Trunk arrangement with integrated evaporator for the front of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a trunk assembly (16) for the front section (14) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a container (14) for receiving transported goods and a cooling device for cooling the transported goods. The cooling device is designed as an evaporator (18) of a refrigerant circuit (20). During cooling operation of the trunk assembly (16), refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator (18), which can be expanded by means of an expansion device (22) of the refrigerant circuit (20). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (10) with the trunk assembly (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a trunk arrangement for the front section of a motor vehicle, comprising a container for receiving transported goods and a cooling device for cooling the transported goods. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a trunk arrangement.

[0002] Some motor vehicles have a luggage compartment or trunk located in the front of the vehicle. This compartment, or storage space, is situated beneath the hood. These vehicles are usually electric vehicles (those without a combustion engine in the front) or rear-engined vehicles, which can be sports cars. The trunk located in the front of the vehicle is also called a front trunk or, more simply, a frunk.

[0003] It is advantageous if such containers or luggage compartments can be easily removed. This allows better access to vehicle components located beneath the container for maintenance or repair. If such a luggage compartment is made of a tub-shaped, rigid plastic, it is comparatively lightweight and inherently rigid, or resistant to stresses that could cause deformation.

[0004] It is desirable if food or drinks can be kept cool or warm in a front trunk or frunk while driving.

[0005] DE 10 2021 131 426 A1 describes a temperature control tank with a refrigerant circuit associated with the tank. The temperature control tank is located in the trunk area of ​​a motor vehicle. A first heat exchanger, functioning as an evaporator, is arranged in the temperature control tank refrigerant circuit for temperature control of a first temperature zone within the tank.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2020 131 978 A1 describes a further temperature control tank located in the trunk area of ​​a motor vehicle. A refrigerant circuit is associated with this tank. The refrigerant circuit includes a first heat exchanger. This first heat exchanger allows bidirectional flow and can function as an evaporator to cool the tank or as a gas cooler or condenser to heat it.

[0007] German patent DE 42 13 564 A1 describes a cooling box for installation in vehicles. An evaporator and a fan are housed in the top section of the cooling box.

[0008] German patent DE 10 2023 132 301 A1 describes a thermally managed storage system for a vehicle, which includes a compartment designed as a frunk. This compartment provides a thermally insulated space that can be climate-controlled via an air conditioning system. For this purpose, the air conditioning system can supply cool or warm air to the compartment. For example, cool air can be pumped into the compartment, and hot air can be extracted from it.

[0009] A disadvantage here is the need for a blower or fan to draw cool air into the compartment. This is cumbersome. Furthermore, the air drawn into the compartment can absorb heat on its way there, reducing the compartment's cooling capacity.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a trunk arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset which enables improved cooling of the transported goods, and to provide a motor vehicle with such a trunk arrangement.

[0011] This problem is solved by a trunk arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0012] The trunk arrangement according to the invention for the front of a motor vehicle comprises a container for receiving transported goods and a cooling device for cooling the transported goods. The cooling device is designed as an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit, wherein, in a cooling operation of the trunk arrangement, refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator, which can be expanded by means of an expansion device of the refrigerant circuit.

[0013] In the trunk assembly according to the invention, the container has at least one connecting part by which the trunk assembly can be fixed to at least one corresponding mounting element of the motor vehicle. This makes installing and removing the trunk assembly from the motor vehicle particularly easy. For example, the connecting part can have a passage for a screw bolt or similar fastening element, wherein, in the installed position of the trunk assembly in the motor vehicle, the passage is aligned with a receptacle, for example designed as a screw hole, on the side of the mounting element. This allows the trunk assembly to be fixed in the motor vehicle particularly easily and with minimal effort.

[0014] By attaching at least one connection part to at least one corresponding retaining element, the evaporator can be connected to a supply line of the refrigerant circuit. The expanded refrigerant can then be introduced into the evaporator via this supply line. This simplifies the integration of the evaporator into the refrigerant circuit by determining its location in the vehicle's trunk.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, by attaching at least one connection part to at least one corresponding mounting element, the evaporator can be connected to a return line of the refrigerant circuit. In this case, the expanded refrigerant can be discharged from the evaporator via the return line and fed to the suction side of a compressor in the refrigerant circuit. This also facilitates the simple integration of the evaporator into the refrigerant circuit when installing the trunk assembly in the vehicle.

[0016] Furthermore, the trunk assembly can be easily disassembled by detaching at least one connecting part from at least one corresponding retaining element. This is advantageous, for example, to gain access to vehicle components that are concealed by the container when it is installed in the vehicle.

