Motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle may include an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a heat exchanger, a coolant pump, and a valve device arranged separately therefrom, which is controlled at an intake side by pressure. The valve device may include at least one first coolant inlet, at least one second coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet connected to an inlet of the coolant pump. The valve device may be configured to, based on a selected operating point of the coolant pump and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet. The at least one first coolant inlet and a coolant outlet of the coolant pump may be connected to the internal combustion engine, and the at least one second coolant inlet may be connected to the radiator.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a heat exchanger, a coolant pump, and a valve device arranged separately therefrom, which is controlled at an intake side by pressure; the valve device including at least one first coolant inlet, at least one second coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet connected to an inlet of the coolant pump; wherein the valve device is configured to, based on a selected operating point of the coolant pump and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet; wherein the at least one first coolant inlet and a coolant outlet of the coolant pump are connected to the internal combustion engine; wherein the at least one second coolant inlet is connected to the radiator; and wherein, in a first operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a first rotational speed of a plurality of rotational speeds at which the at least one first coolant inlet is closed and the at least one second coolant inlet is open.

2. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a second operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump is switched off and the at least one first coolant inlet is open.

3. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein: in a third operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a second rotational speed of the plurality of rotational speeds at which the at least one first coolant inlet is open and the at least one second coolant inlet is closed; in a fourth operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a second third rotational speed of the plurality of rotational speeds at which the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet are open.

4. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve device has a valve body, and wherein at least one of: in the third operating point, the valve body is arranged in a first position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one second coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet; in the fourth operating point, the valve body is arranged in a second position, in which the valve body uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet; and in the first operating point, the valve body is arranged in a third position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one first coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one second coolant inlet.

5. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve body is structured as a valve piston and is adjustable in a translatory manner.

6. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a spring device, wherein: the valve device has a valve body; in the third operating point, the valve body is arranged in a first position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one second coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet; and the spring device prestresses the valve body in the first position.

7. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coolant outlet of the coolant pump is connected to the valve device and prestresses the valve body in opposition to the spring device.

8. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve device is continuously adjustable based on the rotational speed of the coolant pump.

9. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor and a control device communicatively connected thereto configured to control a power of the coolant pump based on a temperature of the coolant.

10. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the valve device includes a first valve body, a second valve body, a first spring device, and a second spring device; the first valve body is adjustable into (i) a first position where the first valve body blocks the at least one first coolant inlet such that the at least one first coolant inlet is closed and (ii) a second position where the first valve body uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet such that the at least one first coolant inlet is open; the second valve body is adjustable into (i) a first position where the second valve body blocks the at least one second coolant inlet such that the at least one second coolant inlet is closed and (ii) a second position where the second valve body uncovers the at least one second coolant inlet such that the at least one second coolant inlet is open; and the first spring device prestress the first valve body in the first position and the second spring device prestress the second valve body in the first position.

11. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the first spring device prestresses the first valve body in the first position via a first spring force; the second spring device prestresses the second valve body in the first position via a second spring force; and the first spring force and the second spring force are different from one another.

12. A motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a heat exchanger, a coolant pump, and a valve device arranged separately therefrom, which is controlled at an intake side by pressure; the valve device including a plurality of first coolant inlets, a plurality of second coolant inlets, and a coolant outlet connected to an inlet of the coolant pump; wherein the valve device is configured to, based on a selected operating point of the coolant pump and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of i) at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets and ii) at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets; wherein the plurality of first coolant inlets and a coolant outlet of the coolant pump are connected to the internal combustion engine; wherein at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets is connected to the radiator and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets is connected to the heat exchanger; wherein at least two of the plurality of second coolant inlets are configured to open at different operating points of the coolant pump and at different pressures in the coolant; and wherein, in a first operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a first rotational speed of a plurality of rotational speeds at which at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets is closed and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets is open.

13. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in a second operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump is switched off and at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets is open.

14. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein: in a third operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a second rotational speed of the plurality of rotational speeds at which at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets is open and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets is closed; and in a fourth operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a third rotational speed of the plurality of rotational speeds at which at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets are open.

15. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the valve device has a valve body, and wherein at least one of: in the third operating point, the valve body is arranged in a first position, in which the valve body blocks at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets and uncovers at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets; in the fourth operating point, the valve body is arranged in a second position, in which the valve body uncovers at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets; and in the first operating point, the valve body is arranged in a third position, in which the valve body blocks at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets and uncovers at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets.

16. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a spring device, wherein: the valve device has a valve body; in the third operating point, the valve body is arranged in a first position, in which the valve body blocks at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets and uncovers at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets; and the spring device prestresses the valve body in the first position.

17. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the coolant outlet of the coolant pump is connected to the valve device and prestresses the valve body in opposition to the spring device.

18. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the valve device is continuously adjustable based on the rotational speed of the coolant pump.

19. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a temperature sensor and a control device communicatively connected thereto configured to control a power of the coolant pump based on a temperature of the coolant.

20. A motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a heat exchanger, a coolant pump, and a valve device arranged separately therefrom, which is controlled at an intake side by pressure; the valve device including at least one first coolant inlet, at least one second coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet connected to an inlet of the coolant pump; wherein the valve device is configured to, based on a selected operating point of the coolant pump and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet; wherein the at least one first coolant inlet and a coolant outlet of the coolant pump are connected to the internal combustion engine, and the at least one second coolant inlet is connected to the radiator; wherein the valve device is continuously adjustable based on a rotational speed of the coolant pump; wherein a power of the coolant pump is controlled based on a temperature of the coolant via a temperature sensor and a control device communicatively connected thereto; wherein, in a first operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump is switched off and the at least one first coolant inlet is open; wherein, in a second operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet is open and the at least one second coolant inlet is closed; wherein, in a third operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a second rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet are open; and wherein, in a fourth operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a third rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet is closed and the at least one second coolant inlet is open.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings show, in each case schematically:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention, having an internal combustion engine, a coolant pump and a partially sectional valve device in the first or second operating point,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an illustration as in FIG. 1, but with the coolant pump located in the fourth operating point,

(4) FIG. 3 shows an illustration as in FIG. 1, but with the coolant pump located in the third operating point,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a motor vehicle having a cooling system and a coolant pump with three valve units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a motor vehicle 12 according to the invention has an internal combustion engine 13, a radiator 14, a heat exchanger 15 of an air-conditioning system which is not otherwise shown and a coolant pump 1. The electric coolant pump 1 is formed for delivering a coolant 2. Likewise provided is a valve device 6 arranged separately from the coolant pump 1, which is controlled at the intake side and by pressure and has at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3, at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 and a coolant outlet 5, which is connected to an inlet 16 of the coolant pump 1. In this case, controlled at the intake side and by pressure should be understood to mean that, at the valve device 6, the coolant inlets 3, 3, 4, 4 can be opened/closed by means of a valve body 7 which is adjustable depending on the pressure.

(7) In this case, the coolant pump 1 is adjustable between a plurality of operating points, in particular between a first, a second, a third and a fourth operating point. The valve device 6 is formed such that, depending on the selected operating point of the coolant pump 1 and therefore the coolant pressure p, it opens or closes the at least one first or second coolant inlet 3, 3, 4, 4 or simultaneously opens at least one first and second coolant inlet 3, 3, 4, 4, wherein the first coolant inlet 3, 3 of the valve device 6 and a coolant outlet 5 of the coolant pump 1 are connected to the internal combustion engine 13, whilst a second coolant inlet 4, 4 of the valve device 6 is connected to the radiator 14.

(8) As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the valve device 6 is arranged separately from the coolant pump 1, whereby a decentralized separation of the two components 1, 6, which is optimized in terms of installation space, can also take place.

