DE102005047354A1 - Motor vehicle e.g. passenger car, has heating path, water and circulating pumps, stop and shutoff/reversing valves, heat exchanger and fan for thermal utilization of solar energy to heat internal combustion engine before starting vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle (2) has an engine heating path, an electrical auxiliary water pump (26), a stop valve (28), a shutoff/reversing valve, a heat exchanger (30), a circulating pump and a fan for thermal utilization of solar energy to heat an internal combustion engine (4) or to selective heat individual regions of the engine before starting the vehicle. The heat exchanger is arranged on or below a body part and/or interior part and connected to the engine. An independent claim is also included for a method of warming an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle, and a method for heating an internal combustion engine a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, before take-off.

If the after a longer one Shutdown completely or largely cooled to ambient temperature internal combustion engine of vehicles, especially motor vehicles, started "cold" and "warm" until reaching its operating temperature of about 90 ° C, are from the engine control special measures required, such as Example a Gemischanfettung or the like, in order at this stage to ensure a good driving behavior. In this cold start or warm-up phase are also the pollutant emissions in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine significantly higher as in warm operating condition. So it's getting harder and harder through appropriate measures the engine control the ever increasing demands on exhaust emissions to fulfill. Thereby, and because the low temperatures of the combustion engine and the engine oil increase the mechanical power loss is in these phases of operation the fuel consumption and the wear of the internal combustion engine especially high. To avoid these problems, it is on the one hand already known, internal combustion engines before a cold start electrically or by combustion of fuel preheat what However, a not inconsiderable energy requirement and thus a higher fuel consumption caused. On the other hand, especially in the summer in motor vehicles also larger amounts of energy used to operate air conditioners after a long shutdown period To cool in the sun heated interior of motor vehicles, the to be called Days up to temperatures of over Heat to 60 ° C can. Because the cooling of the interior with usual Air conditioners, i. without a relatively expensive stationary air conditioning, However, only after a certain journey time comes to fruition, is the heating of the vehicle by many vehicle occupants as very uncomfortable.

In The Patent Abstracts of Japan No. 2004106608 A has therefore already been proposed to cool the heated interior of vehicles powered by solar power Air conditioning to use.

Advantages of invention

The vehicle according to the invention with the facilities for the thermal utilization of solar energy for warming the internal combustion engine before the start offers the other hand Advantage that it is with little use of electrical energy from the vehicle battery or a photovoltaic solar module allows light will, in the warm-up phase the internal combustion engine to reduce their wear and exhaust emissions. About that In addition, it is possible in certain embodiments, already before the start of the vehicle for a certain cooling of the interior.

Of the Invention is based on the idea of a part of the energy of the to use the sunlight on the vehicle to reduce the temperature of the vehicle Increase the internal combustion engine itself to a higher temperature level or at a higher level To keep level. When this heat energy out is taken from the interior or by removing its supply in the interior is partially compensated, this can be done simultaneously help to increase the heating of the interior on hot days a bearable Measure too Reduce.

According to one first preferred embodiment of the invention include the facilities as a solar heat exchanger trained heat exchanger, the body part exposed on or under sunlight arranged and connected to the internal combustion engine, so that a heated by the sunlight in the heat exchanger liquid heat transfer medium for warming up the parked internal combustion engine are passed into this can.

alternative can in this first variant of the heat exchanger in the interior be arranged, preferably below a front or rear window, integrated in or in direct contact with interior components, which are heated up by the sunlight particularly strong, like dashboard, hat rack or the like.

The solar heat exchanger is preferably mounted on the vehicle outside of the vehicle, so that it is exposed to direct sunlight, while it is expediently arranged in passenger cars from the outside invisible under a hood, a vehicle roof or a trunk lid and is in direct thermal contact with these body parts to a to ensure good heat transfer. The attachment of the heat exchanger is preferably carried out in Be rich in a substantially horizontal surface, so that it is exposed to the strongest possible direct or indirect sunlight regardless of the storage direction of the vehicle.

advantageously, is the solar heat exchanger Part of a coolant circuit the internal combustion engine of the serving as a coolant heat transfer medium is flowed through. In this case is appropriate between the heat exchanger and the internal combustion engine arranged a shut-off valve, which is closed during operation of the internal combustion engine to a revolution of coolant through the solar heat exchanger to prevent.

