motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine (4) with a downstream exhaust system (6) comprising an exhaust pipe (7), and a body (2) with two hollow side sills (3), wherein the exhaust pipe (7) is arranged at least partially inside a side sill (3), wherein the side sill (3) has an air inlet opening (11) through which cooling air enters the side sill (3) via the exhaust pipe (7), and an air outlet opening (14) through which the air exits the side sill (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine with a downstream exhaust system comprising an exhaust pipe, and a body with two hollow side sills, wherein the exhaust pipe is arranged at least partially inside the side sill.

[0002] Modern vehicles are mostly electric, meaning they have a sufficiently sized energy storage system, usually located in the underbody between the two side sills. Sometimes, such a battery-electric vehicle is also equipped with a range extender, which is a small combustion engine that increases the vehicle's range. This combustion engine typically drives a generator that produces electricity, which is then stored in the energy storage system. An exhaust system is connected to the combustion engine because its operation produces exhaust gases that must be expelled. The exhaust system usually includes the exhaust manifold and the downpipe, followed by the exhaust pipe.For example, it is known from DE 10 2018 213 673 A1 to route the exhaust pipe, at least partially, through a side sill, which is inherently a hollow component into which such a pipe can be integrated. This is because, due to the use of the typically relatively large energy storage unit in the underbody area between the side sills, there is not necessarily sufficient space there for integrating the exhaust pipe. The hot exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust pipe heats up the pipe itself, and consequently also the air inside the side sill, which can create an unwanted heat source that can, for example, radiate into the interior of the vehicle.

[0003] The invention is based on the problem of specifying an improved motor vehicle.

[0004] To solve the problem, the invention provides that in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, the side sill has an air inlet opening through which cooling air from the exhaust pipe enters the side sill, and an air outlet opening through which the air exits the side sill.

[0005] The side sill provided according to the invention is thus equipped with two defined openings that allow air to flow axially through the side sill, thereby dissipating heat accumulating inside the hollow side sill and / or cooling the exhaust pipe running there. This prevents heat build-up and the creation of an unwanted heat source.

[0006] In principle, it is conceivable that both openings, i.e., the air intake and the air outlet, are permanently open, meaning that air flows into and out of the side sill whenever the vehicle is moving. However, a more practical design incorporates a reversible inlet closing element that opens and closes the air intake. This inlet closing element, which can be activated as needed, allows the air intake in the side sill to be opened or closed as required, thus controlling whether cooling air flows into and through the side sill. This enables cooling to occur only when necessary or desired.This design therefore offers the possibility of utilizing the heat generated in the side sill, if needed, to heat, for example, a vehicle component such as a heat exchanger of the vehicle's energy storage system (preferably a battery-electric vehicle) or the vehicle's interior. This is particularly relevant when low ambient temperatures are specified, meaning cooling is either not required or will only be necessary at a later time, allowing the waste heat generated, at least until then, to be utilized. If sufficiently high temperatures are present or the situation changes, the air intake opening can be opened by actuating the intake closing element, resulting in active airflow and thus active cooling.

[0007] Alternatively or additionally, an outlet closing element that reversibly opens and closes the air outlet opening can also be provided. This means that, alternatively or additionally, the air outlet opening can also be opened or closed as needed. It will naturally open when the air intake opening (provided it can be reversibly opened and closed) is also open, in order to allow airflow. It will close when the air intake opening is also closed, so that the air in the side sill can warm up.

[0008] Such a closing element, whether an inlet closing element or an outlet closing element, can be designed in various ways. It can be, for example, a louvered arrangement, a cover, a shutter, a movable spoiler, and the like – in other words, any type of element designed and engineered to fulfill the corresponding closing and opening function.

[0009] The inlet closing element and / or the outlet closing element can be actuated by an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic drive. A mechanical drive is therefore fundamentally provided, enabling the automatic movement of the respective closing element from the open position to the closed position and back. This allows for the automation of the opening and closing operation, which can be fully automated, i.e., without human interaction, or at least partially automated, with human interaction, for example, when a specific temperature control function or desired temperature setting is selected, thus initiating the opening and closing operation.