(9) In the first operating point, the coolant pump 1 is switched off and at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3 is opened (c.f. FIG. 1 without a flow of coolant 2). Therefore, a pressure p generated by the coolant pump 1 does not prevail in the coolant 2.

(10) In the second operating point, the coolant pump 1 generates a pressure p.sub.1 in the coolant 2, at which at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3 is opened and at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 is closed (c.f. FIG. 1 with a flow of coolant 2), whilst, in a third operating point, the coolant pump 1 generates a pressure p.sub.2 in the coolant 2, at which at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3 and at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 are opened (c.f. FIG. 3). In a fourth operating point, the coolant pump 1 generates a pressure p.sub.3 in the coolant 2, at which at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3 is closed and at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 is opened (c.f. FIG. 2). In this case, the coolant pump 1 is connected to a pressure chamber 17 of the valve device 6 at its coolant outlet 5.

(11) With regard to the construction of the valve device 6 which is controlled at the intake side and by pressure, reference is made below to FIGS. 1 to 3, from which it can be seen that the valve device 6 possesses a valve body 7 which, in this case, is formed as an adjustable valve piston 8 and which, in the first and second operating point, assumes a first position (c.f. FIG. 1), in which it blocks at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 and uncovers at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3. In the third operating point, on the other hand, the valve body 7 assumes a second position, in which it uncovers at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3 and at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 (c.f. FIG. 3). In the fourth operating point, the valve body 7 assumes a third position, in which it blocks at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3 and uncovers a second coolant inlet 4, 4 (c.f. FIG. 2). Moreover, a spring device 9, for example a simple helical spring, is provided, which prestresses the valve body 7 in its first position, in which at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 is blocked. In this case, the spring device 9 exerts a force on the valve body 7 which, in relation to the surface thereof, corresponds to a pressure p.sub.F. In this case, the coolant outlet 5 of the coolant pump 1 is connected to the valve device 6 and prestresses the valve body 7 in opposition to the spring device 9. A temperature sensor 10 and a control device 11 communicatively connected thereto can likewise be provided for controlling the operating points of the coolant pump 1 depending on the temperature of the coolant 2. In this case, the valve device 6 is continuously adjustable depending on the rotational speed of the coolant pump 1. In this case, it is, of course, also alternatively conceivable that, instead of the valve body 7 formed as a valve piston 8, the valve device 6 according to the invention can also have other valve bodies 7, so that the valve device 6 can also be formed as a ball valve or as a disk valve, for example.

(12) Cooling of the internal combustion engine 13 is not required or desired upon a cold start thereof in order to accelerate the heating of the internal combustion engine 13 and therefore achieve a more rapid lowering of emissions. During this cold-start phase, the coolant pump 1 is located in its first operating point, in which it does not bring about a build-up of pressure and does not deliver coolant 2 and is therefore switched off. If the temperature of the coolant 2 increases, this is detected via the temperature sensor 10, for example, which, in the present case according to FIG. 1, is arranged in the region of the valve device 6, but can, of course, additionally or alternatively also be positioned at another point in the coolant system. If the temperature of the coolant 2 reaches a certain value, the control device 11 connected to the temperature sensor 10 adjusts the coolant pump 1 to its second operating point, in which at least the pressure p.sub.1 generated by the delivery power of the coolant pump 1 is at a level such that at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4 is still closed and a coolant flow 2 circulates exclusively via the internal combustion engine 13 and, for example, the heat exchanger 15 of the air-conditioning system of the motor vehicle 12. Also, in this case, only moderate cooling of the internal combustion engine 13 is required in this second operating point. The pressure p.sub.2 of the coolant 2 generated in the second operating point is lower than the pressure p.sub.F acting on the valve body 7 by means of the spring device 9, so that the spring device 9 prestresses the valve body 7 in its first position in opposition to the coolant pressure p.sub.1.