In a modification of the first embodiment Instead of the shut-off valve, a shut-off / change-over valve is used, which the coolant flow between the solar heat exchanger and a heater core can switch. As a result, the circulation pump with shut off engine warm-up branch also for certain functions are used to improve heating comfort (e.g., residual heat use with switched off internal combustion engine, supporting the flow through the heater core at low engine speeds).

In contrast, include the devices in a second preferred embodiment of the Invention a heat exchanger, which is also connected to the internal combustion engine, however with warm air from the heated by sunlight interior the vehicle is acted upon by the liquid heat transfer medium through the To warm warm air and then into the internal combustion engine. Preferably is the heat exchanger Again, part of a coolant circuit the internal combustion engine, wherein it is preferably a heat exchanger of a Heating or air conditioning of the vehicle is equal to the number of for execution of the invention needed additional Components as low as possible to keep.

Of the heat exchangers can in this embodiment through a fan be subjected to air from the interior, in the event of a too as a heating heat exchanger a heat or air conditioning of the vehicle serving heat exchanger either the fan at standstill of the internal combustion engine with reversible blowing direction can be operated to heated To blow air out of the interior through the heat exchanger, or in recirculation mode, the heated air from the interior in the circulation through the heat exchanger and after their cooling off back to the interior.

alternative can in this second variant of the heat exchanger directly in the interior be arranged, preferably below a front or rear window, where the air in the interior heats up very much, so that if necessary on a blower can be dispensed to the required electrical energy so low as possible to keep. For the same reason, the fan and / or one for circulating the Heat transfer medium serving circulating pump expedient only above a predetermined threshold of solar radiation activated.

The variants 1 and 2 can also be combined in an advantageous manner to the efficiency to increase the invention.

drawing

The Invention will be described below in some embodiments with reference to associated drawing explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 a schematic side view of parts of a passenger car with means for using solar energy for heating the internal combustion engine according to a first variant of the invention;

2 a schematic side view of parts of a truck with the devices according to the first variant of the invention;

3 a schematic side view of parts of a passenger car with facilities for using solar energy to heat the internal combustion engine according to a second variant of the invention;

4 a schematic side view of parts of the passenger car 3 with a modification of the second variant of the invention.

5 a schematic side view of parts of the passenger car 1 with a modification of the first variant of the invention.

description the embodiments

The motor vehicles shown in the drawing 2 own as drive a combustion engine 4 , A cooling water circuit of the internal combustion engine through which cooling water flows as heat transfer medium 4 includes in a known manner a cooler branch 8th with a cooler 10 and a bypass branch 12 , after a cold start of the internal combustion engine 4 by closing one in a cooling water pipe 14 between the radiator branch 8th and the bypass branch 12 arranged thermostatic valve 16 from the cooling water in the direction of the arrows in 1 to 3 is flowed through to provide for a faster heating of the cooling water. The cooling water circuit includes in a cooling water pipe 20 one from the internal combustion engine 4 driven main cooling water pump 22 , which is used to circulate the cooling water through the cooler or bypass branch 8th . 12 and the internal combustion engine 4 serves. The radiator branch 8th is through the thermostatic valve 16 closed below a certain coolant temperature of about 80 to 90 ° C relative to the internal combustion engine.