[0010] According to a suitable further development, an air guide device can be provided through which air can be directed to the air intake opening. This air guide device makes it possible to direct air to the air intake opening in a controlled manner, ensuring a focused airflow. Such an air guide device can, in turn, be designed as a suitable aerodynamic element, for example, in the form of a louver, a plate, a spoiler, etc. – in other words, any device that guides the incoming airflow in a controlled manner. Modern motor vehicles often have an air guide device in the area of ​​the front wheels, also known as an aerodynamic "air curtain," which is described, for example, in DE 103 59 009 A1, CN 2 19 154 608 U, or EP 3 875 298 A1.Such an air guidance system makes it possible to direct the airflow precisely to reduce turbulence in the area of ​​the front wheels and thus improve aerodynamic drag, which has a positive effect on energy efficiency. Such an air guidance system is typically used to draw in air through inlet openings at the front of the vehicle and direct this air through channels to the front wheels. There, the air is expelled through vertical slots into the inner fender, creating an air curtain that flows around the wheels and reduces turbulence. The invention addresses this by extending such an air guidance system to direct air specifically to the air intake opening of the side sill. This can be achieved by providing one or more additional aerodynamic elements that guide the air precisely to the air intake opening.

[0011] The air guide device can be adjusted between a position in which the air is directed towards the air inlet opening and a position in which the air is directed past the air inlet opening. This is therefore again an actively controlled device that allows for active manipulation of the airflow.

[0012] The air guidance device can be adjusted via an electric drive, a hydraulic drive, or a dramatic drive, i.e., the respective aerodynamic element such as the louver arrangement, the air guide plate, and similar components can be adjusted automatically.

[0013] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for at least one temperature sensor, via which the drive of the inlet closing element, the drive of the outlet closing element, and / or the drive of the air guide device can be controlled by a control device. Thus, at least one, and preferably several, temperature sensors are used, via which a temperature at a specific position can be measured. If several sensors are used, the temperature can be measured at different positions.It is conceivable to install a temperature sensor on the vehicle exterior, in the powertrain, or in the interior to measure, for example, the ambient temperature, exhaust gas temperature, or interior temperature. Based on this temperature, the control units could then decide whether to actuate the actuator for the intake closing element, the exhaust closing element, or the air guide mechanism. This would allow them to close or be positioned so that no air flows through the side sill, thus preventing the air inside the sill from warming up. This heat could then be used, for example, to warm the interior or the battery. Conversely, the sill could be opened, allowing an active airflow through it, if the waste heat is not to be used and the exhaust pipe needs to be cooled instead.

[0014] Furthermore, a heat exchanger can be integrated into the exhaust system to extract heat from the exhaust gas, which can then be used, for example, to heat the vehicle's interior or energy storage system. As described above, the heat from the exhaust gas can also be used specifically to heat different areas or components, such as the interior or the energy storage system. To extract heat from the exhaust gas, a heat exchanger can be used, which is appropriately integrated into the exhaust system. If the side sill is closed, meaning that the exhaust pipe within the side sill, and consequently the exhaust gas within it, is not actively cooled by the airflow in the side sill, then warm exhaust gas inevitably enters the heat exchanger, which can extract heat from the exhaust gas that can then be used to heat other areas or components.

[0015] The heat exchanger can either be located within the side sill itself, thus being directly integrated into the exhaust pipe within the side sill. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can also be located outside the side sill, adjacent to it, and connected to the exhaust pipe coming from or running into the side sill.

[0016] The system can be controlled via suitable control devices, with temperature sensors detecting the relevant temperatures of the exhaust system, the environment, the interior, or the energy storage unit, thus enabling appropriate system control depending on the sensor configuration. It is also conceivable to detect the airflow or flow within the side sill using a sensor, as this allows the determination of the air volume flowing through the side sill. This information can then be used to adjust the inlet and outlet closing elements accordingly, since both elements can be positioned in any intermediate position, thereby varying the respective inlet and outlet cross-sections of the air inlet and outlet openings. The air guide device or "air curtain" can also be controlled in this way, if required.The control can be based on suitable algorithms to adjust the air supply based on the vehicle's operating conditions, i.e., an adaptation system is provided that is able to react to appropriately changed boundary conditions.

[0017] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawing. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 A schematic representation of a side sill with air inlet opening and air outlet opening, as well as associated inlet closing element and outlet closing element, and an air guide device, with a closed side sill, and Fig. 3 the arrangement from Fig. 2 with open side sill.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising a body 2 with two hollow side sills 3 extending along both sides of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, wherein in Fig. Figure 1 shows only a side sill 3. The motor vehicle 1 is a battery-electric motor vehicle, for which an electric drive 21 is provided, which is supplied from an energy storage device 8.

