COOLING MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR COOLING A DRIVE UNIT OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE, AND MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A cooling module for a motor vehicle for cooling at least one drive unit of the motor vehicle, having a cooling module housing which has a coolant reservoir for providing a liquid or gaseous cooling medium; a first interface unit for accommodating a predetermined pump unit; a second interface unit for accommodating a predetermined filter unit; and a third interface unit for accommodating a predetermined heat exchange unit.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A cooling module for a motor vehicle for cooling at least one drive unit of the motor vehicle, comprising: a cooling module housing which has the following components: a coolant reservoir for providing a liquid or gaseous cooling medium; a first interface unit for accommodating a predetermined pump unit; a second interface unit for accommodating a predetermined filter unit; and a third interface unit for accommodating a predetermined heat exchange unit.

12. The cooling module according to claim 11, wherein the pump unit, the filter unit and the heat exchange unit are arranged at the respective associated interface units of the cooling module housing.

13. The cooling module according to claim 11, wherein the cooling module housing has a further interface unit, wherein it is possible for an electronic control unit to be arranged on the further interface unit, and in particular wherein the pump unit can be controlled by means of the electronic control unit.

14. The cooling module according to claim 11, wherein the cooling module housing has a bearing interface, wherein a cardan shaft unit of the motor vehicle can be arranged on the bearing interface for supporting the cardan shaft unit.

15. The cooling module according to claim 11, wherein a housing of the coolant reservoir is integrated at least in part, in particular completely, into the cooling module housing.

16. The cooling module according to claim 12, wherein the interface units of the cooling module housing are all arranged in a common half of the cooling module housing.

17. A motor vehicle with a cooling module according to claim 11.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the cooling module is connected to the drive unit of the motor vehicle by means of a connection point of the cooling module housing.

19. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein a cooling circuit of the drive unit of the motor vehicle is connected to cooling channels of the cooling module, so that the cooling medium of the cooling module can be supplied to the cooling circuit of the drive unit for cooling the drive unit.

20. A method of assembling a motor vehicle with a cooling module according to claim 12, wherein the pump unit, the filter unit, the heat exchanger unit and the coolant reservoir of the cooling module are mounted simultaneously in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle by fastening a cooling module housing of the cooling module with the pump unit, the filter unit, the heat exchanger unit and the coolant reservoir in the engine compartment.

21. The cooling module according to claim 12, wherein the cooling module housing has a further interface unit, wherein it is possible for an electronic control unit to be arranged on the further interface unit, and in particular wherein the pump unit can be controlled by means of the electronic control unit.

22. The cooling module according to claim 12, wherein the cooling module housing has a bearing interface, wherein a cardan shaft unit of the motor vehicle can be arranged on the bearing interface for supporting the cardan shaft unit.

23. The cooling module according to claim 13, wherein the cooling module housing has a bearing interface, wherein a cardan shaft unit of the motor vehicle can be arranged on the bearing interface for supporting the cardan shaft unit.

24. The cooling module according to claim 12, wherein a housing of the coolant reservoir is integrated at least in part, in particular completely, into the cooling module housing.

25. The cooling module according to claim 13, wherein a housing of the coolant reservoir is integrated at least in part, in particular completely, into the cooling module housing.

26. The cooling module according to claim 14, wherein a housing of the coolant reservoir is integrated at least in part, in particular completely, into the cooling module housing.

27. The cooling module according to claim 13, wherein the interface units of the cooling module housing are all arranged in a common half of the cooling module housing.

28. The cooling module according to claim 14, wherein the interface units of the cooling module housing are all arranged in a common half of the cooling module housing.

29. The cooling module according to claim 15, wherein the interface units of the cooling module housing are all arranged in a common half of the cooling module housing.

30. The motor vehicle according to claim 18, wherein a cooling circuit of the drive unit of the motor vehicle is connected to cooling channels of the cooling module, so that the cooling medium of the cooling module can be supplied to the cooling circuit of the drive unit for cooling the drive unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. In particular:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a cooling module;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary representation of the cooling module of FIG. 1; and

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic representation of the cooling module from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention to be considered independently of one another, which also each independently further develop the invention.

[0050] Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further of the already described features of the invention.

[0051] In the figures, identical reference signs denote elements with identical functions.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with at least one drive unit 2. The motor vehicle 1 may be a passenger car or a truck or an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The motor vehicle 1 can be driven with the aid of the drive unit 2 (internal combustion engine or electric motor). In this context, the drive unit 2 can be arranged in an engine compartment 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0053] During operation of the drive unit 2, the drive unit 2 generates a thermal heat quantity. In particular, the drive unit 2 may have temperatures up to 500 degrees Celsius. To prevent the drive unit 2 from being damaged by excessive temperatures, it is necessary to cool the drive unit 2. Now, in order to cool the drive unit 2, the cooling module 4 according to the invention can be used. The cooling module 4 can be connected or coupled to the drive unit 2 by means of a connection point 5 of a cooling module housing 6 (see FIG. 2). The cooling module 4 is thus arranged, fastened or integrated in the engine compartment 3.