In the in the 1 and 2 shown motor vehicles 2 the cooling water circuit further comprises an engine warm-up branch 24 , each of which is an electric auxiliary water pump 26 , a shut-off valve 28 and a solar heat exchanger 30 contains, with the shut-off valve open 28 as well as the combustion engine 4 from the operation of the additional water pump 26 in the engine warm-up branch 24 circulated cooling water is flowed through. The engine warm-up branch 24 serves to the internal combustion engine 4 Preheat at standstill by direct solar radiation (indicated by arrows) on the solar heat exchanger 30 ( 2 ) or by sunlight on a in thermal contact with the solar heat exchanger 30 standing body part ( 1 ) heated cooling water in the parked internal combustion engine 4 is supplied.

At the in 1 illustrated passenger cars 2 is the heat exchanger 30 designed in the form of a simply constructed tube or plate heat exchanger, the invisible under the body panel of the hood 32 is arranged to the visual appearance of the passenger car 2 not to interfere. The heat exchanger 30 However, in a similar way could also between the headliner 34 and the vehicle roof 36 or in the region of another substantially horizontal surface, for example a trunk lid, arranged to be one of the parking direction of the vehicle 2 essentially independent heating of the cooling water in the heat exchanger 30 to enable. To improve the heat conduction is the heat exchanger 30 in direct thermal contact with the body panel, such as the hood 32 , At the in 1 illustrated arrangement under the hood 32 can change the line lengths of coolant lines 38 . 40 and thus both pipeline costs and heat losses between the heat exchanger 30 and the internal combustion engine 4 be minimized when the coolant lines 38 . 40 between the heat exchanger 30 and the one directly under the hood 32 arranged internal combustion engine 4 are designed as plug-in connections when closing the hood 32 a connection between the heat exchanger 30 and internal combustion engine 4 make and open the bonnet 32 close automatically.

In an arrangement over an interior 42 between the roof 36 and the headliner 34 in contrast, carries the heat exchanger 30 stronger to cool the interior 42 and thus to increase the comfort, if this by sunlight through the windows 44 has heated up at standstill.

As a further modification of the first embodiment, the solar heat exchanger could 30 also in the vehicle interior 42 be arranged, integrated in or in direct contact with interior components that are particularly heated by the sun, such as dashboard or parcel shelf.

When installed in commercial vehicles, the heat exchanger 30 for better utilization of solar radiation expedient on the outside of the vehicle 2 mounted, for example, over the cabin, as in 2 where it can be optionally tilted to reduce drag while driving, where it is not needed as a heat exchanger, the air resistance.

The circulation pump 26 is normally only when the internal combustion engine is turned off 4 put into operation, being controlled by a controller 6 depending on one of temperature sensors 46 . 48 determined average cooling water temperature in the heat exchanger 30 and in the internal combustion engine 4 or is controlled by the difference of these temperatures. This is the control 6 provided with a timer that controls 6 switches on at regular intervals to the temperature difference between the cooling water temperature in the heat exchanger 30 and in the internal combustion engine 4 to investigate. If it exceeds a predetermined value, the circulation pump 26 from the controller 6 briefly turned on, until the temperature difference is largely balanced. In this way, heated in response to the sunlight in shorter or longer intervals heated cooling water in the internal combustion engine 4 be supplied to keep them preheated or preheated. In order to avoid a discharge of the vehicle battery, the additional water pump 26 possibly from solar cells (not shown) on the vehicle 2 be powered or switched off completely when the downtime of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined period of time or a measured ambient brightness is below a threshold or a state of charge of the vehicle battery no further discharge allowed.

As the bypass branch 12 usually only has a small volume of coolant and often quite in the engine block of the internal combustion engine 4 integrated, is the heat of the solar heat exchanger 30 heated coolant usually for the most part to the internal combustion engine 4 delivered himself. To also a flow through the bypass branch 12 and thus avoid any associated heat losses, can between the internal combustion engine 4 and the bypass branch 12 optionally a shut-off valve 18 can be used, for example, in the coolant line 14 can be arranged and controlled by the controller 6 is controlled. During the stoppage of the internal combustion engine 4 is the optional shut-off valve 18 between the internal combustion engine 4 and the radiator or bypass branch 8th . 12 closed when the temperature level of the internal combustion engine so permits, to pass the cooling water heated by solar energy through the bypass or radiator branch 8th . 12 to prevent.

