Cooling system for motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

To provide a cooling system for a motor vehicle, which can realize cooling in an advantageous manner in terms of cost, weight, and structural space, and a motor vehicle having such a cooling system. In a cooling system (1) having a first cooling circuit (2), a drive machine (3) arranged in the first cooling circuit (2), a first cooler (4) arranged in the first cooling circuit (2), a second cooling circuit (5), and a flow branch (10) in which a second cooler (11) is arranged, a valve device (17) is provided, the valve device comprising: a first switching state, in which the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2 can pass through the second cooler 11 and be cooled by means of the second cooler 11; a second switching state, in which the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5 can pass through the second cooler 11 and be cooled by means of the second cooler 11; It is possible to switch between

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling system for a motor vehicle, in particular for an automobile, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising such a cooling system. [Background technology]

[0002] DE 10 200 03 133 A1 discloses a low temperature circuit arrangement with a pump on the low temperature side. A thermal management system for a vehicle appears to be known from DE 10 200 03 133 A1 also discloses a thermal management system for a motor vehicle from DE 10 200 03 133 A1 also discloses a thermal management system for a motor vehicle from DE 10 200 03 133 A1 also discloses a cooling system for a motor vehicle with an electrical energy store for driving the ... [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] DE 112015002902 [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-201224 A [Patent Document 3] DE 102019132688 A1 [Patent Document 4] DE 102017220376 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle having such a cooling system, in order that particularly advantageous cooling can be realized in a manner that is advantageous in particular with regard to costs, weight and structural space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a cooling system having the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 15. Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a cooling system for a motor vehicle, preferably for a motor vehicle configured as a passenger car, also called or configured as a cooling device. This means that a motor vehicle, preferably configured as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, comprises in its fully manufactured state a cooling system, which is in particular a device of the motor vehicle. The cooling system comprises a first cooling circuit through which a cooling medium (coolant) can flow. Furthermore, the cooling system comprises at least one driving machine arranged in the first cooling circuit, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven. As the driving machine is arranged in the first cooling circuit, the driving machine can be cooled by means of a cooling medium, preferably in liquid form, flowing through the first cooling circuit. Preferably, the cooling medium comprises at least water, in particular at least mainly water, so that the cooling medium is also called, for example, water or cooling water. The driving machine is, for example, an internal combustion engine, also called an internal combustion engine, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven in an internal combustion engine manner. The motor vehicle can thus be a motor vehicle that can be conventionally driven, thus in the manner of an internal combustion engine, i.e. driven by an internal combustion engine, or the motor vehicle can be, for example, a hybrid vehicle that can be driven, for example, by an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine. The drive machine can also be an electric machine, in particular an electric machine as mentioned above, that can drive the motor vehicle in a particularly purely electric manner. The motor vehicle can thus be formed, for example, as an electric vehicle, in particular a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The electric machine is preferably a high-voltage component, the voltage of which, in particular the operating voltage or rated voltage, is preferably greater than 50 V, in particular greater than 60 V, very preferably several hundred volts (V). This makes it possible to realize a particularly large electric output (power), in particular for a purely electric drive of the motor vehicle. In the first cooling circuit, a first cooler is arranged, which cools the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit.

[0007] Furthermore, the cooling system comprises a second cooling circuit through which the cooling medium can flow. Furthermore, the cooling system comprises a flow branch through which the cooling medium can flow. In the flow branch, a second cooler is arranged in addition to the first cooler, which cools the cooling medium flowing through the flow branch. The coolers are preferably components formed separately from one another, in particular arranged separately or at a distance from one another. In particular, the first cooler is arranged outside the second cooler and the second cooler is arranged outside the first cooler.

[0008] Preferably, the first cooling circuit is a high temperature circuit (HT circuit), also called high temperature circuit (HT circuit). Furthermore, preferably, the second cooling circuit is a low temperature circuit (NT circuit), also called low temperature circuit (NT circuit). Here, it should be understood that the cooling medium flows through the first cooling circuit with a first temperature and flows through the second cooling circuit with a second temperature lower than the first temperature. For example, the second temperature is just or at least 10° C., in particular at least or exactly 20° C., lower than the first temperature. In other words, for example, the driving machine is cooled with a first temperature level of the cooling medium, in particular with a first temperature of the cooling medium, and a heat source, in particular provided in addition to the driving machine, which can for example be cooled with a cooling medium arranged in the second cooling circuit and thereby flowing through the second cooling circuit, is cooled with a second temperature level of the cooling medium, in particular with a second cooling temperature of the cooling medium, the second temperature level being lower than the first temperature level. In other words, for example, the cooling medium has a maximum of a first temperature or a first temperature level in the first cooling circuit and a maximum of a second temperature or a second temperature level in the second cooling circuit during operation of the cooling system.

[0009] In order to be able to realize particularly advantageous cooling or cooling capacities in a particularly cost-, weight- and space-friendly manner, the cooling system according to the invention is provided with a valve device which is switchable between at least one first switching state and at least one second switching state. For example, the valve device is movable, in particular rotary and / or translatory, between at least one first switching position which brings about or sets the first switching state and at least one second switching position which brings about the second switching state. In other words, for example, the valve device comprises a valve element which is movable, in particular translationally and / or rotary, between switching positions, in particular relative to a valve housing of the valve device. The valve element is then at least partially arranged in the valve housing.

[0010] In the first switching state, the first cooling circuit is in communication with the flow branch via the valve device, so that at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit can be guided through the second cooler and cooled by means of the second cooler. In other words, when the cooling medium flows through the first cooling circuit while the valve device is in the first switching state, at least said part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit is guided by the valve device through the flow branch and the second cooler and cooled by means of the second cooler. Thus, in or by means of the first switching state, the second cooler is assigned or connected to the first cooling circuit, so that at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit is cooled both by means of the first cooler and also by means of the second cooler. It is then possible, in particular, to provide that in the first switching state, the flow branch and thus the second cooler are fluidically separated from the second cooling circuit, in particular by means of a valve device, and / or that in the first switching state, no cooling of at least a major part of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit is provided by means of the second cooler. In other words, it is conceivable that in the first switching state, at least a major part, i.e. at least more than half, of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit is not cooled by the second cooler, since at least a major part of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit does not or cannot flow through the flow branch and thus the second cooler in the first switching state, but preferably bypasses the flow branch and the second cooler.

