Climate control module and headlights

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature regulation module (1) with a closed central part (15) and a separation element (3) with heat conducting elements (4) on the two sides (5, 16) of said central part, and further with an air conveying device. The temperature regulation module according to the invention is characterized in that the conveying device is designed as an integrated twin fan (6) which conveys ambient air from one side (5) of the central part (15) on the one hand and from the other side (16) of the central part (15) to the separation element (3), and that the central part (15) comprises a Peltier element (PE) or is designed as a Peltier element. The temperature regulation module (1) is used in a headlight (21) for cooling and / or heating an interior volume (13).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a temperature regulation module comprising a separation element of the kind defined in detail in the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a headlight, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising such a temperature regulation module. [Background technology]

[0002] Inside modern headlights, there are many components that release heat during operation. These are the step motor and the control device, as well as the LEDs that are currently commonly used as the light emitting means. Heat is then generated in the area of ​​the lines and contacts, partly due to the very large currents, but also due to the electrical resistance of the wiring. To avoid overheating of the generally self-enclosed internal volume, which would reduce performance and even cause damage to components, this waste heat must then be removed from the internal volume of the headlight. Typically, heat transport is used for this via a cover plate, also called a front plate or cover glass. This allows a relatively large amount of heat to be removed, especially when the vehicle is in use, by the air flowing around it while the vehicle is moving. The plastic housing of the headlight also contributes to the heat transport itself, but in this case the materials used and the typical mounting location, which is relatively close to the surrounding components, limit efficient heat transfer. Therefore, only a small part of the waste heat can be removed via the housing, for example to the engine compartment of the vehicle.

[0003] One approach to improving the evacuation of waste heat is generally to use separating elements and fans within the headlight to direct the waste heat away from the components that generate it.

[0004] Besides operating such fans inside the closed volume of a headlight, the use of a separating element having two sides is also known from the prior art, one side being arranged inside the headlight and the other side being arranged outside. In this connection, reference can be made to DE 10 200 43 33 A1, which basically describes such a separating element, in which the heat-conducting connection between the part located around the headlight and the part located inside is made via a central part, which here is designed as a thermoelectric cooler, i.e. to actively influence the heat flow from the inside to the outside.

[0005] This structure, together with a fan placed in the internal volume of the headlight, can reduce the temperature in the structure, but can also heat the structure itself. In that case, however, it is necessary to ensure a constant air supply to the thermoelectric element, so the structure is dependent on the various ambient environmental conditions. Another problem of such headlights is the pressure compensation between the internal volume and the surrounding environment at various temperatures. This is not addressed at all by this prior art. In practice, however, membranes that are permeable to air and impermeable to water vapor are often used for that purpose. This is very costly in practice and requires additional construction space. Moreover, even well-sealed headlights are not completely leak-proof against moisture. For example, moisture can get in through the plastic materials that are typically used for the housing. This can cause the construction to fog up, but it is not possible to evacuate the moisture through the membrane. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] DE102007057056A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved integrated climate control module which is improved over the above-mentioned prior art structures and which can preferably be used in retrofit headlights. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a temperature regulation module having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments emerge from the dependent claims. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a headlight having such a temperature regulation module with the features of claim 4. Here again, advantageous embodiments and developments of the headlight emerge from the dependent claims dependent thereon. A method for operating a temperature regulation module is described in claim 12.

[0009] The temperature regulation module according to the invention is an integrated temperature regulation module with a separation element on the one hand and an air conveying device on the other hand. The separation element comprises a closed central part and heat conducting elements on two sides of this central part. According to the invention, it is provided that the conveying device is designed as an integrated twin fan, which conveys ambient air from one side of the central part on the one hand and ambient air from the other side of the central part to the separation element on the other hand. That is to say, the central part of the separation element is, for example, a plate with heat conducting elements on one side and on the other side. Furthermore, Peltier elements are integrated in the central part or are directly formed by such Peltier elements. By applying a voltage or power, heat can therefore be generated on one side and cold air can be generated on the other side.

