DE102009060909A1 - Condensate collecting device for air conditioning apparatus utilized for cooling and heating passenger within motor vehicle, has motion controlled valve opening and/or closing hole, where valve is opened by motion of motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a collecting container (12), which comprises an outflow hole (18), and a mechanical or electromechanical motion controlled valve (22) e.g. flap valve, opening and/or closing the outflow hole, where the valve is opened by motion of a motor vehicle (1). The container comprises a cylindrical container wall (14) and a container bottom (16). The outflow hole is geodetically arranged on the container bottom. A drain line (28) is connected with the outflow hole, and an overflow opening (30) is provided on the container wall, which is arranged above the motion controlled valve.

Description

The invention relates to a condensate collecting device for an air conditioner, an air conditioning system and a vehicle according to the preambles of the independent claims.

Modern motor vehicles generally have an air conditioning system for cooling and heating the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Such an air conditioning system has at least one heat sink, for example an evaporator with a compressor, wherein a refrigerant expands and assumes a temperature of between 2 ° C and 10 ° C. When warm, moist air hits the evaporator's cold surface, water condenses. The condensation is usually removed through a hose and drained below the motor vehicle. The visible water occurring below the motor vehicle can easily lead to confusion in the driver of the motor vehicle, since it can lead to a false conclusion. For example, he may suspect damage to the motor vehicle, in particular a leak in a fluid-carrying line.

From the DE 196 37 408 A1 For example, there is known a condensation tray for an air conditioner having a drain port and a valve. The valve opens the outlet nozzle when the water in the drip tray has a certain filling level.

It is the object of the present invention to enable an improved collection and discharge of condensation.

The object is achieved with the features of the independent claims.

In a condensate collecting device according to the invention for a heat sink having air conditioning of a motor vehicle, a collecting container is provided with a drain opening, wherein the device is characterized in that in the drain opening a vehicle - motion-controlled valve is provided by means of which the drain opening can be opened and / or closed is. The movement-controlled valve may be an acceleration-controlled and / or a delay-controlled valve. The movement-controlled valve is only opened when the motor vehicle in which the condensate collecting device is arranged is in motion. The condensate can be drained specifically after departure of the motor vehicle from the condensate collection container. As a result, for example, no condensation is left below the vehicle on the ground when the vehicle is in the state. Especially in vehicles with a heater, the condensation is collected in the container if the vehicle is at rest, for example, in a garage or on a stand. After driving, the motion-controlled valve is opened only by the movement of the motor vehicle and the condensate can be drained while driving. If the condensation is drained or if the vehicle comes to a stop, the valve can be closed again. The condensate can also be directed into an additional container for collecting water. This additional container may for example be a water tank of a windscreen wiper system in the motor vehicle.

In one embodiment of the condensate collecting device, the valve is arranged at the geodetically lowest point of the collecting container. When the valve is open, in particular while the motor vehicle is accelerating or braking, all the water in the collecting container can run out of it. The collecting container is then preferably empty when the vehicle comes to a stop again.

Particularly preferably, the valve of the condensate collecting device can be arranged in the discharge opening. Thus, a secure and complete closure of the outlet device can be ensured. There can be no dirt between the movement-controlled valve and the drain opening and possibly prevent closure of the drain opening.

The condensate collecting device can particularly preferably have a discharge line which is connected to the discharge opening. Thus, the condensed water can purposely flow out of the drain tank when the valve is opened.

In a preferred embodiment of the condensate collecting device, an overflow opening may be provided in the at least one container wall, the overflow opening being arranged geodetically above the movement-controlled valve. As a result, condensation water can flow out of the collecting container in a targeted manner if the filling level of the collecting container is geodetically higher than the position of the overflow opening. The overflow opening can prevent condensation from getting inside the vehicle.

Particularly preferably, a hose line is arranged between the overflow opening and the discharge line. As a result, condensation water, which has accumulated in the collecting container, are directed specifically into the drain line. The confluence can be arranged in particular below the valve.

Preferably, the movement-controlled valve is a mechanically or electromechanically controllable valve. The mechanical valve can in this case preferably achieve a closure of the drain opening via a bevel, wherein a ball inertia can occur from an acceleration or deceleration of about 5 m / s ² . In this case, a mechanical lifting magnet is preferably arranged outside the water. The motion controlled valve may also be a flapper valve.

Preferably, the condensed water collecting device has a condensate water supply line arranged geodetically at least above the overflow opening. Through the condensate supply line, the condensate that occurs at the evaporator can be selectively fed to the collecting container.

The object is further achieved by an air conditioner with at least one heat sink. The air conditioning system is characterized in that a condensate collecting device according to the invention is provided for collecting condensation. The condensate collecting device according to the invention has a collecting container with a discharge opening and a movement-controlled valve, by means of which the discharge opening can be opened and / or closed while the vehicle is in motion.

