Abstract
An arrangement for a vehicle roof, having a first pane element configured to realize an outer pane for the vehicle roof, a second pane element that is configured to realize an inner pane for the vehicle roof, the second pane element (2) being coupled to the first pane element, a cooling device, which may have a semiconductor layer having Peltier elements, and strip conductors connected to the semiconductor layer, and wherein the cooling device being designed to cool a vehicle interior, and being coupled to the second pane element, such that the cooling device is arranged between the first and the second pane element.
Claims
1. An arrangement for a vehicle roof, comprising: a first pane element that is configured to realize an outer pane for the vehicle roof, a second pane element that is configured to realize an inner pane for the vehicle roof, the second pane element being coupled to the first pane element, a cooling device, which comprises a semiconductor layer having Peltier elements, and strip conductors connected to the semiconductor layer, and wherein the cooling device being designed to cool a vehicle interior, and being coupled to the second pane element, such that the cooling device is arranged between the first and the second pane element.
2. The arrangement according to claim 1, comprising: a lamination film, as an intermediate layer, which is coupled to the first pane element, such that the intermediate layer is arranged between the first and the second pane element.
3. The arrangement according to claim 1, comprising: a solar cell layer that is composed of solar cells, such that the solar cell layer is arranged between the first and the second pane element.
4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell layer is divided into at least two mutually spaced and separate portions.
5. The arrangement according to a claim 1, comprising: a third panel element, the third pane element being coupled to the second pane element, such that the semiconductor layer is arranged between the second and the third pane element.
6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is made of PVB or PDLC.
7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is applied by means of thin-film technology.
8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the Peltier elements are realized in the form of individual mutually spaced islands.
9. The arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the islands that comprise Peltier elements and solar cells operate in an autonomously controlled manner, independently of the electrical system of the vehicle.
10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the Peltier elements, in the form of strips, are substantially parallel and/or orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the pane elements, in the plane of the pane elements.
11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the Peltier elements are positioned in a first region of the vehicle roof that has no solar cells.
12. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the solar cells are positioned in a second region of the vehicle roof that has no Peltier elements.
13. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device is designed to heat the glass composite for the purpose of de-icing by reversing the current at the Peltier elements.
14. A vehicle roof comprising: an arrangement according to claim 1, a roof opening, and a cover designed to close the roof opening, the cover comprising the arrangement.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.
[0037] In the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle roof for a motor vehicle, in a perspective view,
[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0041] FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0042] FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0043] FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0044] FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0045] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a division of the Peltier elements in a plan view of the vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0046] FIG. 9 shows a division of the Peltier elements in an island pattern, in schematic sectional views according to FIG. 8, according to exemplary embodiments,
[0047] FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a division of the Peltier elements in a plan view of the vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0048] FIG. 11 shows a division of the Peltier elements in a strip pattern, in schematic sectional views according to FIG. 8, according to an exemplary embodiment, and
[0049] FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a division of the Peltier elements and of the solar cells in a plan view of the vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0050] FIG. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1,
[0051] FIG. 14 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for a vehicle roof according to FIG. 1.
[0052] Elements of the same construction and function are denoted by the same reference designations for all figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] In this description, terms such as top, bottom, upper side, underside, inside and outside, front and rear relate to orientations and alignments as illustrated in the figures and customary for an operational motor vehicle.
[0054] FIG. 1 shows an arrangement 10 for a vehicle roof 11, which for example realizes a cover 13 in the vehicle roof, which is designed to close a roof opening 12 in the vehicle roof 11. The arrangement 10 may form a part or portion of the cover 13 or alternatively realize it in its entirety. The arrangement 10 is designed, for example, as a glass cover. According to exemplary embodiments, the arrangement 10 comprises an outer pane 1, an inner pane 2, and a cooling device 6 that is arranged between the outer pane 1 and the inner pane 2. As explained with reference to FIGS. 1-10 and FIGS. 13 and 14, a convenient cooling device 6 is provided by means of the arrangement 10.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. The arrangement 10 has the outer pane 1 as a first pane element, and the inner pane 2 as a second pane element. The outer pane 1 has an underside 101 that faces towards the vehicle interior, and the inner pane 2 has an upper side 202 that faces away from the vehicle interior. The cooling device 6 is coupled to the underside 101 of the outer pane 1, such that the cooling device 6 is arranged, along the upward direction Z, between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2. The cooling device 6 comprises a semiconductor layer 7 having a plurality of Peltier elements 71, for example 5, 10, 15, 20 or more Peltier elements 71, and strip conductors 8 connected to the semiconductor layer 7. By means of the strip conductors 8, the Peltier elements 71 can be supplied with energy and controlled, by closed-loop and/or open-loop control, via control electronics. For reasons of clarity, the cooling device 6 represented in FIG. 2 shows only one such Peltier element 71. Also for reasons of clarity, the size ratios of the individual components do not correspond to the true size ratios of the arrangement 10.