[0010] These sides can be swapped by electrically reversing the polarity as required. Thus, the temperature regulation module with Peltier elements can selectively generate heat or cold on one side, thereby heating or cooling the air conveyed by the twin fans through the Peltier elements or the central part and the heat conducting element. This temperature regulation module therefore allows efficient heating or cooling. Besides the active heating or cooling by the Peltier elements, the temperature regulation module also allows to enhance or promote the naturally occurring heat flow from one side to the other depending on the polarity used, so that waste heat can be carried away more quickly.

[0011] Thus, according to a very advantageous embodiment of the headlight, it is provided that the twin fans are arranged to circulate air in the internal volume on the one hand and transport it to the separating element of the temperature control module, and on the other hand transport the ambient air to the other side of the separating element. The two air flows are materially separated, i.e. the air does not mix. Thus, heat is efficiently removed from the headlight with the help of the Peltier element, so that in addition to the heat removal via the cover plate, it is also possible to dissipate heat to additional areas, for example the engine compartment.

[0012] Another very advantageous embodiment of the temperature regulation module according to the invention can furthermore provide for a collection volume for condensed water to be arranged on one side, so that this side can receive the moisture during cooling caused by the Peltier elements or the moisture that condenses on the central part when removing waste heat from the area of ​​this side (actively supported). The collection volume thus makes it possible to collect the moisture in the area and thus to dry the circulating air flow, which in this case is used for cooling, along the side with the collection volume.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the integrated temperature adjustment module, the heat conducting elements can be designed as heat conducting ribs or fins or as heat conducting fingers, pins or neps. A combination of these elements or a combination with other measures, such as for example surface roughening, which increase the surface area on each side of the separating element, is also conceivable.

[0014] In that case, the structure of the twin fan is fundamentally unimportant and can be designed arbitrarily. However, according to a very advantageous development of the temperature control module according to the invention, it is provided that the twin fan has two fan wheels sealed off from each other and a common electric drive motor for the two fan wheels. This structure is very simple and efficient and allows good functioning with little required hardware, space and energy. In that case, preferably, one electric drive motor for the two fan wheels can be arranged centrally between the two fan wheels.

[0015] The twin fan can be preferably designed as a radial fan, whereby it sucks in the sucked-in air, for example transversely to the respective side or face of the separating element, and then releases it again via the respective side surface of the central part and preferably between the heat conducting elements. Thus, on one side, warm air can be efficiently transported to the heat conducting element, for example to cool it. The resulting waste heat is transported from one side to the other, and at the same time, on the other side, cooling air can be transported in the same way to efficiently exhaust the heat transported from the first side to the second side.

[0016] That is to say, in this particularly advantageous embodiment, the twin fans are then designed to transport the ambient air on each side of the separating element or its central part to the heat conducting element on the discharge side and therefore, in the above-mentioned embodiment as radial fans, to correspondingly suck in the ambient air, preferably perpendicular to this direction.

[0017] Basically, such a temperature control module as an integrated temperature control module can be used wherever heat should be transferred from one side to another, particularly in components with narrow constructional spaces, where the highly integrated and compact construction made possible by the temperature control module according to the present invention is particularly beneficial.

[0018] In that case, it can be designed so that it can be integrated into a housing, which has on two opposite sides an intake opening for the intake air of the twin fan and, at a distance therefrom, an exhaust opening for the exhaust air of the separating element after passing through the heat conducting element. In other words, the separating element and the twin fan can be efficiently arranged in such a housing. In that case, the housing can be installed in a suitable part of the wall. For this purpose, for example, screw fastening or clip fastening can be provided. In that case, the heat can be transported from one side of the wall to the other side of the wall. This can be done very simply and efficiently by simply connecting the electrical connections for one drive motor and the electrical connections for the Peltier element to the power supply. The power supply can be done both from one side of the wall and from the other side, whichever is more advantageous in terms of assembly.

