interior. In the first state, the magnetic device 2 and the temperature control element 8 take the position of the air stream. Fig. 1 first rotational position shown relative to each other, wherein in the second state the magnetic device 2 and the temperature control element 8 assume the second rotational position relative to each other which differs from the first rotational position.

[0060] In cooling mode, magnetic field 3a is activated, particularly permanently, while magnetic field 3b is deactivated, particularly permanently. In the first state, and thus in the first rotation position, the airflow passing through channel areas 13 and thus through the magnetocaloric material 11 is cooled. The airflow passing through channel areas 14 and thus through the magnetocaloric material 12 in the first rotation position is used to cool the magnetocaloric material 12. If, for example, cooling of the magnetocaloric material 12 were not provided in the first rotation position, the magnetocaloric material 12 would be heated by magnetic field 3a, which acts on the magnetocaloric material 12 but not on the magnetocaloric material 11.However, since the airflow passes through the channel sections 14 and thus through the magnetocaloric material 12, the magnetocaloric material 12 is cooled, resulting in heat transfer from the magnetocaloric material 12 to the airflow passing through the channel sections 14. In other words, the airflow passing through the channel sections 14 in the first rotation position is heated by the magnetic field 3a, thereby transporting heat away from the magnetocaloric material 12. This prevents, for example, excessive heating of the magnetocaloric material 12 caused by the magnetic field 3a.

[0061] Was the cooling operation performed before the setting in Fig. If the second rotational position is set in the first rotational position shown in Figure 1, such that previously the channel areas 13 were arranged in the magnetic field 3a and the channel areas 14 were arranged outside the magnetic field 3, then in the first rotational position the airflow which flows through the channel areas 13 now arranged outside the magnetic field 3 is cooled, since the magnetocaloric material 11, which is designed as a positive magnetocaloric material, cools down due to the, in particular positive, magnetocaloric effect.This means that, for example, after setting the first rotary position, the second rotary position is set, so that channel sections 13 are then located inside magnetic field 3a and channel sections 14 are located outside magnetic field 3a. The airflow then flowing through channel sections 14 is cooled by the magnetocaloric effect, while the airflow flowing through channel sections 13 is used to transport heat away from the magnetocaloric material 11. In cooling mode, for example, the airflow that, in the respective rotary position, flows through the channel 4 or 5 whose channel sections 13 and 14, respectively, are located outside magnetic field 3, is cooled by the magnetocaloric effect and supplied to the interior to cool the interior.

[0062] If the first rotation position is set during cooling operation, then, for example, the channel areas 14 and thus the magnetocaloric material 12 forming or limiting the channel area 14 are each at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, arranged in the magnetic field 3a, while the channel areas 13 and thus the magnetocaloric material 11 forming the channel areas 13 are each at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, arranged outside the magnetic field 3a. If, during cooling operation, the Fig. 1. In a rotational position not shown in detail, the channel areas 13 and thus the magnetocaloric material 11 forming the channel areas 13 are each at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, arranged in the magnetic field 3a, while the channel areas 14 and the magnetocaloric material 12 are each at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, arranged outside the magnetic field 3a.

[0063] For example, the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 is cylindrical at least on its outer circumference and is arranged, for example, in a cylinder of the temperature control element 8 designed as a revolver cylinder. As previously explained with regard to the temperature control element 8, the cylinders, and thus the magnetocaloric materials 11 and 12, and thus the channel sections 13 and 14, are rotatable about the axis of rotation 9 and are supported, for example, at the base 10. The respective channel section 13 or 14 can be shaped as required. Alternatively or additionally, the number of channel sections 13 or 14 can be varied. The magnetic device 2 is a magnetic field generator, which is preferably stationary, while the temperature control element 8 is rotatably mounted.

[0064] The heating operation differs from the cooling operation in particular in that the magnetic field 3b is provided, especially permanently, by the magnetic device 2, while the magnetic field 3a is deactivated, especially permanently. Furthermore, in the heating operation, the airflow that, in the respective rotational position, flows through the channel 4 or 5 whose channel section 13 or 14 is located within the magnetic field 3b, is directed to the interior to heat the interior, since the airflow that, in the respective rotational position, flows through the channel 4 or 5 whose channel sections 13 or 14 are located within the magnetic field 3b, heat is carried away from the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 and is thereby heated.

