Motor vehicle with thermal management system and attachable transport container with cover device

Abstract

A motor vehicle (10) with at least a partially electric drive (12) and a thermal management system (14) is described, which is configured to condition interior air (IL) of the motor vehicle (10) and / or to condition at least one electrical vehicle component (16) associated with the electric drive (12), in particular a battery storage unit, wherein the thermal management system (14) can be coupled to at least one separate transport container (20) such that conditioned air can be introduced into a container interior (28) by a respective air supply section (30) and extracted from the container interior (28) by a respective air discharge section (32), and wherein the thermal management system (14) is configured to cool or heat the air (KL) to be introduced into the container interior (28).It is provided that the air supply section (30) and the air discharge section (32) each have an air-permeable cover (70) facing the interior of the container (28), which is designed to provide a space (ZR) between at least one inner wall (22i) of the transport container (20) and the transported goods (72) contained therein, in which the conditioned air (KL) can spread freely, in particular being introduced into and / or extracted from the transport container (20). Furthermore, a transport container (20) for such a motor vehicle (10) is described.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an at least partially electric drive and a thermal management system which is designed to condition the interior air of the motor vehicle and / or to condition at least one electrical vehicle component assigned to the electric drive, in particular a battery storage unit, wherein the thermal management system can be coupled to at least one separate transport container in such a way that conditioned air can be introduced into a container interior by a respective air supply section and removed from the container interior by a respective air discharge section, and wherein the thermal management system is designed to cool the air to be introduced into the container interior to an air temperature of less than 0°C, in particular less than -5°C, and is designed to heat the air to be introduced into the container interior to an air temperature of more than 50°C.Furthermore, the invention relates to a transport container, in particular a thermal box, for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Such a motor vehicle is known from the German patent application DE 10 2023 101 009 of the same applicant, which was unpublished at the time of filing the present application.

[0003] Furthermore, with regard to thermal boxes, reference is made to DE 10 2020 204 510 A1, DE 41 03 044 A1 and KR 2014 0 089 215 A.

[0004] With existing transport containers, it has been shown that contamination can occur at the connection points between the transport container and the thermal management system, as well as at the air inlet and outlet openings in the container interior. Furthermore, there is the problem that transported goods can at least partially cover such air openings, thus impairing the desired thermal effect (cooling or heating).

[0005] The object underlying the invention is to provide a motor vehicle or a transport container with which the above disadvantages can be avoided.

[0006] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle and a transport container having the features of the respective independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments with useful further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0007] What is proposed is a motor vehicle with an at least partially electric drive and a thermal management system that is configured to condition the interior air of the motor vehicle and / or to condition at least one electrical vehicle component associated with the electric drive, in particular a battery storage unit, wherein the thermal management system can be coupled to at least one separate transport container in such a way that conditioned air can be introduced into a container interior by a respective air supply section and removed from the container interior by a respective air discharge section, and wherein the thermal management system is configured to cool the air to be introduced into the container interior to an air temperature of less than 0°C, in particular less than -5°C, and is configured to heat the air to be introduced into the container interior to an air temperature of more than 50°C.It is provided that the air supply section and the air discharge section have an air-permeable cover device facing the container interior, which is designed to provide an intermediate space between at least one inner wall of the transport container and a transport item accommodated therein, in which intermediate space the conditioned air can spread, in particular can be introduced into the transport container and / or removed from the transport container.

[0008] By means of such a covering device, it is possible to keep the transported goods at least a short distance from an air supply section or air discharge section, so that the air inlet or discharge is not or only slightly impaired. In this context, it should be noted that the space formed by the covering element can be designed differently depending on the transported goods, in particular their nature or dimensions.

[0009] In the motor vehicle, the covering device can be a grid element protruding into the interior of the container.

[0010] The grid element can be arranged in the region of an inner wall of the transport container on or at a respective opening of the air supply section and / or the air discharge section. This provides a type of locally arranged grid element.

[0011] The grid element may have a shape that allows the introduction or removal of conditioned air in several directions, in particular in a direction substantially orthogonal to a respective inner wall and in a direction substantially parallel to the respective inner wall.

[0012] In the motor vehicle, the covering device can be supported by several spacers on the respective inner wall and / or the covering device can be designed to be self-supporting.

