DE102010046147A1 - Cooling system for motor vehicle, is provided with regulating device for air stream to cooler, where regulating device has movable flap connected between closed position and open position - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooling system is provided with a regulating device for an air stream to a cooler, where the regulating device has a movable flap connected between a closed position and an open position. A lower engine compartment cover is provided, where the flap is pivoted on the lower engine compartment cover. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a cooling system of a motor vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a cooling system of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle equipped therewith. The cooling system includes an apparatus for regulating an air flow to a radiator, the apparatus having a movable flap movable between a closed position and an open position.

Such cooling systems are known in the art. Cooling systems with closing units for the cooling air flow are usually designed to optimize the operating parameters. The cooling systems of this type make it possible to control a cooling air flow to a radiator of the motor vehicle and thus make it possible, depending on the respective operating conditions, to allow more or less cool air to reach the radiator.

In cold engines and / or cold conditions, heat can be dissipated via the radiator even before the optimum operating parameters are reached, which delays the heating of the engine and the catalytic converter and thus promotes a higher pollutant exchange and can increase both consumption and wear.

In the prior art, for example, the JP 10 077 838 A For example, a controller is known which controls the opening or closing angle of a fan door for the radiator depending on the engine temperature. A temperature sensor detects the cooling water temperature of the engine and a first computer calculates the time-dependent course of the temperature change. From this, a second computer determines the opening angle to be set for the ventilation flap.

From the WO 01/79671 A1 a cooling system of a motor vehicle is known which has a closing unit for the cooling air flow for optimizing the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. A closure unit is provided with two flaps, which are each arranged on the front bumper.

This structure has the disadvantage that the closing unit can be damaged even with small deformations of the front bumper. Since the closing unit is actuated by a motor, the risk of consequential damage to the closing unit is great. This requires higher costs.

In addition, with such an arrangement, the freedom of design in the area of the vehicle front, in particular the front bumper unit, limited because flap and actuators must be attached to the bumper unit.

The object of the invention is thus to develop a cooling system of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle of the type mentioned in that the disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially overcome.

The object is achieved by a cooling system of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to the independent claim 10. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An inventive cooling system of a motor vehicle has a device for regulating an air flow to a radiator of the motor vehicle. The device has a movable flap which is movable between a closed position and an open position.

The closed position is in the sense of the invention, the position in which the air flow to a cooler is lower than in the open position.

With the help of such a device, the air flow to a radiator of the motor vehicle can be significantly limited or completely sealed off. Less energy can be dissipated via a cooler sealed off in this way, so that the engine and a catalytic converter can reach their operating temperature more quickly and the air resistance of the motor vehicle can be reduced if the required cooling capacity is low. Both contribute to the efficiency and longevity of the motor vehicle.

According to the invention it is provided that the cooling system has a lower engine compartment cover and the flap is pivotally mounted on the lower engine compartment cover.

The engine compartment cover can achieve several advantages. On the one hand, the air resistance of the motor vehicle can be reduced, since no turbulence arises in the region of the engine components. On the other hand, the environment can be spared in the event of accidental leakage of fluids from the engine. Furthermore, the thermal conditions in the engine compartment, especially at low ambient temperatures, better control, since the lower parts of the engine are cooled less by the lack of air flow. This also reduces tension and contributes to the longevity of the motor vehicle.

The arrangement of the flap on the lower engine compartment cover is the Freedom of design in the area of the vehicle front increased. Furthermore, by a decoupling of the flap and bumper when introducing small external forces, which lead to a not too large deformation of the bumper, protect the door so that they may not need to be replaced.

According to a first possible development of the invention it can be provided that the flap is designed to close in the closed position of a arranged on the vehicle front cooling air opening. According to the invention, it is not necessary according to this development that the front cooling air opening is completely closed.

A complete closure of the front cooling air opening in the closed position represents a special development of the invention.