[0065] For example, channel 4 is fluidically connected to the interior, so that in both operating states, i.e., in heating mode and in cooling mode, the air flowing through channel 4 is supplied to the interior.Since magnetic field 3a is activated and magnetic field 3b is deactivated in cooling mode, and since magnetic field 3b is activated and magnetic field 3a is deactivated in heating mode, the air flowing through channel 4 is cooled in cooling mode, and the air flowing through channel 4 is heated in heating mode. Therefore, by switching between the states and thus between the rotary positions as needed, and by activating and deactivating magnetic fields 3a and 3b as needed, the air supplied to the interior can be cooled or heated without having to change the fluidic connection between channel 4 and the interior.

[0066] At the in Fig. In the illustrated embodiment 1, the magnetic device comprises at least four magnetic elements 17a, 17b, 18a, and 18b, which, for example, form two sets of magnets or two pairs of magnets, preferably fixed in space. The respective magnetic elements 17a, 17b, 18a, and 18b can, for example, be designed as permanent magnets or as electromagnets. By using electromagnets, the magnetic field 3a or the magnetic field 3b can be switched on or off as required.

[0067] Preferably, the temperature control element 8 comprises a plastic in which the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 is at least partially, and in particular at least predominantly or completely, arranged or embedded. A thermal insulation is preferably arranged between the magnetocaloric materials 11 and 12, and this thermal insulation can be realized by the aforementioned plastic. The exact position, shape, and material of the components of the temperature control device 1 are freely selectable. The magnetic elements 17a, 17b, 18a, and 18b, for example, represent respective poles of the magnetic device 2. In the case described in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the poles or magnetic elements 17a, 17b, 18a and 18b are located relative to the plane of the image. Fig. 1. The magnetic field 3a is arranged to the left and right outside the temperature control element 8. The magnetic field 3a is provided, for example, by the magnet pair comprising the magnetic elements 17a and 18a. The magnetic field 3b is provided, for example, by the magnet pair comprising the magnetic elements 17b and 18b. In the respective rotational positions, the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 is arranged between the respective magnetic elements 17a and 18a or 17b and 18b of the respective magnet pair.

[0068] To enable at least a substantially continuous mass flow of the respective airflow, the temperature control device 1 can comprise any number of, but at least two, channel sections arranged, for example, side by side, such as channel sections 13 and 14, of which, in the respective rotational position or state, at least one is located within the activated magnetic field 3a or 3b and at least one is located outside the activated magnetic field 3a or 3b. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the temperature control device 1 comprises several, i.e., at least two, temperature control elements 8, which are arranged, for example, side by side. Each temperature control element 8 represents, for example, a rotary system that is rotatable in a rotational direction about a respective axis of rotation 9.It is advantageous if the directions of rotation of the multiple rotary systems are opposite in order to cancel out torques. To achieve at least a substantially continuous mass flow, it is advantageous if the respective cross-sectional areas of the rotary systems through which the respective airflow passes are of the same size, so that the respective mass flow rates are equal. This can be achieved by a clever, for example, alternating rotation of the temperature control elements 8, whereby preferably at any given time at least one cross-sectional area of ​​a channel (composed of the projected areas of both channels located in the flow direction) should be through which air or fluid flows. To achieve a continuous mass flow, any number of temperature control elements, but at least two, particularly designed as a turret drum, can be installed side by side in the overall system.This allows the volume of airflow to be standardized and kept constant by diverting the air to the next ducts in a timely manner. It is also conceivable to store the cold air in a pressure accumulator to have a supply of cool air available for later use.