(13) If the temperature of the coolant 2 increases further, this is likewise detected by the temperature sensor 10 and, upon reaching a further limit value, results in the control device 11 adjusting the coolant pump 1 to its third operating point, in which both the delivery power of the coolant pump 1 and also the pressure p.sub.2 generated thereby in the coolant 2 increase. This results in the coolant pressure p.sub.2 being greater than the pressure p.sub.F applied by the spring device 9 so that, in the third operating point, the valve body 7 is adjusted to the right according to FIG. 3, compresses the spring device 9 and simultaneously uncovers at least one second coolant inlet 4, 4, whereby the coolant flow 2 now circulates via the internal combustion engine 13, the radiator 14 and the heat exchanger 15 and via the coolant pump 1 back to the internal combustion engine 13. Therefore, some of the coolant flow 2 still flows via the heat exchanger 15.

(14) If the temperature of the coolant 2 increases further, this is likewise detected by the temperature sensor 10 and, upon reaching a further limit value, results in the control device 11 adjusting the coolant pump 1 to its fourth operating point, in which both the delivery power of the coolant pump 1 and also the pressure p.sub.3 generated thereby in the coolant 2 increase. This results in the coolant pressure p.sub.3 being reached and being greater than the pressure p.sub.F applied by the spring device 9 so that, in the fourth operating point, the valve body 7 is adjusted to the right according to FIG. 2, compresses the spring device 9 and simultaneously closes at least one first coolant inlet 3, 3, whereby the coolant flow 2 now circulates via the internal combustion engine 13 and the radiator 14 and via the coolant pump 1 back to the internal combustion engine 13.

(15) According to FIG. 4, a motor vehicle 12 has a cooling system 18 and a coolant pump 1. The, in particular electric, coolant pump 1 is formed for delivering a coolant 2. Likewise provided are valve devices 6a, 6b and 6c which are arranged separately from the coolant pump 1 and each have a coolant inlet 3a, 3b, 3c and a coolant outlet 5a, 5b, 5c, which are connected to an inlet 16 of the coolant pump 1.

(16) In this case, the coolant pump 1 is adjustable between a plurality of operating points, in particular between a first, a second, a third and a fourth operating point. The valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c are formed such that they open, partially open or close depending on the selected operating point of the coolant pump 1 and therefore the coolant pressure p. In this case, the individual coolant inlets 3a, 3b, 3c are connected to individual assemblies, for example a heat exchanger 15 of an air-conditioning system or a radiator 14. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the valve devices 6a, 6b and 6c are arranged separately from the coolant pump 1 and at the intake side thereof, whereby a decentralized separation of the components 1, 6a, 6b and 6c, which is optimized in terms of installation space, can take place. Of course, further valve devices, which are not shown, can also be provided and controlled depending on the pressure.

(17) In the first operating point, the coolant pump 1 is switched off and all valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c are closed. Therefore, a pressure p generated by the coolant pump 1 does not prevail in the cooling system 18.

(18) In the second operating point, the coolant pump 1 generates a pressure p.sub.1 in the coolant 2, at which at least one valve device 6c, and therefore its coolant inlet 3c, are opened and at least one further valve device 6a, 6b and its coolant inlet 3a, 3b are closed, whilst, in a third operating point, the coolant pump 1 generates a pressure p.sub.2 in the coolant 2, at which at least two valve devices 6b, 6c, and therefore their coolant inlets 3b, 3c, are opened and at least one further valve device 6a and its coolant inlet 3a are closed. This is illustrated in FIG. 4. In a fourth operating point, the coolant pump 1 generates a pressure p.sub.3 in the coolant 2/cooling system 18, at which all valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c, and therefore their coolant inlets 3a, 3b, 3c, are opened. In this case, the coolant pump 1 is connected to a respective pressure chamber 17a, 17b, 17c of the associated valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c at its coolant outlet 5.

(19) With regard to the construction of the valve device 6, reference is made below to FIG. 4, from which it can be seen that the valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c each possess a valve body 7a, 7b, 7c which are formed as adjustable valve pistons 8a, 8b, 8c. Moreover, a spring device 9a, 9b, 9c, for example a helical spring, is provided in each case, which prestresses the associated valve body 7a, 7b, 7c in its first position, in which the respective coolant inlet 3a, 3b, 3c is in turn blocked.