[0011] In the second switching state, the second cooling circuit is in communication with the flow branch via the valve device, so that at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit can be guided through the second cooler and cooled by means of the second cooler. In other words, when the cooling medium flows through the second cooling circuit while the valve device is in the second switching state, at least said part of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit is guided by the valve device through the flow branch and the second cooler and cooled by means of the second cooler. Thus, in or by means of the second switching state, the second cooler is assigned to or connected to the second cooling circuit, so that at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit is cooled by means of the second cooler. It is then possible, in particular, to provide that in the second switching state the flow branch and thus the second cooler are fluidically separated from the second cooling circuit, in particular by means of a valve device, and / or that in the second switching state no cooling of at least a major part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit is provided by means of the second cooler. In other words, it is conceivable that in the second switching state at least a major part, i.e. at least more than half, of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit is not cooled by the second cooler, since at least a major part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit does not or cannot flow through the flow branch and thus the second cooler in the second switching state, but preferably bypasses the flow branch and the second cooler.

[0012] Overall, it can be seen that the valve device can be switched between a first and a second switching state in order to selectively and therefore as required couple the second cooler to the first cooling circuit or to the second cooling circuit, i.e. to selectively and therefore as required connect it to the first cooling circuit or to the second cooling circuit.

[0013] In order to achieve a particularly high cooling performance, in one embodiment of the invention, the first cooler is configured as a first ambient air cooler around which air, in particular ambient air, can flow, and the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit can be cooled via the first ambient air cooler with the air flowing around the first ambient air cooler. The second cooler is then configured as a second ambient air cooler around which air, in particular ambient air, can flow, and the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit can be cooled via the second ambient air cooler with the air flowing around the first ambient air cooler. Preferably, the ambient air coolers are each separate components, and the first ambient air cooler is an external additional cooler with respect to the second ambient air cooler, or vice versa. The respective ambient air cooler can be surrounded by a flow of road wind and therefore air, in particular ambient air, when the motor vehicle is traveling, in particular when traveling forward. In particular, heat is transferred from the cooling medium flowing through each ambient air cooler to the air flowing around each ambient air cooler via each ambient air cooler, such that the cooling medium flowing through each cooling circuit, and therefore through each ambient air cooler, can be cooled via each ambient air cooler using the air flowing around each ambient air cooler.

[0014] Another embodiment is characterized by at least one heat exchanger, also called first heat exchanger, which is in communication with one of the cooling circuits and can be circulated by at least the aforementioned part or at least one other part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit. The at least one heat exchanger is provided in addition to the cooler, such that the at least one heat exchanger is preferably arranged outside the cooler and preferably the cooler is arranged outside the heat exchanger. The at least one heat exchanger is also arranged in a fluid circuit through which another fluid can flow and can be circulated by the other fluid, such that heat can be exchanged between the other fluid and the cooling medium flowing through the at least one heat exchanger via the at least one heat exchanger. Preferably, the fluid circuit is fluidically separated from the one cooling circuit and preferably also from the other cooling circuit. In other words, it is preferably arranged such that the fluid circuit is fluidically separated from both cooling circuits. In particular, the fluid circuit is provided in addition to the cooling circuit. For example, one cooling circuit is a primary cooling circuit, so the other cooling circuit is a secondary cooling circuit. For example, if one cooling circuit is a secondary cooling circuit, the other cooling circuit is a primary cooling circuit.

[0015] At least one heat exchanger is arranged in a fluid circuit, also called fluid circulation, which is in fluid communication with one cooling circuit and is in particular provided in addition to the cooling circuit, so that a part or another part of the cooling medium as well as another fluid flowing through the fluid circuit can flow through the at least one heat exchanger. Via the at least one heat exchanger, it is possible to transfer heat, i.e. to exchange heat, between the other fluid flowing through the at least one heat exchanger and the cooling medium flowing through the at least one heat exchanger. For example, the at least one heat exchanger is a cooler, which cools the other fluid, for example formed as a low-temperature medium. In particular, the at least one heat exchanger is a condenser, which condenses the other fluid, for example formed as a low-temperature medium.

[0016] In order to be able to achieve a particularly good overall cooling performance of the cooling system, in another embodiment of the invention, at least one heat exchanger is formed as a cooling element, via which heat can be transferred from another fluid to a cooling medium flowing through the at least one heat exchanger in order to cool the other fluid.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a second heat exchanger is provided in addition to the at least one heat exchanger through which the cooling medium flowing through the other cooling circuit and the other fluid can flow, so that heat can be transferred between the cooling medium flowing through the second heat exchanger and the other fluid, thereby making it possible to achieve a particularly good cooling.

[0018] It has proved to be particularly advantageous if the second heat exchanger is configured as a cooling device, and heat can be transferred from the cooling medium flowing through the second heat exchanger to another fluid via the cooling device in order to cool the cooling medium flowing through the second heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is also called a chiller. By means of the second heat exchanger, it is possible to use another fluid to cool the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit, so that, for example, another source can be cooled particularly effectively and efficiently.

[0019] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid circuit is a cold medium circuit of an air conditioner, also called an air conditioner, which can operate as a compression cold machine, and a further fluid as cold medium can flow through the cold medium circuit of the air conditioner, whereby a particularly advantageous cooling can be achieved.

[0020] It has proven to be particularly advantageous here if at least one heat exchanger (the first heat exchanger) is configured as a condenser for condensing the low-temperature medium, as a result of which a particularly effective and efficient cooling can be achieved.

[0021] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cooling system comprises a flow passage, which is connected to the first cooling circuit at a first connection point arranged downstream of the first cooler and upstream of the drive machine in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit. The first cooling circuit is then one cooling circuit, and the second cooling circuit is the other cooling circuit. Furthermore, the flow passage is connected to the first cooling circuit at a second connection point arranged downstream of the drive machine and upstream of the first cooler in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit. This allows at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit to flow through the flow passage. Furthermore, the heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) is arranged both in the flow passage and in a fluid circuit through which another fluid can flow, so that it can be flowed both by the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage and by another fluid. In the first switching state, the flow branch communicates with the flow passage via the valve device and with the first cooling circuit via the flow passage, so that, for example, in the first switching state, at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit can be fed via at least a partial area of ​​the flow passage of the valve device and can be introduced into the flow branch via the valve device. Thus, in the first switching state, at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit can be guided through the flow passage through the second cooler and cooled by means of the second cooler. This allows particularly good cooling to be achieved. In particular, the flow passage can be provided in addition to the cooling circuit and in addition to the flow branch.

[0022] Due to the valve device being switchable between switching states, the flow branch is not, in particular in comparison to conventional solutions, a fixed component of the first or second cooling circuit and of the flow passage, but rather the flow branch can be selectively, and therefore, as required, coupled to the first or second cooling circuit, in particular via a flow passage, and therefore selectively communicated with the first or second cooling circuit.