[0069] Preferably, the temperature control device 1, designed as a flow system, is configured such that the magnetic field 3a is permanently switched on or provided during cooling operation, particularly when an electromagnet is used, so that the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 located in the magnetic field 3a heats up. Simultaneously, air, in particular ambient air, is guided through the channel sections 13 or 14 of the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 arranged in the magnetic field 3a to dissipate heat from the heating magnetocaloric material 11 or 12.Once magnetic saturation has occurred and the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 has been cooled to approximately ambient temperature by the respective airflow, the temperature control element 8 is rotated so that the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12, which was previously arranged in the magnetic field 3a, is then arranged outside the magnetic field 3a and is located, for example, with respect to the image plane in . Fig. 1 is arranged above. Now the magnetocaloric material 12 or 11, which was previously located outside the magnetic field 3a, lies in the magnetic field 3a and is heated and also permeated by air, in particular ambient air.

[0070] The magnetocaloric material 11 or 12, now located outside the magnetic field 3a, cools down immediately by a certain amount after leaving the magnetic field 3a due to the magnetocaloric effect of positive magnetocaloric materials, with the cooling magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 being permeated by air, in particular ambient air. This cools at least a portion of the air flowing through the channel section 13 or 14, which is located outside the magnetic field 3a, so that, for example, cold air flows out of the temperature control element 8 or the temperature control device 1 as a whole.

[0071] Out of Fig. It is evident from Figure 3 that the air conditioning device 33, for example, comprises at least one conveying device 19 by means of which the air forming the air streams can be conveyed or is conveyed. For example, the conveying device 19 is a blower by means of which the air forming the air streams can be conveyed. In particular, the air can be conveyed into the interior by means of the blower and thus supplied to it. For example, air from the environment of the motor vehicle designated by 25 is conveyed, in particular drawn, by means of the blower into the temperature control device 1, in particular into the duct 4, in order to temper the air by means of the magnetocaloric effect and then to the Fig. 2 to supply the interior of the motor vehicle designated with 26.

[0072] Another conveying device 19, for example a blower, can be used to convey air through the duct 5. The air flowing through the duct 5 originates, for example, at least partially from the interior 26 and / or from the surroundings 25 of the vehicle. After passing through the duct 5, the air can flow into the surroundings 25 of the vehicle.

[0073] The air conditioning unit 33 includes, for example, a control unit 27, by means of which the volume of air originating from the interior 26 and flowing through the duct 5, and the volume of air originating from the interior 26 and bypassing the duct 5, thus not flowing through it and flowing directly to the environment 25, can be adjusted. In other words, air from the interior 26 can be supplied to the duct 5, and the volume of air originating from the interior 26 and supplied to the duct 5 can be adjusted by means of the control unit 27. Furthermore, air from the environment 25 can be drawn in by means of the conveying device 19 via a valve 28 and conveyed through the duct 5, so that air from the interior 26 and / or air from the environment 25 can be conveyed through the duct 5 by means of the conveying device 19 and flow through the duct 5. This serves, for example, to adjust a sufficient air mass flow through the duct 5.Thus, for example, sufficient cooling of the respective material 11 or 12 arranged in the magnetic field 3a can be ensured during cooling operation. Air preferably flows through channels 4 and 5 simultaneously, for example in opposite directions.

[0074] Out of Fig. 2 It is further apparent that the air conditioning device 33, for example, comprises an air filter 20, by means of which the air forming at least one of the air streams, in particular the air supplied to the interior 26 or flowing into the temperature control device 1, is filtered. Furthermore, for example, a mixing control 21 is provided, by means of which an intake outlet temperature of the air stream, which is tempered and supplied to the interior 26, can be adjusted as required. For this purpose, at least one bypass line 22 is optionally provided, which is also referred to as a bypass. By means of the bypass line 22, for example, at least a portion of the air flowing through the channel 4 is diverted to form the air stream to be tempered, in particular from the channel 4, wherein the portion of the air flowing through the bypass line 22 bypasses the channel sections 13 and 14 and thus does not flow through them.Thus, the portion of the air flowing through the bypass line 22 is not tempered by means of the tempering element 8.

