HEAT TRANSFER MEDIUM CIRCUIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A heat transfer medium circuit for a motor vehicle has a first partial circuit having at least one heating device and/or at least one cooling device; a second partial circuit having an electric energy store for supplying an electric motor for driving the motor vehicle; and a mixing device, which is switched selectively to at least one first operating state, at least one second operating state, and at least one third operating state. The first partial circuit has at least one passenger compartment heating device for heating a passenger compartment and/or at least one passenger compartment cooling device for cooling a passenger compartment.

Claims

1. A heat transfer medium circuit for a motor vehicle, the heat transfer medium circuit comprising: a first partial circuit, further comprising: at least one heating device for heating heat transfer medium flowing through the first partial circuit; at least one cooling device for cooling the heat transfer medium flowing through the first partial circuit; at least one passenger compartment heating device for heating a passenger compartment by the heat transfer medium flowing through the first partial circuit; at least one passenger compartment cooling device for cooling the passenger compartment by the heat transfer medium flowing through the first partial circuit; a second partial circuit, further comprising: at least one electric energy store, which is heated or cooled by the heat transfer medium flowing through the second partial circuit, for supplying at least one electric motor for driving the motor vehicle; a mixing device in selective fluid communication with the first partial circuit and the second partial circuit; a plurality of operating states, further comprising: at least one first operating state, and during the first operating state, a first fraction of heat transfer medium flowing in from the first partial circuit is directed into the second partial circuit; at least one second operating state, and during the second operating state, a second fraction of heat transfer medium, which differs from the first fraction of heat transfer medium, flowing in from the first partial circuit is directed into the second partial circuit, and the second fraction of heat transfer medium flowing in from the second partial circuit is returned into the first partial circuit; and at least one third operating state, and during the third operating state, a third fraction of heat transfer medium, which differs from the first fraction of heat transfer medium and the second fraction of heat transfer medium, flowing in from the first partial circuit is directed into the second partial circuit, and the third fraction of heat transfer medium flowing in from the second partial circuit is returned into the first partial circuit; wherein the mixing device is switched to one of the at least one first operating state, the at least one second operating state, and the at least one third operating state.

2. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 1, the at least one third operating state further comprising: a plurality of intermediate positions, wherein the mixing device is switched selectively to one or more of the plurality of intermediate positions of the third operating state for directing in each case a third fraction of heat transfer medium, which differs from the first fraction of heat transfer medium and the second fraction of heat transfer medium, and from the third fractions of heat transfer medium of the other third operating states, flowing in from the first partial circuit into the second partial circuit and for returning the third fraction of heat transfer medium flowing in from the second partial circuit into the first partial circuit.

3. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 2, wherein the mixing device is adjusted continuously between at least two of the plurality of operating states.

4. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 2, wherein the first fraction is at most 10%, and/or the second fraction is at least 90%, and/or the third fraction of at least one third operating state is between 30% and 70%.

5. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 1, the mixing device further comprising at least one mixing valve.

6. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 5, the at least one mixing valve further comprising: at least one first inlet for introducing heat transfer medium from the first partial circuit; at least one first outlet for discharging heat transfer medium into the first partial circuit; at least one second inlet for introducing heat transfer medium from the second partial circuit; at least one second outlet for discharging heat transfer medium into the second partial circuit; at least one first switching position, in which the at least one first inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet and the at least one second inlet is connected to the at least one second outlet; at least one second switching position, in which the at least one first inlet is connected to the at least one second outlet and the at least one second inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet; and one or more intermediate positions, in each of which the at least one first inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet and the at least one second outlet, and the at least one second inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet; wherein the at least one mixing valve is adjustable between the at least one first switching position, the at least one second switching position, and the one or more intermediate positions.

7. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 6, wherein the at least one mixing valve is continuously rotatable between the at least one first switching position, the at least one second switching position, and the one or more intermediate positions.

8. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 5, the mixing device further comprising: at least one first multi-way valve; and at least one second multi-way valve; wherein at least one second multi-way valve is parallel to the first multi-way valve and/or synchronized with the first multi-way valve.

9. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 8, the at least one first multi-way valve further comprising: at least one inlet for introducing heat transfer medium from the first partial circuit; at least one first outlet for discharging heat transfer medium into the first partial circuit; and at least one second outlet for discharging heat transfer medium into the second partial circuit; and at least one first switching position, in which the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet; at least one second switching position, in which the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one second outlet; one or more intermediate positions, in each of which the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet and the at least one second outlet; and a valve member; wherein the valve member is adjustable, between the at least one first switching position, the at least one second switching position, and the one or more intermediate positions.

10. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 9, wherein the valve member is continuously rotatable between the first switching position, the second switching position, and the intermediate position or positions.

11. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 8, the at least one second multi-way valve further comprising: at least one inlet for introducing heat transfer medium from the second partial circuit; at least one first outlet for discharging heat transfer medium into the first partial circuit; at least one second outlet for discharging heat transfer medium into the second partial circuit; at least one first switching position, in which the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet; at least one second switching position, in which the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one second outlet; one or more intermediate positions, in each of which the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one first outlet and the at least one second outlet; and a valve member; wherein the valve member is adjustable, between the at least one first switching position, the at least one second switching position, and the one or more intermediate positions.

12. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 9, wherein the valve member is continuously rotatable between the first switching position, the second switching position, and the intermediate position or positions.

13. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 1, further comprising at least one heat exchanger for transferring heat between the first partial circuit and the second partial circuit.

14. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a third partial circuit, further comprising: at least one electric motor for driving the motor vehicle, which the at least one electric motor is heated and/or cooled by heat transfer medium flowing through the third partial circuit, and is supplied with electric energy by the at least one electric energy store; and a switching device; at least one first operating state for directing a first fraction of heat transfer medium flowing in from the second partial circuit into the third partial circuit; and at least one second operating state for directing a second fraction of heat transfer medium, which differs from the first fraction of heat transfer medium, flowing in from the second partial circuit into the third partial circuit; wherein the switching device is switched selectively to one of the at least one first operating state or the at least one second operating state.

15. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 14, wherein the switching device is switched selectively to at least one third operating state for directing a third fraction of heat transfer medium, which differs from the first fraction of heat transfer medium and the second fraction of heat transfer medium, flowing in from the second partial circuit into the third partial circuit.

16. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 15, wherein the switching device is switched selectively to various intermediate positions of the third operating state for directing in each case a third fraction of heat transfer medium, which differs from the first fraction of heat transfer medium, the second fraction of heat transfer medium, and from the third fraction of heat transfer medium of the other intermediate positions, flowing in from the second partial circuit into the third partial circuit or is adjusted continuously between at least two of the various intermediate positions.

17. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 1, the motor vehicle further comprising at least one electric motor for driving the motor vehicle.

18. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 17, the motor vehicle further comprising at least one internal combustion engine for driving the motor vehicle.

19. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 17, the motor vehicle further comprising at least on fuel cell in particular for supplying the electric motor

20. The heat transfer medium circuit of claim 17, wherein the mixing device is switched to one of the plurality of operating states.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] Further advantages and features will emerge from the exemplary embodiments. In this respect, in part schematically:

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a heat transfer medium circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 2 shows a mixing valve of the heat transfer medium circuit in various operating states or (switching) positions; and

[0077] FIG. 3 shows a heat transfer medium circuit according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0078] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a heat transfer medium circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The heat transfer medium circuit has a first partial circuit having a compressor 101, a condenser 102, an expansion valve 103, a heat exchanger 104 on the front side of the vehicle, a further expansion valve 105 and a further heat exchanger 106, which are connected in series. A further expansion valve 107 and an air conditioning system evaporator 108 for cooling a passenger compartment 109 are connected in series with one another in parallel with the expansion valve 105 and the heat exchanger 106. A control valve 110 is connected in parallel therewith.

