Motor vehicle with water condensation element for generating water from ambient air

Abstract

A motor vehicle (10) with an internal combustion engine or at least partially electric drive is described; at least one cooling system (12) with a heat exchanger (14) exposed to ambient air (UL), wherein the heat exchanger (14) is integrated into a refrigerant circuit (16) or a coolant circuit, such that the ambient air (UL) flowing through the heat exchanger (14) extracts heat from the refrigerant or the coolant; at least one planar water condensation element (20) that can be cooled by means of the cooling system (12) and is exposed to the heated ambient air (ULw); at least one planar drip element (22) arranged below the water condensation element (20), which is designed to collect water condensed on the water condensation element (20) from the ambient air (UL);at least one water reservoir (26) configured to receive and store the condensed water from the drip element (22); and at least one control unit (30) configured to control the cooling system (12) and to adjust the quantity of water produced by means of the water condensation element (20), in particular by setting a temperature of the water condensation element (20) and / or by setting a volume flow rate of the heated ambient air (ULw) to the water condensation element (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine or at least partially electric drive, at least one cooling system with a heat exchanger acted upon by ambient air, wherein the heat exchanger is integrated into a refrigerant circuit or into a coolant circuit in such a way that the ambient air flowing through the heat exchanger extracts heat from the refrigerant or the coolant, and with at least one water tank which is designed to receive and store condensed water.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to drain condensate that forms on heat exchangers in the cooling system of a motor vehicle or to collect it in a container. Examples of this are DE 10 2019 125 176 A1 and DE 10 2016 013 704 A1.

[0003] With regard to the use of autonomous driving functions in a motor vehicle, a greater demand for water is expected than in current vehicles. For example, the water will be used to clean (optical) sensors to ensure safe autonomous driving. Furthermore, autonomous travel, which can also take place without long breaks, should be as comfortable as possible for the vehicle occupants. However, a higher demand for drinking water and / or humidification of the interior air may be necessary.

[0004] The object underlying the invention is to provide a motor vehicle that can cover an increased water requirement for different purposes.

[0005] This problem is solved by a motor vehicle having the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments with useful further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0006] The invention therefore proposes a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine or at least partially electric drive; at least one cooling system with a heat exchanger exposed to ambient air, wherein the heat exchanger is integrated into a refrigerant circuit or a coolant circuit such that the ambient air flowing through the heat exchanger extracts heat from the refrigerant or the coolant; at least one flat water condensation element, which can be cooled by means of the cooling system and which is subjected to flow of heated ambient air; at least one flat drip element arranged below the water condensation element and configured to collect water from the ambient air that has condensed on the water condensation element; at least one water container configured to receive and store the condensed water from the drip element.and with at least one control unit which is configured to control the cooling system and to adjust the amount of water generated by the water condensation element, in particular by adjusting a temperature of the water condensation element and / or by adjusting a volume flow of the heated ambient air to the water condensation element.;

[0007] This allows for a water recovery system to be provided separately from the cooling system's heat exchangers, whereby water production can be carried out flexibly and as needed based on appropriate settings.

[0008] In the motor vehicle, the control unit can be configured to adjust the temperature of the water condensation element depending on an outside temperature and / or a driving speed and / or an air humidity and / or a battery charge level. This allows water generation to be flexibly controlled or regulated, taking various parameters into account. In particular, both parameters related to the vehicle or the driving condition, as well as environmental parameters, can be considered to optimize water generation.

[0009] In the motor vehicle, the water condensation element can be designed as a cooling plate with an inlet and an outlet for a cooling medium, and the drip element can be designed as a drip plate. Protruding drip elements can be arranged on the cooling plate to promote droplet formation. The drip plate can have at least one inclined and / or recessed area into which the dripping water can be drained.

[0010] In the motor vehicle, the water condensation element and the drip element can be housed in a common housing made of a heat-insulating material. This can reduce the influence of ambient temperature, particularly cold ambient temperatures, on water generation by condensing heated ambient air.

[0011] In the motor vehicle, the water tank can be designed to provide the stored water as drinking water for vehicle occupants, wherein at least one filter device and / or disinfection device is assigned to the water tank.

[0012] In the motor vehicle, the water tank can be configured to provide the stored water as a cleaning fluid for vehicle components, wherein a cleaning agent additive is assigned to the water tank.