[0023] For example, at the first connection point, at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit can branch off from the first cooling circuit, can be introduced into the flow passage and can flow through the flow passage and thus flow from the first connection point to the second connection point. At the second connection point, the cooling medium branched off and flowing through the flow passage can leave the flow passage and (again) flow into the first cooling circuit and thus be introduced. Since the first connection point is arranged downstream of the first cooler and upstream of the drive machine, and the second connection point is arranged downstream of the drive machine and upstream of the first cooler, the flow passage and thus the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage bypasses the drive machine. This means that the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage does not flow through the drive machine on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, i.e. bypasses the drive machine.

[0024] The valve device, also simply called a valve, is arranged, for example, in the flow passage upstream of the at least one heat exchanger, which means that the valve device can be arranged upstream of the at least one heat exchanger and in this case downstream of the first connection point in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage.

[0025] In particular, in the second switching state, the flow branch can be configured to communicate with the second cooling circuit via the valve device, i.e. by means of the valve device, whereby a second cooler is arranged in the second cooling circuit. The cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit thus flows through the second cooler and, for example, a heat source on its path through the second cooling circuit and is therefore also cooled in the second switching state, in particular by means of the second cooler. Thus, for example, in the second switching state, i.e. by means of the second switching state, it is possible to achieve an intensive cooling of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit and thus, for example, of the heat source.

[0026] For example, the flow branch is fluidically separated from the flow passage by means of the valve device in such a way that in the second switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage can be guided from the first connection point via the valve device and in particular via at least one heat exchanger to the second connection point in its path from the first connection point to the second connection point while bypassing the second cooler, and thus flows. In other words, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage flows from the first connection point via the valve device to in particular via at least one heat exchanger and, for example, via at least one heat exchanger to the second connection point in its path from the first connection point to the second connection point without flowing through the second cooler and thus being cooled by the second cooler. In other words, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage, on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, flows from the first connection point through the valve device and then, for example, through at least one heat exchanger and then to the second connection point, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage, on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, bypasses the second cooler and therefore does not flow through the second cooler, and the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage, on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, does not flow through the second cooling circuit either. This also means that in the second switching state, no second ambient air cooler is arranged in the flow passage between the connection points.

[0027] In the first switching state, the flow passage communicates with the flow passage via the valve device, i.e. by means of the valve device, whereby the second cooler is arranged in the flow passage downstream of the first connection point and, for example, upstream of the at least one heat exchanger and upstream of the second connection point. Thus, in the first switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage also flows, on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, which is arranged downstream of the first connection point in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage, by the second cooler, preferably before the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage flows through the at least one heat exchanger. In other words, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage, on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, for example, first flows through the second ambient air cooler and is therefore first cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler. The cooling medium flowing through the flow passage then flows, for example, through at least one heat exchanger on its path from the first connection point to the second connection point, and then, for example, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage flows to the second connection point and is introduced into the first cooling circuit at the second connection point.

[0028] In the first switching state, for example, the second cooling circuit is separated from the flow branch in such a way that at least a major portion, thus at least half, in particular the entire cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit in the first switching state does not flow through the flow branch and thus through the second ambient air cooler. Thus, in the first switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit is cooled, at least for a major portion, without the second cooler (and for example also without the first cooler).

[0029] For example, in the first switching state, a pre-cooling of at least one heat exchanger is set, since in the first switching state the second cooler is arranged upstream of the at least one heat exchanger in the flow passage, since the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage is first cooled by means of the second cooler and then flows through at least one heat exchanger. As a result, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage can advantageously have a low temperature when it flows through the at least one heat exchanger. The further fluid can then be particularly advantageously cooled, for example by means of the at least one heat exchanger, in particular by heat transfer from the further fluid via the at least one heat exchanger to the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage and cooled by means of the second cooler. As a result, it is possible to cool the further fluid particularly strongly.

[0030] It can thus be seen that by means of the valve device, also simply called a valve, it is possible in particular to switch between the above-mentioned pre-cooling and direct cooling of the heat source. It can also be seen that by means of the valve device, a second cooler, which is provided in addition to the first cooler, can be assigned or coupled as required, i.e. selectively, to a second cooling circuit and thus for example to a heat source (second switching state) or to a flow channel and thus to at least one heat exchanger (first switching state).

[0031] Due to the fact that the valve device can be selectively and therefore switched between the switching states as required, it is possible to avoid additional heat exchangers or coolers or to keep the number of such coolers or heat exchangers particularly low. In other words, the number of parts of the cooling system and thus the weight, costs and construction space can be kept particularly low, since no separate coolers need to be allocated to either the flow passage or the first cooling circuit or to the second cooling circuit. In particular, the number and size of the cooling surfaces can be kept small, so that advantageous fluid dynamic properties are obtained, in particular for motor vehicles. Advantageous cooling performance is simultaneously obtained, since the second cooler can be used to selectively cool the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit or the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit and / or the flow passage, in particular depending on the driving or load situation.

[0032] In order to achieve particularly good cooling, in another embodiment, at least one heat source, which is provided in addition to the drive machine, is arranged in a second cooling circuit, which can be cooled by means of a cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit.

[0033] It has proved to be particularly advantageous here if the at least one heat source is an electrical energy store, which stores electrical energy, in particular electrochemically. For example, the electrical energy store is a battery, in particular a secondary battery (secondary cell). Preferably, the electrical energy store is a high-voltage component, the voltage of which, in particular the operating voltage or rated voltage, is preferably greater than 50 V, in particular greater than 60 V, very preferably several hundred volts (V). For example, the electrical energy store is a high-voltage battery (HV battery). Since the electrical energy store is preferably formed as a high-voltage component, the electrical energy store is also called a high-voltage store (HVS). For example, the above-mentioned electric machine, which is provided or formed for driving a motor vehicle, in particular purely electrically, can be operated in motor operation and thus as an electric motor, with which the motor vehicle can be driven in particular purely electrically. To operate the electric machine in motor operation, the electric machine is supplied with electrical energy stored in an energy store. The electrical energy storage unit is arranged in the second cooling circuit, and a cooling medium can flow through the second cooling circuit, so that the electrical energy storage unit can be cooled by means of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit.

[0034] Another embodiment is characterized in that the at least one heat source is an intercooler, with which it is possible to cool air, which is compressed with the at least one compressor or also called compressed combustion air or charge air, and which is supplied to at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The compressed air can thus be cooled particularly well, in particular in the second switching state, if the internal combustion engine provides high performance for a longer period of time.