[0017] In the cooling mode of the trunk assembly, the evaporator can be supplied with expanded refrigerant. This allows the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator and evaporating to absorb heat from the surroundings. This, in turn, cools the transported goods when they are located in the compartment of the trunk assembly.

[0018] This is based on the understanding that motor vehicles are often already equipped with a refrigerant circuit, for example, to air-condition the passenger compartment, i.e., to cool an airflow that can be introduced into the passenger compartment. If at least a portion of the refrigerant circulating in such a circuit is used to supply the evaporator of the trunk cooling system with refrigerant that has previously been expanded by means of the expansion device, then cooling of transported goods in the compartment can be achieved with particularly low effort.

[0019] No fan is needed to introduce cooling air into the container. Instead, the container's receiving chamber, which serves to hold the transported goods, can be cooled very directly and immediately by the evaporator of the trunk assembly. This is because, during the cooling operation of the trunk assembly, refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator, absorbing heat. This is advantageous.

[0020] In particular, this method allows for the active and dynamic cooling of the container designed as a front trunk or frunk. This enables improved cooling of the transported goods. For example, food and / or beverages can be stored in the container and actively cooled or kept cool by supplying the evaporator with refrigerant expanded by the expansion unit during cooling operation.

[0021] When the trunk assembly is installed in the front of the vehicle, with the compartment designed as a front trunk or frunk serving as a storage space, the evaporator is integrated into the refrigerant circuit. Accordingly, by operating a compressor, refrigerant is circulated through the circuit. After expansion, the refrigerant enters the evaporator and, as it evaporates, absorbs heat from the surrounding environment. This allows for very direct cooling of the cargo within the compartment.

[0022] Preferably, the container comprises a housing that defines a receiving space for the transported goods. The evaporator is arranged on the inside of one wall of the housing. Accordingly, the evaporator is located inside the housing. This allows the cooling capacity provided by the evaporator during the cooling operation of the trunk assembly to be used particularly directly and immediately for cooling the receiving space and the transported goods located within it. This is advantageous.

[0023] Preferably, the evaporator is at least partially concealed from the receiving space by a cover element of the trunk assembly. This provides good protection for the evaporator against damage and / or contamination. In particular, this prevents the evaporator from being impaired, especially its function, by placing or introducing cargo into the receiving space. This is advantageous.

[0024] And despite the presence of a cover element, the cooling capacity provided by the evaporator during cooling operation can enter the receiving space particularly unimpeded. This is especially true if the cover element is a thin cover, for example, made of plastic.

[0025] Preferably, the container has an outlet through which condensate produced at the evaporator during cooling operation can be drained into the surrounding area. This is particularly conducive to hygienic storage of goods in the container.

[0026] Preferably, the container comprises a tub section and a lid element, wherein the tub section and / or the lid element incorporates a thermally insulating material. Such a thermally insulating design of the container allows a low temperature, established by using the evaporator in cooling mode, to be maintained for a particularly long time. Furthermore, when the evaporator is not in operation, the container can be very effectively used to keep warm goods such as food or beverages warm, provided the container incorporates the thermally insulating material.

[0027] In particular, both the tub section and the lid element can be provided with thermally insulating material. For example, the plastic material of the tub section and the plastic material of the lid element can each have the thermally insulating material applied to their outer surfaces. This makes thermal insulation of the container particularly easy and cost-effective. The insulating material can be, in particular, expanded polystyrene, such as that available under the trade name Styropor®.

[0028] In particular, the lid element can be pivoted around a pivot axis into an open position. This makes it very easy to access the container's receiving area.

[0029] The motor vehicle according to the invention has a trunk arrangement according to the invention. Accordingly, the container of the trunk arrangement is located in the front of the motor vehicle. This allows a user of the motor vehicle to access the container by opening the front hood of the motor vehicle.

[0030] Alternatively, the motor vehicle according to the invention has a trunk arrangement located in the front section of the motor vehicle, wherein the trunk arrangement comprises a container for receiving transported goods and a cooling device for cooling the transported goods, wherein the cooling device is designed as an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit, and wherein refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator during cooling operation of the trunk arrangement, which can be expanded by means of an expansion device of the refrigerant circuit. In the alternative motor vehicle according to the invention, the motor vehicle has a further evaporator designed as an interior evaporator, which is integrated into the refrigerant circuit. Here, the interior evaporator is designed to cool an airflow during air conditioning operation of the refrigerant circuit, which can be introduced into a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.The refrigerant supplied to the interior evaporator can be expanded by means of a further expansion device in the refrigerant circuit. This allows the refrigerant circuit to be used in a particularly versatile way. Firstly, by supplying the cool airflow into the passenger compartment, a pleasantly cool temperature can be set for the occupants. Secondly, by supplying the evaporator in the trunk assembly with at least a partial flow of refrigerant, cargo located in the compartment can be actively cooled. This is advantageous.

