AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioning system for a rail vehicle, in particular a battery-powered one.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating an air conditioning system.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product that is to be used in a computer of an air conditioning system for a rail vehicle, in particular a battery-powered one.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program product is recorded.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a battery-powered rail vehicle comprising an air conditioning system.

[0006] In battery-powered rail vehicles, the energy consumption of all technical components plays a crucial role. To increase the vehicles' range, all technical components should operate as efficiently as possible. The air conditioning system, as one of the main electrical consumers, plays a key role in this. However, especially during partial load operation, when full cooling capacity is not required, the efficiency of the air conditioning units is very inefficient. For cost reasons, a frequency converter to reduce energy consumption is often omitted.

[0007] Currently, a bypass control is used during partial load operation. The excess energy therefore remains unused.

[0008] Document DE 10 2018 130 726 A1 relates to a method for operating an electrically powered vehicle, in particular an electrically powered rail vehicle, and a corresponding vehicle.

[0009] Documents EP 2 050 611 A1 and EP 3 103 675 A1 relate to a control device for an electric vehicle with an electrical energy storage system.

[0010] Document EP 3 725 636 A1 concerns a generic air conditioning system.

[0011] Based on this, the invention aims to create an air conditioning system that temporarily allows for more efficient operation.

[0012] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by the method of claim 7, the computer program product of claim 13, the computer-readable recording medium of claim 14, and the rail vehicle of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, an air conditioning system is provided for a rail vehicle, in particular a battery-powered one. The air conditioning system comprises a refrigeration circuit, a climate control unit, and an overhead line detection device. The overhead line detection device is configured to detect whether the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line. The overhead line detection device is further configured to send at least one signal to the climate control unit. The climate control unit is further configured to operate the air conditioning system in different operating modes depending on the at least one signal.

[0014] The invention further provides a method for operating an air conditioning system for a rail vehicle, particularly a battery-powered one. The air conditioning system comprises a refrigeration circuit, a climate control unit, and an overhead line detection device. The method comprises the following steps: detecting whether the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line using the overhead line detection device, sending a signal to the climate control unit using the overhead line detection device, and operating the air conditioning system in different operating modes using the climate control unit depending on the at least one signal.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the invention, a computer program product is provided for use in a computer of an air conditioning system for a rail vehicle, in particular a battery-powered one. The air conditioning system comprises a refrigeration circuit, a climate control unit, and an overhead line detection device. When executed, the computer program product causes the computer of the air conditioning system to carry out a method for operating an air conditioning system according to the invention or as described below.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention, a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program product is recorded is provided. The computer program product, when implemented in an air conditioning system for a rail vehicle, particularly a battery-powered one, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a refrigeration circuit, the climate control unit, and an overhead line detection device, is suitable for causing the computer of the air conditioning system to carry out a method for controlling an air conditioning system according to the invention or as described below.

[0017] According to the invention, a battery-powered rail vehicle is further provided, comprising an air conditioning system according to the invention or further developed as described below. The rail vehicle includes at least one traction battery.

[0018] The invention proposes to optimize the control of the air conditioning system in such a way as to ensure the most efficient operation possible.

[0019] For this purpose, the overhead line detection device generates corresponding signals which are sent to the climate control units, allowing the air conditioning system to operate in different modes. Thus, depending on the presence of an overhead line, the air conditioning system can be operated in different modes.

[0020] The climate control unit is designed to control and / or regulate the components of the climate system.

[0021] Further development of the air conditioning system may provide that the air conditioning system has an overhead line operating mode and a battery operating mode and can be operated selectively in either the overhead line operating mode or the battery operating mode.

[0022] The following step may be included in the design of the procedure: Optionally operating the air conditioning system in an overhead line operating mode or in a battery operating mode.

[0023] The battery operating mode is designed to ensure the most efficient operation possible with the lowest possible energy consumption. In other words, the battery operating mode is an eco-mode designed to consume less energy than the overhead line operating mode.

[0024] The overhead line operating mode is designed in such a way that the maximum possible comfort conditions can be guaranteed with high control accuracy and very low fluctuations in interior temperature.

[0025] In the design of the air conditioning system, it may also be provided that the overhead line detection device is configured to send a first signal to the climate control device when it detects that the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line, and a second signal when it does not detect that the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line.

[0026] The method can be configured as follows: sending a first signal to the climate control unit when the overhead line detection device detects that the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line and / or sending a second signal to the climate control unit when the overhead line detection device does not detect that the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line.

