CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A climate control system for a vehicle is suitable for combustible coolants and is a compact device for installation on a vehicle roof. A directly evaporating system includes an electrical switch box inside a compact climate control device for the vehicle and is partitioned so that, in the event of relevant leakages of assemblies containing coolant, the assembly cannot come into contact with the combustible coolant and no ignitable mixture can occur in these areas. The electrical box is a closed assembly and is operatively connected to an assembly by which air from areas outside the segments containing coolant is guided into the electrical box in such a way that a positive pressure is created in the electrical box to prevent combustible coolant from flowing into the electrical box.

Claims

1. A climate control system for a vehicle, the climate control system configured for using one or more combustible coolants and for installation on a vehicle roof, the climate control system comprising: equipment sections for air treatment; a compressor unit; and an electrical switch box, wherein the electrical box is designed as a completely closed assembly and is operatively connected to an air supply assembly by which air from areas outside the coolant-carrying segments of the climate control system is guided into the electrical box in such a way that an overpressure is created in the electrical box to prevent the one or more combustible coolants from flowing into the electrical box.

2. The climate control system according to claim 1, wherein the air supply assembly includes a separate fan configured to create the overpressure in the electrical box.

3. The climate control system according to claim 1, wherein the air supply assembly includes a duct structure which feeds a partial volume flow of the air into the electrical box from an overpressure area of the supply air section of the equipment sections for air treatment.

4. The climate control system according to claim 1, further comprising: an outgoing air fan, wherein the air supply assembly includes a duct structure which guides a partial volume flow of outgoing air from the outgoing air fan into the electrical box from an outgoing air duct.

5. The climate control system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical box is a closed assembly with an opening for one or both of venting or cooling electrical components installed in an interior of the electrical box.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the following, an embodiment example of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a stylized representation of a compact climate control unit for a rail vehicle in a top view with different variants for the arrangement of the sections and their assignment to the electrical box;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a stylized representation of an electrical box with overpressure in the interior and different flow variants;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a stylized representation of the basic arrangement of an electrical box as a segment of a compact climate control unit;

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a stylized representation of a supplementary view of the variant according to FIG. 3; and

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a stylized representation of a further supplementary view of the variant according to FIG. 3.

[0024] The climate control system for a rail vehicle shown in the drawing is designed as a compact device for installation on the vehicle roof and is preferably intended for operation with combustible coolants of categories A2, A2L and A3, for example R290. Assemblies are provided with which an overpressure can be created in the electrical switch box/electrical box to prevent an inflow of the combustible coolant into the electrical box. The corresponding intake of the air required to build up a defined overpressure from areas outside the coolant-carrying segments or from the outer area ensures that no accumulation of combustible coolant can take place in the electrical box until an ignitable mixture is reached.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a top view of such a compact climate control unit with different variants for arranging the sections of the climate control unit and their assignment to the electrical box.

[0026] Image 1a) shows the creation of overpressure by aspiration of ambient air with the aid of a separate fan, which is used exclusively to create overpressure in the electrical box.

[0027] Image 1b) shows the creation of overpressure by ducting from the air handling unit to the electrical box. In this case, conditioned air or mixed air is taken from the overpressure area upstream of the electric heater of the air treatment unit and fed to the electrical box via a duct.

[0028] Image 1c) shows the creation of overpressure by ducting from the outgoing air duct to the electrical box. Here, the outgoing air fan creates an overpressure in the electrical box.

[0029] Images 1g) to 1j) show further variants for the creation of overpressure, wherein the individual sections of the climate control system are alternatively arranged.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows an electrical box with overpressure in the interior and different variants for the outflow of the air.

[0031] Image 2d) shows a tightly built electrical box without a focused outflow. This means that there is no overflow from heat sources and thus no heat dissipation of the electrical components. The overpressure is built up by one of the variants explained above until a constant overpressure is achieved within the limits of the attained pressure tightness.

[0032] Image 2e) shows moderate rates of air leakage in the electrical box, but no focused outflow. The buildup of overpressure and its maintenance are accomplished by inflow of air by means of one of the variants explained above. Outflow through gaps and leaks in non-pressure-tight segments of the air handling unit is possible. There is however no significant outflow, amongst others, into the air handling unit, this to prevent ozone contamination of the supply air. The air exchange in the electrical box causes an undirected heat dissipation.

[0033] Image 2f shows a ducted outflow from the electrical box and a focused heat dissipation of electrical components. The build-up of overpressure and its maintenance are also carried out here by inflowing process air by means of one of the variants explained above. The air exchange in the electrical box thus additionally causes a heat dissipation of the electrical components. Here, for example, the ducted discharge to the discharge opening, along electrical components to be cooled, results in targeted heat dissipation.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of an electrical box as a segment of a compact climate control unit. Here, the creation of overpressure is, for example, achieved by a fan, the air inlet grille of which is stylized by several lines running parallel to each other and in a rectangular contour.

[0035] This basic design can be seen again in detail in FIG. 4, wherein the course of the air flow is also shown. Here, overpressure is created for the interior of the electrical box by aspiration of ambient air with the aid of a separate fan. This ambient air is aspirated by the fan via a specially designed weather protection plate. Optionally, there is an air filter in front of the fan for cleaning the ambient air.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows further details, in particular the fan in the electrical box with the interface to the environment.