[0013] Alternatively, the covering device can also be formed by a flat grid element which has substantially the same area as an inner wall, from which the grid element is arranged at a desired distance.

[0014] In the motor vehicle, the air supply section can have at least one opening to the container interior, which is arranged in a first side wall of the transport container, and the air discharge section can have at least one opening to the container interior, which is arranged in a second side wall of the transport container. This reduces the risk of contamination from the openings compared to an arrangement of such openings in a base of the transport container.

[0015] The first side wall and the second side wall can be positioned opposite each other. This ensures that the conditioned air flows through the entire interior of the container, achieving the most homogeneous temperature distribution possible.

[0016] In the motor vehicle, the air supply section and the air discharge section can each have a coupling section provided in the bottom of the transport container for coupling to vehicle-side air ducts of the thermal management system, wherein the air supply section and the air discharge section run between the coupling section and the mouth within the container bottom and the relevant side wall.

[0017] In the motor vehicle, the transport container can have at least one thermal storage element. Such a storage element is particularly designed to be heated or cooled to a desired temperature for the transported goods during a journey and when the transport container is in use, such that the storage element continues to function as a heating or cooling element after the journey has ended and the transport container has been removed from the motor vehicle.

[0018] Also proposed is a transport container, in particular a thermal box, for a motor vehicle as described above. It is provided that an air supply section and an air discharge section of the transport container have an air-permeable cover device facing the container interior, which is designed to provide an intermediate space between at least one inner wall of the transport container and a transported item accommodated therein, in which space conditioned air can spread unhindered, in particular can be introduced into the transport container and / or removed from the transport container.

[0019] The transport container may further comprise at least one of the features described above as far as the transport container as such is concerned.

[0020] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows a simplified and schematic view of a motor vehicle with a transport container coupled to a thermal management system; Fig. 2 shows a simplified and schematic view of the motor vehicle with the transport container which is not coupled to the thermal management system; Fig. 3 shows a simplified and schematic example of a transport container with a covering device; Fig. 4 shows a simplified and schematic example of a transport container with a covering device; Fig. 5 shows a simplified and schematic example of a transport container with a covering device; Fig. 6 shows a simplified and schematic example of a transport container with a covering device and a thermal storage element.

[0021] In Fig. 1 shows a simplified and schematic representation of a motor vehicle 10 as a dashed rectangle. The motor vehicle 10 has an at least partially electric drive 12, which is also only depicted as a schematic rectangle.

[0022] The motor vehicle 10 further comprises a thermal management system 14 configured to condition the interior air IL of the motor vehicle, as illustrated by the corresponding contour arrow. Furthermore, the thermal management system 14 is configured to condition at least one electrical vehicle component 16 associated with the electric drive 12. The electrical vehicle component 16 can be, for example, a battery storage unit or an electrical control unit or the like.

[0023] The thermal management system 14 can be coupled or is coupled to a separate transport container 20, which is Fig. 1 is illustrated in a simplified and schematic sectional view.

[0024] The transport container 20 can also be referred to as a thermal box. It is essentially formed by a container base 22, container walls 24, and a container lid 26, which together define a container interior 28. The container lid 26 is connected, for example, to the container walls 24 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. As an alternative to the container lid, the flap(s) for opening the container can also be attached to the sides.

[0025] The thermal management system 14 is coupled to the transport container 20 such that conditioned air can be introduced into the container interior 28 through an air supply section 30 and removed from the container interior 28 through an air discharge section 32. The thermal management system is configured to cool the air introduced into the container interior 28 to an air temperature of less than 0°C, in particular less than -5°C. Furthermore, it is also configured to heat the air introduced into the container interior 28 to an air temperature of more than 50°C.

[0026] The transport container 20 has a container wall, in particular on the container bottom 22, an air inlet coupling point 34 and an air outlet coupling point 36. As can be seen from the Fig. 1, these can be coupled or are coupled to the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 of the thermal management system 14.

[0027] While in the Fig. 1 shows the coupled state of the transport container 20 in the motor vehicle 10, Fig. 2 shows a state in which the transport container 20 is removed or inserted from the motor vehicle 10, but is not coupled to the thermal management system 14. In the Fig. 2, the same reference numerals as in the Fig. 1. Accordingly, the above description has Fig. 1 also with regard to the Fig. 2 Validity.

