ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle (1), - with a vehicle front (2) with a bumper (3) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and a vehicle front cover (4), - with a heat exchanger (6) and a fan (7) arranged in the direction of travel (5) behind the bumper (3), - with a first air inlet opening (8) arranged below the bumper (3) for supplying air (9) to the heat exchanger (6), - wherein a device (10) is provided which, at least when the electric vehicle (1) is being charged, opens at least a second air inlet opening (11) for additional air (17) to be supplied to the heat exchanger (6). This allows for improved fast charging.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle.

[0002] From DE 10 2022 209 118 A1, an active air flap system is known that is installed in a predetermined part of a motor vehicle. The air flap system comprises a housing, a flap that is movably mounted on the housing, and an actuator that is coupled to the at least one flap and configured to drive it. Furthermore, a power transmission mechanism is provided that engages with the actuator and the flap and can transmit drive power from the actuator to the at least one flap, enabling it to perform a dual action of sliding and rotating.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2019 128 756 A1 discloses a tiltable, active air flap assembly with an air flap unit comprising a plurality of air flaps. These air flaps are aligned parallel to each other and rotate simultaneously, allowing airflow through the radiator grille of a motor vehicle into the engine compartment and to cool the drive motor and transmission. To reduce the cooling effect when cooling of the drive motor is not required, for example, during hybrid operation or a cold start phase, the air flaps of the known air flap assembly can be closed in these conditions.

[0004] Battery electric vehicles, i.e., electric vehicles, typically only use an area below the front bumper for cooling air intake to a cooling module, i.e., a heat exchanger. While driving, the heat generated by the motor, electronics, battery, and interior can be easily dissipated by the resulting airflow. However, when stationary, and especially during fast charging of the battery, the heat to be dissipated is significantly higher. Therefore, to generate sufficient cooling, a high-speed fan with high power consumption and high noise emissions must be operated to create the necessary airflow.The high fan speed and the resulting high noise emission are primarily due to the fact that electric vehicles, unlike combustion engine vehicles, do not have an air-permeable radiator grille, but often have a closed front cover for design reasons.

[0005] Especially during fast charging, sufficient cooling through the closed front cover of the vehicle is either not provided or at least not adequately achieved, which can lead to problems due to excessive heat buildup. Excessive heat buildup can, for example, cause temperature-related damage.

[0006] The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for an electric vehicle, which in particular overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention is based on the general concept of providing an electric vehicle with a device that, during charging, particularly during fast charging, which generates a significant amount of heat that must be dissipated to prevent damage, opens a second, additional air intake opening through which cooling air can reach a heat exchanger, i.e., a radiator of the electric vehicle, thereby improving cooling. The electric vehicle according to the invention has the aforementioned front end, which is typically closed for both design and aerodynamic reasons and does not feature a conventional radiator grille. Furthermore, the electric vehicle has a bumper extending transversely to the vehicle, a heat exchanger arranged behind the bumper in the direction of travel, and a fan positioned further behind the bumper in the direction of travel.Below the bumper or in a lower area of ​​the bumper, a first air inlet opening is arranged for supplying air to the heat exchanger, through which the heat exchanger typically draws its cooling air exclusively. According to the invention, a device is provided which, at least when the electric vehicle is charging, i.e., when heat generation is increased, opens at least a second air inlet opening through which additional air can be supplied to the heat exchanger. This makes it possible to achieve significantly improved cooling of, for example, electronic components, a drive motor, and / or a vehicle battery with the existing heat exchanger during charging, thereby enabling gentler charging of the vehicle battery.The inclusion of at least one second air intake opening allows the fan to operate at a lower speed, thus saving energy and reducing noise emissions. Theoretically, it is also conceivable that the device could open this second air intake opening not only when the electric vehicle is stationary and charging, but also in all other operating conditions where increased cooling, i.e., increased cooling capacity of the heat exchanger, is required.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the invention, the device comprises a first flap assembly arranged above the bumper in the vehicle's front cover, through which additional air can be supplied to the heat exchanger when open. In this case, the first flap assembly is thus arranged in the vehicle's front cover, which offers the significant advantage that, when closed, the first flap assembly does not impair the external appearance of the electric vehicle and therefore its design. When the first flap assembly is open, however, cooling air can be supplied directly to the heat exchanger via the first flap assembly arranged in the vehicle's front cover.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, the system can include a second flap assembly located above the bumper in an inlet cover of the heat exchanger, through which additional air can be supplied to the heat exchanger. In this case, it is conceivable that the assembly is located behind the vehicle's front cover in the direction of travel, so that the front cover itself can remain closed, as is currently the norm. When the second flap assembly is open, cooling air can be drawn in through at least one lateral outlet or air inlet. This offers the significant advantage that the vehicle's front cover, which is particularly important for design, remains unchanged, thus eliminating the need for any design compromises.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the invention, the vehicle's front cover is designed as a closed unit, with a second flap device provided in an inlet cover of the heat exchanger. This flap device is connected to the surrounding environment via a lateral outlet opening and / or a lateral air inlet opening. This offers the significant advantage that an existing vehicle front cover can continue to be used without any design impairments. In this case, the device thus comprises a second flap device in the inlet cover of the heat exchanger, i.e., located behind the vehicle's front cover in the direction of travel, and therefore invisible from the outside.By opening the second flap mechanism, a communication connection with the environment can be established via, for example, a side outlet opening and / or a side air inlet opening, so that the electric vehicle remains unchanged from the outside even during the charging process, which requires increased cooling.