[0031] It has also proven advantageous if the vehicle is designed as an electric vehicle in which the space under the hood is not occupied by a combustion engine. This provides a comparatively large amount of space or installation area under the hood to accommodate the trunk layout.

[0032] Preferably, the vehicle has a control element by means of which the cooling operation can be activated, whereby the refrigerant, expanded by the refrigerant circuit's expansion device, can be supplied to the evaporator of the trunk assembly. Thus, a user of the vehicle can easily switch the active cooling function of the front trunk or the container located in the front of the vehicle on or off by operating the control element. This allows the user to cool transported goods, such as food and / or beverages, very precisely according to their needs.

[0033] Preferably, a compressor and a refrigerant cooler are integrated into the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant cooler being supplied with cooling air for the purpose of cooling the refrigerant supplied to the expansion unit. The cooling air is supplied to the refrigerant cooler via a front air intake of the vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle is driving forward, heat can be easily dissipated from the refrigerant to be cooled at the refrigerant cooler. The cooled, and in particular condensed, refrigerant can then be supplied to the expansion unit, by means of which the refrigerant can be expanded. In the cooling operation of the trunk assembly, the expanded refrigerant is then supplied to the evaporator of the trunk assembly.

[0034] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the trunk arrangement according to the invention apply analogously to the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa.

[0035] The invention therefore also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the trunk arrangement according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0036] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus.

[0037] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0038] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 in a schematic sectional view a motor vehicle with a trunk arrangement installed in a front part of the motor vehicle, wherein the trunk arrangement comprises a container and an evaporator arranged in the container which is integrated into a refrigerant circuit; Fig. 2 in a schematic and cutaway detail view a part of a housing of the container, wherein the evaporator is arranged on an inside of a wall of the housing concealed by a cover element; and Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a view of the evaporator in the housing, with the cover element not shown.

[0039] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0040] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a partial and schematic representation of a motor vehicle 10, which has a container 12 designed as a front trunk or frunk. Accordingly, the container 12 is arranged in a front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10. The front section 14 extends from a front end of the motor vehicle 10 to approximately a windshield 94 of the motor vehicle 10, from which in Fig. 1 a lower section is indicated.

[0042] The container 12, or front trunk, located below the front hood 96 of the motor vehicle 10, is designed to hold transported goods such as food or beverages requiring refrigeration. Furthermore, the container 12 is part of a trunk assembly 16, which is housed in the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10. According to Fig. 1 The trunk arrangement 16 includes an evaporator 18, which is arranged inside the container 12.

[0043] If the boot configuration is 16, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the evaporator 18 is installed in the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10 and is integrated into a refrigerant circuit 20 of the motor vehicle 10. Accordingly, the evaporator 18 can be supplied with expanded refrigerant, which flows through or circulates within the refrigerant circuit 20. An expansion device 22 is provided to expand the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator 18 during cooling operation of the trunk assembly 16. This expansion device 22 can, for example, be designed as an electrically controlled expansion valve. The refrigerant, expanded by means of the expansion device 22 of the refrigerant circuit 20 and evaporating in the evaporator 18, absorbs heat, which leads to cooling within a receiving space 24 of the container 12. This allows for the active cooling of transported goods (not shown) located in the receiving space 24.

[0044] The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 18 is fed to a suction side 26 of a compressor 28 in the refrigerant circuit 20. The compressor 28 can be designed, in particular, as an electrically driven refrigerant compressor. Especially when the motor vehicle 10 is designed as an electric vehicle, it can be provided that the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10 does not contain an internal combustion engine for propelling the motor vehicle 10. This makes it particularly easy to provide the installation space for the container 12 in the front section 14. However, even if the motor vehicle 10 is designed, for example, as a sports car with a rear engine, the following can be done as described in Fig. 1 shown in the front carriage 14 the container 12 having the evaporator 18 for receiving the transported goods is arranged.