[0027] The overhead line detection device is designed to detect whether the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line or not. If energization by an overhead line is detected, the overhead line detection device outputs a first signal. If no energization by an overhead line is detected, the overhead line detection device outputs a second signal. The first signal and / or the second signal is sent to the climate control unit, enabling the climate control unit to operate the climate system depending on whether the vehicle is energized by an overhead line.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the air conditioning system can provide that the climate control device is configured to operate the air conditioning system in overhead line mode upon receipt of the first signal and in battery mode upon receipt of the second signal.

[0029] Furthermore, the method can be characterized by the following step: operating the air conditioning system upon receipt of the first signal in overhead line operating mode and / or operating the air conditioning system upon receipt of the second signal in battery operating mode.

[0030] This ensures that upon receiving the first signal, the air conditioning system operates in overhead line mode, thereby guaranteeing the greatest possible comfort with regard to the air conditioning of the vehicle interior.

[0031] The air conditioning system provides that the refrigeration circuit has at least one compressor with a bypass and a bypass valve, the bypass valve being controllable by the climate control device, so that the performance of the air conditioning system is controllable by the at least one bypass.

[0032] Furthermore, the procedure provides that the refrigeration circuit has at least one bypass with a bypass valve, the bypass valve being controlled by the climate control device, so that the performance of the climate system is regulated by the at least one bypass.

[0033] This specifies a design that allows the compressor's performance to be regulated.

[0034] Further development of the air conditioning system may include a provision that the climate control device is configured to regulate the bypass valve in overhead line mode.

[0035] The procedure can further provide that the climate control device regulates the bypass valve in overhead line mode.

[0036] In such a bypass operation in overhead line mode when the vehicle is operated with an external power supply (on an overhead line), the climate control system can continue to be operated with the less efficient bypass control in order to ensure the maximum possible comfort conditions with high control quality and very low interior temperature fluctuations.

[0037] The performance of the climate control system can be regulated by opening the bypass valve.

[0038] Furthermore, the design of the air conditioning system may include a provision that the climate control device is configured to lock the bypass valve in battery operating mode and that the compressor can only be operated at a full load operating point in battery operating mode.

[0039] The system can be configured so that the climate control unit blocks the bypass valve in battery mode, and the compressor operates only at full load during battery mode. Battery mode is an "eco mode" in which the bypass is blocked and cannot be used when there is no external power supply (i.e., during battery mode). This means the compressor can only be switched on and off without partial load stages, ensuring the air conditioning system always operates at its most efficient point. Even though this slightly reduces control accuracy and slightly increases indoor temperature fluctuations, the necessary comfort level can still be maintained.

[0040] In the case of a hot gas bypass, a defined portion of the hot gas is recirculated back into the suction line downstream of the compressor. This reduces the available cooling capacity, but the power consumption of the compressors remains constant.

[0041] If two compressors are used, in battery operation mode, the first and second compressors can be switched on and off alternately with short pauses. To reduce the average cooling capacity, both compressors can be switched off briefly.

[0042] The invention will now be explained using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the air conditioning system according to the invention.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows an air conditioning system 10 for a rail vehicle, in particular a battery-powered one. The air conditioning system comprises a refrigeration circuit 100, a climate control unit 110, and an overhead line detection device 120.

[0045] The overhead line detection device 120 is designed to detect whether the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line.

[0046] Furthermore, the overhead line detection device 120 is configured to send at least one signal S 1 , S 2 to the climate control device 110, and the climate control device 110 is configured to operate the air conditioning system 10 in different operating modes depending on the at least one signal S 1 , S 2.

[0047] The air conditioning system 10 has an overhead line operating mode and a battery operating mode and can be operated selectively in either the overhead line or the battery operating mode. The climate control unit 110 controls and regulates the air conditioning system 10 and operates it in either the overhead line or the battery operating mode.

[0048] The climate control system 10 comprises at least one refrigeration circuit 10. The refrigeration circuit 10 can comprise one or more piping systems. According to Fig. 1, the refrigeration circuit comprises two piping systems.

[0049] Refrigeration circuit 100 comprises a compressor 106, an evaporator 108, and a condenser 109, which are interconnected by one of the piping systems. Each piping system is connected to a compressor 106, an evaporator 108, and a condenser 109.

[0050] The compressor 106, at least one of which has a bypass 102 with a bypass valve 104, is controlled by the climate control unit 110, so that the output of the climate control system 10 can be controlled via the climate control unit 110 through the bypass 102.

[0051] The climate control unit 110 is designed to control the bypass valve 102 in overhead line mode.