[0012] Advantageously, the device above the bumper in the vehicle's front cover features a first flap assembly through which additional air can be supplied to the heat exchanger. An opening is provided in the heat exchanger's inlet cover, which is connected to the openable first flap assembly via an air duct. Thus, the inlet cover has only one opening, to which an air duct connects, linking to the rear of the device, which in this case is located in the vehicle's front cover. This allows for a direct supply of additional air to the heat exchanger via the air duct when the first openable flap assembly is open.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the invention, the device above the bumper in the vehicle's front cover has a first flap assembly and a second flap assembly in an inlet cover of the heat exchanger, through which additional air can be supplied to the heat exchanger. An air duct runs between the first and second openable flap assemblies. This offers the significant advantage that the air duct running between the two openable flap assemblies can be closed by the heat exchanger itself when it is not in use, thanks to the second flap assembly located in the inlet cover, thereby preventing undesirable turbulence formation.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, at least one pivotable air flap or at least one sliding air flap can be arranged on the first flap assembly and / or on the second flap assembly. A pivotable air flap allows for a relatively simple and cost-effective opening of the second flap assembly. Of course, several pivotable air flaps can also be provided, which are adjusted uniformly, like a blind. A sliding air flap offers design advantages, since sliding air flaps, when open, can be moved, for example, behind parts of the vehicle's front cover.

[0015] The term "air flap" does not mean that such an air flap must be pivotable, but can of course also be adjusted translationally between its open state and its closed state.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the invention, the device includes a hood opening mechanism by which, at least during charging of the electric vehicle, a front hood and above it the second air intake opening can be opened. Particularly during charging, slightly lifting a front hood is harmless and can, for example, create a large and therefore low-resistance airflow to the heat exchanger simply and without the need for additional body openings.

[0017] The hood opening device can include an actuator for opening the hood, whereby such an actuator can function, for example, electrically, spring-loaded, electromagnetically, or pneumatically / hydraulically. If the heat / temperature load occurring during fast charging of the electric vehicle becomes too great, the hood opening device can be used to lift the hood and, for example, easily open a large second air intake opening.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the electric vehicle according to the invention, a fan device is provided which is arranged close to or within the second air inlet opening and through which additional air can be supplied to the heat exchanger. Such a fan device can further support the cooling of the heat exchanger, particularly during fast charging, since in this case not only can a second and larger air inlet opening be created for the air supply, but additional cooling air is also actively supplied to the heat exchanger.

[0019] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0020] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0022] Each of these shows, schematically, Fig. 1. A cross-sectional view through an electric vehicle according to the state of the art in the area of ​​a vehicle front, Fig. 2 a representation as in Fig. 1, however, with a device according to the invention comprising a first flap device arranged in a vehicle front cover with movable air flaps and an air duct to an opening in an inlet cover, Fig. 3 a representation as in Fig. 2, however, with the first flap mechanism closed, Fig. 4 a representation as in Fig. 2, however with a first flap device with pivoting and open air flaps, Fig. 5 a representation as in Fig. 4, but with the air flaps closed, Fig. 6 a representation as in Fig. 2, however with a second flap device arranged in an inlet cover of the heat exchanger in the open state, Fig. 7 a representation as in Fig. 6, however, with a device with first and second flap devices and each with pivotable and open air flaps, Fig. 8 a representation as in Fig. 2, however without an air duct running between the vehicle's front cover and the inlet cover, Fig. 9 a representation as in Fig. 6, however also without an air duct running between the first flap assembly and the second flap assembly, Fig. 10 Another embodiment with a closed vehicle front cover and a second flap device arranged in an inlet cover of the heat exchanger in the open state with sliding air flaps and a lateral air inlet opening, Fig. 11 a representation as in Fig. 10, however, with a device arranged in the area of ​​the inlet cover with a second flap device with pivoting air flaps, Fig. 12 an embodiment with a device designed as a hood opening device for opening a front hood.

