Combination of a distributor and an expansion tank for a motor vehicle temperature control system

Abstract

Combination of a distributor (3) and an expansion tank (4) for a temperature control system of a motor vehicle, wherein • the distributor (3) comprises a distributor housing (6) which forms a distribution space (7) for receiving temperature control fluid, into which at least one inlet (8) for the temperature control fluid and one outlet (9) for the temperature control fluid open, • the expansion vessel (4) comprises a vessel housing (13) which forms an expansion chamber (14) for receiving temperature control fluid, and • the distribution space (7) and the compensation space (14) are connected to each other via at least one temperature control medium channel in a fluid-conducting manner. The distributor housing (6) is rigidly connected to the container housing (13) and the at least one temperature control medium channel is arranged completely within the distributor housing (6) and the container housing (13), wherein the at least one temperature control medium channel (15) projects tubularly into the distribution space (7) and the compensation space (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a combination of a distributor and an expansion tank for a temperature control system of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles, regardless of whether they are powered by an internal combustion engine and / or an electric traction motor, generally include a temperature control system for maintaining the temperature (i.e., cooling or heating as needed) of the vehicle's components. In a motor vehicle powered (also) by an internal combustion engine, such components may include, for example, the internal combustion engine itself, an intercooler, an exhaust gas turbocharger, and / or an oil cooler. In a motor vehicle powered (also) by an electric traction motor, the traction motor, any traction battery that may be provided to supply the traction motor with the electrical power required for operation, power electronics, and / or any charger for the traction battery may, in particular, be temperature-controlled by the vehicle's temperature control system.In addition to such temperature-controlled devices, a temperature control system of a motor vehicle typically includes at least one temperature control fluid cooler in which, if required, the temperature control fluid can be cooled by heat transfer to ambient air, at least one heating heat exchanger via which air to be supplied to an interior of the motor vehicle can be temperature-controlled, and a distribution system for the demand-adapted distribution of the temperature control fluid to the various components integrated into the temperature control system.

[0003] Furthermore, a vehicle's temperature control system typically includes a so-called expansion tank (see DE 10 2016 006 662 A1 and DE 10 2021 201 101 A1). This is a reservoir for the temperature control fluid of the system, which serves to compensate for temperature-related volume changes of the fluid by changing the fluid level in an expansion chamber of the tank. For this purpose, such an expansion tank can be partially filled with the temperature control fluid and partially with a gas, particularly air.

[0004] The manufacture and, in particular, the assembly of a temperature control system during the production of a motor vehicle is relatively complex and therefore expensive due to the relatively large number of components that need to be assembled and connected.

[0005] To minimize the effort required for the assembly of a temperature control system, it may be possible to combine several components of the temperature control system into a structural or interconnected unit, so that they can be assembled in one step.

[0006] WO 2017 / 223232 A2 discloses multi-part temperature control fluid reservoirs with integrated functional components, such as temperature control fluid valves or pumps, and with integrated temperature control fluid channels connecting the functional components. Comparable temperature control fluid reservoirs are also disclosed in EP 3 885 169 A1.

[0007] Such an integration of the functional components and the temperature control channels into the temperature control container leads to a complex shape and thus to high manufacturing costs for the temperature control container.

[0008] DE 197 02 183 A1 discloses a cooling module for an internal combustion engine comprising a radiator, a distributor and an expansion tank, wherein the distributor and the expansion tank are individually attached to a mounting plate of the radiator and are fluidly connected via plug-in connection nozzles.

[0009] DE 10 2019 101 675 A1 describes an expansion tank for a cooling system of a motor vehicle with a lid in which a sensor device with at least one level sensor is integrated.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of specifying an advantageous integration of an expansion tank into a temperature control system of a motor vehicle.

