Motor vehicle with electrically operated heating and / or cooling element

Abstract

The present development concerns a motor vehicle (1) with: - an interior space (3) in which a partition wall (4) dividing the interior space (3) is provided, - at least one electrically operated heating and / or cooling element (10) which is movably arranged on the partition wall (4).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present development concerns a motor vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle or small van, with a vehicle interior that is equipped with a partition. background

[0002] Especially in commercial vehicles or vans, the vehicle interior is often equipped with a partition that separates the actual passenger compartment, or the first row of seats, from a cargo area adjacent to it, facing the opposite direction of travel. Such a partition can contribute to thermal decoupling between the areas of the passenger compartment located on opposite sides of the partition. In some application scenarios, such thermal coupling may be desirable, while in others it may be undesirable.

[0003] Against this background, it is desirable to provide an improved motor vehicle or commercial vehicle that offers vehicle occupants greater flexibility in controlling the temperature of different areas of the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the solution should be as space-saving and cost-effective as possible and offer the highest possible level of comfort to the vehicle occupants. Advantageous designs

[0004] This problem is solved with a motor vehicle according to the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

[0005] In a first aspect, a motor vehicle is provided with an interior space, in which a partition wall is provided or arranged to divide the interior space. The partition wall can, in particular, serve to divide the interior space in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0006] In particular, the partition can separate a first row of seats in the motor vehicle from a row of seats behind it. In other embodiments of the motor vehicle, especially in versions as a small van or commercial vehicle, the interior may only have a first row of seats and a cargo area or utility space adjoining it, facing against the direction of travel. In this case, the partition can serve to separate the first row of seats from the cargo area behind it, facing against the direction of travel.

[0007] The vehicle is further equipped with at least one electrically operated heating and / or cooling element, which is movably mounted on the partition. Through its electrical operation, the heating and / or cooling element enables the direct conversion of electrical energy into a thermal effect, either a heating or cooling effect. No circulating heat transfer media are required for the operation of the heating and / or cooling element. The heating and / or cooling element can be operated solely with electrical power. In particular, it can include one or more thermoelectric elements that can convert electrical power into a thermal heating and / or cooling effect, for example, by utilizing the Seebeck or Peltier effect.

[0008] The movable mounting or arrangement on the partition wall allows for the heating and / or cooling element to be aligned as needed, so that the vehicle occupant can adjust the orientation and direction of a heating and / or cooling effect variably and according to their needs.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the electrically operated heating and / or cooling element comprises a heating panel or cooling panel. The panel in question can be designed, in particular, as a surface heating or cooling element. It can, in particular, have a substantially flat shape. This allows for particularly good and space-saving placement on or integration into the partition wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heating and / or cooling element can be movably and / or adjustably mounted on the partition. In other embodiments, the electrically operated heating and / or cooling element can be designed to be movable, or at least partially movable and / or adjustable. For example, some areas of the heating and / or cooling element can be movably mounted relative to other areas, such as being slidable or pivotable. This allows the heating and / or cooling element to be aligned and / or adjusted to meet varying requirements in the vehicle interior.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the at least one heating and / or cooling element has at least two surface segments that are movably connected to each other or movably connected to each other. For example, a first surface segment can be pivotally mounted on a second surface segment. Similarly, a first surface segment can be slidably mounted on a second surface segment. Sliding or pivoting capability is provided at least with respect to a direction of movement and / or with respect to a pivot axis.

[0012] In further developments of this design, a surface segment can, for example, be mounted so that it is displaceable relative to another surface segment in two directions. Similarly, a surface segment can also be mounted so that it is pivotable relative to another surface segment in two axes. It is also conceivable that individual surface segments are mounted so that they are both displaceable and pivotable relative to other surface segments. In this way, a particularly variable arrangement and orientation of individual surface segments, and the associated heating and / or cooling effects, can be achieved.

[0013] In a further embodiment, at least two surface segments of a heating and / or cooling element are pivotably connected to one another. They can, for example, be pivotally connected by means of a hinge. A first surface segment of a heating and / or cooling element can, for example, be pivotally mounted to another surface segment by means of a film hinge and thus along a pivot axis. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a surface segment of the heating and / or cooling element functions as a base segment, which is, for example, fixedly or movably arranged on the partition. Further surface segments of the heating and / or cooling element can then be movably attached to or mounted on this base segment.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the heating element is designed as a surface heating system. The heating element can, in particular, have a comparatively large heating surface that extends over large parts or sections of the partition. For example, the heating element can extend vertically, i.e., along the vehicle's vertical axis (z), to a height at least half that of the partition. A surface heating system enables a particularly homogeneous heat input across the entire area of ​​the volume to be heated.

[0015] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the heating element has a vertical extent, or an extent along the vehicle's vertical axis (z), which is more than 60% or even more than 70% of the corresponding extent of the partition.