[0045] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 28 is fed in the refrigerant circuit 20 to a refrigerant cooler 30, the location of which is in the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10 in Fig. Figure 1 is shown schematically. Depending on the refrigerant used, the refrigerant cooler 30 can be configured as a condenser or as a gas cooler. For example, if the refrigerant R1234yf is used in the refrigerant circuit 20, the refrigerant cooler 30 can be configured as a condenser in which the hot refrigerant coming from the compressor 28 is cooled and liquefied. The cooled, in particular condensed or liquefied, refrigerant is then fed in the refrigerant circuit 20 to the expansion device 22, which is located upstream of the evaporator 18.

[0046] The application of cooling air 34 to an inlet side 32 of the refrigerant cooler 30 is in Fig. Figure 1 shows schematically, with the cooling air 34 represented as an arrow or flow arrow. The exhaust air, heated by passing through the refrigerant cooler 30, or a corresponding air mass flow 36, is shown in Fig. 1 illustrated by another arrow. This heated exhaust air from the refrigerant cooler 30 can be discharged into the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10 via an outlet opening 38. This is shown in Fig. 1 illustrated by another arrow 40.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 1 also shows a front-mounted cooling air inlet 42 of the motor vehicle 10, through which, when the motor vehicle 10 is moving forward, the cooling air 34 can reach the airflow side 32 of the refrigerant cooler 30. The cooling air inlet 42 is formed in the front end of the motor vehicle 10, in this case in a lower region of the front end.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerant cooler 30, located mostly below the container 12 in the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10, can be inclined to a plane defined by the vehicle's vertical axis z and transverse axis y. The vehicle's vertical axis z, transverse axis y, and longitudinal axis x are approximately at Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2 illustrated by a respective coordinate system.

[0049] The use of the evaporator 18 for actively cooling the receiving space 24 of the container 12 is particularly easy to accomplish in this case because the refrigerant circuit 20 with the compressor 28 is already installed in the motor vehicle 10. Operating the compressor 28 ensures, in particular, that a (in Fig. 1 (only schematically and partially indicated) passenger compartment 44 of the motor vehicle 10 can be cooled or air-conditioned.

[0050] To this end, according to Fig. 1. The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a further evaporator designed as an interior evaporator 46, which is integrated into the refrigerant circuit 20. The interior evaporator 46 is designed to cool an airflow during air conditioning operation of the refrigerant circuit 20, which can be introduced into the passenger compartment 44 of the motor vehicle 10. The refrigerant supplied to the interior evaporator 46 can be expanded by means of a further expansion device 48 of the refrigerant circuit 20.

[0051] For example, at a first junction 50 or first branch point of the refrigerant circuit 20, refrigerant coming from the refrigerant cooler 30 can be supplied to both the expansion unit 22 and the further expansion unit 48. Likewise, it is possible to expand the refrigerant delivered by the compressor 28 exclusively by means of the expansion unit 22 upstream of the evaporator 18 (i.e., the first expansion unit 22) or by means of the further expansion unit 48 (i.e., the second expansion unit 48). Thus, partial flows of the total refrigerant delivered by the compressor 28 can be supplied to the evaporator 18, which is located in the container 12, and to the interior evaporator 46. Alternatively, the entire mass flow of refrigerant delivered by the compressor 28 can be supplied to the evaporator 18 located in the container 12 or to the interior evaporator 46.Such operating modes of the refrigerant circuit 20 can be set by actuating the expansion devices 22, 48.

[0052] The refrigerant coming from the interior evaporator 46 can be introduced into a return line of the refrigerant circuit 20 at a second junction 52 or second branch point of the refrigerant circuit 20. The expanded refrigerant can be discharged from the evaporator 18 located in the container 12 via the return line and supplied to the suction side 26 of the compressor 28.

[0053] By using the evaporator 18, preferably provided in addition to the interior evaporator 46, in the front trunk or container 12, the front trunk can be actively and dynamically cooled. This is because in the Fig. In the installation situation shown in Figure 1, in which the trunk assembly 16 is mounted in the front section 14 of the motor vehicle 10, the evaporator 18 arranged in the container 12 is integrated into the refrigerant circuit 20.

[0054] The motor vehicle 10 can have a control element 56, preferably arranged in the passenger compartment 44, by means of which a user of the motor vehicle 10, in particular the driver of the motor vehicle 10, can switch on or activate the cooling operation of the trunk arrangement 16 as desired, or switch it off or deactivate it.