[0011] This problem is solved in a combination of a (temperature control medium) distributor and a (temperature control medium) expansion tank (as defined above) for a temperature control system of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, as well as in a temperature control system with such a combination according to claim 13. A motor vehicle with such a temperature control system is the subject of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments of the combination according to the invention, and thus of the temperature control system and the motor vehicle according to the invention, are the subject of further claims and / or will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

[0012] The distributor of a combination according to the invention comprises at least one distributor housing, which includes a distribution chamber for receiving the temperature control medium, into which at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the temperature control medium open. A "distributor" is understood to be a device to which the temperature control medium can be supplied via the at least one inlet and from which the temperature control medium can be discharged again via the at least one outlet, wherein the flow of the temperature control medium is influenced by means of the distributor. Preferably, several inlets and / or outlets for the temperature control medium can be provided in order to enable complex influences on the temperature control medium by means of the distributor. In a simple form, such an influence can, for example, involve the division of a flow of temperature control medium arriving via one inlet into at least two outlets.The distributor of a combination according to the invention is particularly preferably designed such that it enables a controllable allocation of temperature control fluid to the at least one outlet and / or a controllable pressure increase for the purpose of conveying the temperature control fluid and / or a controllable heating of the temperature control fluid. The distributor may preferably include at least one temperature control fluid valve and / or at least one temperature control fluid pump and / or a temperature control fluid heating device, or be designed for combination with such a functional component. For this purpose, the distributor housing may have at least one receptacle for connecting at least one such functional component.The at least one inlet can include at least two temperature control fluid transitions for the flow of temperature control fluid between the distribution chamber and the connected functional component, in order to enable a fluidic connection of the functional component to the distributor. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one inlet can include at least one through-opening through which a functional element of the connected functional component, for example, a valve body of a temperature control fluid valve, a rotor of a temperature control fluid pump, or a heating element of a temperature control fluid heating device, extends, in order to functionally integrate the functional component into the distributor.

[0013] The expansion tank of a combination according to the invention comprises at least one tank housing separate from the distributor housing, which includes an expansion chamber (distinct from the distribution chamber) for receiving temperature control fluid, wherein the distribution chamber of the distributor and the expansion chamber of the expansion tank are fluidly connected to each other via at least one temperature control fluid channel. It can be provided, in particular, that the distribution chamber and the expansion chamber are connected to each other exclusively via the at least one temperature control fluid channel. The at least one temperature control fluid channel preferably has a relatively small flow cross-sectional area. In particular, the (largest) flow cross-sectional area of ​​the temperature control fluid channel can be at most 1 / 10, 1 / 20, 1 / 50, or 1 / 100 of the (largest) flow cross-sectional area of ​​the distribution chamber and / or the expansion chamber.

[0014] In a combination according to the invention, the distributor housing is firmly connected to the container housing, so that forces exerted on one of these components can be transmitted to the other component via the connection. This connection is preferably also direct, i.e., without an intermediate arrangement of one or more other components. The connection can be detachable, for example by means of a screw connection, or permanent, for example by means of a welded or adhesive bond.

[0015] Furthermore, the at least one temperature control medium channel is located entirely within the distributor housing and the tank housing, i.e., there are no external fluid lines connecting the distribution chamber and the compensation chamber.

[0016] The direct connection of the expansion tank to the distributor without external fluid lines enables a compact design of this combination and relatively simple installation as part of a temperature control system according to the invention, particularly in a component compartment (e.g., engine compartment) of a (motor vehicle according to the invention). A motor vehicle according to the invention can, in particular, be a wheeled and not rail-bound vehicle (preferably a passenger car or a truck). The separate design of the distribution compartment and the expansion compartment in the various components (i.e., distributor and expansion tank) and their connection, in particular exclusively via the at least one temperature control fluid channel, simultaneously enables a structurally simple seal of the entire combination against unwanted leakage of temperature control fluid.

[0017] According to the invention, it is further provided that the at least one temperature control medium channel projects in a tubular form into the distribution space and the compensation space in one section, thereby enabling an advantageous flow of temperature control medium between the distribution space and the compensation space.