[0075] A second portion of the air, distinct from the portion flowing through the bypass line, flows through channel 4 and passes through the temperature control element 8, thus being tempered. The branching off of the portion of air flowing through the bypass line 22 occurs, for example, upstream of the temperature control element 8 or channel sections 13 and 14. Downstream of the respective channel sections 13 and 14, the air portions are recombined to adjust the temperature of the air supplied to the interior 26 as required. For example, the first portion flowing through the bypass line 22 is reintroduced into channel 4 downstream of channel sections 13 and 14. This allows, for example, air cooled by the magnetocaloric effect from channel sections 13 and 14 to be mixed with warm air from the bypass line 22.The tempered air or the tempered airflow can, for example, be temporarily stored in a pressure accumulator 24. Furthermore, the tempering device 1 includes, for example, a motor (not shown in the figure) by means of which the tempering element 8 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 9. The motor is, for example, an electric motor.

[0076] In order to temperature-control the interior space 26 particularly advantageously and, in particular, effectively and efficiently, the temperature control device 1 is designed to create turbulent flow, at least of the airflow to be temperature-controlled. Specifically, the temperature control device 1 is designed to create turbulent flow, at least of the airflow supplied to the interior space 26. This means, for example, that the temperature control device 1 is designed to influence, in particular divert or redirect, the airflow flowing through channel 4 and / or channel 5 in such a way as to create turbulent flow.

[0077] Since at the in Fig. In the illustrated embodiment 1, the airflow passing through channel 4 is supplied to the interior space 26, for example, in the case of the Fig. In the illustrated embodiment 1, it is provided that at least the airflow through the channel 4 is influenced by the temperature control device 1 such that at least the airflow through the channel 4, which is supplied to and temperature-controlled in the interior space 26, exhibits turbulent flow, i.e., it flows turbulently through the channel 4, in particular through the respective channel sections 13 and 14. Such turbulent flow enables a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the respective airflow and the respective magnetocaloric material 11 and 12, so that, for example, a particularly advantageous heat transfer from the airflow to the magnetocaloric material 11 and 12, or conversely, a heat transfer from the respective magnetocaloric material 11 and 12 to the airflow, can occur.This allows the airflow to be effectively and efficiently tempered, i.e., cooled or heated.

[0078] Fig. Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of the air conditioning device 33, in particular the temperature control device 1. In the first embodiment, at least a portion of the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 is designed as granular matter 23, comprising a plurality of inherently rigid or dimensionally stable particles 29. The granular matter 23 is arranged or contained in at least a partial region 30 of the channel 4 through which the airflow to be temperature-controlled and supplied to the interior space 26 flows, and is carried by the airflow to be temperature-controlled and supplied to the interior space 26, which flows in Fig. As illustrated by arrows 31 and 32, the sub-area 30 is open to airflow, with the airflow to be tempered passing through it. Arrows 31 illustrate the airflow entering sub-area 30, which can then flow towards and around the granular material 23 or the particles 29. Arrows 32 illustrate the airflow exiting sub-area 30, which is already tempered by the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12. The particles 29 are made of magnetocaloric material and are thus magnetocaloric particles. Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 3 shows, for example, the magnetic field 3b, whose north pole is labelled N and whose south pole is labelled S.

[0079] In particular, arrows 31 and 32 illustrate a flow direction in which the airflow to be tempered and supplied to the interior 26 flows through channel 4 and especially through subsection 30. Subsection 30 is bounded on both sides in the direction of flow of the airflow to be tempered by a membrane 39 or 34, respectively, which is permeable to the airflow to be tempered but impermeable to the granular material 23 and is, for example, designed as a semi-permeable membrane. This means that the airflow to be tempered, or the air forming the airflow to be tempered, can flow through the respective membrane 39 or 34, but the particles 29 cannot penetrate the respective membrane 39 or 34. This prevents undesirable, excessive movement of the granular material 23, especially from subsection 30.

[0080] At least one of the membranes 39 and 34 is, for example, designed as a switchable membrane whose air permeability, i.e., its air throughput, is adjustable. This allows, for example, the amount of air flowing through the sub-area 30, and thus the quantity or mass of the airflow to be tempered, to be adjusted as needed. The switchable membrane is, for example, designed as a piezoelectrically switchable membrane. In the first embodiment, the particles 29 are spherical and thus designed as spheres, with the particles 29 having different sizes or volumes. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the granular material 23 comprises tetrahedra as particles.