[0055] For example, by actuating the control element 56, the expansion device 22 can be moved from a closed position to an open position, in which at least a partial flow of the refrigerant delivered by the compressor 28 enters the evaporator 18, which is located in the container 12. If the expansion device 22 is moved to a closed position by actuating the control element 56, the active cooling of the front trunk can be prevented or stopped.

[0056] It is also possible that the occupant or user of the motor vehicle 10 is given the opportunity to adjust the cooling capacity of the evaporator 18 arranged in the container 12 via the control element 56, for example by appropriately controlling the first expansion device 22, which is preferably infinitely variable.

[0057] Out of Fig. Figure 1 shows that the container 12 can comprise a tub section 58 and a lid element 60. The lid element 60 can be pivotally mounted on the tub section 58 about a pivot axis 62. A pivoting movement of the lid element 60 when moving it into an open position is shown in Figure 1. Fig. Figure 1 is illustrated by a curved arrow 65. The tub section 58 and the lid element 60 together form a housing which defines the receiving space 24 of the container 12.

[0058] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a partial and schematic section of the container 12 in which the evaporator 18 is arranged. Accordingly, the evaporator 18 is arranged on an inner side 64 of a wall 66 of the housing. Furthermore, according to Fig. 2. The evaporator 18 is covered by a cover element 68 towards the receiving chamber 24, so that the evaporator 18 is not exposed or freely accessible in the receiving chamber 24. The cover element 68, which is designed in the form of a thin plate, can be arranged as shown in Fig. 2 shown schematically, for example, fixed to the wall 66 by means of screws 70.

[0059] Out of Fig. 2 further shows that the tub part 58 and the cover element 60 preferably comprise a thermally insulating insulating material 72. The insulating material 72 can be, according to Fig. 2 be applied to the outside of an inner lining 74 of the container 12, wherein the inner lining 74 may, for example, be made of a self-rigid plastic or hard plastic.

[0060] The preferred use of insulating material 72 ensures particularly good thermal insulation of the container 12. This allows, for example, warm food and / or beverages to be kept warm in the receiving chamber 24 with minimal effort, even without operating the evaporator 18. Similarly, the transported goods, such as pre-chilled food and / or beverages, can be passively cooled very easily, even if the evaporator 18 is not operated. However, by operating the evaporator 18, active cooling of the transported goods can be achieved, which can be accommodated in the receiving chamber 24 of the container 12. The thermally insulating insulating material 72 ensures, in particular, that the cooling effect of the evaporator 18 is especially efficient. Furthermore, the insulating material 72 enables the passive cooling or warming of food and beverages in the receiving chamber 24 with minimal effort.

[0061] According to Fig. 2. The container 12 can have an outlet 76, which is designed as a condensate drain. Accordingly, condensate 78 can be directed into the surroundings of the container 12 via the outlet 76. The condensate 78 can form on the evaporator 18 during the cooling operation of the trunk assembly 16, as moisture condenses on the evaporator 18.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a first connecting part 80 of the container 12, schematically shown, by means of which the trunk arrangement 16 can be fixed to a corresponding retaining element 82 of the motor vehicle 10. The retaining element 82 can be arranged on a vehicle-side bracket or similar structural component 84, which is located in Fig. 2 is shown schematically.

[0063] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 2 shows a screw 86. By means of the screw 86 or a similar fastening element, the connecting part 80 can be fixed to the corresponding retaining element 82 of the motor vehicle 10. In this way, the evaporator 18 can also be very easily and reliably coupled to a supply line 88 of the refrigerant circuit 20, whereby the refrigerant, expanded by means of the expansion device 22, can be introduced into the evaporator 18 via the supply line 88.

[0064] In an analogous manner as in Fig. 1 for the supply line 88, can be connected via a further connection part 90, which is in Fig. Figure 3 shows an outlet of the evaporator 18 with the return line (compare Fig. 1) of the refrigerant circuit 20. The expanded refrigerant can be discharged from the evaporator 18 via the return line and supplied to the suction side 26 of the compressor 28. Connection pieces of the supply line 88 and the return line can be arranged within the respective connection part 82, 90 (compare Fig. 2).

[0065] In Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows the screw 92 belonging to the further or second connecting part 90. Thus, by loosening the screws 86, 92, or similar fastening elements, the entire trunk assembly 16 can be easily disassembled, for example, for maintenance of components located in the front section 14 of the vehicle 10 below the container 12. Such components are more easily accessible when the trunk assembly 16 is removed. After removing the trunk assembly 16, any necessary maintenance work in the front section 14 can therefore be carried out with minimal effort, without the container 12 being an obstacle.