[0019] A preferred application is in the field of headlights. Such headlights, which have a self-enclosed internal volume containing at least light-emitting diodes and their control electronics etc., can then ideally be cooled or heated via the thermoregulation module according to the invention. In that case, the headlight according to the invention as claimed in claim 4 is such that the central part of the separating element of the thermoregulation module with the Peltier element forms part of the boundary of the internal volume, whereby the heat-conducting element on one side projects into the internal volume and the heat-conducting element on the other side projects into the surrounding environment. That is to say, the central part with the Peltier element or the central part formed by the Peltier element forms part of the housing of the headlight and can thus be integrated in the headlight in a very space-saving manner. In that case, one side with the twin fan half is located on the inside and can be cooled or heated there as required. The other side is located on the outside, for example in the area of ​​the engine compartment, and can be used to evacuate heat in the case of cooling the headlight or to provide heat from the engine compartment in the case of heating the headlight. The Peltier element can thus be actively cooled or heated on the one hand and, by increasing the existing temperature difference, allows an improved heat transfer between the respective sides for cooling or heating.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the headlight according to the invention, the headlight is combined with an embodiment of the temperature control module according to the invention having a collection volume. In that case, according to the invention, the collection volume arranged in the internal volume of the headlight can be connected to a receiving volume for condensed water via a line element for condensed water discharge. That is to say, moisture that accumulates in the internal volume of the headlight, for example because the headlight is not made completely tight or because moisture has penetrated into the interior of the headlight through the plastic material of the housing, is collected as condensed water in the collection volume during cooling of the headlight. The Peltier element then serves as both a cooling element and a cold air trap. The condensed water then flows in liquid form through the line element for condensed water discharge into the receiving volume located outside the internal volume of the headlight, from where it can be simply and efficiently discharged into the surrounding environment. This allows the moisture that has penetrated into the internal volume of the headlight to be efficiently discharged as required.

[0021] According to another very advantageous embodiment of the headlight according to the invention, it is provided that the line element, in normal use, ends in the receiving volume at the top in the direction of gravity, i.e. the condensed water can then drip from the end of the line element into the receiving volume, so that with the normally occurring filling there is no direct connection between the line element and the condensed liquid that collects below in the receiving volume in the direction of gravity.

[0022] That is, in that case, if the pressure in the internal volume of the headlight increases, for example due to heating of the light source, the stepper motor, the electronic components, etc., the condensed water is transported via the collecting volume and the line element to the receiving volume. If the pressure conditions are reversed, the condensed water cannot return to the internal volume of the headlight, since the line element ends above the surface of the condensed water in the receiving volume. Air can still flow into the internal volume for pressure compensation.

[0023] In that case, another highly advantageous embodiment provides for the receiving volume to be sealed off by itself and to be connected to the surroundings on the one hand via a line element and on the other hand via a meander-shaped piece of pipe which, in normal use, is arranged downwards in the direction of gravity. Such a meander-shaped piece of pipe allows for an efficient connection to the surroundings, so that in the event of overpressure in the internal volume of the headlight, condensed water is pushed out of the receiving volume through the piece of pipe into the surroundings. On the other hand, air can also be sucked in through the meander-shaped piece of pipe and, in the event of a reversal of the pressure conditions, can also be "sucked back" into the headlight or its internal volume. In that case, the meander-shaped piece of pipe has the advantage that, due to its meander-shaped construction, it is possible to very efficiently prevent the ingress of dirt, at least indirectly, into the area of ​​the receiving volume and thus into the area of ​​the internal volume of the headlight.

[0024] However, according to a highly advantageous development of this concept, it is also possible, as a supplement to the embodiment of the serpentine shape of the tube section, for the flow-through cross section of the serpentine shape to have grid or filter elements, which, for example, can prevent relatively coarse dirt particles from clogging the serpentine shape of the tube section, prevent insects from harboring it, etc.

[0025] According to a highly advantageous embodiment of the headlight according to the invention, it can furthermore be provided that the temperature control module is arranged in the interior volume below a cover having ventilation openings, at least with respect to the air flow delivered by the temperature control module in the normal use of the headlight. That is to say, such a cover can be arranged in such a way that the air flow delivered by the temperature control module in the headlight in the normal use of the headlight reaches the area of ​​the cover from below, for example in this area the air is delivered from below directly or also from behind to the underside of the cover and then directed precisely upwards via the ventilation openings in the cover. Preferably, the cover can be arranged below the cover plate, so that the delivered air flow can flow precisely to this cover plate from below through the ventilation openings. This is advantageous in particular when it is a question of heating the headlight in order to make it or keep it ice-free or to efficiently remove fogging of the cover plate, in particular fogging inside the cover plate, and to prevent new fogging.