[0016] Corresponding dimensions or extensions of the heating and / or cooling element are also conceivable and planned along the vehicle's transverse axis.

[0017] In a further development, the heating element can incorporate a surface infrared heater. This heater is designed to distribute heat, generated, for example, by means of electrical resistance, as evenly as possible into the vehicle's interior in the form of radiant heat. Heat transfer here occurs not via convection but primarily via infrared radiation. Such warmth, or the associated heat input, can be perceived as extremely pleasant by the vehicle occupants. Therefore, the implementation of a surface infrared heater, as already known from the building sector, can be advantageous for increasing occupant comfort.

[0018] In a further embodiment, a fastening device is arranged or formed on the partition wall, by means of which the heating and / or cooling element can be locked or positioned on the partition wall in at least two different positions or orientations. Such a fastening device allows for variable arrangement of the at least one heating and / or cooling element on the partition wall and thus also on or in the interior of the vehicle.

[0019] For example, the mounting device can have a guide rail or similar variable mounting elements that engage with corresponding counter-mounting elements of the heating and / or cooling element. The mounting device allows the position and / or orientation of the heating and / or cooling element relative to the partition to be changed.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the heating and / or cooling element can be electrically operated using the vehicle's electrical system voltage. Specifically, the heating and / or cooling element can be operated with a 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V system voltage. This allows the heating and / or cooling element to be battery-powered. Consequently, the heating and / or cooling element can be activated, operated, and controlled completely independently of the vehicle's powertrain. This is particularly suitable for meeting heating and / or cooling requirements when the vehicle is stationary.

[0021] In a further embodiment, several electrically operated heating and / or cooling elements are arranged side by side or one above the other on the partition wall, and their heating or cooling output can be regulated independently of one another by means of a regulator. Several heating and / or cooling elements can each be equipped with their own regulator, which can be operated manually, in particular by the user or vehicle occupants.

[0022] In particular, if multiple heating and / or cooling elements are present, a separate regulator can be provided for each element. This allows for intuitive operation, control, and regulation of the heating and / or cooling output of the respective element by the end user or vehicle occupants.

[0023] With further refinement, the regulator can provide stepped or stepless power regulation of the heating and / or cooling element. In particular, the regulator can control and adjust the electrical power supplied to the heating and / or cooling element as needed. The regulator can also be equipped with a timer function, such as automatic deactivation. Specifically, the regulator can be designed to either reduce the power output of the heating or cooling element or switch it off completely after a predetermined time interval following activation by the user or vehicle occupants. This allows for particularly energy-efficient operation of the heating and / or cooling element.

[0024] In particular, the heating and / or cooling element can be designed as an auxiliary heater for the vehicle, and thus for the vehicle interior. The electric operation, or the electrically operated heating and / or cooling element, requires only a very short start-up time and can provide the desired heating or cooling output within a very short time after activation.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the motor vehicle has at least one seat with a movable, electrically operated heating and / or cooling element at its foot or floor. This allows not only the area of ​​the partition, for example in the direction of travel and / or against the direction of travel, to be equipped with a heating and / or cooling element, but also the foot area of ​​the vehicle, located in front of or behind a seat in the direction of travel, to be heated and cooled as needed.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the heating and / or cooling element has one or more thermoelectric elements, in particular Peltier elements or similar elements, by means of which electrical power can be converted into thermal energy. Brief description of the characters

[0027] Further objectives, features, and advantageous embodiments of the present development are explained in the following description of an exemplary implementation. These will show: Fig. 1. A perspective schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a partition wall, Fig. 2 a top view of an embodiment of a partition wall, Fig. 3 a top view of another embodiment of a partition wall, Fig. 4 a partition wall in cross-section, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a further embodiment, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a further embodiment and Fig. 7. Schematic representation of a further version. Detailed description

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1, comprising a vehicle body 2 with an interior 3. The motor vehicle 1 is designed as a commercial vehicle, or as a small van.

[0029] The motor vehicle 1 has a partition 4, which, for example, delimits a cargo compartment 42 in the direction of a longitudinal vehicle axis (x). The cargo compartment 42 is separated from a passenger compartment 44 located in front of it in the direction of travel, in particular by the partition 4 or intermediate wall. The vehicle interior 3 can be divided into the cargo compartment 42 and the passenger compartment 44, in particular by the partition 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the partition 4 extends from a floor 5 of the motor vehicle to a vehicle roof 46. In other embodiments, a partition 4 or intermediate wall that is shorter in the vehicle's vertical direction (z) may be provided.

[0030] In the two top views according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The partition wall 4 has a bottom section 8 and a top section 7, which merge into each other approximately at the level of a virtual waistline 6. In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 2 is exclusively the upper area, i.e., the area located at the top along the vehicle's vertical axis (z), thus the head area 7 of the partition 4, provided with individual heating and / or cooling elements 10. In the illustrated embodiment, in particular two heating and / or cooling elements e 10, 10' are provided, which are arranged spaced apart from each other along the vehicle's transverse axis (y) and are accordingly located next to each other.

