Cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device (1), in particular for the interior of a motor vehicle, with a water reservoir (2), a conveying device (3) for the water and with a fine-pored element (4) through which the water can be conveyed, so that the water can be released into the ambient air in fine water droplets in order to evaporate in the ambient air and cool the environment.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device, in particular for cooling a motor vehicle interior.

[0002] In motor vehicles, air conditioning systems are known in which air intended for the vehicle interior flows through an evaporator to be cooled. This air then flows into the vehicle interior to cool it. Depending on the operating situation, the cooling performance is sometimes insufficient, so improved cooling would be desirable.

[0003] US 3 606 982 A discloses a cooling device for a motor vehicle in which water is applied to a cushion made of a fiber material by dripping, the cushion being placed in an air stream from a fan, so that the water in the cushion evaporates and the air is cooled and humidified.

[0004] The object is to create a cooling device which allows improved or, if necessary, additional cooling for the vehicle interior in order to be able to cool the vehicle interior more effectively.

[0005] The problem is solved with the features of claim 1.

[0006] One embodiment of the invention relates to a cooling device, particularly for the motor vehicle interior, comprising a water reservoir, a water conveying device, and a fine-pored element through which the water can be conveyed, allowing the water to be released into the ambient air in the form of fine water droplets, where they evaporate in the ambient air and cool the environment. This allows cooling to occur via the evaporation of the water in the vehicle interior. This cooling can occur alone or in addition to cooling with an air conditioning system.

[0007] In one embodiment, it is also expedient to provide an air flow in the area of ​​the water outlet on the fine-pored element, so that the water droplets evaporate in the air flow. This ensures that the droplets can be picked up and carried away by the air flow, allowing them to evaporate more effectively to produce the improved cooling effect.

[0008] In a further embodiment, it is also expedient if the water reservoir is provided for filling and / or collecting water, in particular for collecting filtered rainwater. This allows the water to be filled into the water reservoir either manually and / or automatically, for example, via rainwater, to achieve cooling.

[0009] It is also advantageous if the fine-pored element consists of a fine-pored material with a fixed or controllable pore diameter. A simple solution is provided for the fine-pored material with a fixed pore diameter, whereas the solution with a controllable pore diameter allows for effective adjustment of the water discharge.

[0010] It is also useful if the pore diameter can be controlled by applying an electrical voltage, so that the amount of water evaporated can be controlled. This allows for simple and effective control.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the pore diameter of the fine-pored material decreases or increases with increasing electrical voltage. This allows for simple and effective control of the evaporation rate, either to increase or decrease the amount.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the fine-pored element is located in the vehicle's dashboard, center console, door, seat backrest, or elsewhere. This allows the water to be released at suitable locations within the vehicle to improve local cooling.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if at least one air outlet is provided adjacent to the fine-pored element, which discharges or generates the air flow into which the water droplets are discharged. This allows the outflowing air flow to be generated or discharged directly adjacent to the fine-pored element to improve local cooling.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if a control unit is provided by means of which the water outlet and / or the pore diameter can be controlled.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the control unit uses a control based on data of the interior temperature, the exterior temperature, the interior air humidity, the exterior air humidity, navigation data about the location and / or the destination, and forecast weather data of temperature and / or humidity in the region of the destination to control the amount of water to be discharged, the electrical voltage and / or the air flow.

[0016] The invention is explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention in the dashboard of a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention, Fig. 3 a further partial sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 a further partial sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the invention.

[0017] The Fig. 1 shows a cooling device 1, in particular for the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0018] The cooling device 1 comprises a water reservoir 2, a conveying device 3 for the water, and a fine-pored element 4 through which the water can be conveyed. The water is conveyed from the water reservoir 2 through a suction line 5 by the conveying device 3, such as a pump, to the fine-pored element 4.

[0019] The fine-pored element 4 has a plurality of fine pores 6, wherein the water is conveyed through the fine pores 6. The fine pores 6 have a pore diameter that is less than 1 mm, in particular less than 0.5 mm, and more preferably less than 0.1 mm.

[0020] The water is forced through the fine-pored element 4 so that the water can be released into the ambient air in fine water droplets from the fine-pored element 4 in order to evaporate in the ambient air and thus cool the environment.

[0021] In this case, Fig. 1 that an air flow 7 can be provided, in particular in the area of ​​the water outlet on the fine-pored element 4, so that the water droplets that form on the fine-pored element 4 can evaporate in the air flow 7 and thus cool the air.