[0035] In order to be able to obtain particularly advantageous cooling as required, and in particular to be able to switch between the switching states as required and quickly, in a further embodiment of the invention the valve device is configured in such a way that it can be switched from at least one of the switching states to another switching state electrically, i.e. by means of electrical energy or current.

[0036] In order to be able to switch between the switching states as required and in a cost- and weight-friendly manner, in another embodiment of the invention, a spring device is provided which is preferably formed as a mechanical spring or which includes at least one mechanical spring, and which can switch the valve device from another switching state to one switching state.

[0037] In order to achieve particularly advantageous cooling, in another embodiment of the invention, at least one heat exchanger is arranged in the fluid circuit upstream of a second heat exchanger in the flow direction of another fluid flowing through the fluid circuit.

[0038] Preferably, the other fluid flowing through the fluid circuit flows through the second heat exchanger in its liquid state, and thus preferably the second heat exchanger is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger capable of transferring heat between the cooling medium in liquid form and the other fluid, which is liquid at least in the second heat exchanger.

[0039] A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, preferably configured as a motor vehicle, in particular a private vehicle, equipped with a cooling system according to the first aspect of the invention. Advantageous and advantageous configurations of the first aspect of the invention can be regarded as advantageous and advantageous configurations of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0040] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1]1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a cooling system for a motor vehicle, the valve arrangement of the cooling system being in a first switching state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a cooling system according to a first embodiment, the valve arrangement being in a second switching state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a cooling system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an optional part of a cooling system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a cooling system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In the various figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0043] 1 and 2 each show a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a cooling system 1 for a motor vehicle, preferably configured as a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car. The cooling system 1 comprises a first cooling circuit 2 through which a cooling medium (refrigerant), preferably in liquid form, can flow. A drive machine 3, which can drive the motor vehicle, is arranged in the first cooling circuit 2. The drive machine 3 is, for example, an internal combustion engine or, for example, an electric machine, which can drive the motor vehicle, in particular purely electrically. In addition, a partial region of the drive machine 3 can be circulated by the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2, so that the drive machine 3 can be cooled by means of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2. The drive machine 3 can be cooled in particular by heat transfer from the drive machine 3 to the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit and thus through the drive machine 3. In particular, the cooling circuit 2 is a high-temperature cooling circuit (HT cooling circuit).

[0044] The cooling system 1 comprises a first ambient air cooler 4, which is a first cooler and is arranged in the first cooling circuit 2 so that the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2 can flow through it. The first ambient air cooler 4 is also called high temperature cooler (HT cooler). The first ambient air cooler 4 is also called first cooler and air, in particular ambient air, can flow through the first ambient air cooler 4. This means that, in particular when the motor vehicle is moving, in particular when moving forward, air, in particular ambient air, a driving wind, is formed which can flow around the first ambient air cooler 4. The cooling medium flowing through the ambient air cooler 4 can be cooled via the ambient air cooler 4 with the air flowing around the ambient air cooler 4.

[0045] The cooling system 1 further comprises a second cooling medium circuit 5 through which a cooling medium flows, which is formed, for example, as a low temperature circuit (NT circuit). An electrical energy store 6 is arranged in the second cooling circuit 5. Thus, for example, at least one partial area of ​​the energy store 6 can be circulated by the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5, so that the energy store 6 can be cooled by the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit. This is done, in particular, by heat transfer from the energy store to the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 and thus through the energy store 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cooling system 1 comprises a compensation container 7 which is a compensation container common to the cooling circuits 2, 5. The compensation container 7 contains a quantity of cooling medium which is indicated by the reference number 8 in FIG. 1. With the compensation container 7, in particular with the quantity 8 which is at least temporarily contained in the compensation container 7, it is possible to compensate for quantity and / or volumetric fluctuations of the cooling medium in the cooling circuits 2, 5, i.e. to equalize them. For this purpose, the compensation receptacle 7 is in particular directly connected to the cooling circuit 2, so that the cooling medium can flow from the cooling circuit 2 to the compensation receptacle 7 and from the compensation receptacle 7 to the cooling circuit 2. In order not to require the use of a second compensation receptacle, a supply line 9 is provided which is very thin and thus acts as and / or comprises a throttle, via which the cooling circuits 2, 5 can be connected to one another, in particular and preferably via the supply line 9 and the cooling circuit 2, by means of the compensation receptacle 7 and by means of the amount of cooling medium 8 contained in the compensation receptacle 7, volumetric and / or quantity variations of the cooling medium in the cooling circuit 5 can be compensated.

[0046] The cooling system 1 further comprises a flow branch 10 through which a cooling medium can flow. A second ambient air cooler 11, around which air, in particular ambient air, can flow, is arranged in the flow branch 10, which is a second cooler and is provided in addition to the ambient air cooler 4. The ambient air cooler 11 can also be or is cooled by the cooling medium flowing through the flow branch 10 during the above-mentioned driving of the motor vehicle, in particular during forward driving, by means of which the driving wind and thus the air forming the driving wind flows around it.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the cooling system 1 comprises a fluid circuit in the form of a cold medium circuit 12, which is provided in addition to the cooling circuits 2, 5, and which is also referred to as a cold medium circuit. A further fluid in the form of a cold medium can flow through the cold medium circuit 12. The cold medium is used in particular for cooling air which is or can be supplied to the interior space of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, a first heat exchanger configured as a condenser 13 is arranged in the cold medium circuit 12, which is configured for cooling the cold medium and thus for condensing the cold medium. For example, the cold medium flows through at least one partial area of ​​the condenser 13 in the liquid state of the cold medium and / or the cold medium leaves the condenser 13 in the liquid state of the cold medium, since the cold medium is condensed and thus liquefied by means of the condenser 13.

[0048] A second heat exchanger is arranged in the cold medium circuit 12, which is also called chiller 14. It can be seen from Figure 1 that a condenser 13 is arranged upstream of the chiller 14 in the flow direction of the cold medium through the cold medium circuit 12.