[0031] The heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10' are located at approximately the same height with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis. They also have a similar, or largely identical, basic geometry. In the design according to Fig. In section 3, both the floor area 8 and the head area 7 of the partition wall 4 are equipped with individual heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10', 10" . Here too, the individual heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10', 10" are offset from each other in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, thus equidistant from each other, and arranged on the partition wall or divider 4. Each heating and / or cooling element 10 is assigned its own regulator 20, 20', 20" . The regulator 20 is typically connected to or integrated into a power source, such as a battery, and thus to a corresponding electrical circuit, so that the electrical power consumption and, consequently, the thermal power output of the respective heating and / or cooling element can be adjusted as required by means of the regulator 20.

[0032] The heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10', as used particularly in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows each a heating panel or cooling panel 11, which is essentially designed flat and is implemented as a surface heating element and / or as a surface cooling element.

[0033] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the heating and / or cooling panels 11 shown in Figure 3, several interconnected surface segments 12, 14, 16 are provided, which in the illustrated embodiment are pivotably connected to one another along a folding line or pivot axis 13, 15. For example, the panel shown in Figure 3 has several interconnected surface segments 12, 14, 16, which are pivotably connected to one another along a folding line or pivot axis 13, 15. Fig. The heating and / or cooling element 10 shown in Figure 2 has a central surface segment 14, which is connected in the transverse direction of the vehicle to a surface segment 12 and in the opposite direction to a surface segment 16. A folding or bending line, commonly also a pivot axis 13, 15, runs along the connecting line, with respect to which the surface segment 12 is movably mounted relative to the surface segment 14. The surface segment 16 can also be pivotally mounted along the axis 15 relative to the surface segment 14.

[0034] In particular, the axes can be designed as hinges, especially film hinges. The hinges can, for example, be self-locking, so that the surface segment 12 remains in the set position as a result of a pivoting movement performed by a user.

[0035] In some embodiments, the central surface segment 14 can be arranged on the partition wall 4, while the remaining surface segments 12, 16 have no direct connection to the partition wall 4 or intermediate wall. This allows for particularly free pivoting and / or adjustment of the surface segments 14, 16, which are located on the outside in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0036] The heating and / or cooling element e 10, 10', 10" according to Fig. 3 have a significantly longer extent with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis (z) than the heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10' according to Fig. 2 up. Those in Fig. The heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10', 10" shown in Figure 3 can also be used to regulate the temperature of a footwell, for example by heating or cooling it. They extend along the partition wall 4 to the floor 5 of the interior space 3.

[0037] The axes 13, 15 running between the adjacent surface segments 12, 14, 16, which define the mobility of the surface segments 12, 14, 16 relative to each other, can, in the illustrated embodiment, run approximately parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis (z). Other embodiments, however, provide for a horizontal orientation of the axes 13, 15, for example along or parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis (y). Inclined axes 13, 15 are also conceivable.

[0038] The individual heating and / or cooling elements, particularly when implemented as heating elements, can be designed in the form of a surface infrared heater. A surface infrared heater can generate radiant heat that is directly perceptible to the end user with a particularly short response time, creating a comfortable indoor climate for the end user or vehicle occupants in a relatively short time.

[0039] In the cross-sectional view according to Fig. Figure 4 shows in particular that the partition 4 can be provided with a fastening device 30. In the illustrated embodiment, both a front and a rear side of the partition 4 can each be provided with one or more heating and / or cooling elements 10. One side of the partition 4 can face the passenger compartment 44. The other, i.e., the opposite side of the partition 4, can face the cargo space 42. The fastening device 30 can, in particular, have a guide 31 arranged on the partition 4. The guide 31 can, for example, have one or more guide rails for fastening and suspending one or more heating and / or cooling elements 10. The respective heating and / or cooling element 10, 10' can, in particular, have a corresponding suspension 32 by means of which it can optionally be adjustably fixed or locked to the respective guide 31.For example, the suspension 32 can have one or more cams which are slidably mounted in the guide 31 designed as a guide rail.

[0040] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the suspension 32 has one or more swivel joints by means of which the heating and / or cooling element can be rotated about a pivot or rotation axis which runs parallel to the surface normal of the partition wall 4.

[0041] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows two further embodiments in which a multi-part heating and / or cooling element 10, 10', comprising individual surface segments 12, 14, 16, 18, is mounted and / or attached, for example, slidably on the guide 31 of the partition wall 4 by means of a single suspension 32. The suspension 32 can, in particular, be connected to only a single surface segment 14. The remaining surface segments 12, 16, 18 can be attached to or from the surface segment 14 either directly or indirectly, or rigidly.