[0066] According to Fig. 3. The evaporator 18 can, for example, be designed as a meandering, curved pipe. The pipe can, for example, be made of copper or a copper alloy. In Fig. For clarity, the cover element 68 is not shown in Figure 3. However, in Fig. 3 the screws 70 shown, with which the cover element 68 is fixed to the wall 66.

[0067] Before any modification of the front trunk, it is advisable to first close the expansion device 22 and another shut-off device (not shown here), preferably located in the return line and designed as a valve. After closing these shut-off devices, a section of the refrigerant circuit 20 encompassing the evaporator 18 can be easily evacuated to prepare for the removal of the trunk assembly 16 by extracting the refrigerant from the section located between the shut-off devices. After reinstalling the trunk assembly 16 in the vehicle 10, only the section of the refrigerant circuit 20 between these shut-off devices needs to be refilled with refrigerant. This is advantageous.

[0068] Overall, the examples show how an actively cooled front trunk or refrigerated frunk can be provided.

Claims

[1] Trunk arrangement (16) for a front section (14) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a container (12) for receiving transported goods, and a cooling device for cooling the transported goods, wherein the cooling device is designed as an evaporator (18) of a refrigerant circuit (20), and wherein refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator (18) in a cooling operation of the trunk arrangement (16), which can be expanded by means of an expansion device (22) of the refrigerant circuit (20), characterized by , that the container (12) has at least one connecting part (80, 90) via which the trunk arrangement (16) can be fixed to at least one corresponding retaining element (82) of the motor vehicle (10), wherein by fixing the at least one connecting part (80) to the at least one corresponding retaining element (82) the evaporator (18) can be coupled to a supply line (88) of the refrigerant circuit (20) via which the expanded refrigerant can be introduced into the evaporator (18), and / or by fixing the at least one connecting part (90) to the at least one corresponding retaining element the evaporator (18) can be coupled to a return line of the refrigerant circuit (20) via which the expanded refrigerant can be discharged from the evaporator (18) and supplied to a suction side (26) of a compressor (28) of the refrigerant circuit (20). [2] Trunk arrangement (16) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the container (12) comprises a housing which defines a receiving space (24) for the transported goods, wherein the evaporator (18) is arranged on an inside (64) of a wall (66) of the housing. [3] Trunk arrangement (16) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the evaporator (18) is at least partially covered by a cover element (68) of the trunk assembly (16) towards the receiving space (24). [4] Trunk arrangement (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the container (12) has an outlet (76) through which condensate (78) accumulating at the evaporator (18) during cooling operation can be directed into an environment of the container (12). [5] Trunk arrangement (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the container (12) comprises a tub part (58) and a lid element (60), wherein the tub part (58) and / or the lid element (60) has a thermally insulating insulating material (72). [6] Trunk arrangement (16) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the cover element (60) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (62) into an open position. [7] Motor vehicle (10) with a trunk arrangement (16) according to one of the preceding claims, or motor vehicle (10) with a trunk arrangement (16) which is housed in a front section (14) of the motor vehicle (10), wherein the trunk arrangement (16) comprises a container (12) for receiving transported goods and a cooling device for cooling the transported goods, wherein the cooling device is designed as an evaporator (18) of a refrigerant circuit (20), wherein refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator (18) in a cooling operation of the trunk arrangement (16), which can be expanded by means of an expansion device (22) of the refrigerant circuit (20), wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a further evaporator designed as an interior evaporator (46) which is integrated into the refrigerant circuit (20), wherein the interior evaporator (46) is designed to cool an airflow in an air conditioning operation of the refrigerant circuit (20),which can be placed in a passenger compartment (44) of the motor vehicle (10), and wherein the refrigerant that can be supplied to the interior evaporator (46) can be expanded by means of a further expansion device (48) of the refrigerant circuit (20). [8] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 7, wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a control element (56) by means of which the cooling operation can be activated, in which the refrigerant expanded by means of the expansion device (22) of the refrigerant circuit (20) can be supplied to the evaporator (18) of the trunk arrangement (16). [9] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 8, characterized by, that a compressor (28) and a refrigerant cooler (30) are integrated into the refrigerant circuit (20), wherein the refrigerant cooler (30) can be supplied with cooling air (34) for the purpose of cooling the refrigerant supplied to the expansion device (22), and wherein the cooling air (34) can be supplied to the refrigerant cooler (30) via a front cooling air inlet (42) of the motor vehicle (10).

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