[0026] According to another very advantageous embodiment of the headlight according to the invention, the headlight has at least one temperature sensor, which, together with a control device for controlling the Peltier element and the twin fan of the thermoregulation module according to the invention, is set to influence the thermoregulation of the headlight. The temperature sensor or sensors can detect the need for heating or cooling in the internal volume of the headlight, which can be monitored and controlled accordingly by preferably further temperature sensors, at least one of which is arranged in the region of the air exiting from the thermoregulation module.

[0027] Although the use of such a headlight is in principle suitable for all possible applications, it may in particular be intended that this headlight be used as a front headlight in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, here preferably a non-rail land vehicle, such as, for example, a passenger car or a freight vehicle.

[0028] The method according to the invention for operating a thermoregulation module according to the invention in a headlight according to the invention provides for the Peltier element to be used in a first electrical polarity for cooling a first side and for rejecting heat to a second side when cooling is required for cooling the internal volume and / or for collecting condensate in a collection volume of the thermoregulation module, and the method further provides for the Peltier element to be used in the opposite polarity for heating the first side when heat is required to keep the cover plate clear or to eliminate any already occurring fog or to ensure an ice-free cover plate, i.e. to melt any ice as required and, as a result, to keep the cover plate clear.

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments of the temperature regulation module according to the invention, the headlight according to the invention and the method according to the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments which are described in detail below with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of one possible embodiment of a temperature regulation module according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the temperature adjustment module according to FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlight in one embodiment according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 2 shows an enlarged view of the device for pressure compensation in and condensate drainage from the headlight; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In the side view shown in FIG. 1, one can recognize an integrated thermoregulation module, generally designated 1. The housing 2 of the integrated thermoregulation module 1 is then shown partially in section so that a separation element 3 with several heat-conducting elements 4, which are shown on the side 5 facing the viewer, is visible. These heat-conducting elements 4 can be designed, for example, as cooling pins. In addition to this separation element 3, a twin fan 6 designed as a radial fan is integrated into the housing 2. One of the radial fan wheels 7 is shown in the housing with dashed lines, since it is obscured by the actual housing 2.

[0032] Here, this function can be best shown in a plan view, which can be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 2. The housing 2 of the temperature control module 1 is then received in an opening 8 in the wall, indicated at 9. For this purpose, a surrounding seal 10 is provided between the wall 9 and a flange 11 of the housing. The connection can be realized, for example, by gluing, screwing, riveting, etc. In particular, the connection can be realized by clip fastening, for which the clip 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 can be seen as part of the housing. When the housing is inserted from above into the opening 8 in FIG. 2, the housing can be clipped to the wall 9 in a simple and efficient manner, preferably by deforming the fitted seal 10, so that the structure is completely sealed.

[0033] In that case, below the wall 9 there is an internal volume, indicated with 13, and above it an external volume, indicated with 14, in the ambient environment of the temperature regulation module 1. Heat is then transferred from one of the two volumes 13, 14 to the other via the temperature regulation module 1, i.e. the cooling of the internal volume 13 results in the transfer of heat from the internal volume 13 to the external volume 14, which forms the ambient environment of the structure. The separation element 3 then has a closed central part 15, which is accommodated in the housing 2 in such a way that the area facing the internal volume 13 is sealed off from the area facing the external volume 14. The first, here facing downwards, first side 5 of the separation element 3, or its central part 15, then supports some of the heat conducting elements 4, as does the second side 16 located opposite. In that case, a Peltier element PE as a thermoelectric cooler or heater is further arranged on the separation element 3 or on the central part 15. Thus, depending on the control or electrical polarity, heat can be transported from the first side 5 to the second side 16, thereby cooling the internal volume 13, or conversely, thereby heating the internal volume 13. The fan wheels 7 of the twin fans 6 then circulate the cooled or heated air in the internal volume 13, and the waste heat or expelled cold air is exhausted to the ambient environment, which is the external volume 14.

[0034] The sealing of the areas adjacent to the two sides 5, 16 is extended by an intermediate wall 17 which extends further through the housing and is arranged in alignment with the central part 15 of the separating element 3. This intermediate wall 17 has an opening for an electric drive motor 18 which is part of the twin fan 6 and which drives in parallel two runners 7 with their respective guide vanes. The areas of the two runners 7 are then also sealed from one another by the intermediate wall 17 and the drive motor 18, so that a sealing of the internal volume 13 against the external volume 14 is possible when the housing 2 is sealingly assembled in the opening 8 in the wall 9.

