Heating device for electric motor vehicle.

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating device (1) for an electric motor vehicle designed to produce heat and distribute it to a passenger compartment element (2) in order to warm a passenger seated in the vehicle in the vicinity of the passenger compartment element (2), the device (1) comprising an electrically conductive heating element (7) designed to heat, coupled to a generator element (8) of the device (1) designed to, when connected to an alternating current source (9), generate a variable magnetic field capable of generating induced electric currents in the heating element (7) in order to cause a rise in the temperature of the heating element (7), the device (1) comprising connection means (13) designed to electrically connect the generator element (8) to an alternating current source (9) external to the vehicle. (Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Heating device for an electric motor vehicle.

[0001] The technical field relates to heating devices for electric vehicles, passenger compartment elements incorporating such a heating device, air conditioning systems implementing such a passenger compartment element and electric vehicles equipped with such an air conditioning system.

[0002] Electric vehicles are experiencing growing interest from customers, while their ranges are constantly being improved by car manufacturers. To achieve this, the industrial players involved have invested heavily in the development of new technologies to offer ever more efficient batteries, i.e. batteries offering increased charging speeds, constantly increasing capacities and high energy densities.

[0003] Alongside the improvement of technologies, car manufacturers are also focusing on optimizing the electrical consumption of their vehicles. However, the air conditioner, which regulates the temperature and humidity of the air inside the vehicle, consumes a lot of energy, which is taken from the vehicle's electric batteries. This consumption is not negligible since, when the air conditioner is in operation, the autonomy of electric vehicles is reduced considerably, by up to 25% in hot or cold climates. In a context where car manufacturers are also focusing on the comfort of their vehicles' passengers, the heating of the passenger compartment in cold climates has a significant negative impact on the autonomy of the electric vehicle.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a solution to limit the impact of heating of the passenger compartment and passengers on the autonomy of the electric vehicle.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a heating device designed to constitute a close-range comfort passenger compartment element capable of warming a passenger seated in contact with the passenger compartment element or at a short distance, of the order of a few centimetres to a few tens of centimetres, and having a limited impact on the autonomy of the vehicle.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a heating device for an electric motor vehicle designed to produce heat and distribute it to a passenger compartment element in order to allow the heating of a passenger seated in the vehicle near the passenger compartment element, the device comprising an element electrically conductive heating element designed to heat, coupled to a generating element of the device designed to, when connected to an alternating current source, generate a variable magnetic field capable of generating induced electric currents in the heating element in order to cause a rise in the temperature of the heating element, the device comprising connection means designed to electrically and directly connect the generating element to an alternating current source external to the vehicle.

[0007] The invention also relates to a passenger compartment element designed to equip a motor vehicle, the passenger compartment element comprising at least one heating device according to the invention, the heating element being shaped to heat the passenger compartment element so that the heat produced is transmitted to a passenger.

[0008] The invention also relates to an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle comprising at least one passenger compartment element according to the invention.

[0009] The invention further relates to an electric motor vehicle having at least one air conditioning system according to the invention, the connection means being connected directly to the alternating current source when the vehicle is connected to the alternating current source.

[0010] The invention finally relates to a method for preheating an electric motor vehicle according to the invention, the method comprising a first step consisting of connecting the vehicle to an external alternating current source, the first step being followed by a second step consisting of activating each heating device to produce heat.

[0011] Thus, the heating device makes it possible to obtain a passenger compartment element according to the invention making it possible to heat a part of the body of a passenger and thus provide a feeling of comfort, without requiring heating the entire passenger compartment, or at least making it possible to limit the need to heat the entire passenger compartment. Furthermore, the device according to the invention, thanks to the connection means, makes it possible to take the electrical energy necessary for heating the heating element directly from the alternating current source external to the vehicle. This electrical energy therefore does not pass through the vehicle's battery and therefore has no impact on its autonomy in the short or medium term.The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to propose an air conditioning system and the implementation of the method according to the invention makes it possible to take advantage of the recharging periods to precondition the vehicle using efficient variable magnetic field technology.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the generator element is arranged in a space delimited in part by an insulating material, the space being devoid of insulating material between the generator element and the heating element.

[0013] According to one possibility, the connection means comprise means activation means, designed to enable or interrupt the electrical connection of the generating element when an external alternating current source is connected to the connection means.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the generator element comprises at least one electrical conductor coil.

[0015] According to one possibility, the air conditioning system further comprises a magnetically driven compressor.

[0016] Advantageously, the air conditioning system further comprises a radiant element designed to produce heat radiation when powered by a vehicle battery.

[0017] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a schematic view of a first passenger compartment element according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a schematic view of a second passenger compartment element according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic view of an air conditioning system according to the invention.

[0021] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0022] A heating device 1 according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed to equip a passenger compartment element 2, shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2, in order to produce heat and to diffuse it to the passenger compartment element 2 in order to allow the heating of a passenger seated in the vehicle in the vicinity of the passenger compartment element 2. In particular, the passenger compartment element 2 comprises at least one heating device 1 according to the invention shaped to heat the passenger compartment element 2 so that the heat produced is transmitted to a passenger. Such a passenger compartment element 2 is a close comfort element designed to radiate heat towards a part of the body of a passenger in contact or located at a short distance, of the order of a few centimeters to a few tens of centimeters, from the passenger compartment element 2. Such a passenger compartment element 2 is, for example, a seat 3a, shown diagrammatically in [Fig.2] or a heating panel 3b designed to be installed in an opening, shown diagrammatically in [Fig.l].