[0081] The use of the granular material 23 enables a particularly advantageous turbulent flow of the air stream to be tempered, without an undesirable increase in pressure loss. Furthermore, a particularly large surface area of ​​the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 can be achieved, thus enabling particularly good heat exchange. In particular, Fig. 3. It is evident that the section 30 in the circumferential direction of the channel 4 through which the airflow to be tempered flows is bounded by a container 40 which receives the granular material 23 and which is preferably formed from the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12. Preferably, the container 40 is designed as a cylinder on its inner circumference and thus has at least substantially the shape of a right circular cylinder on its inner circumference. This allows for the creation of particularly advantageous flow conditions.

[0082] Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the temperature control device 1, in particular the channel 4 through which the airflow to be temperature controlled and supplied to the interior 26 flows. Fig. 4 can be seen that, for example, the channel 4 has a spiral shape at least in a sub-area 35, where the sub-area 35 is formed by the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12.

[0083] Finally, it shows Fig. 5 a third embodiment of the temperature control device 1 or of the channel 4. This shows Fig. 5 the channel sections 13 and 14, which extend through the magnetocaloric material 11 and 12, respectively. Depending on the state or rotational position of the temperature control device 1, in particular the temperature control element 8, the channel sections 13 and 14 are subsections of channel 4 and channel 5, respectively, so that, for example, the airflow to be supplied to and tempered in the interior 26 flows through channel 4 and, depending on the rotational position of the temperature control element 8, through channel sections 13 or 14.

[0084] In the third embodiment, the respective channel section 13 or 14 is divided into two partial channels 37 and 38 by a lamella 36 arranged in the respective channel section 13 or 14, through which the airflow to be tempered and supplied to the interior 26 flows. The lamella 36 is formed from the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12. Fig. Figure 5 shows that the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 forms a cylinder in which the channel regions 13 or 14, functioning as flow channels, extend, the channel regions 13 or 14 extending through the cylinder, in particular along its longitudinal direction or the axis of rotation. The respective lamella 36 functions as an internal heat-conducting lamella or heat-exchange lamella, via which a particularly advantageous heat exchange between the airflow and the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 can take place.

[0085] The respective channel section 13 or 14 is cylindrical on its inner circumference and thus has the shape of a right circular cylinder. The respective lamella 36 is arranged exactly in the center of the respective channel section 13 or 14, so that the respective channel section 13 or 14 is divided into two cylinder halves. This allows for particularly efficient heat exchange. Furthermore, it enables a particularly efficient turbulent airflow.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally, further elements not shown in the figure may be present to generate turbulent flow, particularly inside channel 4 and / or 5. The Fig.The cylinder shown in Figure 5 can, for example, be manufactured using a rapid prototyping process, including the lamellae 36. Alternatively, the cylinder could be formed as an extruded profile produced by extrusion. In this case, the lamellae 36 would be inserted into the respective flow channel (channel section 13 or 14) either during the extrusion process or subsequently.

[0087] In particular, regardless of the geometric design of the respective channel 4 or 5 functioning as a flow channel, it can be coated, especially on its inner circumference, with a corrosion-protective material. This material is, for example, a type of paint that is applied to the channel 4 or 5, specifically to a base body or corresponding material forming the channel 4 or 5. This means that a post-treatment in the form of a surface treatment and / or a densification of the material forming the respective channel 4 or 5 is required.It has proven particularly advantageous if at least one of the inner circumferential surfaces of the respective magnetocaloric material 11 or 12, forming or delimiting the respective channel area 13 or 14, is coated with a corrosion-protective material and thus with a corrosion-resistant layer. This corrosion-resistant layer is formed, for example, by the aforementioned lacquer. Alternatively or additionally, the surface is subjected to a post-treatment in the form of a surface treatment to protect it from corrosion. This surface treatment can, for example, involve heat treatment or coating. Alternatively or additionally, the surface, and thus the magnetocaloric material 11 or 12 forming the surface, is densified, in particular by hot isostatic pressing (HIP).