[0013] It should be noted that the motor vehicle may have both a drinking water tank and a cleaning fluid tank, both of which may be supplied or fed by condensed water.

[0014] In the motor vehicle, a supply line for the heated ambient air can be arranged between the heat exchanger of the cooling system and the water condensation element, such that the heated ambient air can be supplied specifically to the water condensation element. Such a supply line can be combined with an insulating housing mentioned above, allowing the heated air to be supplied directly into the insulating housing.

[0015] The motor vehicle may have at least one photovoltaic power generation element, the power generated by which can be stored in a battery storage unit of the motor vehicle. The generated power can, of course, also be fed directly to an electrical consumer. The photovoltaic power generation element may, for example, be part of a vehicle roof.

[0016] In the motor vehicle, the control unit can be configured to operate the cooling system depending on the available power from the photovoltaic power generation element, particularly when the motor vehicle is stationary, such that water is condensed by means of the water condensation element when the motor vehicle is not moving. In other words, water generation can occur regardless of whether the motor vehicle is currently moving or parked.

[0017] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a simplified and schematic view of a motor vehicle with water condensation element and drip element.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a simplified and schematic representation of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 can be powered by an internal combustion engine or partially or entirely by electricity. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 can be configured to drive at least partially autonomously.

[0019] The motor vehicle has at least one cooling system 12 with a heat exchanger 14 supplied with ambient air UL. The heat exchanger 14 is integrated into a refrigerant circuit 16 (illustrated here in simplified form) or into a coolant circuit such that the ambient air UL flowing through the heat exchanger 14 extracts heat from the refrigerant or coolant. A heated ambient air flow ULw is formed downstream of the heat exchanger 14 relative to the air flow UL.

[0020] The motor vehicle comprises at least one flat water condensation element 20 which can be cooled by means of the cooling system 12 and which is subjected to flow of the heated ambient air ULw.

[0021] Below the water condensation element 20, at least one flat drip element 22 is arranged, which is designed to collect water condensed on the water condensation element 20 from the heated ambient air.

[0022] The water collected by the draining element 22 can be guided by means of schematically illustrated water lines 24 to at least one water container 26 which is designed to receive and store the condensed water from the draining element 22.

[0023] The motor vehicle further comprises at least one control unit 30 which is configured to control the cooling system 12 and to adjust the amount of water generated by the water condensation element 20, in particular by adjusting a temperature of the water condensation element 20 and / or by adjusting a volume flow of the heated ambient air ULw to the water condensation element 20.

[0024] The control unit 30 is in particular configured to adjust the temperature of the water condensation element 20 as a function of an outside temperature and / or a driving speed of the motor vehicle 10 and / or an air humidity and / or a battery charge state of a schematically illustrated battery storage unit 40.

[0025] The water condensation element 20 can, for example, be designed as a cooling plate 20k with an inlet 20z and an outlet 20a for a cooling medium. The drip element 22 arranged below the water condensation element 20 can be designed as a drip plate 22a.

[0026] The cooling plate 20k and the drip plate 22a can be arranged at an angle relative to a base UG on which the motor vehicle 10 rests with its wheels 18. An inclined arrangement allows condensed water to be more easily collected and drained toward the at least one water container 26.

[0027] For example, small projections can be provided on the cooling plate 22k to promote droplet formation. Such projections can be designed, for example, as hillocks or ribs.

[0028] For example, channel-like recesses can be provided on the drip plate 22a to assist in the collection and drainage of drained water in the direction of the water pipe 24.

[0029] In the example shown, the water condensation element 20 and the drip element 22 are housed in a common housing 28 made of a heat-insulating material, as indicated by the thicker black line. A suitable heat-insulating material could be, for example, a foamed plastic or the like.

[0030] In the motor vehicle 10, the at least one water tank 26 can be configured to provide the stored water as drinking water for vehicle occupants. In the example shown, the water tank 26 shown on the right is designed as a drinking water tank 26t. At least one filter device 26f and / or disinfection device 26e is assigned to such a drinking water tank 26t.

[0031] In the motor vehicle 10, the at least one water tank 26 can be configured to provide the stored water as a cleaning fluid for vehicle components. In the example shown, the water tank 26 shown on the left is designed as a cleaning fluid tank 26r. Such a cleaning fluid tank 26r can be assigned a cleaning agent dispenser 26z, for example, a type of dosing dispenser for a cleaning agent, in particular cleaning powder, cleaning tablet, or the like.