Conversely, the shut-off valve 28 in the engine warm-up branch 24 at the start of the internal combustion engine 4 closed to allow passage of cooling water through the engine warm-up branch 24 to prevent, so at cold start the operating temperature of the internal combustion engine 4 is reached as quickly as possible, and thus in normal operation of the heat exchanger 30 not functioning as an additional cooler. In case of a defect in the main cooling circuit 8th . 10 . 14 . 16 . 20 . 22 can the valve 28 However, also be opened in engine operation to the engine warm-up branch 24 to be used as an emergency cooling system and to enable further travel with reduced engine power. In this case, the circulation pump may also have to be switched on.

At the in 3 and 4 shown motor vehicles 2 Although the coolant circuit also has an engine warm-up branch 50 with a heat exchanger 52 and a make-up water pump 54 on, but there is the cooling water in the engine warm-up branch 50 not directly by sunlight on the heat exchanger 52 or an immediately above arranged body part, eg 32 heated. Instead, it is due to the sunlight on the vehicle 2 and in particular on its front and / or rear windows 44 heated air in the interior 42 as a heat exchange medium ge uses to a part of the motor vehicle 2 absorbed solar heat on the in the engine warm-up branch 50 circulating cooling water so that it can be heated and then fed to the internal combustion engine to heat the internal combustion engine in the latter, as previously with reference to 1 and 2 described. However, the engine warm-up branch becomes 50 here from a heating branch of a heating or air conditioning system of the vehicle 2 formed, wherein the heat exchanger 52 in normal operation as a heating heat exchanger for heating the interior 42 serves. This heater core 52 will be at the in 3 and 4 shown motor vehicles 2 at shutdown internal combustion engine 4 in addition to heating the internal combustion engine 4 used at standstill.

The heat exchanger 52 has a blower in a known manner 56 on, whose conveying direction, however, in the in 3 illustrated motor vehicle 2 is reversible to heated air from the interior 42 through the heat exchanger 52 to blow into the environment to the outside, while passing through the heat exchanger 52 give off part of their heat to the cooling water. The fan 56 is at shutdown internal combustion engine 4 from the controller 6 turned on with this reverse conveying direction when the difference between that of temperature sensors 58 . 60 determined temperature in the interior 42 and in the cooling water in the internal combustion engine 4 exceeds a predetermined value. At the same time the additional water pump 54 from the controller 6 turned on to the cooling water through the engine warm-up branch 50 to circulate. Similar to the motor vehicles 2 in 1 and 2 can solar cells (not shown) to protect the vehicle battery as an energy source for driving the fan 56 and the auxiliary water pump 54 serve.

To the need for a blower 56 with reversible conveying direction, as well as to increase the system efficiency, is in the in 4 illustrated motor vehicle 2 the air conditioning or heating system when parking the internal combustion engine 4 from the controller 6 set to recirculation mode, so that by sunlight on the vehicle 2 heated air in the circulation from the interior 42 through the heat exchanger 52 and back to the interior 42 blown as indicated by arrows in 4 shown. Out 3 the recirculation mode is also apparent by closing the fresh air damper 62 is set to the environment. Again, the controller switches 6 the blower 56 and the circulation pump 54 as soon as the difference between that of the temperature sensors 58 . 60 determined temperature in the interior 42 or in the cooling water of the internal combustion engine 4 exceeds the predetermined value.