The object is further achieved by a vehicle having a condensate collecting device according to the invention, which is preferably arranged in the region of a tunnel and / or an end wall of the vehicle on the motor side.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figures of the drawing, from which, regardless of the summary in the claims further features, details and advantages of the invention. Identical or similar objects are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

In schematic representation:

1 schematic representation of a condensate collecting device;

2 different embodiments of motion-controlled valves;

3 an air conditioning motor vehicle with a condensate collecting device.

In the 1 is schematically a condensate collecting device 10 shown. The condensate collecting device 10 has a collection container 12 for collecting condensation on which a heat sink, such as an evaporator of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle 1 arises. The collection container 12 has at least one container wall 14 and a container bottom 16 on. The container wall 14 is preferably cylindrical. The tank bottom 16 has a drain opening 18 on. Preferably, the container bottom 11 an inclination angle, such that the drain opening 18 at the geodesic lowest point of the tank bottom 16 is arranged. The collection container 12 has an upper container cover 20 on. In the drain hole 18 is a valve 22 arranged, by means of which the drain opening 18 openable and / or closable. The valve 22 is a motion-controlled valve 22 caused by a movement of the motor vehicle 1 is opened. The movement-controlled valve is preferred 22 change its opening state when the motor vehicle 1 undergoes a change of movement. Thus, the motion-controlled valve 22 be controlled by an acceleration and / or deceleration of the motor vehicle.

The collection container 12 has an interior 24 in which there is condensation 36 can collect, which by a condensate supply line 26 in the collection container 12 can get. The condensate supply line 26 is preferably connected to drain line, which is connected to a arranged below the heat sink, such as the evaporator drip tray for condensation. The drain opening 18 is with a drain line 28 connected. Condensation, which is in the collecting container 12 has collected is with the reference number 36 designated.

In the upper area of the container wall 14 , in particular geodetically above the drain opening 18 is another wall opening 30 arranged, which also serves as an overflow opening 30 referred to as. With the overflow opening 30 is a lead 34 connected to the drain line 28 is fluidly connected and / or in the drain line 28 empties. condensation 36 can then directly into the drain line 28 be directed.

The motion-controlled valve 22 can be controlled mechanically or electromechanically.

2 shows some embodiments of motion-controlled valves 22 ,

2a shows a actuatable with a solenoid valve 22 . 2 B and 2d show mechanical valves and 2c shows a flap valve. Of course, even after other principles functioning valves can be used, as long as they are motion-controlled. Under motion controlled is understood here that the valve 22 only with a movement of the motor vehicle 1 in which the condensate collecting device 10 is installed, opens.

3 shows a schematic sectional view of an air conditioner 38 that is an evaporator 40 having. If the motor vehicle moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 46 illustrated direction, ambient air reaches the evaporator 40 , The direction of the ambient air is with the arrow 48 shown. The ambient air is usually, especially in summer, when the air conditioning system cools the vehicle interior of the vehicle, moist and warm. In the vehicle interior can be cooled by the air conditioning and dry air. The direction of the cold and dry air in the vehicle interior is with the arrow 50 shown. Below the evaporator 40 is a drip tray 42 arranged on the evaporator 40 condensing water can accumulate and a condensate drain line 44 into the condensate collection container 12 passes. The collecting container is preferred 12 arranged on the shell of the motor vehicle in the region of a tunnel and / or an end wall. As a result, shortest discharge paths are ensured and even in case of disturbances, no condensation water can enter the vehicle interior.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19637408 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Condensate collecting device for an evaporator ( 40 ) having air conditioning ( 38 ) of a motor vehicle with at least collecting container ( 12 ), which has at least one drain opening ( 18 ), characterized in that at least one of a movement of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) controlled valve ( 22 ) is provided, by means of which the drain opening ( 18 ) can be opened and / or closed. Receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve ( 22 ) at the geodesic lowest point of the collecting container ( 12 ) is arranged. Receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve ( 22 ) in the drain opening ( 18 ) is arranged. Receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drain line ( 28 ) provided with the drain opening ( 18 ) is fluidly connected. Receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an overflow opening ( 30 ) in the at least one container wall ( 14 ) is provided, the geodetically seen above the movement-controlled valve ( 22 ) is arranged. Receiving device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that between the overflow opening ( 30 ) and the drain line ( 28 ) a hose line ( 34 ) is arranged. Receiving device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve ( 22 ) is mechanically or electromechanically controllable. Receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one condensate water supply line ( 26 ) geodetically above the overflow opening ( 30 ) is provided. Air conditioning system with at least one heat sink which produces a cold surface, characterized in that a collecting device ( 12 ) is provided according to one of claims 1 to 8 for collecting condensation. Vehicle with air conditioning ( 38 ) according to claim 9. Vehicle, according to claim 10, characterized in that the condensate collecting device ( 10 ) is arranged in the region of a tunnel and / or an end wall of the vehicle engine side.

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