[0018] A temperature control system according to the invention comprises, in addition to a combination according to the invention, at least one device to be temperature controlled and at least one temperature control medium cooler, by which temperature control and, in particular, cooling of the temperature control medium is enabled by heat exchange with ambient air. The at least one device to be temperature controlled, the at least one temperature control medium cooler, and at least the distributor of the combination according to the invention are fluidly connected to one another via temperature control medium lines. The device(s) to be temperature controlled in a temperature control system according to the invention can be, for example, the internal combustion engine, an intercooler, an exhaust gas turbocharger, and / or an oil cooler in a motor vehicle that is (also) powered by an internal combustion engine.In a motor vehicle that can be driven (also) by means of an electric traction motor, the traction motor, a traction battery which may be provided to supply the traction motor with the electrical power required for propulsion, power electronics and / or a charger which may be provided for the traction battery may be (a) device(s) of the temperature control system that are to be temperature controlled.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of a combination according to the invention, the at least one temperature control medium channel can be formed in at least one section or completely integrally in the distributor housing and / or in the container housing. This can simplify the assembly and / or the manufacture of a combination according to the invention.

[0020] It can also be advantageous for the manufacture of a combination according to the invention if the at least one temperature control medium channel is designed in multiple parts, and in particular in two parts. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that a first channel section integrated into the distributor and a second channel section integrated into the expansion tank of the at least one temperature control medium channel are provided, wherein the channel sections abut each other to form a channel transition.

[0021] A combination according to the invention preferably comprises at least one first temperature control channel and at least one second temperature control channel for the fluid-conducting connection of the distribution chamber and the compensation chamber. It is further preferably provided that a container-side end of the first temperature control channel extends further from a transition between the compensation chamber and the distributor, or is arranged at a greater distance from this transition, compared to a container-side end of the second temperature control channel. The "container-side end" is understood to be the end of the respective temperature control channel associated with the compensation chamber or opening into the compensation chamber. The container-side end of the first temperature control channel can then, in a defined installation position of the compensation chamber, be located higher than the container-side end of the second temperature control channel.In particular, it can be provided that the container-side end of the first temperature control medium channel, in the defined installation position and with a defined fill level of temperature control medium, is located in a section of the compensation chamber that contains no temperature control medium. In particular, this section of the compensation chamber can contain a gas, preferably air. In a motor vehicle according to the invention, the defined installation position refers to a horizontal orientation of the motor vehicle. The first temperature control medium channel can thus be advantageously used for venting the distribution chamber, whereby gas, and in particular air, that accumulates in the distribution chamber is transferred via the first temperature control medium channel into the compensation chamber.

[0022] The container-side end of the second temperature control medium channel can preferably be located flush with a container wall of the container housing, thereby enabling an advantageous flow of temperature control medium from the compensation chamber into the distribution chamber.

[0023] In the expansion tank of a combination according to the invention, at least one level sensor for determining the level of the temperature control medium in the expansion chamber can preferably be integrated.

[0024] Preferably, the container housing can also have a closable through-opening that leads into the compensation chamber. This through-opening can be used, in particular, for filling the compensation chamber and, via the compensation chamber, also the distribution chamber and, via the distribution chamber, the temperature control system.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show, in some cases in simplified form: Fig. 1: a motor vehicle according to the invention with a temperature control system; Fig. 2: a combination according to the invention of a distributor and an expansion tank for a cooling system of a motor vehicle in a perspective view; Fig. 3: the combination according to the Fig. 2 in a side view; Fig. 4: A first possibility for integrating temperature control channels and a level sensor into the combination according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3; and Fig. 5: a second option for integrating temperature control channels and a level sensor into the combination according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention with a (temperature control system according to the invention). The temperature control system comprises at least one device 1 to be temperature controlled, a temperature control medium cooler 2, and a combination according to the invention comprising at least one distributor 3, an expansion tank 4, and several functional components 5 that interact with the distributor 3. The at least one device 1 to be temperature controlled, the temperature control medium cooler 2, and the distributor 3 are fluidly connected to one another via temperature control medium lines 24.