• – Im Stillstand der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 wird zur Umwälzung des im Wärmetauscher 30 erwärmten Kühlmittels in die Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 die Kühlmittelleitung 38 mit der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 verbunden und die Umwälzpumpe 26 eingeschaltet. Die Verbindung zur Kühlmittelleitung 51 ist unterbrochen.
• – Wenn im Stillstand der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 keine Notwendigkeit zur Umwälzung des im Wärmetauscher 30 erwärmten Kühlmittels in die Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 besteht, kann das Abschalt-/Umschaltventil 29 bestimmte Fahrzeug-Komfortfunktionen unterstützen, z.B. die Restwärmenutzung. Dazu wird die Verbindung von der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 zur Kühlmittelleitung 38 geschlossen und statt dessen zur Kühlmittelleitung 51 hin geöffnet. Durch Einschalten der Umwälzpumpe 26 wird dabei das noch warme Kühlmittel aus der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 durch den Heizungswärmetauscher 52 gepumpt, und durch Einschalten des Gebläses 26 wird die Restwärme der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 zur Innenraumerwärmung des stehenden Fahrzeugs genutzt.
• – Im Betrieb der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 schließt das Abschalt-/Umschaltventil 29 die Verbindung von der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 zur Kühlmittelleitung 38 und öffnet sie zur Kühlmittelleitung 51 hin, sofern Heizleistung benötigt wird. Zur Heizleistungsunterstützung bei niedrigen Motordrehzahlen (Fahrzeug-Komfortfunktion) kann die Umwälzpumpe 26 eingeschaltet werden, um den Durchfluss durch den Heizungswärmetauscher 52 zu erhöhen. Wenn hingegen keine Heizleistung im Innenraum 42 benötigt wird, kann das Abschalt-/Umschaltventil 29 auch die Verbindung zur Kühlmittelleitung 51 schließen.
• – Im Betrieb der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 in Verbindung mit einem Defekt im Hauptkühlkreislauf 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 öffnet das Abschalt-/Umschaltventil 29 die Verbindung von der Verbrennungskraftmaschine 4 zu beiden Kühlmittelleitungen 38 und 51, um neben dem Heizkreislauf 51, 52 zusätzlich auch noch den Motoraufwärmzweig 24, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40 als Notkühlsystem zu nutzen.

5 shows a modification of the first embodiment 1 in which the shut-off valve 28 through a shutdown / changeover valve 29 has been replaced, which is controlled as follows:

• - At standstill of the internal combustion engine 4 is used to recirculate the heat exchanger 30 heated coolant in the internal combustion engine 4 the coolant line 38 with the Ver internal-combustion engine 4 connected and the circulation pump 26 switched on. The connection to the coolant line 51 is interrupted.
• - When at standstill of the internal combustion engine 4 no need to circulate in the heat exchanger 30 heated coolant in the internal combustion engine 4 the shutdown / changeover valve can 29 support certain vehicle comfort functions, eg the use of residual heat. This is the connection of the internal combustion engine 4 to the coolant line 38 closed and instead to the coolant line 51 opened. By switching on the circulation pump 26 is doing the still warm coolant from the internal combustion engine 4 through the heating heat exchanger 52 pumped, and by switching on the blower 26 is the residual heat of the internal combustion engine 4 used for the interior heating of the stationary vehicle.
• - During operation of the internal combustion engine 4 closes the shutdown / changeover valve 29 the connection of the internal combustion engine 4 to the coolant line 38 and opens it to the coolant line 51 if heating power is required. For heat output support at low engine speeds (vehicle comfort function), the circulation pump 26 be turned on to the flow through the heater core 52 to increase. If, however, no heating power in the interior 42 is needed, the shutdown / changeover valve 29 also the connection to the coolant line 51 shut down.
• - During operation of the internal combustion engine 4 in connection with a defect in the main cooling circuit 8th . 10 . 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 opens the shutdown / changeover valve 29 the connection of the internal combustion engine 4 to both coolant lines 38 and 51 to go next to the heating circuit 51 . 52 in addition also the engine warm-up branch 24 . 26 . 28 . 30 . 38 . 40 to be used as an emergency cooling system.

The control required for all variants 6 is preferably provided by the always existing engine control unit or optional air conditioning control unit of the air conditioning.