[0042] The surface segment 14 can be pivotally or movably mounted via a first joint 33 with respect to an axis running, for example, along the vehicle's transverse axis. Furthermore, this joint 33 can be variably adjusted with respect to its position or distance relative to the partition 4 via an adjusting device 35. For example, the distance of the joint 33 from the guide 31 or from the partition 4 can be variably changed by means of the adjusting device 35.

[0043] Similarly, the distance between the surface segment 14 and the joint 33 can also be changed by means of a further adjustment device 36. A further joint 34 can be implemented in the transition between the adjustment device 36 and the surface segment 14. The joints 33 and 34 can each have a joint axis that extends parallel to each other. However, it is also conceivable that the axes of rotation of the joints 33 and 34 extend at a predetermined angle to each other, so that a highly variable orientation of the heating and / or cooling element 10 in the room relative to the position and / or orientation of the partition 4 can be achieved.

[0044] The adjustment devices 35, 36 can, for example, be implemented as lockable sliding guides or telescopic guides.

[0045] In the further embodiment of the Fig. 6 Two heating and / or cooling elements 10, 10' are arranged one above the other, i.e., offset from each other in the vehicle's vertical direction (z), on the partition wall 4. Two surface segments 12, 14 are provided here, which are movably mounted to each other and relative to each other via a joint 33. The joints 33 can each be adjusted vertically and along the vehicle's longitudinal axis (x) via a suspension 32, and can be locked and / or fixed to the partition wall 4.

[0046] The heating and / or cooling element 10' serves to heat or cool a foot area. The additional heating and / or cooling element 10 located above it along the vehicle's vertical axis (z) serves to regulate the temperature of an upper body area of ​​a vehicle occupant 50.

[0047] The further embodiment according to the Fig. Figure 7 shows an additional heating and / or cooling element 10, which is movably arranged in the foot area of ​​a motor vehicle seat 10. Similar to the embodiments already described above. Fig. 5 and Fig. As described in section 6, the heating and / or cooling element has a multi-part structure with a first and a second surface segment 12, 14. The surface segment 14 is pivotably arranged on a suspension 32 via a joint 33, so that the heating and / or cooling element 10 can be variably aligned in the foot area of ​​the vehicle seat 40.

[0048] The heating and / or cooling element 10 can be variably provided and arranged either for seats 40 of a second row of seats, for example in the area of ​​the cargo space 42. Other embodiments provide that such a heating and / or cooling element is assigned to or arranged, for example, the driver's seat or front passenger seat and thus in the passenger compartment 44.

[0049] The illustrated embodiments merely show possible configurations of the development, for which numerous further variants are conceivable during development. The exemplary embodiments shown are in no way to be interpreted as limiting with regard to the scope, applicability, or configuration possibilities of the development. The present description merely shows the person skilled in the art one or a few possible implementation(s) of an embodiment. Thus, a wide variety of modifications can be made to the function and arrangement of the described elements without departing from the scope of protection defined by the following claims or their equivalents. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Motor vehicle body 3 Interior 4 Partition wall 5 Floor 6 waistline 7 Head area 8 Floor area 10 Heating and / or cooling element 11 Heating and / or cooling panel 12 surface segment 13th axis 14 Area segment 15 axle 16 area segment 18 area segment 20 Regulator 30 Fastening device 31 Leadership 32 Suspension 33 joint 34 joint 35 Adjustment device 36 Adjustment device 40 seats 42 cargo space 44 passenger compartment 46 Vehicle roof 50 vehicle occupants

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with: - an interior space (3) in which a partition wall (4) dividing the interior space (3) is provided, - at least one electrically operated heating and / or cooling element (10) which is movably arranged on the partition wall (4). [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electrically operated heating and / or cooling element (10) comprises a heating panel or cooling panel (11). [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and / or cooling element (10) has at least movably interconnected surface segments (12, 14, 16). [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least two surface segments (12, 14, 16) of a heating and / or cooling element (10) are pivotally connected to one another. [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element (10) comprises a surface infrared heater. [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a fastening device (30) is arranged or formed on the partition wall (4), by means of which fastening device the heating and / or cooling element (10) can be locked in at least two different positions or orientations on the partition wall (4). [7] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and / or cooling element (10) is electrically operable with an on-board network voltage. [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of electrically operated heating and / or cooling elements (10, 10', 10") are arranged next to one another or one above the other on the partition wall (4), which elements can be regulated independently of one another with regard to their heating or cooling power by means of a regulator (20, 20', 20"). [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which further comprises at least one motor vehicle seat (40), on the foot or floor area of ​​which an electrically operated heating and / or cooling element (10, 10', 10") is movably arranged. [10] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and / or cooling element (10, 10', 10") comprises one or more thermoelectric elements.

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