[0027] In the combination as it appears in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the functional components 5 are specifically two temperature control valves 5a, two temperature control pumps 3b and a temperature control heating device 5c. Furthermore, the combination includes a control device 18 for controlling the functional components 5.

[0028] The distributor 3 comprises a distributor housing 6, within which is a complexly shaped distribution space 7 (in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (schematically depicted). A plurality of inlets 8 and outlets 9 for a temperature control medium open into the distribution chamber 7, wherein the inlets and outlets 8, 9 are partially arranged in the area of ​​interfaces or receptacles 10, in the area of ​​which the functional components 5 are connected to the distributor 3 or to the distributor housing 6 thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the functional components 5 are designed as separate units, i.e., they combine all elements required for their respective function, including their own inlets and / or outlets, in a separate housing.A functional connection between the functional components 5 and the distributor 3 is therefore only achieved via temperature control medium transitions 11, which are formed in the area of ​​the receptacles 10 (and represent the inlets and outlets 8, 9 of the distributor 3), in order to allow the flow of temperature control medium between the distribution chamber 7 and the connected functional components 5. The housing of the distributor 3 also forms a connecting frame 12 for the fixed attachment of the control device 18.

[0029] The expansion tank 4 comprises a tank housing 13, which forms an expansion chamber 14 (in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (schematically shown), which is fluidly connected to the distribution chamber 7 of the distributor 3 exclusively via two temperature control medium channels 15. The temperature control medium channels 15 are arranged entirely within the distributor housing 6 and the tank housing 13, extending tubularly into the distribution chamber 7 and / or the compensation chamber 14. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows different possibilities for such integration. In both cases, the tank-side end 16 of a first (15a) of the temperature control medium channels 15 extends further from a transition 17 between the distributor 3 and the expansion tank 4 and is also located higher than a tank-side end 16 of the second temperature control medium channel 15b (in a defined installation position of the expansion tank 4 or the combination comprising it, as shown in the drawings). The tank-side end 16 of the first temperature control medium channel 15a lies in a section of the expansion chamber 14 which, when the expansion chamber 14 is filled with temperature control medium as defined, contains no temperature control medium but rather air. The tank-side end 16 of the second temperature control medium channel 15b, on the other hand, lies in a section of the expansion chamber 14 which is always intended to be filled with temperature control medium.The fill level of the temperature control fluid in the compensation chamber 14 can be determined by means of a fill level sensor 19, which can also be connected to the control device 18 via a signal conductor.

[0030] During the Fig. As shown schematically in Figure 4, the integration of the temperature control fluid channels 15 is designed in two parts. Each channel comprises a first channel section 20 integrated into the distributor 3 and a second channel section 21 integrated into the expansion tank 4. The channel sections 20 and 21 abut each other in the area of ​​the transition 17 between the distributor 3 and the expansion tank 4, forming a channel transition. For this purpose, the channel cavities of the two channel sections 20 and 21 of the individual temperature control fluid channels 15 overlap or are connected to each other. In particular, in such an embodiment of a combination according to the invention, the level sensor 19 can be integrated (exclusively) into the expansion tank 4 (see Figure 4). Fig. 4).

[0031] During the Fig. In contrast, the integration of the temperature control fluid channels 15, as schematically depicted in Figure 5, is provided that these are structural components of the distributor 3. The first temperature control fluid channel 15a then extends through a suitable receiving opening in the container housing 13 into the compensation chamber 14 of the compensation tank 4. A corresponding integration can then also be provided for the level sensor 19, as shown in the Fig. Figure 5 shows the second temperature control medium channel 15b, on the other hand, does not protrude into the compensation chamber 14 at all, but its container-side end 16 lies in a container wall of the container housing 13.