Claims (18)

Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, with an internal combustion engine, characterized by devices ( 24 . 26 . 28 . 29 . 30 ; 50 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) for the thermal utilization of solar energy for heating the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) or for specific heating of individual areas of the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) before the start. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the devices ( 24 . 26 . 28 . 29 . 30 ; 50 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) a heat exchanger ( 30 ) which is mounted on or under a sunlight-exposed body part ( 32 . 36 ) or interior part or integrated into this part and with the internal combustion engine ( 4 ), so that the solar radiation in the heat exchanger ( 30 ) heated liquid heat transfer medium for heating the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) can be directed into this. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the devices ( 24 . 26 . 28 . 29 . 30 ; 50 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) a heat exchanger ( 52 ), which is heated with hot air from an interior heated by solar radiation ( 42 ) acted upon and with the internal combustion engine ( 4 ), so that one of the hot air in the heat exchanger ( 52 ) heated liquid heat transfer medium for heating the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) can be directed into this. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the heat exchanger is a heating heat exchanger ( 52 ) of a heating or air conditioning system of the vehicle ( 2 ). Vehicle according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the heat exchanger in the interior of the vehicle ( 2 ) is arranged. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that that the heat exchanger arranged below a front or rear window in the interior is. Vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the heat exchanger ( 52 ) with a blower ( 56 ) equipped with the hot air heated by solar radiation as a function of the temperatures of the heat transfer medium in the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) on the one hand and / or in the vehicle interior ( 42 ) on the other hand from the interior ( 42 ) for heating the heat transfer medium through the heat exchanger ( 52 ) blows. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the control of the blower ( 56 ) is additionally carried out as a function of the intensity of the solar radiation on the vehicle and / or a standstill period of the vehicle and / or a state of charge of a vehicle battery. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger ( 30 . 52 ) Part of a coolant circuit of the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) and that the heat transfer medium is a coolant. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger ( 30 . 52 ) with a circulation pump ( 26 . 54 ), the heat transfer medium depending on the temperatures of the heat transfer medium in the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) on the one hand and in the heat exchanger ( 30 . 52 ) and / or in the vehicle interior ( 42 ) on the other hand from the heat exchanger ( 30 . 52 ) to the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) pumps. Vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the control of the circulating pump ( 26 . 54 ) is additionally carried out as a function of the intensity of the solar radiation on the vehicle and / or a standstill period of the vehicle and / or a state of charge of a vehicle battery. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a between the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) and a cooler branch ( 8th ) or a bypass branch ( 12 ) optionally arranged shut-off valve ( 18 ), which at standstill of the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) is usually closed. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized by a between the heat exchanger ( 30 ) and the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) arranged shut-off valve ( 28 ), which in normal operation of the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) closed is. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized by a between the heat exchanger ( 30 ) and the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) shutdown / changeover valve ( 29 ), which in normal operation of the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) the connection between the heat exchanger ( 30 ) and the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) interrupts. Vehicle according to one of Claims 2 to 14, characterized by a switch-off / changeover valve ( 29 ), which the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) with a coolant line ( 38 ) to the heat exchanger ( 30 ) or with a coolant line ( 51 ) to a heating heat exchanger ( 52 ) connects or if necessary to both lines ( 38 . 51 ) shut off or open. Vehicle according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the devices ( 24 . 26 . 28 . 29 . 30 ; 50 . 52 . 54 . 56 ) in the event of a defect in a main cooling circuit ( 8th . 10 . 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 ) by switching on the circulation pump ( 26 ) and opening the shut-off valve ( 28 ) or the shutdown / changeover valve ( 29 ) can be used as an emergency cooling system. Method for heating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, before starting, characterized in that the internal combustion engine ( 4 ) is supplied to a liquid heat transfer medium that has been previously heated by solar energy. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the heat transfer medium in a heating heat exchanger ( 52 ) of the vehicle ( 2 ) is heated by circulating air from a heated by sunlight interior ( 42 ) of the vehicle to the heat exchanger ( 52 ) is supplied.