[0081] A PTC heater 111 connected in series with a pump 112 and a 3/2-way valve 113, a driving internal combustion engine 115 connected in series with a pump 114, and a radiator 116 and a thermostat 117 are connected in parallel with one another and connected in series with a heat exchanger 118 for heating the passenger compartment 109 and the condenser 102.

[0082] The heat transfer medium circuit furthermore has a second partial circuit having a pump 201 and a battery 202 for supplying an electric motor 301, which is thermally coupled to the first partial circuit via the heat exchanger 106.

[0083] The heat transfer medium circuit furthermore has a third partial circuit having the electric motor 301, a power electronics system 302, a charging device 303, a pump 304, a 3/2-way valve 305 and a radiator 306.

[0084] The heat transfer medium circuit furthermore has a mixing device with a mixing valve 400 having a first inlet 4A for introducing heat transfer medium from the first partial circuit, a first outlet 4B for discharging heat transfer medium into the first partial circuit, a second inlet 4C for introducing heat transfer medium from the second partial circuit and a second outlet 4D for discharging heat transfer medium into the second partial circuit, which valve is illustrated in various operating states or (switching) positions in FIG. 2.

[0085] In a first operating state or first switching position (FIG. 2 (a)), the first inlet 4A is connected (only) to the first outlet 4B, and the second inlet 4C is connected (only) to the second outlet 4D, with the result that a first fraction of 0% of heat transfer medium flowing in from the first partial circuit is directed into the second partial circuit, and a fraction, complementary thereto, of 100% is directed into the first partial circuit, and all the heat transfer medium flowing into inlet 4C is directed out of the second outlet 4D into the second partial circuit, i.e. the first and second partial circuits are separated from one another in terms of flow or are connected in parallel.

[0086] In a second operating state or second switching position (FIG. 2 (b)), the first inlet 4A is connected (only) to the second outlet 4D, and the second inlet 4C is connected (only) to the first outlet 4B, with the result that a second fraction of 100% of heat transfer medium flowing in from the first partial circuit is directed into the second partial circuit, and all the heat transfer medium flowing into inlet 4C is directed out of the first outlet 4B into the first partial circuit, i.e. the first and second partial circuits are connected in series.

[0087] In several third operating states or intermediate positions, one of which is shown in FIG. 2 (c), the first inlet 4A is connected to the first outlet 4B and the second outlet 4D, and the second inlet 4C is connected to the first outlet 4B and the second outlet 4D, with the result that, depending on the switching position of the mixing valve 400, various third fractions, for example 30%, 50% or 70%, of heat transfer medium flowing in from the first partial circuit are directed into the second partial circuit, i.e. some of the heat transfer medium of the first partial circuit is branched off into the second partial circuit and mixed with it.

[0088] The third partial circuit may be selectively connected in series with or separated from the second partial circuit by a switching device with a 4/2-way valve 700, which is selectively switched into a first operating state for directing a first fraction of 0% of heat transfer medium flowing in from the second partial circuit into the third partial circuit, and a second operating state for directing a second fraction, which differs from the first fraction, of 100% of heat transfer medium flowing in from the second partial circuit into the third partial circuit.

[0089] FIG. 3 shows a heat transfer medium circuit according to a further embodiment of the present invention in an illustration corresponding to FIG. 1. Features corresponding to one another are identified by identical reference signs, and therefore reference is made to the above description and only points of differentiation are discussed below.

[0090] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, instead of the mixing valve 400, the mixing device has two parallel and mutually synchronized multi-way valves 500, 600.

[0091] The first multi-way valve 500 has an inlet 5A for introducing heat transfer medium from the first partial circuit, a first outlet 5B for discharging heat transfer medium into the first partial circuit, and a second outlet 5C for discharging heat transfer medium into the second partial circuit.

[0092] The second multi-way valve 600 has an inlet 6A for introducing heat transfer medium from the second partial circuit, a first outlet 6B for discharging heat transfer medium into the first partial circuit, and a second outlet 6C for discharging heat transfer medium into the second partial circuit.