[0032] The container housing 13 further forms a through-opening 22 on its upper side, which leads into the compensation chamber 14 and which can be closed by means of a cover 23 of the compensation tank 4. This cover 23 can be removed from the container housing 13 without tools. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Device 2 temperature control fluid coolers 3 distributors 4 expansion tanks 5 Functional component 5a Temperature control valve 5b Temperature control pump 5c Tempering agent heating device 6 distribution boxes 7 Distribution room 8 Inlet to the distributor 9. Distribution process 10. Recording the distributor 11 Tempering agent transfer 12 connecting frames 13 Container housings 14 Compensation area 15 Temperature control channel 15a first temperature control channel 15b second temperature control channel 16. Container-side end of a temperature control channel 17 Transition between the distributor and the expansion tank 18 Control device 19 Level sensor 20 First channel section of a temperature control fluid channel 21 second channel section of a temperature control fluid channel 22 Through-opening of the container housing 23. Expansion tank lid 24 Temperature control fluid line

Claims

[1] Combination of a distributor (3) and an expansion tank (4) for a temperature control system of a motor vehicle, wherein • the distributor (3) comprises a distributor housing (6) which forms a distribution space (7) for receiving temperature control fluid, into which at least one inlet (8) for the temperature control fluid and one outlet (9) for the temperature control fluid open, • the expansion vessel (4) comprises a vessel housing (13) which forms an expansion chamber (14) for receiving temperature control fluid, and • the distribution chamber (7) and the compensation chamber (14) are fluidly connected to each other via at least one temperature control medium channel (15), wherein the distributor housing (6) is rigidly connected to the container housing (13) and the at least one temperature control medium channel (15) is arranged completely within the distributor housing (6) and the container housing (13), characterized by, that the at least one temperature control medium channel (15) extends in a tubular shape into the distribution space (7) and the compensation space (14). [2] Combination according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one temperature control medium channel (15) is formed in at least one section or completely integrally in the distributor housing (6) and / or in the container housing (14). [3] Combination according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one temperature control medium channel (15) has a first channel section (20) integrated into the distributor (3) and a second channel section (21) integrated into the expansion tank (4), wherein the channel sections (20, 21) are adjacent to each other to form a channel transition. [4] Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the distribution space (7) and the compensation space (14) are fluidly connected to each other via at least one first temperature control channel (15a) and at least one second temperature control channel (15b). [5] Combination according to claim 4, characterized by , that a container-side end (16) of the first temperature control medium channel (15a) extends further from a transition (17) between the distributor (3) and the expansion tank (4) compared to a container-side end (16) of the second temperature control medium channel (15b). [6] Combination according to claim 5, characterized by , that the container-side end (16) of the first temperature control medium channel (15a) is located higher than a container-side end (16) of the second temperature control medium channel (15b) in a defined installation position of the expansion tank (4). [7] Combination according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by, that one / the container-side end (16) of the second temperature control medium channel (15b) is located in a container wall of the container housing (13). [8] Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a level sensor (19) integrated into the expansion tank (4). [9] Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the container housing (13) forms a lockable through-opening (22) which leads into the compensation chamber (14). [10] Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the distributor housing (6) has at least one receptacle (10) for connecting a functional component (5) in the form of a temperature control valve (5a) or a temperature control pump (5b) or a temperature control heating device (5c). [11] Combination according to claim 10, characterized byone or more functional components (5) in the form of a temperature control valve (5a) and / or a temperature control pump (5b) and / or a temperature control heating device (5c) which are connected to the distributor housing (6) via the or each a receptacle (10). [12] Combination according to claim 11, characterized by , that the at least one intake (10) includes at least two temperature control medium transitions (11) for a flow of temperature control medium between the distribution space (7) and the connected functional component (5) and / or the at least one intake (10) includes at least one through-opening through which a functional element of the connected functional component (5) extends. [13] Temperature control system comprising at least one device (1) to be temperature controlled, a temperature control medium cooler (2) and a combination according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1), the temperature control medium cooler (2) and the distributor (3) are fluidly connected to each other via temperature control medium lines (24). [14] Motor vehicle with a temperature control system according to claim 13.

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