[0035] In that case, on the underside of the illustrated thermoregulating module 1 facing the internal volume 13, air from the internal volume 13 is sucked in via the intake opening 19 and conveyed by the guide vanes of the rotating runner 7 between the heat conducting elements 4 on the first side 5 of the separation element 3. The same applies to the opposite side 16 of the central part 15. Here too, air is sucked in, this time from the external volume 14, i.e. the surrounding environment, via the intake opening also indicated with 19 and conveyed between the heat conducting elements 4 on the second side 16 of the central part 15. The outgoing air then reaches again on both sides through the outlet openings 20, on the one hand, the internal volume 13 shown below in FIG. 2 and, on the other hand, the external volume 14, which is correspondingly visible above.

[0036] That is, the air conveyed through the rotating runners 7 of the twin fans 6 remains unmixed depending on whether it is conveyed from the internal volume 13 or from the external volume 14, and the two air flows are in thermally conductive contact with each other only via the central part 15 and the heat conducting element 4. This alone makes it possible in principle to exchange heat between the two air flows. The heat exchange is then assisted by the Peltier element PE, which in the exemplary embodiment shown here is designed as integrated into the central part 15. The Peltier element PE can also completely form this central part 15, whereby the heat conducting element is arranged directly on the Peltier element PE. The temperature regulation module 1 can then be cooled in the region of the internal volume 13, for example, by heat being released into the air flow from the external volume 14 and by polarizing the Peltier element PE so that its cold side is located on the side facing the internal volume 13 and its hot side is located on the side facing the external volume 14. In addition to such cooling, it is also possible to heat the air flow for the internal volume 13, in which case the polarity of the Peltier element PE is reversed so that the cold side is located on the side facing the external volume 14 and the hot side is located on the side facing the internal volume 13.

[0037] The separating element 3 or at least its central part 15 and the heat conducting element 4 can preferably consist of a material with good thermal conductivity, for example aluminum. The twin fan 6 drives a runner 7 with guide vanes, which is shown in the upper part of FIG. 2, in addition to the runner 7 shown in the lower part of FIG. 2. For this, both runners can be arranged on the same shaft of a common electric drive motor 18 and thus rotated at the same speed. In principle, a transmission for varying the rotation speed of one of the runners is also conceivable. The runners 7 are preferably of the same construction as each other.

[0038] The thermoregulation module 1 can be used in particular in the headlight 21 shown in FIG. 3. The structure consists of a housing 22 and a transparent cover plate 23. Under this cover plate 23, two fields 24 with light-emitting diodes are arranged, purely by way of example. Inside the housing 22, or on the housing 22 as shown here, a control device 25 and a step motor 26 are also shown exemplarily. These elements, which are then in the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 or in thermally conductive contact with the headlight, generate waste heat. In order to improve the cooling and thus to achieve a high performance of the components in the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 without overheating these components, the thermoregulation module 1 is integrated in the headlight 21 as shown in FIG. 3. A part of its housing 22 forms the wall 9 shown in FIG. 2. That is to say, for example, heat is transferred from the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 to the volume surrounding the headlight 21 (corresponding to the external volume 14 of the structure according to FIG. 2) via the thermoregulation module 1. In that case, the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 itself can be further sealed to prevent the ingress of relatively large amounts of moisture, which could damage the electrical, and especially the optical, components in the headlight 21. Besides the cooling required for most operating situations, i.e. the removal of the waste heat of the electronic components 24, 26 and 25 from the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21, the structure of the temperature regulation module 1 with the Peltier element PE also makes it very easy to heat up the internal volume 13, for example to keep the headlight clear or to keep it clear or to remove icing. This then applies in principle to the entire internal volume 13, but in particular to the area of ​​the cover plate 23.

[0039] This construction therefore provides for a shroud 27 to be arranged in the direction of gravity g, in the region where the cover plate 23 transitions into the non-transparent housing 22, in normal use. This shroud 27 has ventilation openings 28. The air conveyed by the thermoregulation module 1 in the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 collects below this shroud 27, flows through the ventilation openings 28, is directed upwards precisely in the region of the cover plate 23 and then circulates back to the thermoregulation module 1 via the region where the lighting element 24, the optional stepper motor 26 and the control device 25 abut against the housing 22. This circulatory flow allows good cooling in the headlight 21 or good heating, especially in the case of freezing and / or frosting of the cover plate 23.