[0049] So as to be able to realize particularly advantageous cooling in a particularly cost-, weight- and construction space-friendly manner, the cooling system 1 comprises a flow passage 15, which is in communication with the first cooling circuit 2 at a first connection point V1 and a second connection point V2. The connection point V1 is arranged downstream of the ambient air cooler 4 and upstream of the drive machine 3 in the flow direction of the cooling medium through the cooling circuit 2. A pump 16 is arranged in the cooling circuit 2, by means of which the cooling medium can be or is conveyed through the cooling circuit 2. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the pump 16 is arranged downstream of the ambient air cooler 4 and upstream of the drive machine 3, the connection point V1 being arranged downstream of the pump 16 and upstream of the drive machine 3. The connection point V2 is arranged downstream of the drive machine 3 and upstream of the first ambient air cooler 4 in the flow direction of the cooling medium through the first cooling circuit 2. In this case, the condenser 13 (at least one heat exchanger) is arranged both in the low-temperature medium circuit 12 and in the flow passage 15, so that both the low-temperature medium and the preferably liquid cooling medium passing through the flow passage 15 can flow through the condenser 13. The low-temperature medium can be cooled and thus condensed by means of the condenser 13, in particular in such a way that heat is transferred from the low-temperature medium passing through the condenser 13 to the cooling medium passing through the condenser 13 via the condenser 13. The condenser 13 thereby functions or operates as a cooling element for cooling the low-temperature medium (other fluid). Since the condenser 13 is arranged in the flow passage 15, the condenser 13 is arranged downstream of the connection point V1 and upstream of the connection point V2 in the flow direction of the cooling medium passing through the flow passage 15. By means of the flow passage 15, at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 can be branched off from the cooling circuit 2 and introduced into the flow passage 15, the branched off part of the cooling medium flows through the flow passage 15 and can flow from the connection points V1 and V2. At the connection point V2, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage 15, i.e. the branched off part, is introduced again into the cooling circuit 2, where it can then flow again to and through the ambient air cooler 4, in particular together with other cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2.

[0050] It is also conceivable that the flow passage 15 is connected in parallel with the drive machine 3 in terms of flow technology, so that the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage 15 bypasses the drive machine 3 and therefore does not flow through it.

[0051] The cooling system 1 comprises a valve device 17, also called simply a valve, which is for example configured as a 6 / 2-way directional control valve, also called a directional control valve. The valve device 17 is switchable between at least one first switching state, which is shown in Fig. 1, and at least one second switching state, which is shown in Fig. 2. The valve device 17 is arranged upstream of the condenser 13 and downstream of the connection point V1 in the flow direction of the cooling medium through the flow channel 15.

[0052] 2, the flow branch 10 communicates with the second cooling circuit 5 via the valve device 17, and in the second switching state a second ambient air cooler 11 is arranged in the second cooling circuit 5. In particular, in the second switching state the flow branch 10 is separated from the flow passage 15 by means of the valve device 17 in such a way that the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage 15 can be guided or flows from the first connection point V1 via the valve device 17 and the condenser 13 to the second connection point V2 on its path from the connection point V1 to the connection point V2, bypassing the second ambient air cooler 11.

[0053] It can further be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that the chiller 14 is arranged both in the low-temperature medium circuit 12 and in the second cooling circuit 5, so that both the low-temperature medium and the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 can flow through the chiller. In the second switching state, it can be seen that the second ambient air cooler 11 is arranged upstream of the chiller 14 and downstream of the electrical energy store 6 in the second cooling circuit 5, the chiller 14 being arranged upstream of the energy store 6 in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5. This means that in the second switching state, the flow branch 10 communicates with the second cooling circuit 5 via the valve device 17, such that the second ambient air cooler 11 is arranged in the second cooling circuit 5 upstream of the chiller 14 and downstream of the electrical energy store 6. In particular, the chiller 14 functions as a cooling device, and the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 can be or is cooled by means of the cooling device, such that heat is transferred via the chiller 14 from the cooling medium flowing through the chiller 14 to the low-temperature medium flowing through the chiller 14. After the chiller 14, the cooling medium, in particular cooled by means of the chiller 14, flows through the energy store 6, whereby the energy store 6 can be advantageously cooled. In particular in the second switching state, after the cooling medium has flowed through the energy store 6, it flows through the second ambient air cooler 11 and is thus cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11, and then the cooling medium can or flows to and through the chiller 14.

[0054] In a first switching state, the flow branch 10 communicates with the flow passage 15 via a valve arrangement 17 in such a way that in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage 15, the second ambient air cooler 11 is arranged downstream of the first connection point V1 and upstream of the condenser 13 in the flow passage 15. It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the ambient air cooler 11, which is provided in addition to the ambient air cooler 4, can be assigned, allocated or connected as required, and thus selectively, to the cooling circuit 5 and thus to the energy store 6 and the chiller or to the flow passage 15 and thus to the condenser 13 by means of the valve arrangement 17. In particular, in the first switching state, it is possible to realize pre-cooling for the condenser 13 by means of the ambient air cooler 11.

[0055] In the first switching state shown in FIG. 1, the second cooling circuit 5 is separated from the flow passage 10 by means of the valve device 17 so that at least a major portion of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5 does not flow through the flow passage 10 and thus through the second ambient air cooler 11.

[0056] The switching states of the valve device 17 in particular relate to at least those states in which no flow of cooling medium through the supply line 9 takes place, i.e. no compensation of volume and / or quantity fluctuations takes place by means of the compensation vessel 7. In other words, no consideration is given to the supply line 9 in both switching states.

[0057] The cold medium circuit 12 is a cold medium circuit of an air conditioner of a motor vehicle, which is formed or can be operated as a compression cold machine. In this case, a cold medium compressor 18 is arranged in the cold medium circuit 12, by means of which the cold medium can be conveyed through the cold medium circuit 12. In addition, the cold medium can be compressed by means of the proposed cold medium compressor 18. The cold medium compressor 18 is arranged downstream of the chiller 14 and upstream of the condenser 13 in the flow direction of the cold medium through the cold medium circuit 12. In the cold medium circuit 12, for example, another condenser 19 is arranged upstream of the condenser 13 and downstream of the cold medium compressor 18, which is also called or formed as a heat pump condenser.

[0058] In the low-temperature medium circuit 12, an evaporator 20 is arranged downstream of the condenser 13, which is connected in parallel to the chiller 14 in terms of flow. The low-temperature medium is evaporated by means of the evaporator 20, so that, for example, air flowing around and / or through the evaporator 20 is cooled. The air cooled by means of the evaporator 20 is supplied, for example, to the interior of a motor vehicle. An expansion valve 21 is arranged downstream of the condenser 13 and upstream of the evaporator 20, which expands the low-temperature medium. It is then conceivable to arrange another expansion valve 22 downstream of the condenser 13 and upstream of the chiller 14, by means of which the low-temperature medium can be expanded. The expansion valve 21 is connected in parallel to the chiller 14 and the expansion valve 22 in terms of flow, so that the expansion valve 22 is connected in parallel to the evaporator 20 and the expansion valve 21 in terms of flow. A low-temperature medium compressor 18 is arranged downstream of the evaporator 20 and the chiller 14.