[0054] In order for the cooling module 4 to be arranged in the engine compartment 3 in a space-saving manner, it is necessary for the cooling module 4 to be compact and designed to save installation space. This is achieved by integrating or accommodating all necessary components of the cooling module on the cooling module housing 6.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the cooling module 4. In order to make the cooling module 4 compact and, in particular, universally integrable, the cooling module housing 6 has a plurality of interface units. The cooling module housing 6 (which is designed, for example, as a mechanical housing) can have a first interface unit 7 for accommodating a predetermined pump unit 8. Thus, a coolant pump or water pump can be accommodated by means of the first interface unit. Furthermore, the cooling module housing 6 has a second interface unit 9 with which a predetermined filter unit 10 (filter) can be accommodated. Likewise, the cooling module housing 6 has a third interface unit 11 for accommodating a predetermined heat exchanger unit 12. Furthermore, in addition to the interface units 7, 9, 11, the cooling module housing 6 has a coolant reservoir 13 (coolant tank). The coolant reservoir 13 can be used to provide or store a liquid or gaseous cooling medium 14 (see FIG. 3). The cooling medium 14 can be, for example, cooling water or a mixture of water and coolant additive. With the aid of the cooling medium 14, the thermal energy (heat) generated in the drive unit 2 can be absorbed and transported away. Optionally, the cooling module 4 can be used or applied with a wide variety of cooling media, in particular those commonly used in vehicle technology. As a result, the cooling module 4 can be used universally.

[0056] The interface units 7, 9, 11 offer the advantage that in a basic state or raw state of the cooling module 4 the components 8, 10, 12 are not fastened to the cooling module 4. Thus, in particular, the advantages arise during assembly of the cooling module 4 in the motor vehicle 1. In particular, the cooling module 4 and, in particular, the cooling module housing 6 may have a plurality of interfaces, wherein the respective number of interfaces can be adapted to the respective place of use of the cooling module 4. For example, the cooling module housing 6 can have several blind interface units. Thus, a universally usable cooling module housing 6 can be manufactured and only depending on the type of vehicle and/or application, the corresponding interfaces can be activated and installed together with the respective components.

[0057] In order to be able to use the cooling module 4 in a compact and space-saving manner, a housing 15 of the coolant reservoir 13 can be integrated into the cooling module housing 6 at least in certain regions, in particular completely. Thus, the housing 15 of the coolant reservoir 13 and the cooling module housing 6 are virtually a single component or element. Therefore, the housing 15 of the coolant reservoir 13 can already be integrated during a manufacturing process of the cooling module housing 6. Therefore, for example, the cooling module housing 6 serves not only as a housing of the cooling module 4, but at the same time also as a housing 15 of the coolant reservoir 13. Thus, two different housings can be dispensed with, whereby the cooling module 4 can be manufactured in an even more compact and space-saving manner. Costs and manufacturing processes and manufacturing times can also be minimized or reduced as a result.

[0058] Likewise, the cooling module housing 6 can be two partial housings, so that at least one part can be used for the cooling module housing 6 per se and the other part as a housing 15 of the coolant reservoir 13. Thus, the cooling module housing 6 can be used in a variety of functional ways.

[0059] In order to be able to achieve a compact shape or a compact geometry of the cooling module 4, the interface units 7, 9, 11 may be arranged in a common half 16 of the cooling module housing 6. For example, all interface units 7, 9, 11 can be arranged in the upper or in the lower half of the cooling module housing 6. It is equally conceivable that all interface units 7, 9, 11 are arranged in a front or a rear region of the cooling module housing 6. The arrangement of the interface units 7, 9, 11 can be adapted taking into account the respective application of the cooling module 4 and/or the respective shape of the engine compartment 3 or the vehicle type of the motor vehicle 1. In particular, all interface units 7, 9, 11 should be arranged in such a way that the cooling module housing 6 has as compact a self-contained geometry or shape as possible. This means that the cooling module housing 6 should not have any strongly protruding components. Thus, the cooling module 4 can be positioned or arranged or fastened in a predetermined region in the engine compartment 6 in a space-saving manner.