[0040] As already mentioned above, the goal is to prevent as far as possible the ingress of relatively large amounts of moisture into the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21. In practice, however, this is often not entirely successful, since the construction of the headlight 21 and its housing 22 cannot be made completely tight. The reason for this is, on the one hand, the need for pressure compensation, which necessitates the use of membranes that are permeable to air but not to water vapor, for example. This results in interfaces in the housing 22, which can only be designed very tightly at high cost. Furthermore, the plastics typically used for the housing 22 are not completely tight against moisture, which can cause moisture to diffuse into the interior of the headlight 21 as well. This means that a certain amount of residual moisture can never be excluded.

[0041] In the headlight 21 according to the invention, therefore, such a type of membrane, which can be attached optionally, is basically not necessary. Instead, the headlight according to the invention utilizes a collecting volume 29 for condensed water in the region of the temperature control module 1 and here on its side 5 facing the internal volume 13. This collecting volume 29 is arranged, in normal use, below the direction of gravity, the direction of which is symbolically indicated here by the gravitational acceleration g. Moisture circulated and guided through the twin fans in the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 condenses on the first side 5 or on the heat conducting element 4 of this side 5 and drips into the collecting volume 29. This is connected via a line element 30 to a receiving volume 31, which is arranged outside the housing 22 but is sealed relative to it.

[0042] In FIG. 4, the enlarged structure is shown. Here, the side 5 of the central part 15 in the temperature control module 1 is shown together with the heat conducting element 4. The view according to FIG. 4 shows the part of the temperature control module 1 that protrudes into the internal volume 13, as seen from the internal volume 13. The cooling by the Peltier element PE, which is not visible here, causes the moisture present in the internal volume 13 to condense completely. This then collects in the direction of gravity g below the collecting volume 29 and flows away via the line element 30 into the receiving volume 31. The line element 30 then ends in the receiving volume 31 in the direction of gravity g in normal use, so that the condensed water leaving the line element 30 drips into the receiving vessel 31 and collects therein downwards in the direction of gravity g. The collected condensed water is shown in FIG. 4 and is marked with the reference K. The receiving volume 31 is correspondingly connected below via a serpentine-shaped pipe piece 32 to the surrounding environment, here the external volume 14. That is, the structure for condensate drainage forms a connection between the internal volume 13 and the external volume 14, and in this structure, based on the arrangement of the ends of the line elements 30, condensate cannot be sucked back into the internal volume during normal use, even if the internal pressure of the internal volume 13 is lower than the area of ​​the external volume 14.

[0043] The water condensed and collected by the corresponding operation of the Peltier element PE as a cold trap is then in the receiving volume 31 as condensed water K. If the air pressure in the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21 increases, for example due to the operation of a heat source or due to a decrease in the ambient pressure, for example because a vehicle equipped with the headlight 21 is driving uphill, the collected condensed water K is pushed outwards through the serpentine-designed tube piece 32 to the surrounding environment, i.e. the external volume 14. If the receiving volume 31 is empty, the excess pressure in the internal volume 13 allows the remaining air to flow out unhindered, thus providing pressure compensation. In the opposite case, i.e. if the air pressure in the internal volume 13 falls below the air pressure in the external volume 14, the air can be drawn inwards through the serpentine-designed tube piece 32. If the condensed water K remains in the receiving vessel, air bubbles form there and rise, thereby providing pressure compensation. In that case, due to the distance that normally exists between the surface of the condensate K and the line element 30 which in normal use ends upward in the direction of gravity g, water or condensate K does not get into the internal volume 13. When the receiving volume 31 is empty, the air returns directly to the internal volume 13.

[0044] This creates a simple and efficient connection between the inner volume 13 and the outer volume 14, which allows the condensation water to be drained on the one hand and achieves pressure compensation on the other hand. Due to the possibility of very efficient and active cooling via the temperature regulation module 1 with the Peltier element PE, the tightness of the headlight 21 against the surrounding environment becomes less important, since the condensation water can be drained before the moisture can damage the components inside the headlight 21.