[0056] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. The exemplary embodiment corresponds substantially to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2. In addition, an intermediate layer 4 is provided. The intermediate layer 4 is realized as a lamination film 41 and is coupled to the underside 101 of the outer pane 1, such that the intermediate layer 4 is arranged between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the cooling device 6. The cooling device 6 is coupled to an underside 401 of the intermediate layer 4, such that the cooling device 6 is arranged between the intermediate layer 4 and the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2.
[0057] The lamination film 41 is made, for example, of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and/or polyolefin (PO). Moreover, the lamination film 41 may be configured as an electronically switchable film element. Preferably, in addition to the lamination film 41, one or more further lamination films are provided as electronically switchable film element, and are composed, for example, of a suspended particle device (SPD), of a liquid crystal (LC) and/or of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC). The switchable film element or elements provides/provide a convenient shading function for the vehicle interior.
[0058] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. The exemplary embodiment corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to FIG. 2. In addition, there is a solar cell layer 5 coupled to the underside 101 of the outer pane 1, such that the solar cell layer 5 is arranged between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the cooling device 6. The solar cell layer 5 comprises in particular solar cells 51 in the form of wafers having crystalline structures, which can be realized relatively easily, inexpensively and with low effort with the arrangement 10, and which afford highly efficient energy conversion.
[0059] The arrangement 10 makes it possible to provide a convenient cooling device 6, and it makes possible and also provides a simple way of converting light energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by the solar cells 51 is used, for example, to supply the Peltier elements 71 with electrical energy. This provides, for example, an energy supply for the Peltier elements 71 that is independent of the electrical system of the vehicle.
[0060] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. The exemplary embodiment corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to FIG. 3. In addition, the solar cell layer 5 is coupled to the underside 101 of the outer pane 1, such that the solar cell layer 5 is arranged between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the intermediate layer 4. The cooling device 6 is coupled to an underside 401 of the intermediate layer 4, such that the cooling device 6 is arranged between the intermediate layer 4 and the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2.
[0061] FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 5, the arrangement 10 has an intermediate pane 3, as a third pane element, which has an upper side 302 and an underside 301. In this case, the intermediate pane 3 is coupled to the inner pane 2, such that the cooling device 6 is arranged between the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2 and the underside 301 of the intermediate pane 3. Also in this case, the intermediate layer 4 is coupled to the underside 101 of the outer pane 1, such that the intermediate layer 4 is arranged between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the upper side 302 of the intermediate pane 3.
[0062] FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. Also provided, in addition to the arrangement described in FIG. 6, is the solar cell layer 5, which is coupled to the outer pane 1, such that the solar cell layer 5 is arranged between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the intermediate layer 4.
[0063] The solar cell layer 5 is realized, for example, as a transparent solar cell layer. The transparent solar cell layer 5 is realized, for example, as a thin-film solar cell, in that predefined photovoltaic structures have been formed on a carrier glass by means of chemical vapour deposition. The transparent solar cell layer 5 is thus based on thin-film technology. Alternatively or additionally, laser-structured solar cells may be realized with gaps in the solar cell layer 5, such that a certain degree of transparency is achieved. Furthermore, the solar cell layer 5 can also be designed to be so thin that it already affords a certain degree of transparency due to its thinness and can be classified as a transparent solar cell layer 5.
[0064] FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic plan view of the vehicle roof 11. The Peltier elements 71 of the cooling device 6 are arranged in the semiconductor layer 7 in the form of individual mutually spaced islands 711. The islands 711 in this case are distributed, for example, on notional straight lines that are substantially parallel and/or orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the pane elements, in the plane of the pane elements.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows schematic views of an island pattern according to FIG. 8. One island 711 of the islands 711 comprises at least one Peltier element 71. According to further exemplary embodiments, the island 711 additionally has an integrated solar cell 51 located above it (not explicitly represented in FIG. 9). According to exemplary embodiments, islands 711 that which comprise Peltier elements 71 and solar cells 51 may also operate in an autonomously controlled manner, independently of the electrical system of the vehicle. The islands 711 are electrically connected to one another with thin strip conductors 8, as is the case, for example, with conventional window heating systems. In the case of such an island pattern, transparent regions alternate with opaque regions (islands). This provides increased transparency of the vehicle roof 11 while simultaneously cooling the vehicle roof 11 and/or the vehicle interior.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic top view of the vehicle roof 11. The Peltier elements 71 of the cooling device 6 are arranged in the semiconductor layer 7 in the form of strips 712. The strips 712 in this case are substantially parallel and/or orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the pane elements, in the plane of the pane elements. A strip 712 extends continuously over substantially the entire width, or parts of the width, of the vehicle roof 11 (y-direction).