[0032] In the example shown the Fig. 1, a supply line 21 for the heated ambient air ULw is arranged between the heat exchanger 14 of the cooling system 12 and the water condensation element 20. This supply line can form a type of closed channel, but it can also be formed by air guiding elements, which do not necessarily have to form a closed channel. The supply line 21 is designed in particular such that the heated ambient air ULw can be fed specifically to the water condensation element 20.

[0033] It is pointed out that a volume flow of heated ambient air ULw can be adjusted, for example, by a fan and / or by a valve device or flap device, which can be arranged, for example, in the air supply line 21, both of which are schematically illustrated as a rectangle 23.

[0034] The motor vehicle 10 can have a photovoltaic power generation element 42, the power generated by which can be stored in the battery storage unit 40 of the motor vehicle 10. The power generation element 42 can be arranged, for example, in the region of the vehicle roof 11. For the sake of completeness, an electrical line 44 between the power generation element 42 and the battery storage unit 40 is also illustrated in a simplified manner.

[0035] In this context, the control unit 30 can be configured to operate the cooling system 12 depending on an available amount of power of the photovoltaic power generation element 42, in particular when the motor vehicle 10 is stationary, such that water is condensed by means of the water condensation element 20 when the motor vehicle is not moving.

[0036] By means of the concept described above, water generation can be realized in the motor vehicle 10, which is used separately from heat exchangers that serve for the air conditioning of the vehicle interior or for the cooling of vehicle components.

[0037] It should be noted that the water condensation element 20 and the drip element 22 do not necessarily have to be arranged in a front region of the motor vehicle 10. It is also conceivable for heated ambient air ULw to be directed into a central or rear region of the motor vehicle 10, where condensation and water collection take place. In such a case, it may also be advantageous for the at least one water tank to be arranged in a rear region of the motor vehicle 10. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 125 176 A1

[0002] DE 10 2016 013 704 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (10) with internal combustion engine or at least partially electric drive, at least one cooling system (12) with a heat exchanger (14) supplied with ambient air (UL), wherein the heat exchanger (14) is integrated into a refrigerant circuit (16) or into a coolant circuit, such that the ambient air (UL) flowing through the heat exchanger (14) extracts heat from the refrigerant or the coolant, at least one flat water condensation element (20) which can be cooled by means of the cooling system (12) and which is subjected to flow of the heated ambient air (ULw), at least one flat drip element (22) arranged below the water condensation element (20) and designed to collect water condensed on the water condensation element (20) from the ambient air (UL), at least one water container (26) which is designed to receive and store the condensed water from the drip element (22), at least one control unit (30) which is designed to control the cooling system (12) and to adjust the amount of water generated by means of the water condensation element (20), in particular by adjusting a temperature of the water condensation element (20) and / or by adjusting a volume flow of the heated ambient air (ULw) to the water condensation element (20). [2] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (30) is configured to adjust the temperature of the water condensation element (20) as a function of an outside temperature and / or a driving speed and / or an air humidity and / or a battery charge state. [3] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water condensation element (20) is designed as a cooling plate (20k) with an inlet (20z) and an outlet (20a) for a cooling medium and wherein the drip element (22) is designed as a drip plate (22a). [4] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water condensation element (20) and the drip element (22) are accommodated in a common housing (28) made of a heat-insulating material. [5] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water tank (26) is designed to provide the stored water as drinking water for vehicle occupants, wherein at least one filter device (26f) and / or disinfection device (26e) is assigned to the water tank (26, 26t). [6] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water tank (26) is designed to provide the stored water as a cleaning fluid for vehicle components, wherein a cleaning agent addition (26z) is assigned to the water tank (26, 26r). [7] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a supply line (21) for the heated ambient air (ULw) is arranged between the heat exchanger (14) of the cooling system (12) and the water condensation element (20), such that the heated ambient air (ULw) can be supplied in a targeted manner to the water condensation element (20). [8] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises at least one photovoltaic power generating element (42), the generated power of which can be stored in a battery storage unit (40) of the motor vehicle (10). [9] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (30) is configured to operate the cooling system (12) depending on an available amount of current of the photovoltaic power generation element (42), in particular when the motor vehicle is stationary, such that water is condensed by means of the water condensation element (20) when the motor vehicle (10) is not moving.

Images