(20) In the first and second operating point, the valve body 7a, 7b, 7c assumes a first position (c.f. the valve body 7a), in which the associated coolant inlet 3a, 3b, 3c is blocked. In the third operating point, on the other hand, the valve body 7a, 7b, 7c assumes a second position, in which it uncovers the associated coolant inlet 3a, 3b, 3c (c.f. valve body 7b, 7c). In this case, the spring device 9a, 9b, 9c exerts a force on the associated valve body 7a, 7b, 7c which, in relation to the surface thereof, corresponds to a pressure p.sub.F. In this case, the coolant outlet 5 of the coolant pump 1 is connected to the respective pressure chamber 17a, 17b, 17c of the associated valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c and, depending on the pressure, prestresses the valve body 7a, 7b, 7c in opposition to the spring device 9a, 9b, 9c. In this case, the individual spring devices 9a, 9b, 9c have an individual spring strength, whereby, at the same coolant pressure p, the one valve device 6b, 6c is already opened whilst the other valve device 6a still remains closed. In this case, the valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c are continuously adjustable depending on the rotational speed of the coolant pump 1.

(21) For example, cooling of the internal combustion engine 13 is not required or desired upon a cold start thereof in order to accelerate the heating of the internal combustion engine 13 and therefore achieve a more rapid lowering of emissions. During this cold-start phase, the coolant pump 1 is located in its first operating point, in which it does not bring about a build-up of pressure and does not deliver coolant 2 and is therefore switched off. If the temperature of the coolant 2 increases, this is detected via the temperature sensor 10, for example, can be positioned at virtually any point in the coolant system 18, in particular also at the internal combustion engine 13. If the temperature of the coolant 2 reaches a certain value, the control device 11 connected to the temperature sensor 10 adjusts the coolant pump 1 to its second operating point, in which the pressure p.sub.1 generated by the delivery power of the coolant pump 1 is at a level such that at least one valve device 6c opens if its spring strength is the lowest, whilst the valve devices 6b and 6a are still closed and a coolant flow 2 circulates exclusively via the internal combustion engine 13 and, for example, the heat exchanger 15 of the air-conditioning system of the motor vehicle 12. In this second operating point, a moderate cooling of the internal combustion engine 13 is required. The pressure p.sub.2 of the coolant 2 which is generated in the second operating point is lower than the pressure p.sub.F acting on the valve body 7a, 7b by means of the spring device 9a, 9b, so that the spring device 9a, 9b prestresses the valve body 7a, 7b in its first position in opposition to the coolant pressure p.

(22) If the temperature of the coolant 2 increases further, this is likewise detected by the temperature sensor 10 and, upon reaching a further limit value, results in the control device 11 adjusting the coolant pump 1 to its third operating point, in which both the delivery power of the coolant pump 1 and also the pressure p.sub.2 generated thereby in the coolant 2 increase. This results in the coolant pressure p.sub.2 being greater than the pressure p.sub.F applied by the spring device 9b so that, in the third operating point, the valve body 7b compresses the spring device 9b and simultaneously uncovers the associated coolant inlet 3b, whereby the coolant flow 2 now circulates via the internal combustion engine 13, the radiator 14 and the heat exchanger 15 and via the coolant pump 1 back to the internal combustion engine 13. Therefore, some of the coolant flow 2 still flows via the heat exchanger 15.

(23) If the temperature of the coolant 2 increases further, this is likewise detected by the temperature sensor 10 and, upon reaching a further limit value, results in the control device 11 adjusting the coolant pump 1 to its fourth operating point, in which both the delivery power of the coolant pump 1 and the pressure p.sub.3 generated thereby in the coolant 2 increase. This results in the coolant pressure p.sub.3 being reached and being greater than the pressure p.sub.F applied by the spring devices 9a, 9b, 9c, so that all of the valve devices 6a, 6b, 6c open in the fourth operating point.