[0067] FIG. 11 shows a strip pattern according to FIG. 10 in a schematic view. One of the strips 712 comprises at least one Peltier element 71. According to further exemplary embodiments, the strip 712 additionally has an integrated solar cell 51 located above it (not explicitly represented in FIG. 11). The strip pattern affords a larger cooling surface than the island pattern, and thus a greater effect is achieved in cooling the vehicle roof 11 and/or the vehicle interior.
[0068] FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic plan view of the vehicle roof 11. The Peltier elements 71 of the cooling device 6 in the semiconductor layer 7 are positioned in a first region of the vehicle roof 11 that does not have the solar cells 51 in the solar cell layer 5. Likewise, the solar cells 51 in the solar cell layer 5 are positioned in a second region of the vehicle roof 11 that does not have the Peltier elements 71 of the cooling device 6 in the semiconductor layer 7.
[0069] The two regions are arranged, in particular in succession, along the direction of travel of the vehicle (x-direction). For example, the solar cells 51 are arranged in the front in the direction of travel as in FIG. 12. According to another exemplary embodiment, not explicitly represented, the Peltier elements 71 are arranged at the front in the direction of travel. According to further, not explicitly represented embodiments, the solar cells 51 and Peltier elements 71 are arranged differently, for example next to each other along the x-direction.
[0070] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. The exemplary embodiment substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the solar cell layer 5 is coupled to the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2, such that the solar cell layer 5 is arranged between the upper side 202 of the inner pane 1 and the cooling device 6. The solar cell layer 5 is divided into two portions, the first portion being arranged partially under the n-doped part of the Peltier element 71. The second section of the solar cell layer 5 is arranged partially under the p-doped part of the Peltier element 71. The solar cells 51 are located between the outer pane 1 and the inner pane 2, beneath the Peltier elements 71, such that heat can be removed from the solar cells 51, which maintains and improves their efficiency. In particular, heat that is directed through the outer pane 1 to the solar cell layer 5 is also prevented from being removed before it reaches and heats the solar cell layer 5. The cooling device 6 is coupled to an underside 401 of the intermediate layer 4, such that the cooling device 6 is arranged between the intermediate layer 4 and the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2.
[0071] FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 10 in a schematic sectional view. The exemplary embodiment corresponds substantially to the embodiment according to FIG. 6. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 6, the arrangement 10 has an intermediate pane 3, as a third pane element, which has an upper side 302 and an underside 301. In this case, the intermediate pane 3 is coupled to the inner pane 2, such that the cooling device 6 is arranged between the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2 and the underside 301 of the intermediate pane 3. Also in this case, the intermediate layer 4 is coupled to the underside 101 of the outer pane 1, such that the intermediate layer 4 is arranged between the underside 101 of the outer pane 1 and the upper side 302 of the intermediate pane 3. In addition to the arrangement 10 described in FIG. 6, the solar cell layer 5 is also provided, coupled to the inner pane 2, such that the solar cell layer 5 with the solar cells 51 is arranged between the cooling device 6 and the upper side 202 of the inner pane 2. The solar cell layer 5 is divided into two portions, the first portion being arranged partially under the n-doped part of the Peltier element 71. The second section of the solar cell layer 5 is arranged partially under the p-doped part of the Peltier element 71. The solar cells 51 are located between the outer pane 1 and the inner pane 2, beneath the Peltier elements 71, such that heat can be removed from the solar cells 51, which maintains and improves their efficiency.
[0072] Thus, convenient cooling of a vehicle interior and of a vehicle roof 11 is easily realized by means of the arrangement 10. For example, convenient cooling of a vehicle interior and of a vehicle roof 11, in combination with the conversion of light energy into electrical energy as well as a transparent view through the cover 13, is thus easily realized by means of the arrangement 10. The term light energy in this context describes not only radiant energy in the spectral range that is optically visible to humans, but may also include radiant energy in the infrared and/or ultraviolet range and/or other frequency ranges to which the solar cells 51 of the solar cell layer 5 are sensitive.