[0023] According to the Fig. Figure 1 shows a conceivable electric vehicle 1' from the prior art, comprising a vehicle front 2' with a bumper 3' extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the blade in the illustrated examples, and a vehicle front cover 4'. A heat exchanger 6' and a fan 7' are arranged behind the bumper 3' and the vehicle front cover 4' in the direction of travel 5'. A first, permanently open air inlet opening 8' is arranged below the bumper 3', through which air 9' can be supplied to the heat exchanger 6'.

[0024] However, a disadvantage here is that when there is an increased cooling requirement, especially during so-called fast charging of the vehicle battery, only the first inlet opening 8' is available for supplying air to the heat exchanger 6', so that the fan 7' has to be operated at high speed, with high power consumption and also with high noise emission in order to generate sufficient cooling in order to avoid temperature-related damage caused by excessive heat generation.

[0025] In the Fig. Reference symbols 2 to 12 were used as in Fig. 1 related, but without an apostrophe.

[0026] According to the Fig. Figures 2 to 12 show that an electric vehicle 1 according to the invention has a vehicle front 2 with a bumper 3 extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the blade in the examples shown, and a vehicle front cover 4. A heat exchanger 6 and a fan 7 are arranged behind the bumper 3 and the vehicle front cover 4, respectively, in the direction of travel 5. A first and permanently open air inlet opening 8 is arranged below the bumper 3, through which air 9 can be supplied to the heat exchanger 6.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the invention, a device 10 is provided which, at least during fast charging of the electric vehicle 1, i.e., during an operating condition with increased heat generation and thus with increased cooling requirements, provides at least a second air inlet opening 11 (compare the Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and 6 to 12). This makes it possible to supply more air to the heat exchanger 6 for cooling under particularly temperature-critical conditions.

[0028] For example, consider the Fig. 2 - 9, it can be seen that the device 10 shown there has a first flap device 12 arranged above the bumper 3 in the vehicle front cover 4, through which additional air 17, i.e. cooling air, can be supplied to the heat exchanger 6 if necessary. The device 10 has the following features on the first openable flap device 12: Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and 5-10 at least one, preferably several, movable air flap(s) 13 open. According to the Fig. 2, Fig. Figures 6, 8, 9, and 10 represent the movable air flap 13 in the open position, shown while it is in the position corresponding to the Fig. 3 in the closed state, as shown.

[0029] In the direction of travel 5 behind the first flap assembly 12, the assembly 10 can additionally or alternatively have a second flap assembly 15 arranged above the bumper 3 and in an inlet cover 14, through which additional air 17 can also be supplied to the heat exchanger 6. Such an embodiment with movable air flaps 13 is, for example, described in the Fig. 6, Fig. 9 and Fig. Figure 10 shows that an air duct 16 can run between the second openable flap assembly 15 and the first openable flap assembly 12, as shown accordingly. Fig. 2 - 7 is shown.

[0030] The following section will describe the individual Fig. 2 to 12 will be briefly described: According to the Fig. 2. The device 10 features a first, openable flap device 12 located above the bumper 3 in the vehicle's front cover 4, through which additional air 17 can be supplied to the heat exchanger 6. An opening 20 is provided in the inlet cover 14 of the heat exchanger 6, which is connected to the openable first flap device 12 via an air duct 16. This allows, if necessary, a direct and low-flow supply of additional air 17 to the heat exchanger 6 via the first open flap device 12, the air duct 16, and the opening 20 in the inlet cover 14.

[0031] Is the first flap assembly 12 closed, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, when air 9 is drawn in through the first air inlet opening 8, turbulence 24 can occur, which reduces the performance of the heat exchanger 6. However, when closed, the first flap assembly 12 does not affect the external appearance of the electric vehicle 1.

[0032] The first openable flap assembly 12 is fitted accordingly. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 sliding air flaps arranged 13.

[0033] Analogous to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 to read, with the only difference being that there are 12 pivotable air flaps 18 arranged on the first openable flap device.

[0034] According to the Fig. 6 and Fig. In section 7, the device 10 above the bumper 3 in the vehicle front cover 4 has a first flap device 12 through which additional air 17 can be supplied to the heat exchanger 6, while a second flap device 15 is arranged in the inlet cover 14 of the heat exchanger 6. An air duct 16 is arranged between the two flap devices 12 and 15.