Instead of a cooling air opening and a plurality of cooling air openings can be provided.

Instead of a flap, it is also possible to provide a plurality of flaps, each of which closes one or more cooling air openings, at least partially or in particular completely.

According to another possible development of the invention can be provided that the flap is oriented in the open position substantially parallel to the engine compartment cover. In this way, the flap can be aligned aerodynamically in the open position.

According to a further possible development of the invention can be provided that the closed position can be reached by pivoting the flap against the direction of travel.

In this way, the pivot center of the flap can be arranged close to a cooling air opening to be closed, so that the flap is arranged in the closed position relatively close to the cooling air opening and can be achieved a relatively closed area instead of the cooling air opening. This is streamlined and thus reduces fuel consumption.

Alternatively it can be provided according to another embodiment of the invention that the closed position can be reached by pivoting the flap against the direction of travel. In this way, the pivot center of the flap can be arranged further away from the bumper, which causes damage to the cooling system only with larger deformations of the bumper.

According to a further possible development of the invention can be provided that the engine compartment cover has an opening which is at least partially hidden by the flap in the open position.

With the flap open, a relatively closed underbody in the region of the flap can thus be achieved, wherein in the open position it is possible to divert the airflow via the opening in the engine compartment cover so that the formation of air congestion and air turbulence and thus a deterioration of the aerodynamics can be reduced.

According to a further possible development of the invention, a servo motor for actuating the flap is provided. Such a servomotor may be in particular a stepper motor.

According to a further possible development of the invention, a control or regulating device may be provided for controlling or regulating the flap. The control device may perform the control of the damper position, in particular, based on engine parameters such as engine temperature, coolant temperature, oil temperature, and the like, or environmental parameters such as outside temperature.

According to a further possible development of the invention can be provided that the flap can stand in at least one position between the open position and the closed position. The flap can also be in any or further defined positions between the open position and the closed position. In this way, the flow of air to the radiator can be finely regulated.

A first independent subject of the invention is a motor vehicle with a cooling system according to the inventive idea described above. Such a motor vehicle can be produced more cost-effectively than the known motor vehicles and, moreover, can be repaired and / or maintained more cost-effectively.

A first possible development of the motor vehicle according to the invention provides that at least one cooling air opening is arranged on the vehicle front below a bumper impact element. In this area, a cooling system according to the invention can be easily arranged.

Another independent object of the invention relates to a method for controlling a cooling system of a motor vehicle with a device for regulating an airflow to a radiator, the device comprising a movable flap which is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the Cooling system has a lower engine compartment cover and the flap is pivotally mounted on the lower engine compartment cover, wherein the flap for regulating the cooling power between the open position and the closed position is pivoted. This makes it possible to achieve an optimal compromise between cooling performance and aerodynamic drag.

A first possible development of the method according to the invention provides that the flap is pivoted into a position between the open position and the closed position. In this way, a finer regulation of the cooling performance can be achieved.

A further possible development of the method according to the invention provides that the cooling capacity is determined via the coolant temperature, the outside temperature and / or the engine power demanded. This allows precise adjustment of the flap.

Another possible development of the method according to the invention provides that the position of the flap is known or checked and at a position not required cooling performance is pivoted at a lower required cooling capacity in the closed position and at higher necessary cooling capacity in the open position until each of the corresponding position is pivoted.

The method according to the invention can be carried out in particular on the cooling systems of the inventive concept described above in all described embodiments.

The invention will be explained with reference to two embodiments. Here are shown schematically:

1 a fragmentary perspective view of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

2 a cross section along the section line AA of the motor vehicle 1 with a cooling system according to the invention in the open position;

3 a cross section along the section line AA of the motor vehicle 1 with a cooling system according to the invention in the closed position;

4 a cross section along the section line AA of the motor vehicle 1 with a cooling system according to the invention in the open position in an alternative embodiment, as well

5 a cross section along the section line AA of the motor vehicle 1 with a cooling system according to the invention in the closed position.