[0093] In a first switching position of the first multi-way valve 500, its inlet 5A is connected only to the first outlet 5B, in a second switching position the inlet 5A is connected only to the second outlet 5C, and in a plurality of intermediate positions the inlet 5A is connected in each case to the first and second outlets 5B, 5C, wherein in the various intermediate positions different fractions of the heat transfer medium flowing in through the inlet 5A are directed into or through the first outlet 5B, and the remainder or complementary fraction is in each case directed into or through the second outlet 5C, e.g. in an intermediate position 30% into or through 5B and 70% into or through 5C, in an (other) intermediate position 50% into or through 5B and 50% into or through 5C, and/or in an (other) intermediate position 70% into or through 5B and 30% into or through 5C.

[0094] In a first switching position of the second multi-way valve 600, its inlet 6A is connected only to the first outlet 6B, in a second switching position the inlet 6A is connected only to the second outlet 6C, and in a plurality of intermediate positions the inlet 6A is in each case connected to the first and second outlets 6B, 6C, wherein in the various intermediate positions different fractions of the heat transfer medium flowing in through the inlet 6A are directed into or through the first outlet 6B, and the remainder or complementary fraction is in each case directed into or through the second outlet 6C, e.g. in an intermediate position 30% into or through 6B and 70% into or through 6C, in an (other) intermediate position 50% into or through 6B and 50% into or through 6C, and/or in an (other) intermediate position 70% into or through 6B and 30% into or through 6C.

[0095] In this way, it is possible analogously for the first and second partial circuits to be separated from one another (first multi-way valve 500: first switching position 5A.fwdarw.5B; second multi-way valve 600: second switching position 6A.fwdarw.6C) or connected in series (first multi-way valve 500: second switching position 5A.fwdarw.5C; second multi-way valve 600: first switching position 6A.fwdarw.6B) or some of the heat transfer medium of the first partial circuit is branched off into the second partial circuit and mixed with it (first multi-way valve 500: intermediate position 5A.fwdarw.5B, 5C; second multi-way valve 600: intermediate position 6A.fwdarw.6B, 6C).

[0096] Although exemplary embodiments have been explained in the above description, it should be pointed out that numerous modifications are possible. It should be noted, furthermore, that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples which are in no way intended to limit the scope of protection, the applications, and the structure. Instead, the above description gives a person skilled in the art a guideline for the realization of at least one exemplary embodiment, and various changes may be made here, such as with regard to the function and arrangement of the component parts described, without departing from the scope of protection resulting from the feature combinations equivalent thereto.

[0097] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0098] 4A First mixing valve inlet [0099] 4B First mixing valve outlet [0100] 4C Second mixing valve inlet [0101] 4D Second mixing valve outlet [0102] 5A Inlet of the first multi-way valve [0103] 5B First outlet of the first multi-way valve [0104] 5C Second outlet of the first multi-way valve [0105] 6A Inlet of the second multi-way valve [0106] 6B First outlet of the second multi-way valve [0107] 6C Second outlet of the second multi-way valve [0108] 101 Compressor [0109] 102 Condenser [0110] 103 Expansion valve [0111] 104 Heat exchanger [0112] 105 Expansion valve [0113] 106 Heat exchanger [0114] 107 Expansion valve [0115] 108 Air-conditioning system evaporator [0116] 109 Passenger compartment [0117] 110 Control valve [0118] 111 PTC heater [0119] 112 Pump [0120] 113 3/2-way valve [0121] 114 Pump [0122] 115 Driving internal combustion engine [0123] 116 Radiator [0124] 117 Thermostat [0125] 118 Heat exchanger [0126] 201 Pump [0127] 202 Battery [0128] 301 Electric motor [0129] 302 Power electronics system [0130] 303 Charging device [0131] 304 Pump [0132] 305 3/2-way valve [0133] 306 Radiator [0134] 400 Mixing valve [0135] 500 First multi-way valve [0136] 600 Second multi-way valve [0137] 700 4/2-way valve