[0028] From the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 it can be seen that the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 have a respective closure element 38 which is designed to close the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 when the transport container 20 is not coupled, which is particularly evident from the Fig. 2 is evident.

[0029] Within the motor vehicle 10, the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 can be arranged in a rear region of the motor vehicle 10, in particular between rear seating devices or in a trunk of the motor vehicle 10. From the illustration of the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a simplified view of a trunk floor 42 on which the transport container 20 can be supported or is supported. As can be seen from the figures, the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 extend through the trunk floor 42, so that they are accessible from the top thereof.

[0030] As an alternative to the trunk floor, the transport container can also be connected to other structural components, such as the side surfaces of an interior trim panel, with the air supply and air exhaust arranged accordingly on / in the respective component. In addition to the fluidic coupling between the transport container 20 and the thermal management system 14, the transport container can also be connected to other vehicle components, which is illustrated in simplified form by the rectangle 60 and the connection points 62. For example, the transport container 20 can also be connected to seat backs and / or interior trim elements of the motor vehicle 10.

[0031] The thermal management system 14 is configured to compensate for an air pressure difference generated due to air temperature differences between the temperature in the container interior 28 and the temperature in the vehicle interior. For this purpose, a pressure compensation device 40 can be assigned to the air supply section 30 and / or the air discharge section 32, for example, a pressure compensation valve or the like fluidically connected to the interior or a body cavity of the motor vehicle.

[0032] From the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 it is further apparent that a respective closure element 44 is arranged on the transport container 20 at the air inlet coupling point 34 and at the air outlet coupling point 36 in order to fluidically separate the container interior 28 from the environment in the state not coupled to the thermal management system 14, which is particularly evident from the Fig. 2 is evident.

[0033] The transport container 20 can be assigned at least one pressure equalization device 46, which is configured to compensate for an air pressure difference generated due to air temperature differences between the temperature in the container interior 28 and the temperature in the vehicle interior. Such a pressure equalization device 46, for example in the form of a pressure equalization valve, can be provided, for example, in a container wall 24.

[0034] In the transport container 20, at least one fastening device 50 for transported goods and / or at least one separating device 52 for transported goods can be arranged in the container interior 28. A fastening device 50 can be, for example, a bottle holder or a strap for securing transported goods or the like. The separating device 52 can be, for example, a vertical or horizontal partition wall that divides the container interior 28 into different areas.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the transport container 20 without thermal management system 14. In the transport container of the Fig. 3, the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 have an air-permeable cover device 70 facing the container interior 28, which is designed to provide an intermediate space ZR between at least one inner wall 22i of the transport container 20, here by way of example the base 22, and a transport item 72 received therein, which is shown in simplified form as a rounded rectangle, in which intermediate space ZR the conditioned air KL can spread unhindered, in particular can be introduced into the transport container 20 and / or removed from the transport container 20.

[0036] In the example of Fig. 3, the covering device 70 is designed as a grid element projecting into the container interior 28, which is illustrated by the dashed line.

[0037] The grid element as cover device 70 can, for example, be a profile made of metal or plastic. In particular, the cover device can be shaped such that, as shown in Fig. 3, is self-supporting, so that the transported goods 72 can be supported thereon.

[0038] As from the Fig. 3, the grid element is arranged as a covering device 70 in the region of an inner wall 22i of the transport container 20 on or at a respective mouth 30m, 32m of the air supply section 30 and / or the air discharge section 32.

[0039] The grid element as a covering device 70 can have a shape that allows the introduction or removal of conditioned air KL in several directions, in particular in a direction substantially orthogonal to a respective inner wall 22i and in a direction substantially parallel to the respective inner wall 22i.

[0040] In Fig. 4 shows an example of the transport container 20, with a flat grid element as a covering device 70. The grid element rests on several spacers 74, which are supported on the respective inner wall 22i, here the bottom 22 of the transport container 20.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 5 shows an example of a transport container 20 in which the air supply section 30 has a plurality of openings 30m leading to the container interior 28, which are arranged in a first side wall 24 (shown here on the left) of the transport container 20. The air discharge section 32 has a plurality of openings 32m leading to the container interior 28, which are arranged in a second side wall 24 (shown here on the right) of the transport container 20. The two side walls 24 are arranged opposite one another.