[0052] Furthermore, the climate control unit 110 is configured to lock the bypass valve 102 in battery operating mode and to ensure that the compressor 106 can only be operated at a full load operating point in battery operating mode.

[0053] The overhead line detection device 120 is designed to send a first signal S 1 to the climate control device 110 when it detects that the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line, and a second signal S 2 when it does not detect that the rail vehicle is energized by an overhead line.

[0054] For signal transmission, the overhead line detection device 120 is operationally connected to the climate control unit 110.

[0055] The climate control unit 110 is designed to operate the air conditioning system 10 in overhead line operating mode upon receipt of the first signal S 1 and in battery operating mode upon receipt of the second signal S 2.

Claims

1. Air conditioning system (10) for a, in particular battery-operated, rail vehicle, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a cooling circuit (100), a climate control facility (110) and an overhead line detection apparatus (120), wherein the overhead line detection apparatus (120) is configured to detect whether the rail vehicle is being powered by an overhead line, and the overhead line detection apparatus (120) is configured to transmit at least one signal (S1, S2) to the climate control facility (110), and wherein the climate control facility (110) is configured to operate the air conditioning system (10) in different operating modes as a function of the at least one signal (S1, S2), characterised in that the cooling circuit (100) has at least one compressor (106) with a bypass (102) with a bypass valve (104), wherein the bypass valve (104) can be regulated by the climate control facility (110), so that the output of the air conditioning system (10) can be regulated by the at least one bypass (102).

2. Air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the air conditioning system (10) has an overhead line operating mode and a battery operating mode and can be operated optionally in the overhead line operating mode or the battery operating mode.

3. Air conditioning system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the overhead line detection apparatus (120) is configured, when it is detected that the rail vehicle is being powered by an overhead line, to transmit a first signal (S1) and, when it is not detected that it is being powered by an overhead line, to transmit a second signal (S2) to the climate control facility (110).

4. Air conditioning system (10) according to claim 2 and 3, characterised in that the climate control facility (110) is configured to operate the air conditioning system (10) in the overhead line operating mode when the first signal (S1) is received, and to operate it in the battery operating mode when the second signal (S2) is received.

5. Air conditioning system (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the climate control facility (110) is configured to regulate the bypass valve (104) in the overhead line mode.

6. Air conditioning system (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the climate control facility (110) is configured to block the bypass valve (104) in the battery operating mode and the compressor (106) can only be operated at a full-load operating point in the battery operating mode.

7. Method for operating an air conditioning system (10) for a, in particular battery-operated, rail vehicle, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a cooling circuit (100), a climate control facility (110) and an overhead line detection apparatus (120), wherein the cooling circuit (100) has at least one bypass (102) with a bypass valve (104), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - detection of whether the rail vehicle is being powered by an overhead line by way of the overhead line detection apparatus (120), - transmission of a signal (S1, S2) to the climate control facility (110) by way of the overhead line detection apparatus (120), - operation of the air conditioning system (10) in different operating modes by way of the climate control facility (110) as a function of the at least one signal (S1, S2), wherein the bypass valve (104) is regulated by the climate control facility (110), so that the output of the air conditioning system (10) is regulated by the at least one bypass (102).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterised by the following step: - optional operation of the air conditioning system (10) in an overhead line operating mode or in a battery operating mode.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterised by the following step: - transmission of a first signal (S1) to the climate control facility (110), when it is detected that the rail vehicle is being powered by an overhead line, by way of the overhead line detection apparatus (120), and / or transmission of a second signal (S2) to the climate control facility (110), when it is not detected that it is being powered by an overhead line.

10. Method according to claim 8 and 9, characterised by the following step: - operation of the air conditioning system (10) in the overhead line operating mode when the first signal (S1) is received, and / or operation of the air conditioning system (10) in the battery operating mode when the second signal (S2) is received.

11. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that the climate control facility (110) regulates the bypass valve (104) in the overhead line mode.

12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the climate control facility (110) blocks the bypass valve (104) in the battery operating mode and the compressor (106) is only operated at a full-load operating point in the battery operating mode.

13. Computer program product, which is to be used in a computer of an air conditioning system (10) for a, in particular battery-operated, rail vehicle, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a cooling circuit (100), a climate control facility (110) and an overhead line detection apparatus (120), wherein, on execution, the computer program product prompts the computer of the air conditioning system (10) to perform a method for operating an air conditioning system (10) according to one of claims 7 to 12.

14. Computer-readable recording medium, on which a computer program product according to claim 13 is stored.

15. Battery-operated rail vehicle comprising an air conditioning system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the rail vehicle comprises at least one traction battery.