[0060] For example, the cooling module housing 6 can have further interface units 17. For example, an electronic control unit 18 can be arranged or connected to the further or at least one further interface unit 17. The electronic control unit 18 can, for example, be a control valve or a cooling water regulator or a thermostat. The electronic control unit 18 can be used to control or actuate the pump unit 10. Accordingly, the electronic control unit 18 can be used to control a delivery rate of the pump unit 10 and thus a delivery rate of the cooling medium 14. In particular, the control unit 18 can be used to regulate a coolant flow or a coolant circulation. In particular, this control can be performed as a function of a temperature of the cooling medium 14. For example, the pump unit 8 can additionally be coupled or connected to an electric motor or electromechanical motor 19 via the further interface unit 17. Thus, the pump unit 8 can be supplied with voltage in dependence on the electronic control unit 18.

[0061] In order to be able to cool the drive unit 2 of the motor vehicle 1 efficiently, a closed coolant circuit must be established. On the one hand, this is done via the connection point 5, with which the cooling module 4 is connected to the drive unit 2. In order to be able to convey the cooling medium 14 from the cooling module 4 to the drive unit 2 for the cooling process of the drive unit 2, the cooling module 4 has cooling channels 20. Consequently, the cooling module 4 additionally contains integrated cooling channels so that the cooling medium 14 can be efficiently provided to the drive unit 2. This is done, in particular, by connecting or coupling a cooling circuit 21 of the drive unit 2 of the motor vehicle 1 to the cooling channels 20 of the cooling module 4. Thus, the cooling medium 14 can be supplied to the cooling circuit 21 with the aid of the pump unit 8. Accordingly, a self-contained cooling circuit for cooling the drive unit 2 is closed in a simple and efficient manner. In particular, the cooling medium 14 can circulate in the cooling circuit 21 for cooling the drive unit 2 until the cooling medium 14 has a predetermined temperature. If this is the case, then by means of a coolant radiator 22 of the motor vehicle 1 the heat of the cooling medium 14 is dissipated to the external environment or the external air in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1. This takes place as in conventional motor vehicles in the region of the radiator grille of the motor vehicle 1. In order to be able to cool down the cooling medium 14 even more efficiently and quickly, additional fans (electrically or mechanically operated) can be used.

[0062] To prevent the cooling medium 14 from already starting to boil at 100 degrees, the cooling medium 14 in the cooling channels 20 and in the cooling circuit 21 is kept under a predetermined constant pressure. In this way, it can be achieved, for example, that the increased pressure in the cooling circuit 21 causes the cooling medium (for example water) only to start boiling between 115 degrees Celsius and 130 degrees Celsius. Thus, the cooling medium 14 can circulate longer in the cooling circuit 21.

[0063] As an additional functionality, the cooling module 4 can be used as a bearing of a cardan shaft unit 23 of the motor vehicle 1. The cardan shaft unit 23 is in particular a cardan shaft of the motor vehicle 1. In order to be able to fulfil this functionality, the cooling module housing 6 additionally has a bearing interface 24. By means of this bearing interface 24, the cooling module housing 6 can provide the additional functionality of the bearing of the cardan shaft unit 23. At this bearing interface 24, in particular at several bearing interfaces, a cardan shaft of the motor vehicle 1 in particular can be movably mounted. In particular, the cardan shaft or the cardan shaft unit 23 is fastened to the bearing interface 24 in a freely movable manner. Thus, the engine compartment 3 of the motor vehicle 1 can be made more compact, since additional fastening devices for the drive shaft unit 23 can be dispensed with.

[0064] For clarification purposes, FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the cooling module 4. It shows, for example, the arrangement or the arrangement in a functional chain of the individual components. The cooling medium 14 can be pumped or directed from the coolant reservoir 13 in the direction of the heat exchanger 12 via the cooling channels 20 with the aid of the pump unit 8. The cooling medium 14 is then filtered by the filter unit 10 and then supplied or made available to the cooling circuit 21 or the drive unit 2 via the connection point 5. In this way, in particular, a self-contained cooling circuit can be ensured.

[0065] In order to be able to use a unit (cooling module 4) that is as compact as possible, self-contained and universally applicable, the components (pump unit 8, filter unit 10 and heat exchanger unit 12) can be fastened exclusively to the respective associated interface units 7, 9, 11. This is particularly advantageous when mounting the cooling module 4 in the motor vehicle 1. In this way, a compact unit can be provided which can be easily integrated into a wide variety of vehicle models or vehicle types in a space-saving manner. The interface units also offer the advantage that the individual units can be replaced without major conversion or repair work. This means that the individual components can be easily replaced or exchanged at any time in the event of a defect or during maintenance. Another advantage is that with the integrated universally usable unit (cooling module) the cooling module can be easily dismounted when the motor vehicle 1 is disassembled and can be used again in another motor vehicle.

[0066] Therefore, with the aid of the cooling module 4, an integrated liquid-cooled system for cooling the drive unit 2 can be provided.

[0067] Overall, the examples show how an integrated liquid-cooled system can be provided.