[0059] In addition, an internal heat exchanger 23 can be arranged in the low-temperature medium circuit 12, which is arranged partly upstream of the low-temperature medium compressor 18 and downstream of the chiller 14 and the evaporator 20, and partly downstream of the condenser 13 and upstream of the chiller 14 and the evaporator 20. Using the heat exchanger 23, for example, heat can be transferred from the low-temperature medium flowing from the condenser 13 to the chiller 14 and the evaporator 20 to the low-temperature medium flowing from the evaporator 20 and the chiller 14 to the low-temperature medium compressor 18. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly efficient operation of the air conditioner.

[0060] Furthermore, a pump 24 is arranged in the cooling circuit 5 in addition to the pump 16, by means of which the cooling medium can be or is conveyed through the second cooling circuit 5. It is conceivable that the pump 16 and / or the pump 24 are configured as electrically operable pumps.

[0061] Furthermore, a blower 25, also called a fan, is assigned to at least the ambient air cooler 4, by means of which the air can be conveyed. The air conveyed by means of the blower 25 flows around the ambient air cooler 4, so that when the motor vehicle is stationary or moving slowly, the cooling medium flowing through the ambient air cooler 4 can also be cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 4. In particular, it is conceivable for the ambient air coolers 4, 11 to be arranged next to each other or next to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such that one of the ambient air coolers 4, 11 is at least partially overlapped by the other ambient air cooler 11 or 4, respectively, towards the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Preferably, the blower 25 is an electric blower, thus an electrically operable blower.

[0062] For example, the valve device 17 can be electrically switched from a first switching state to a second switching state and can be held, for example, in the second switching state, for example with the aid of a spring device 26, by means of which the valve device 17 can be switched from the second switching state to the first switching state.

[0063] In Fig. 3, a second embodiment of the cooling system 1 is diagrammatically illustrated. It is conceivable to arrange two heat sources Q1, Q2, which are formed separately from each other and therefore separate, in the cooling circuit 2, which heat sources Q1, Q2 are arranged or connected in parallel to each other in terms of flow, i.e. in the flow direction of the cooling medium through the cooling circuit 2. For this purpose, for example, the heat source Q1 is arranged in a first branch S1 of the cooling circuit 2 and the heat source Q2 is arranged in a second branch S2 of the cooling circuit 2, the branches S1, S2 being connected or arranged in parallel to each other in terms of flow. In particular, it is conceivable that one of the heat sources Q1, Q2, in particular the heat source Q2, is a drive machine 3, which is formed, for example, as an electric machine. It is further conceivable that the other one of the heat sources Q1, Q2, in particular the heat source Q1, is a second drive machine, which is provided in addition to the drive machine 3 and which can drive a motor vehicle, which may in particular be another electric machine which drives the motor vehicle in particular purely electrically, the second electric machine being an internal combustion engine. It is also possible that the heat source Q1 is the driving machine 3, in which case the heat source Q2 is the second driving machine.

[0064] It is conceivable that the cooling circuit 2 branches off, in particular at a branching point A arranged upstream of the heat sources Q1, Q2 and downstream of the ambient air cooler 4, into flow branches S1, S2 (in) which merge again at a joining point Z. The joining point Z is arranged downstream of the heat sources Q1, Q2 and upstream of the ambient air cooler 4. Thus, for example, when a cooling medium flows through the cooling circuit 2, a first part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 flows through the branching point S1 and thus through the heat source Q1, and a second part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 flows through the branching point S2 and thus through the heat source Q2. The heat source Q1 is thus cooled with the first part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 and the heat source Q2 is cooled with the second part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2. In particular, at the branching point A, the flow of cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2, which includes a first part and a second part and is also called the total flow, is also split into a first part and a second part, and at the joining point Z, the first part and the second part are joined again, in particular into the total flow. In particular, it is conceivable that the total flow or at least a part, in particular at least a major part, of the total flow can flow through and be cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 4.

[0065] In Fig. 3, the valve device 17 is in a first state in which the first cooling circuit 2 is in communication with the flow branch 10 via the valve device 17, in particular through the branch S2, so that at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2, in particular a first part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2, can flow through the second ambient air cooler 11 and can be cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11, and thus flows through the second ambient air cooler 2 and is cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11. After the second part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 has been cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11, the cooling medium flowing through the flow branch 10, i.e. the second part of the cooling medium, leaves the flow branch 10 via the valve device 17 and enters the cooling circuit 2, in particular the branch S2, where the cooling medium cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11 flows through the heat source Q2 and thereby cools it. It can be seen that the valve device 17 is arranged in the flow branch 10 and in the branch S2 such that the valve device 17 is arranged upstream of the heat source Q2 and in particular downstream of the branch point A in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the branch S2.

[0066] In the second embodiment, a heat source Q3 is provided in addition to the heat sources Q1 and Q2 and is arranged in the second cooling circuit 5. The heat sources Q1, Q2, and Q3 are arranged outside each other. In particular, the heat source Q3 is an electrical energy storage unit 6. In other words, the energy storage unit 6 is a heat source that can be cooled, i.e., is cooled, using a cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5, and in the second embodiment, the heat source that is arranged in the second cooling circuit 5 and can be cooled using a cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5 is the heat source Q3.

[0067] 3, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 flows through the valve arrangement 17 on its path from the heat source Q3 to the chiller 14 and bypasses the ambient air cooler 11. In other words, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 flows through its path from the heat source Q3 to the chiller 14 in the first switching state without passing through the ambient air cooler 11 and is therefore not cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11. Instead of the chiller 14, it is possible to provide another heat exchanger, in particular another evaporator.

[0068] When the valve device 17 is in the second switching state, the second cooling circuit 5 is in communication with the flow branch 10 via the valve device 17, so that at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5, in particular all of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 2, can flow through and be cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11. When the valve device 17 is in the second switching state, the valve device 17 is arranged in the cooling circuit 5 downstream of the heat source Q3 and upstream of the chiller 14, so that the cooling medium is branched off from the cooling circuit 5 on its path from the heat source Q3 to the chiller 14 and is introduced via the valve device 17 into the flow branch 10, whereupon the cooling medium flows through the flow branch 10 and thus through the ambient air cooler 11 and is cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11. The cooling medium flowing through the flow branch 10 is then introduced back into the cooling circuit 5 via the valve arrangement 17, so that the cooling medium cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11 can then flow through the cooling circuit 5, in particular through the chiller 14. The chiller 15 and thus the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit can be cooled by means of the chiller 14 in addition to the ambient air cooler 11, so that an effective and efficient cooling of the heat source Q3 can be achieved.