[0023] The passenger compartment element 2 is designed to be integrated into an air conditioning system 4, shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 3], which then comprises one or more passenger compartment elements 2 according to the invention. Advantageously, the air conditioning system 4 according to the invention further comprises a magnetically driven compressor, without a belt or clutch, which reduces the energy losses associated with friction and inertia and which therefore improves the efficiency of the air conditioning system 4. According to one embodiment, the air conditioning system 4 further comprises a plurality of intelligent sensors continuously monitoring the interior and exterior conditions of the vehicle according to the invention. The conditions monitored are, for example, temperature, humidity and sunshine. Such intelligent sensors allow precise regulation of the air conditioning system 4, while minimizing its energy consumption.

[0024] In one embodiment, the air conditioning system 4 further comprises a radiant element 5 designed to produce heat radiation, when it is powered by a battery 6 of the electric vehicle according to the invention.

[0025] The heating device 1 according to the invention comprises an electrically conductive heating element 7 designed to heat. The heating element 7 is coupled to a generator element 8 of the device 1 designed to, when connected to an alternating current source 9, shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 3], generate a variable magnetic field capable of generating induced electric currents in the heating element 7, such as eddy currents, in order to cause an increase in the temperature of the heating element 7.

[0026] In the embodiment described in the figures, the generator element 8 is arranged, for example, in a space 10 partly delimited by an insulating material 11. The space 10 is however devoid of insulating material 11 between the generator element 8 and the heating element 7.

[0027] The generator element 8 comprises, for example, a coil 12 of electrical conductor.

[0028] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the device 1 comprises connection means 13 designed to electrically connect the generator element 8 to the alternating current source 9 external to the vehicle according to the invention. Thus, in the air conditioning system 4 according to the invention, the connection means 13 are connected directly to the alternating current source 9 when the vehicle according to the invention is connected to the external alternating current source 9.

[0029] Advantageously, the connection means 13 comprise activation means 14, designed to enable or interrupt the electrical connection of the generator element 8, when the external alternating current source 9 is connected to the connection means 13. Typically, the activation means 14 comprise a switch 15 that can be operated by the passenger and / or controlled by a control unit not described.

[0030] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the connection means 13 comprise, for example, a pair of electrical conductors 16 connecting a connection socket of the vehicle designed for the connection of the alternating current source 9 to the vehicle. As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the connection means 13 are designed for connect in parallel a current converter 17, designed to supply the battery 6 with direct charging current, and the generator element 8.

[0031] The air conditioning system 4 according to the invention makes it possible to implement a preheating method according to the invention. In such a method, a first step consists of connecting the vehicle to the external alternating current source 9, the first step being followed by a second step consisting of activating each heating device 1 to produce heat. Thus, the vehicle according to the invention is preheated using an energy source external to the vehicle.

[0032] Thus, the heating device 1 makes it possible to obtain a passenger compartment element 2 according to the invention making it possible to heat a part of the body of a passenger and thus provide them with a feeling of comfort, without requiring heating the entire passenger compartment or at least making it possible to limit the need to heat the entire passenger compartment. Furthermore, the device 1 according to the invention, thanks to the connection means 13, makes it possible to take the electrical energy necessary for heating the heating element 7 directly from the alternating current source 9 outside the vehicle. This electrical energy thus does not pass through the battery 6 of the vehicle and therefore has no impact on its autonomy in the short or medium term.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the heating device described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Heating device (1) for an electric motor vehicle designed to produce heat and distribute it to a passenger compartment element (2) in order to allow the heating of a passenger seated in the vehicle in the vicinity of the passenger compartment element (2), the device (1) comprising an electrically conductive heating element (7) designed to heat, coupled to a generator element (8) of the device (1) designed to, when connected to an alternating current source (9), generate a variable magnetic field capable of generating induced electric currents in the heating element (7) in order to cause a rise in the temperature of the heating element (7), the device (1) comprising connection means (13) designed to electrically and directly connect the generator element (8) to an alternating current source (9) outside the vehicle.

2. Heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the generating element (8) is arranged in a space (10) partly delimited by an insulating material (11), the space (10) being free of insulating material (11) between the generating element (8) and the heating element (7).

3. Heating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection means (13) comprise activation means (14), designed to enable or interrupt the electrical connection of the generator element (8) when an external alternating current source (9) is connected to the connection means (13).

4. Heating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the generator element (8) comprises at least one coil (12) of electrical conductor.

5. Passenger compartment element (2) designed to equip a motor vehicle, the passenger compartment element (2) comprising at least one heating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, the heating element (7) being shaped to heat the passenger compartment element (2) so that the heat produced is transmitted to a passenger.

6. Air conditioning system (4) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one passenger compartment element (2) according to claim 5.

7. Air conditioning system (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a magnetically driven compressor.

8. Air conditioning system (4) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it further comprises a radiant element (5) designed to produce heat radiation when powered by a battery (6) of the vehicle.

9. Electric motor vehicle having at least one air conditioning system (4) according to one of claims 6 to 8, the connection means (12) being connected directly to the alternating current source (9) when the vehicle is connected to the alternating current source (9).

10. A method of preheating an electric motor vehicle according to claim 9, the method comprising a first step of connecting the vehicle to an external alternating current source (9), the first step being followed by a second step of activating each heating device (1) to produce heat.

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