[0045] In that case, the tube piece 32 is designed with a serpentine shape in order to prevent dust and dirt from entering the interior of the headlight 21. Additionally, a fine net or grid (not shown here) can be attached to the end of the tube piece 32 in order to prevent coarse dirt from clogging the tube piece 32 and to prevent insects from nesting in the area of ​​the tube piece 32.

[0046] The control device 25 already shown in FIG. 3 is then responsible for controlling and monitoring the entire process. It is connected on the one hand to the Peltier element PE in the climate control module 1 and on the other hand to various temperature sensors 33, 34, 35 inside the headlight 21. Furthermore, other vehicle signals, such as data on the temperature in the external volume 14 detected via a temperature sensor 36, or on the air pressure, here indicated by arrow 37, can also be provided to the control device 25. On the output side, the control device 25 can then correspondingly control the Peltier element PE and the drive motor 18 of the twin fan 6 of the climate control module 1, thereby controlling or regulating the temperature in the internal volume 13 of the headlight 21, and supplying the Peltier element PE with power according to the desired polarity, so that it operates as a heating or cooling element as required. To reverse the polarity of the current in the Peltier element PE, for example an H-bridge can be used. This makes it possible to cool in summer with the Peltier element PE and to dry the air. In winter, it can be used for heating in order to prevent the cover plate 23 from fogging and / or icing up.

[0047] Furthermore, the control device 25 may be responsible for controlling the lighting and the stepper motor 26, although in principle several separate control devices are also conceivable.

Claims

1. A temperature regulation module (1) comprising a separating element (3) having a closed central part (15) and heat conducting elements (4) on two sides (5, 16) of said central part (15), further comprising an air conveying device, The temperature regulation module (1), characterized in that the conveying device is designed as an integrated twin fan (6) which conveys ambient air from one side (5) of the central part (15) on the one hand and from the other side (16) of the central part (15) to the separation element (3), the central part (15) having a Peltier element (PE) or designed as a Peltier element.

2. 2. A temperature control module (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at said one side (5) a collecting volume (29) for condensate is arranged.

3. 3. The temperature control module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the twin fan (6) has two fan wheels (7) sealed from each other and an electric drive motor (18) for the two fan wheels (7).

4. A headlight (21) comprising a self-enclosed internal volume (13), a transparent cover plate (23), lighting means (24), means (25, 26) for mechanically and / or electrically driving said lighting means, and further comprising a thermoregulation module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a central part (15) of said thermoregulation module forms part of the boundary of said internal volume (13), whereby a heat conducting element (4) on one side (5) projects into said internal volume (13) and a heat conducting element (4) on the other side (16) projects into the surrounding environment (14).

5. 5. A headlight (21) comprising a temperature control module (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a collecting volume (29) is arranged in the internal volume (13) and is connected to a receiving volume (31) for the condensate (K) via a line element (30) for condensate drainage.

6. 6. Headlight (21) according to claim 5, characterized in that the line element (30) ends, in normal use, upwards in the receiving volume (31) in the direction of gravity (g).

7. 7. A headlight (21) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the receiving volume (31), in normal use, is connected to the surroundings via a serpentine-shaped piece of pipe (32) arranged downwards in the direction of gravity (g).

8. 8. Headlight (21) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow-through cross section of the meander-shaped tube section (32) has grid or filter elements.

9. A headlight (21) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the temperature regulation module (1) is arranged in the internal volume (13) below a cover (27) having ventilation openings (28), at least with respect to the air flow conveyed by the temperature regulation module in the intended use of the headlight (21).

10. A headlight (21) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that at least one temperature sensor (33, 34, 35, 36) is provided, said temperature sensor being connected to a control device (25) configured to control at least a Peltier element (PE) and a twin fan (6).

11. Headlight (21) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that it is designed as a front headlight for a vehicle.

12. A method for operating a thermoregulation module (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3 in a headlight (21) according to any one of claims 4 to 11, comprising: The method, characterized in that a Peltier element (PE) is used with a first electrical polarity to cool a first side (5) and to reject heat to a second side (16) when cooling is required to cool an internal volume (13) and / or to collect condensate in a collection volume (29) of the temperature control module (1), and with an opposite polarity to heat the first side (5) when heat is required to ensure a fog-free and / or ice-free cover plate (23).

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