[0069] As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the supply line 9 is optional, and therefore can be omitted. In particular, the compensation vessel 29, which is provided when the supply line 9 is omitted, is also provided as an option. In particular, the compensation vessel 26 can be assigned to the second cooling circuit 5 in order to compensate for volumetric and / or amount variations of the cooling medium in the cooling circuit 5 with the compensation vessel 26. For example, if the supply line 9 is provided, one of the compensation vessels 7, 26 is sufficient to make it possible to compensate for volumetric and / or amount variations of the cooling medium in the cooling circuits 2, 5 with the compensation vessel 7 or 26. Naturally, the arrangement of the pumps 16, 24, the arrangement of the heat sources Q1, Q2, Q3 and the arrangement of the ambient air coolers 4, 11 and the chiller 14 as heat sinks can be changed. Also in the second embodiment, the ambient air cooler 11 can be selectively coupled to the cooling circuit 2 or the cooling circuit 5 by means of the valve device 17, and thus can be selectively connected to the cooling circuit 2 or the cooling circuit 5, in order to achieve particularly effective and efficient cooling of the heat source Q2 or the heat source Q3 or the heat sources Q1, Q2 and Q3, as required.

[0070] In Fig. 4, the cold medium circuit 12, which may be a component of the cooling system 1 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and which is optionally provided, is shown diagrammatically. This means that the cold medium circuit 12 may possibly be omitted. It can be seen that a heat source Q2 is arranged in the cold medium circuit 12. In the cold medium circuit 12, the heat source Q2 is arranged downstream of the cooling medium compressor 18 and upstream of the expansion valve 22 in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling medium circuit 12. In particular, the heat source Q2 can be or function or operate as a condenser for condensing the cooling medium, in such a way that heat can be exchanged between the cold medium flowing through the cold medium circuit 12 via the heat source Q2 and the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2, in particular through the branch S2, in particular so that heat can be transferred from the cold medium via the heat source Q2 to the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2, in particular through the branch S2 and thus through the heat source Q2. The cold medium can thereby be cooled via the heat source Q2.

[0071] In the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3, in the second switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 branches off from the cooling circuit 5 via the valve device 17 on its path from the heat source Q3 to the chiller 14, is introduced into the flow branch 10, and is thus guided through and cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11, and the cooling medium flowing through the flow branch 10 is then led out of the flow channel 10 again via the valve device 17 and introduced into the cooling circuit 5, and the cooling medium cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11 can then flow to and through the chiller 14. In the second switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 bypasses the flow branch 10 and the ambient air cooler 11 on its path from the branch point A to the junction point Z, and is therefore not cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11 on its path from the branch point A to the junction point Z and then through the heat source Q2.

[0072] Finally, in Fig. 5 a third embodiment of the cooling system 1 is shown. For example, it is conceivable that the first and / or second embodiment of the cooling system are used in electric vehicles, in particular battery-electric vehicles, i.e. hybrid vehicles or vehicles that can be driven purely electrically. In that case, it is conceivable, in particular, that the third embodiment of the cooling system shown in Fig. 5 is used in conventional vehicles, and thus that can be driven purely by an internal combustion engine.

[0073] A vehicle equipped with a cooling system 1 according to the third embodiment comprises, for example, the above-mentioned internal combustion engine as drive machine 3 and can be driven by means of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises at least one or several combustion chambers in which combustion processes take place during the combustion operation of the internal combustion engine. In each combustion process, a mixture is burned which comprises air, also called combustion air, and a fuel, in particular in liquid form. In order to achieve a particularly efficient operation of the internal combustion engine, the combustion air is compressed by means of at least one compressor, the compressed air also called charge air. The air can flow through an intake duct of the internal combustion engine, also called inlet duct, and is led to the respective combustion chamber by means of the intake duct. The above-mentioned at least one compressor is then arranged in the intake duct. Furthermore, an intercooler 27 is arranged in the intake duct downstream of the compressor, through which the compressed and thereby heated air can flow. The compressed and thus heated air can be cooled by means of the charge air cooler 27, in particular before it flows into the respective combustion chamber. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the charge air cooler 27 is arranged in the second cooling circuit 5, so that the cooling medium, preferably in liquid form, flowing through the cooling circuit 5 and the charge air can flow through the charge air cooler 27. In particular, heat can be exchanged via the charge air cooler 27 between the charge air and the cooling medium flowing through the charge air cooler 27, such that heat is transferred via the charge air cooler 27 from the compressed air to the charge air cooler 27, i.e. to the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5. The charge air is thus cooled via the charge air cooler 27. It can thus be seen that in the third embodiment the charge air cooler 27 is used instead of the energy store 6 or instead of the heat source Q3, or in the third embodiment the charge air cooler 27 is used as the heat source Q3.

[0074] 5 shows the valve device 17 in a first state in which the first cooling circuit 2 is in communication with the flow branch 10 via the valve device 17, whereby at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2, in particular at least a major part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2, is guided through the second ambient air cooler 11 and cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11, in particular via the entire cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit before the cooling medium flows through the drive machine 3 (internal combustion engine). In the first switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 bypasses the ambient air cooler 11 and is therefore not cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11.

[0075] In the second switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 flows through the valve device 17 on its path from the ambient air cooler 4 to the drive machine 3, bypassing the flow branch 10 and thus the ambient air cooler 11, so that in the second switching state the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 2 is not cooled by the ambient air cooler 11 on its path from the ambient air cooler 4 to the drive machine 3. In the second switching state, the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 is branched off from the cooling circuit 5 by means of the valve device 17 and introduced into the flow branch 10, so that the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 flows through the flow branch 10 and is thus cooled by means of the ambient air cooler 11, and the cooling medium cooled by the ambient air cooler 11 and flowing through the flow branch 10 then flows through the charge air cooler 27 and thus cools the charge air via the charge air cooler 27.

[0076] In a third embodiment, a third cooler 28 is arranged in the cooling circuit 5, and here downstream of the charge air cooler 27 and upstream of the valve arrangement 17, in particular in addition to and arranged outside the ambient air cooler 4, 11. The third cooler 27 is preferably a third ambient air cooler around which ambient air and thus air can flow during the above-mentioned driving, in particular during forward driving. The cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 can flow through the cooler 28, so that the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuit 5 can be cooled via the third cooler 28 with the air flowing through the cooler 28.

[0077] As in the second embodiment, in the third embodiment the supply line 9 is optional and therefore may be omitted. For example, the equalizing vessel 26 shown in FIG. 5 is also optional.