[0042] In the example of Fig. 5, a covering device 70 in the form of a flat grid element is arranged along each of the two side walls 24. The respective grid element is supported or held on the respective side wall 24 by means of spacers 74. In this configuration, too, a gap ZR is formed between the transported goods 72 and the outlets 30m, 32m, so that the conditioned air KL can flow or circulate largely freely.

[0043] The transport containers 20 described above of the Fig. 3 to 5 can be used in the same way with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown thermal management system 14. With reference to the Fig. 5, the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 can thus each have a coupling section 34, 36 provided in the bottom 22 of the transport container 20 for coupling to vehicle-side air ducts of the thermal management system 14, wherein the air supply section 30 and the air discharge section 32 run between the coupling section 34, 36 and the openings 30m, 32m within the container bottom 20 and the respective side wall 24.

[0044] Fig. 6 shows the transport container of the Fig. 4 that a thermal storage element 76 can optionally be arranged in or on the transport container 20. In the example shown, a respective thermal storage element 76 is arranged in two side walls 24. It is pointed out that such a storage element 76 can also be arranged in the lid 26 or in the bottom 20 of the transport container 20. Furthermore, such a storage element 76 can be provided with any of the devices described here with reference to the Fig. 1 to 5 described transport containers. 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 2023 101 009

[0002] DE 10 2020 204 510 A1

[0003] DE 41 03 044 A1

[0003] KR 2014 0 089 215 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (10) with an at least partially electric drive (12) and a thermal management system (14) which is designed to condition interior air (IL) of the motor vehicle (10) and / or to condition at least one electrical vehicle component (16) associated with the electric drive (12), in particular a battery storage unit, wherein the thermal management system (14) is coupleable to at least one separate transport container (20) in such a way that air conditioned by a respective air supply section (30) can be introduced into a container interior (28) and removed from the container interior (28) by a respective air discharge section (32), and wherein the thermal management system (14) is designed to cool the air (KL) to be introduced into the container interior (28) to an air temperature of less than 0°C, in particular less than -5°C, and is designed toto heat the air to be introduced into the container interior to an air temperature of more than 50°C, characterized by in that the air supply section (30) and the air discharge section (32) have an air-permeable cover device (70) facing the container interior (28), which is designed to provide an intermediate space (ZR) between at least one inner wall (22i) of the transport container (20) and a transport item (72) received therein, in which intermediate space the conditioned air (KL) can spread unhindered, in particular can be introduced into the transport container (20) and / or removed from the transport container (20). [2] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the covering device (70) is a grid element projecting into the container interior (28). [3] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the grid element is arranged in the region of an inner wall (22i) of the transport container (20) on or at a respective mouth (30m, 32m) of the air supply section (30) and / or the air discharge section (32). [4] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 3, characterized by in that the grid element has a shape which allows the introduction or removal of conditioned air (KL) in several directions, in particular in a direction substantially orthogonal to a respective inner wall (22i) and in a direction substantially parallel to the respective inner wall (22i). [5] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the covering device (70) is supported by a plurality of spacers (74) on the respective inner wall (22i) and / or that the covering device (70) is designed to be self-supporting. [6] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the air supply section (30) has at least one opening (30m) to the container interior (28), which is arranged in a first side wall (24) of the transport container (20), and that the air discharge section (32) has at least one opening (32m) to the container interior (28), which is arranged in a second side wall (24) of the transport container (20). [7] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the first side wall (24) and the second side wall (24) are opposite each other. [8] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat the air supply section (30) and the air discharge section (32) each have a coupling section (34, 36) provided in the bottom (22) of the transport container (20) for coupling to vehicle-side air ducts of the thermal management system (14), wherein the air supply section (30) and the air discharge section (32) run between the coupling section (34, 36) and the mouth (30m, 32m) within the container bottom (20) and the relevant side wall (24). [9] Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (20) has at least one thermal storage element (76). [10] Transport container (20), in particular thermobox, for a motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that an air supply section (30) and an air discharge section (32) of the transport container (20) have an air-permeable cover device (70) facing the container interior (28), which is designed to provide an intermediate space (ZR) between at least one inner wall (22i) of the transport container (20) and a transport item (72) received therein, in which intermediate space (ZR) conditioned air (KL) can spread unhindered, in particular can be introduced into the transport container (20) and / or removed from the transport container (20). wherein the transport container (20) in particular has at least one of the features of claims 2 to 9.

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