[0019] Furthermore, an internal combustion engine 4 is provided, which serves as a "range extender" and, when required, drives a generator 5 that produces electricity, which is then stored in the energy storage unit 3 to extend the overall range as needed. Downstream of the internal combustion engine 4 is an exhaust system 6 comprising a manifold assembly and a downpipe, neither of which are shown in detail, as well as an exhaust pipe 7 connected to the downpipe, which is routed at least partially through and exits the single hollow side sill 3. Exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine 4 can thus be routed through the side sill 3, meaning that the exhaust pipe 7 is integrated into the side sill 3 and does not require any installation space in the area between the side sills 3, where the large-volume energy storage unit 8 is located.

[0020] Furthermore, an air guidance device 9 is provided, which is, for example, an "air curtain" whose basic function is to draw in air through inlet openings at the front of the vehicle and to direct this air through channels to the adjacent front wheel 10. There, the air flows out through vertical slots into the inner fender so that it flows around the adjacent front wheel and reduces turbulence.

[0021] Fig- 2 shows a more detailed schematic representation of a controllable cooling device, by means of which the exhaust pipe 7 can be actively cooled as required.

[0022] Shown is the hollow side sill 3, usually made of steel, and the exhaust pipe 7, which runs through it and exits it. The side sill 3 has an air inlet opening 11, to which an inlet closing element 12 is assigned, for example a cover or a flap or the like, which can be actuated by an actuator 13 and can be reversibly adjusted between a closed position, in which the air inlet opening 11 is closed, and an open position, in which the air inlet opening 11 is open, whereby any intermediate position can also be set.

[0023] Furthermore, an air outlet opening 14 is provided on the side sill 3, to which an outlet closing element 15 is assigned, for example, a cover or flap or similar, which can be actuated by an actuator 16 and can be reversibly adjusted between a closed position, in which the air outlet opening 14 is closed, and an open position, in which the air outlet opening 14 is open, with any intermediate position also being possible. The two actuators 13 and 16 are controlled by a control device 17. By actuating the inlet closing element 12 and the outlet closing element 15, it can therefore be controlled whether air can flow through the side sill 3 at all or not, i.e., whether the exhaust pipe 7 in the side sill 3 is cooled by air flow or not. Fig. Figure 2 shows the inlet closing element 12 and the outlet closing element 15, each in the closed position.

[0024] Several temperature sensors 18 are assigned to and communicate with the control unit 17. These sensors are distributed at different positions within the vehicle and measure different temperatures. For example, one temperature sensor 18 can measure the ambient temperature, another the exhaust gas temperature, yet another the interior temperature of the passenger compartment, and another the temperature of the energy storage unit 8. The control unit 17, which has suitable control software and / or algorithms, is able to control the actuators 13 and 16 accordingly, based on the information from the temperature sensors 18, and thus open or close the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 14 as required.

[0025] Also shown is the front wheel 10 and the adjacent or associated air guide device 9. In the initial example shown, the air guide device 9, i.e., the "air curtain," directs the air around the outside of the front wheel in the manner of an air curtain, as indicated by the arrows P. The air guide device 9 also communicates with the control device 17, which controls a corresponding aerodynamic device 19, either part of the air guide device 9 or associated with it, and which allows the airflow emitted by the air guide device 9 to be modified as needed.

[0026] Furthermore, a heat exchanger 20 is provided, which is connected to the exhaust pipe 7 in a position where it has already exited the side sill 3. However, the heat exchanger 20 can also be integrated into the side sill 3 if required. It allows heat to be extracted from the exhaust gas and, as indicated by arrow P1, transferred to other elements for heating, for example, the interior of the vehicle or the energy storage unit 8.