[0035] In the Fig. 6 both flap devices 12, 15 have movable air flaps 13, while according to the Fig. 7 both flap devices 12, 15 pivotable air flaps 18 show.

[0036] The Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are analogous to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 trained, but each without air channel 16.

[0037] According to the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 The vehicle front cover 4 is designed to be closed. In the inlet cover 14 of the heat exchanger 6, a second flap assembly 15 is provided, which is connected to the surroundings via a lateral outlet opening and / or a lateral air inlet opening 19. In the Fig. 10 has the second flap assembly 15 movable air flaps 13, while according to the Fig. 11 shows the second flap assembly 15 pivotable air flaps 18.

[0038] In a further advantageous embodiment of the electric vehicle 1 according to the invention, a fan device 23 can be provided which is located close to or in the second air inlet opening 11, according to the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is arranged at the side air inlet opening 19 and through which additional air 17 can be supplied to the heat exchanger 6. Such a fan assembly 23 can further support the cooling of the heat exchanger 6, especially during fast charging, since in this case not only can a second and thus a larger air inlet opening 11 be created for the additional air supply, but the additional air 17 can also be actively conveyed.

[0039] According to the Fig.12 The vehicle front cover 4 is also designed to be closed, and the device 10 has a hood opening device 21, via which, at least during fast charging of the electric vehicle 1, a front hood 22 and above it the second air intake opening 11 can be opened. The hood opening device 21 has an actuator for opening the front hood 22. The actuator can, for example, operate electrically, spring-loaded, electromagnetically, or pneumatically / hydraulically. Thus, if the heat / temperature load occurring during fast charging of the electric vehicle 1 becomes too great, the front hood 22 can be lifted via the hood opening device 21, and above it, for example, a large second air intake opening 11 can simply be opened. Reference symbol list 1 electric vehicle 2 Vehicle front 3 bumpers 4 Vehicle front cover 5 Direction of travel 6 heat exchangers 7 fans 8 first air intake opening 9 Air 10. Setup 11 second air intake opening 12 first flap assembly 13 sliding air flaps 14 Inlet cover 15 second flap device 16 air duct 17 additional air 18 swiveling air flaps 19 side air intake openings 20 Opening on the inlet cover 21 Hood opening device 22 Front hood 23 fans 24 vertebrae QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2022 209 118 A1

[0002] DE 10 2019 128 756 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Electric vehicle (1), - with a vehicle front (2) with a bumper (3) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and a vehicle front cover (4), - with a heat exchanger (6) and a fan (7) arranged in the direction of travel (5) behind the bumper (3), - with a first air inlet opening (8) arranged below the bumper (3) for supplying air (9) to the heat exchanger (6), - wherein a device (10) is provided which, at least when the electric vehicle (1) is being charged, opens at least a second air inlet opening (11) for additional air (17) to be supplied to the heat exchanger (6). [2] Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the device (10) has a first flap device (12) arranged above the bumper (3) in the vehicle front cover (4), through which additional air (17) can be supplied to the heat exchanger (6). [3] Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the device (10) has a second flap device (15) arranged above the bumper (3) in an inlet cover (14) of the heat exchanger (6), through which additional air (17) can be supplied to the heat exchanger (6). [4] Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the vehicle front cover (4) is designed to be closed, - that the device (10) has a second flap device (15) arranged in an inlet cover (14) of the heat exchanger (6), which is connected to an environment via a lateral outlet opening and / or a lateral air inlet opening (19). [5] Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the device (10) has a first flap device (11) arranged above the bumper (3) in the vehicle front cover (4), through which additional air (17) can be supplied to the heat exchanger (6), - that an opening (20) is provided in an inlet cover (14) of the heat exchanger (6), which is connected to the first flap device (12) via an air duct (16). [6] Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the device (10) has a first flap device (12) arranged above the bumper (3) in the vehicle front cover (4) and a second flap device (15) in an inlet cover (14) of the heat exchanger (6), through which additional air (17) can be supplied to the heat exchanger (6), - that an air duct (16) runs between the first flap assembly (12) and the second flap assembly (15). [7] Electric vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by that the first flap assembly (12) has at least one pivotable air flap (18) or at least one movable air flap (13). [8] Electric vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by that the second flap assembly (15) has at least one pivotable air flap (18) or at least one sliding air flap (13). [9] Electric vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the device (10) has a hood opening device (21) by which at least when the electric vehicle (1) is being charged a front hood (22) and above it the second air intake opening (11) can be opened. [10] Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the hood opening device (21) has an actuator for opening the front hood (22). [11] Electric vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a fan device (23) is provided which is located near the second air inlet opening (11) and through which the heat exchanger (6) can be supplied with additional air (17).

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