ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

An electrically driven motor vehicle may include a first cooling circuit, a first component, a first heat exchanger, at least one pump configured to convey a coolant, a second cooling circuit, and a second component. The first component may be arranged in the first cooling circuit and may have a temperature which is to be controlled. The second component may be arranged in the second cooling circuit and may have a temperature which is to be controlled. The first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit may be fluidically separated from one another and may be coupled to one another to transfer heat via a second heat exchanger. One of (i) the first component and (ii) the second component may be configured as at least one of an electrical energy storage and a fuel cell module, and the other may be configured as a secondary braking system.

Claims

1. An electrically driven motor vehicle, comprising: a first cooling circuit; at least one first component arranged in the first cooling circuit and a temperature of which is to be controlled; a first heat exchanger; at least one pump configured to convey a coolant; a second cooling circuit; a second component arranged in the second cooling circuit and a temperature of which is to be controlled; wherein the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are fluidically separated from one another and are coupled to one another to transfer heat via a second heat exchanger; and wherein one of (i) the at least one first component and (ii) the second component is configured as at least one of an electrical energy storage and a fuel cell module, and the other of (i) the at least one first component and (ii) the second component is configured as a secondary braking system.

2. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first component is configured as the at least one of the electrical energy storage and the fuel cell module; and the second component is configured as the secondary braking system.

3. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, the at least one first component includes two first components; that the two first components are configured as at least one of two electrical energy storages and two fuel cell modules connected in parallel in the first cooling circuit; and the second component is configured as the secondary braking system.

4. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a third heat exchanger configured as a heater and arranged in the first cooling circuit.

5. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising a fourth heat exchanger configured as a radiator and arranged in the first cooling circuit.

6. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a valve, via which a coolant flow in the first cooling circuit is controllable, arranged in the first cooling circuit.

7. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first component is configured as the fuel cell module; and the fuel cell module includes at least one of a charge air cooler and a hydrogen heater, which is integrated into the first cooling circuit and which is connected to the first cooling circuit to transfer heat.

8. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first component is configured as the secondary braking system; and the second component is configured as the at least one of the electrical energy storage and the fuel cell module.

9. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a third cooling circuit including at least one of at least one electrical energy storage and at least one fuel cell module, wherein: the third cooling circuit is coupled to the first cooling circuit to transfer heat via a third heat exchanger; and the third cooling circuit is fluidically separated from the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

10. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 9, further comprising a fourth heat exchanger configured as a heater and arranged in the first cooling circuit.

11. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising a valve, via which a coolant flow in the first cooling circuit is controllable, arranged in the first cooling circuit.

12. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: the at least one second component is configured as the fuel cell module; and the fuel cell module includes at least one of a charge air cooler and a hydrogen heater, which is integrated into the second cooling circuit and which is connected to the second cooling circuit to transfer heat.

13. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: the third cooling circuit includes the at least one fuel cell module; and the at least one fuel cell module includes at least one of a charge air cooler and a hydrogen heater, which is integrated into the third cooling circuit and which is connected to the third cooling circuit to transfer heat.

14. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first component is configured as the fuel cell module; and the fuel cell module includes a charge air cooler, which is integrated into the first cooling circuit and which is connected to the first cooling circuit to transfer heat.

15. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first component is configured as the fuel cell module; and the fuel cell module includes a hydrogen heater, which is integrated into the first cooling circuit and which is connected to the first cooling circuit to transfer heat.

16. An electrically driven motor vehicle, comprising: a first cooling circuit; at least one first component arranged in the first cooling circuit, the at least one first component having a first controllable temperature; a first heat exchanger arranged in the first cooling circuit; a first pump configured to convey a coolant through the first cooling circuit; a second cooling circuit fluidically separated from the first cooling circuit; a second component arranged in the second cooling circuit, the second component having a second controllable temperature; a second pump configured to convey a coolant through the second cooling circuit; a third cooling circuit fluidically separated from the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit; at least one of an electrically energy storage and a fuel cell module arranged in the third cooling circuit; a third pump configured to convey a coolant through the third cooling circuit; a second heat exchanger arranged in the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit; a third heat exchanger arranged in the first cooling circuit and the third cooling circuit; the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit coupled to one another to facilitate a transfer of heat therebetween via the second heat exchanger; the first cooling circuit and the third cooling circuit coupled to one another to facilitate a transfer of heat therebetween via the third heat exchanger; and wherein one of: the at least one first component is configured as a fuel cell module, and the second component is configured as a secondary braking system; and the at least one first component is configured as a secondary braking system, and the second component is configured as a fuel cell module.

17. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising a heater arranged in the first cooling circuit.

18. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising a radiator arranged in the first cooling circuit.

19. The electrically driven motor vehicle according to claim 16, wherein: the fuel cell module is arranged in the third cooling circuit; and the fuel cell module includes a hydrogen heater, which is integrated into the third cooling circuit and which is connected to the third cooling circuit to transfer heat.

20. An electrically driven motor vehicle, comprising: a first cooling circuit; at least one first component arranged in the first cooling circuit, the at least one first component having a first controllable temperature; a first heat exchanger arranged in the first cooling circuit; a first pump configured to convey a coolant through the first cooling circuit; a second cooling circuit fluidically separated from the first cooling circuit; a second component arranged in the second cooling circuit, the second component having a second controllable temperature; a second pump configured to convey a coolant through the second cooling circuit; a second heat exchanger arranged in the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit; the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit coupled to one another to facilitate a transfer of heat therebetween via the second heat exchanger; and wherein one of: the at least one first component is configured as at least one of an electrical energy storage and a fuel cell module, and the second component is configured as a secondary braking system; and the at least one first component is configured as a secondary braking system, and the second component is configured as at least one of an electrical energy storage and a fuel cell module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In each case schematically,

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention comprising a first and second cooling circuit according to a first embodiment,

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an illustration as in FIG. 1, but in the case of a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrically driven motor vehicle 1 according to the invention has a first cooling circuit 2 comprising at least one first component 3, which is arranged therein and the temperature of which is to be controlled, as well as a first heat exchanger 4, and at least one pump 5 for conveying a coolant. Reference numeral “2” for the first cooling circuit 2 is thereby drawn several times in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to be able to better recognize the course of the first cooling circuit 2. According to FIG. 1, the first component 3 is formed as fuel cell module 6, wherein it goes without saying that, in the alternative, an energy storage, for example an electric vehicle battery, can also be used for the first component 3, which has to be held in a predefined temperature window for the improved power output via the first cooling circuit 2. According to FIG. 1, two first components 3 are thereby provided in the manner of fuel cell modules 6, which are connected in parallel in the first cooling circuit 2. It goes without saying that further fuel cell modules 6 of this type can also be arranged in the first cooling circuit 2. What is further provided is a second cooling circuit 7 comprising a second component 8, which is arranged in the second cooling circuit 7 and the temperature of which is to be controlled, and which is formed as secondary braking system 9 in the present case. A pump 10 for conveying the coolant flowing in the second cooling circuit 7 is also provided in the second cooling circuit 7.

[0029] According to the invention, the first and second cooling circuit 2, 7 are now fluidically separated from one another and are coupled to one another so as to transfer heat via a second heat exchanger 11. One of the two components 3, 8 is thereby formed as electrical energy storage or as fuel cell module 6, wherein, according to FIG. 1, the first component 3 is formed as fuel cell module 6, while the second component 8 is formed as secondary braking system 9.

[0030] When looking at FIG. 2, the first component 3 is formed as secondary braking system 9 there, while the second component 8 is or are formed, respectively, as fuel cell module 6.

[0031] When initially looking at FIG. 1, it can be seen that two fuel cell modules 6 are arranged in the first cooling circuit 2—as mentioned above—and a secondary braking system 9 is arranged in the second cooling circuit 7 in the case of the embodiment shown therein. A third heat exchanger 12, which is formed as heater and via which, for example, a passenger interior of the electrically driven motor vehicle 1 can be heated, is furthermore arranged in the first cooling circuit 2. A fourth heat exchanger 13, which is formed as radiator and which can be connected in response to a temporarily increased cooling capacity, is furthermore arranged in the first cooling circuit 2 according to FIG. 1.