[0022] The Fig. The water reservoir 2 shown in Figure 1 serves for filling and / or collecting water, and is particularly intended for collecting filtered rainwater. For this purpose, the water reservoir 2 is connected to a rainwater collection area 8, where the rainwater can be captured, collected, and passed on to the water reservoir 2. A filter 9 through which the water flows can be provided to filter the rainwater. The filter 9 can be arranged in the collection area 8, in the connection 10, or in the water reservoir 2.

[0023] The fine-pored element 4 is made of a fine-pored material or has such fine pores 6. It is advantageous for the pore diameter of the pores of the fine-pored element 4 to be fixed or, alternatively, to be controllably variable.

[0024] This shows Fig. 2 a pore 11 of the fine-pored element 4. In Fig. 3 shows that water is pushed through the pore 11 and exits into the air stream 7 where it evaporates.

[0025] According to an alternative design of the controllable pore size, the pore diameter can be controlled by applying an electrical voltage, so that the evaporation amount of water can also be controlled.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 4 shows how an electrical voltage U can be applied to control the pore size. When a high voltage U is applied, the pores are reduced in diameter to such an extent that no more water can escape. At a medium voltage U, the pores are reduced in pore size, so less water can escape.

[0027] It is also advantageous if the pore diameter of the fine-pored material decreases with increasing electrical voltage. Alternatively, it can also be designed so that the pore diameter increases with increasing voltage.

[0028] In Fig. 1 shows that the fine-pored element 4 is arranged in the dashboard of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the fine-pored element 4 can also be arranged in the center console, in a door, in a seat backrest, or in some other way.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, at least one air outlet 12 is provided adjacent to the fine-pored element 4, which discharges or generates the air flow 7 into which the water droplets are discharged. As a result, the air flow 7 is generated or discharged directly next to the fine-pored element 4, which is favorable for distribution. In the illustrated embodiment, an air outlet 12 is arranged above the fine-pored element 4 and below the fine-pored element 4.

[0030] In Fig. 1 further shows that a control unit 13 is provided, by means of which the water outlet and / or the pore diameter can be controlled. This allows the conveying device 3 and / or the fine-pored element 4 to be controlled.

[0031] Preferably, the control unit 13 can perform a control, for example, of the water outlet and / or the pore diameter, which uses data of the interior temperature, the exterior temperature, the interior air humidity, the exterior air humidity, navigation data about the location and / or the destination, and forecast weather data of temperature and / or humidity in the region of the destination to control the amount of water to be discharged, the electrical voltage and / or the air flow 7. List of reference symbols 1 cooling device 2 water reservoirs 3 Conveyor system 4 fine-pored element 5 Intake line 6 pores 7 Airflow 8 Collection area 9 filters 10 Connection 11 pores 12 Air outlet 13 Control unit

Claims

[1] Cooling device (1), in particular for the motor vehicle interior, with a water reservoir (2), a conveying device (3) for the water and with a fine-pored element (4) through which the water can be conveyed, so that the water can be released into the ambient air in fine water droplets in order to evaporate in the ambient air and to be able to cool the environment. [2] Cooling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that an air stream (7) can be provided in the region of the water outlet on the fine-pored element (4), so that the water droplets evaporate in the air stream (7). [3] Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the water reservoir (2) is intended for filling and / or collecting water, in particular for collecting filtered rainwater. [4] Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the fine-pored element (4) consists of a fine-pored material, wherein the pore diameter is fixed or controllable. [5] Cooling device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the pore diameter can be controlled by applying an electrical voltage, so that the amount of water evaporated can be controlled. [6] Cooling device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the pore diameter of the fine-pored material decreases or increases with increasing electrical voltage. [7] Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fine-pored element (4) is arranged in the dashboard of the motor vehicle, in the center console, in a door, in a seat backrest or otherwise. [8] Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, characterized bythat adjacent to the fine-pored element (4) at least one air outlet (12) is provided, which discharges or generates the air flow (7) into which the water droplets are discharged. [9] Cooling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a control unit (13) is provided by means of which the water outlet and / or the pore diameter can be controlled. [10] Cooling device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the control unit (13) uses a control based on data of the interior temperature, the exterior temperature, the interior air humidity, the exterior air humidity, navigation data about the location and / or the destination, forecast weather data of temperature and / or humidity in the region of the destination to control the amount of water to be discharged, the electrical voltage and / or the air flow (7).

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