[0078] It can be seen generally that in the first, second and third embodiments the valve arrangement 17 is switchable between a first and a second switching state. In the first switching state, the first cooling circuit 2 communicates with the flow branch 10 via the valve arrangement 17, whereby at least a portion of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2 can be guided through the second ambient air cooler 11 and can be cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11. In the second switching state, the second cooling circuit 5 communicates with the flow branch 10 via the valve arrangement 17, whereby at least a portion of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit 5 can be guided through the second ambient air cooler 11 and can be cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11. In the first embodiment, in the first switching state shown in FIG. 1 , the flow branch 10 communicates with the flow passage 15 via the valve device 17 and with the first cooling circuit 2 via the flow passage 15, so that at least the above-mentioned portion of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2 can be guided through the second ambient air cooler 11 via the flow passage 15 and at least a portion of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit 2 can be guided through the second ambient air cooler 11 and can be cooled by means of the second ambient air cooler 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Cooling system 2 First cooling circuit 3 Driving Machine 4 First Ambient Air Cooler 5 Second Cooling Circuit 6 Electrical Energy Storage Unit 7 Compensation container 8 quantity 9 Supply line 9 10 Flow branch 11 Second ambient air cooler 12 Cryogenic medium circuit 13 Condenser 14 Chiller 15 Flow Passage 16 Pump 17 Valve gear 18 Low temperature medium compressor 19 Condenser 20 Evaporator 21 Expansion valve 22 Expansion valve 23 Internal heat exchanger 24 Pump 25 Blower 26 Spring device 27 Charge Air Cooler 28 Cooler 29 Compensation container A Branch Point Q1 Heat source Q2 Heat source Q3 Heat source S1 Branch S2 Branch V1 First connection point V2 Second connection point Z Junction

Claims

1. A cooling system (1) for a vehicle with a prime mover, comprising: a first cooling circuit (2) through which a cooling medium can flow; at least one drive machine (3) arranged in the first cooling circuit (2) and capable of being cooled by using the cooling medium and driving the vehicle with the prime mover; a first cooler (4) arranged in the first cooling circuit (2) for cooling the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2); a second cooling circuit (5) through which the cooling medium can flow; a flow branching portion (10) through which the cooling medium can flow, and a second cooler (11) for cooling the cooling medium flowing through the flow branching portion (10) is arranged in the flow branching portion (10) through which the cooling medium can flow; In the cooling system having the above components, a valve device (17) is provided, and the valve device: - In a first switching state, the first cooling circuit (2) communicates with the flow branching portion (10) via the valve device (17), whereby at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2) can be guided through the second cooler (11) and can be cooled by using the second cooler (11); - In a second switching state, the second cooling circuit (5) communicates with the flow branching portion (10) via the valve device (17), whereby at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit (5) can be guided through the second cooler (11) and can be cooled by using the second cooler (11); The cooling system is characterized in that it is switchable between the above two states.

2. - The first cooler (4) is formed as a first ambient air cooler through which air can flow around it, and the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2) can be cooled by using the air flowing around the first ambient air cooler via the first ambient air cooler; and - The second cooler (11) is formed as a second ambient air cooler through which air can flow around it, and the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit (5) can be cooled by using the air flowing around the first ambient air cooler via the second ambient air cooler. The cooling system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the above features.

3. In addition to the cooler (4, 11), at least one heat exchanger (13) is provided which communicates with one of the cooling circuits (2, 5) and through which at least said part or at least another part of the cooling medium flowing through the cooling circuits (2, 5) can flow. The heat exchanger is arranged in a fluid circuit (12) through which another fluid can flow, whereby it can be flowed through by another fluid, and whereby heat can be exchanged via the heat exchanger (13) between the other fluid and the cooling medium flowing through the heat exchanger (13). The cooling system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. At least one heat exchanger (13) is formed as a cooling element, and in order to cool another fluid, heat can be transferred from the other fluid to the cooling medium flowing through at least one heat exchanger (13) via the cooling element. The cooling system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. A second heat exchanger (14) is also provided in addition to at least one heat exchanger (13), which is arranged in another cooling circuit (2, 5) and a fluid circuit (12) through which another fluid can flow, whereby the cooling medium flowing through the other cooling circuit (2, 5) and the other fluid can also flow. Heat can be transferred between the cooling medium flowing through the second heat exchanger (14) and the other fluid via the second heat exchanger. The cooling system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that.

6. The second heat exchanger (14) is formed as a cooling device, and in order to cool the cooling medium flowing through the second heat exchanger (14), heat can be transferred from the cooling medium flowing through the second heat exchanger (14) to another fluid via the cooling device. The cooling system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The fluid circuit (12) is a low-temperature medium circuit of an air-conditioning device operable as a compression low-temperature machine, and another fluid can flow through the low-temperature medium circuit (12) of the air-conditioning device as a low-temperature medium. The cooling system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that.

8. At least one heat exchanger (13) is formed as a condenser (13) for condensing a low-temperature medium. The cooling system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. A flow passage (15) is provided, and the flow passage communicates with the first cooling circuit (2) at a first connection point (V1) disposed downstream of the first cooler (4) and upstream of the drive machine (3) in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2), and at a second connection point (V2) disposed downstream of the drive machine (3) and upstream of the first cooler (4) in the flow direction of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2). Thereby, at least a part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2) can be made to flow through, and at least one heat exchanger (13) is disposed in the flow passage (15) and also in a fluid circuit (12) through which another fluid can flow. Thereby, the cooling medium flowing through the flow passage (15) and another fluid can also be made to flow. In the first switching state, the flow branch portion (10) communicates with the flow passage (15) via the valve device (17) and also communicates with the first cooling circuit (2) via the flow passage (15). Thereby, at least the said part of the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling circuit (2) can be guided through the second cooler (11) via the flow passage (15) and can be cooled using the second cooler (11). The cooling system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that.

10. At least one heat source (6) provided in addition to the drive machine (3) is disposed in the second cooling circuit (5), and the heat source can be cooled using a cooling medium flowing through the second cooling circuit (5). The cooling system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

11. The cooling system according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one heat source (6) is an electrical energy storage unit that stores electrical energy.

12. The cooling system according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one heat source (6) is an air intake cooler that cools air to be supplied to at least one combustion chamber of a vehicle with a prime mover, which is compressed using at least one compressor.

13. The cooling system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve device (17) can be electrically switched from at least one of the switching states to another switching state.

14. The cooling system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that a spring device (26) is provided which can switch the valve device (17) from another switching state to one switching state.

15. A vehicle with a prime mover having the cooling system (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

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