Claims

[1] Air conditioning device (33) for a vehicle, comprising at least one temperature control device (1) by means of which air supplied to the interior (26) of the vehicle is to be temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control device (1) comprises at least one magnetic device (2) by means of which at least one magnetic field (3a, 3b) can be provided, as well as at least two channels (4, 5) through which an airflow can flow and at least one temperature control element (8) which forms at least respective channel sections (13, 14) of the channels (4, 5) extending through magnetocaloric material (11, 12), wherein the temperature control device (1) is adjustable between at least two different states, wherein in the respective state one of the channel sections (13, 14) is in the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2) and the other channel section (13, 14) is outside the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2).3b) is arranged to temper at least one of the air streams in the respective state by means of the magnetocaloric effect, and wherein the tempering device (1) is configured to cause a turbulent flow of at least one of the air streams to be tempered, , characterized by , that at least a part of the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is formed as granular matter (23), which is arranged at least in a partial region (30) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows and is permeable to the at least one airflow to be tempered, wherein the partial region (30) is bounded in the flow direction of the at least one airflow to be tempered by at least one membrane (34, 39) which is permeable to the at least one airflow to be tempered and dense to the granular matter (23). [2] Air conditioning device (33) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered has a honeycomb structure with honeycombs through which the at least one airflow to be tempered has honeycombs whose walls are formed from the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered has. [3] Air conditioning device (33) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered can flow has a porous structure through which the airflow to be tempered can flow, at least in a partial area. [4] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the membrane (34, 39) is designed as a switchable membrane with an adjustable permeability to air. [5] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the granular matter (23) has spherical and / or tetrahedral particles (29). [6] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the granular matter (23) has particles (29) of different sizes. [7] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sub-area (30) in the circumferential direction of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is limited by a container (40), in particular a cylinder, which receives the granular matter (23) and is made of magnetocaloric material (11, 12). [8] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least the channel (4, 5) through which at least one airflow to be tempered flows has a spiral shape at least in a partial area (35). [9] Air conditioning device (33) according to claim 8, characterized by , that at least the spiral-shaped section (35) is formed from the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which at least one airflow to be tempered can flow. [10] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is subdivided at least in a partial area by means of at least one lamella (36) into at least two partial channels (37, 38) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows, wherein the at least one lamella (36) is formed from the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows. [11] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that inside the channel (4, 5) through which at least one airflow to be tempered flows at least one guiding element is arranged to cause turbulent flow. [12] Air conditioning device (33) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is produced by an additive manufacturing process, in particular by sintering and preferably by laser sintering. [13] Method for operating an air conditioning device (33) for a vehicle, which has at least one temperature control device (1) by means of which air supplied to the interior (26) of the vehicle is temperature controlled, wherein the temperature control device (1) comprises at least one magnetic device (2) by means of which a magnetic field (3a, 3b) is provided, and at least two channels (4, 5) through which an airflow can flow, as well as at least one temperature control element (8) which forms at least respective channel sections (13, 14) of the channels (4, 5) extending through magnetocaloric material (11, 12), wherein the temperature control device (1) is adjusted between at least two different states, wherein in the respective state one of the channel sections (13, 14) is in the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2) and the other channel section (13, 14) is in the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2).14) is arranged outside the magnetic field (3a, 3b) provided by the magnetic device (2), such that in the respective state at least one of the air streams is tempered by means of the magnetocaloric effect, and wherein a turbulent flow of at least one of the air streams to be tempered is caused by means of the tempering device (1), , characterized by, that at least a part of the magnetocaloric material (11, 12) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows is formed as granular matter (23), which is arranged at least in a partial region (30) of the channel (4, 5) through which the at least one airflow to be tempered flows and is permeable to the at least one airflow to be tempered, wherein the partial region (30) is bounded in the flow direction of the at least one airflow to be tempered by at least one membrane (34, 39) which is permeable to the at least one airflow to be tempered and dense to the granular matter (23).

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