[0032] What is likewise provided is a valve 14, via which a coolant flow can be controlled, for example also stopped, in the first cooling circuit 2. A valve 14 of this type can be formed, for example, as thermostatic valve, and makes it possible to not additionally cool the fuel cell module 6 as well as the secondary braking system 9 in particular under cold outside conditions.

[0033] When now looking at FIG. 2, it can be seen that a secondary braking system 9 is arranged in the first cooling circuit 2 there, and two fuel cell modules 6 are arranged in the second cooling circuit 7. The first component 3 is thus formed as secondary braking system 9 and the second component 8 as fuel cell module 6 in this case.

[0034] According to FIG. 2, a third cooling circuit 15 comprising at least one third component, here comprising a fuel cell module 6, is moreover also provided, which is coupled to the first cooling circuit 2 via a fifth heat exchanger 16, but which is fluidically separated therefrom, as well as from the second cooling circuit 7.

[0035] In the case of the electrically driven motor vehicle 1, which is illustrated according to FIG. 2, a third heat exchanger 12, which is formed as heater, is also provided in the first cooling circuit 2, as well as a valve 14, which, in the closed state, stops a flow of the coolant in the first cooling circuit 2.

[0036] According to FIG. 1, a separate pump 5, which serves for the coolant conveyance in the first cooling circuit 2, is provided for each fuel cell module 6. Only a single pump 10 is arranged in the second cooling circuit 7. According to FIG. 2, only a single pump 5 is provided in the first cooling circuit 2, while a pump 10 is assigned to each further cooling circuit, that is the second cooling circuit 7, and a pump 10′ is assigned to the third cooling circuit 15.

[0037] The fuel cell modules 6 have a charge air cooler 17, which, according to FIG. 1, are integrated into the first cooling circuit 2, while the charge air cooler 17 according to FIG. 2 is integrated into the second cooling circuit 7 in the upper fuel cell module 6, and is integrated into the third cooling circuit 15 in the lower fuel cell module 6. Hydrogen heaters 18, which heat up the hydrogen prior to the supply into the fuel cell of the fuel cell module 6 and thus effect a more effective combustion, are in each case integrated in the same way. The charge air supplied to the combustion in the fuel cell can be cooled via the charge air cooler 17 and can thus be compressed, so that more air is available for the combustion, and the fuel cell module 6 can thus have a higher output.

[0038] The hydrogen heater 18 according to FIG. 1 is thereby connected to the first cooling circuit 2 so as to transfer heat in the case of the two fuel cell modules 6, while the hydrogen heater 18 is coupled to the second cooling circuit 7 in the case of the upper fuel cell module 6 according to FIG. 2, and to the third cooling circuit 15 in the case of the lower fuel cell module 6 so as to transfer heat.

[0039] It is possible by means of the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention to integrate a secondary braking system 9 into the cooling system of a fuel cell module 6 or generally of an electrical energy storage, respectively, and to thereby prevent the problematic use of a common coolant as well as to individually and thus significantly better cool the individual components 3, 8 with regard to the coolant temperature thereof. Due to the separation of the coolants of the first cooling circuit 2 and of the second cooling circuit 7 or of the third or further cooling circuit 15, respectively, the coolant volume for the first cooling circuit 2, in which the fuel cell module 6 or an energy storage, respectively, is arranged, can be reduced significantly, whereby in particular less deionized coolant has to be provided as well, and fewer regions, which come into contact with this coolant and which would need to be passivated, are present. Due to the different coolants, they can also be used at different temperatures, so that the secondary braking system 9 can be cooled with a coolant temperature of above 90° C., while the fuel cell module 6 can be cooled with a coolant temperature of below 50° C. A cooling, which is particularly suitable, of the fuel cell module 6 as well as of the secondary braking system 9 can be attained thereby.