[0027] While Fig. 2 shows the arrangement in the closed position of the inlet closing element 12 and the outlet closing element 15. Fig. 3 the arrangement in which both the inlet closing element 12 and the outlet closing element 15 are in the open position; they have thus been moved accordingly by actuating the actuators 13, 16 via the control devices 17. The air inlet opening 11 at one end of the side sill 3 is clearly open, as is the air outlet opening 14 at the other end of the side sill 3. The control device 17 has also actuated the aerodynamic device 19, so that the air no longer flows through the air guide device 9 as in Fig. 2 shown, is not directed past the outside of the front wheel 3, but is blown out on the inside, in the direction of the open air intake opening 12, so that, as arrows P2 show, the air flows into the air intake opening 11 and along the side sill 3 and this, as Fig.Figure 3 shows that the air also exits through the air outlet opening 14. During this flow, the air passes by the exhaust pipe 7 and inevitably carries along the heat radiated from it, thus cooling the exhaust pipe 7 and consequently the exhaust gas flowing into it.

[0028] As described, the exhaust pipe 7 runs section by section through at least one of the side sills 3. To secure it there, suitable coupling elements, particularly made of elastic material, can be provided. These elements serve both to support the exhaust pipe 7 within the side sill 3 and to provide vibration isolation, preventing any vibrations of the exhaust pipe 7 from being transmitted to the side sill 3 and thus to the vehicle body 2. Insulating plates and similar components can also be provided within the side sill 3 to control heat dissipation towards the adjacent energy storage unit 8.

[0029] The air flows through the side sill 3 as described, which may have corresponding guide vanes or similar channel-like structures inside that are optimized with regard to aerodynamics in order to maximize the airflow and to achieve the best possible heat transfer from the warm exhaust pipe 7 to the cooling air.

[0030] The air intake opening 11, of which there may be several in the area of ​​the front end of the side sill 3, is also aerodynamically optimized to efficiently capture the incoming airflow. The one or more air intake openings 11 are designed to maximize airflow while minimizing drag. The shape of the one or more air intake openings is also relevant in ensuring an even distribution of air along its flow path within the side sill 3. Similarly, the air outlet opening 14, of which there may also be several, is aerodynamically designed and optimized to minimize airflow resistance and ensure efficient ventilation.

[0031] The operation of the entire cooling system is controlled as described by the control unit 17, preferably depending on the relevant temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 18. The control unit 17 is able to decide, for example, depending on the ambient temperature, whether active cooling of the exhaust pipe 7 in the side sill 3 is required at all. At cold temperatures, this is not necessary, which allows the heat from the hot exhaust gas, which is not actively cooled in the side sill 3, to be extracted via the heat exchanger 20 and used for other purposes.As the ambient temperature increases or becomes sufficiently high, active cooling may be required. For this purpose, the corresponding openings on the side sill 3 are opened by actuating the actuators 13 and 16 accordingly. These actuators then electromechanically, pneumatically, or hydraulically actuate the inlet closing element 12 and the outlet closing element 15, as well as the aerodynamic device 19. This can also occur if the exhaust pipe 7 becomes excessively hot, which can be detected by a temperature sensor 18.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine (4) with a downstream exhaust system (6) comprising an exhaust pipe (7), and a body (2) with two hollow side sills (3), wherein the exhaust pipe (7) is arranged at least partially inside a side sill (3), characterized by , that the side sill (3) has an air inlet opening (11) through which the exhaust pipe (7) allows cooling air to enter the side sill (3), and an air outlet opening (14) through which the air exits the side sill (3). [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that an inlet closing element (12) is provided which reversibly opens and closes the air inlet opening (11). [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that an outlet closing element (15) is provided which reversibly opens and closes the air outlet opening (14). [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the inlet closing element (12) and / or the outlet closing element (15) can be adjusted via an electric drive (13, 16) or a hydraulic drive or a pneumatic drive. [5] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an air guidance device (9) is provided, through which air can be directed to the air inlet opening (11). [6] Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by , that the air guidance device (9) can be set between a position in which the air can be directed to the air inlet opening (11) and a position in which it can be directed past the air inlet opening (11). [7] Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized by , that the air guidance device (9) can be adjusted via an electric drive or a hydraulic drive or a pneumatic drive. [8] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 5, or according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by, that at least one temperature sensor (18) is provided, via which the drive (13) of the inlet closing element (12), the drive (16) of the outlet closing element (15) and / or the drive of the air guide device (9) can be controlled via a control device (17). [9] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one heat exchanger (20) connected in the exhaust system (6) is provided, through which heat is extracted from the exhaust gas. [10] Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized by that the heat exchanger (20) is arranged in the side sill (3) or is arranged adjacent to the side sill (3).

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