1 shows sections of a perspective view of a motor vehicle according to the invention 2 ,

The car 2 points in the direction of travel x pointing forward a vehicle front 4 on, at which an upper cooling air opening 6 is arranged. In other embodiments, the vehicle may manage without an upper cooling air opening.

In the lower part of the vehicle front 4 is a bumper unit or a bumper module 8th provided, which has a lower cooling air opening 10 having. Through the cooling air openings 6 . 10 flows while driving the motor vehicle 2 cool air to a arranged in the engine compartment and in 1 invisible radiator. This removes excess heat energy from the engine and controls the engine temperature.

The 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention in a motor vehicle according to the invention 2 in a section AA according to 1 , An engine is not shown in the figures.

The bumper module 8th has a cross member 12 on, can be derived via the externally introduced forces in the body structure. The crossbeam 12 is behind the panel of the bumper module 8th arranged.

Between a hood 14 and the bumper module 8th is the upper cooling air opening 6 formed, in which a grille 16 is arranged. With the help of the radiator grille 16 the air flow (shown by dashed arrows) is directed and the penetration of larger objects, such as stones, insects etc. prevented. This serves to make an air conditioning condenser 18 to protect an air conditioner from damage that would otherwise be expected from such objects at higher speeds upon impact with the radiator.

If the motor vehicle has no air conditioning, sitting at this point usually a cooler.

In the lower cooling air opening 10 serves a grille 20 for the same purposes.

Behind the air conditioning condenser 18 is a cooler 22 arranged. The cooler 22 is traversed by engine coolant and thus serves to regulate the temperature of the engine. Due to the large surface of the radiator 22 can be exchanged with the environment a lot of heat.

Behind the radiator 22 is a fan 24 arranged.

In the lower part of the motor vehicle 2 is an engine room insulation 26 provided, which largely encapsulates the engine from below. The engine compartment insulation 26 can completely encapsulate the engine. At the engine room insulation 26 is a flap 28 arranged in 2 is shown in open position. The flap 28 can by a servomotor 30 be pivoted. In the engine compartment insulation 26 Further openings may be provided, in particular service openings.

3 shows a cross section along the section line AA according to 1 in which the flap 28 is brought by pivoting in the direction of travel x in the closed position. In this way, through the lower cooling air opening 10 no more cooling air flow and cooling air can only through the upper cooling air opening 6 enter. The cooling capacity of the radiator 22 is thus considerably reduced.

The engine compartment insulation 26 has an opening 32 on, can be reduced by the back pressure in the engine compartment.

The 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention, which also in a motor vehicle according to the invention 2 according to 1 can be installed. Same components to the first embodiment according to the 2 and 3 are given for the sake of clarity with the same reference numerals.

In 4 becomes the alternative embodiment of the invention with a flap 128 shown in open position.

Unlike in the 2 and 3 embodiment shown here is the flap 128 for pivoting in the closed position against the direction of travel x, are pivoted in the direction of travel x to the left counterclockwise.

The flap 128 is pivoted by pivoting against the direction of travel x in an open position. This is a servomotor 130 intended. The flap 128 is at an engine room insulation 126 arranged.

5 shows the second embodiment of the invention with the flap 128 in closed position, so the air conditioning condenser 18 as well as the radiator 22 only from the upper cooling air opening 10 be flowed with cooling air.

Air passing through the lower cooling air opening 10 flows in, gets to the flap 128 deflected downwards and passes through an opening 132 from the engine compartment of the motor vehicle 2 out again. This reduces air resistance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

motor vehicle

4

vehicle front

6

upper cooling air opening

8th

bumper module

10

lower cooling air opening

12

crossbeam

14

Hood

16

radiator grill

18

Air conditioning condenser

20

radiator grill

22

cooler

24

fan

26

Engine room soundproofed

28

flap

30

servomotor

32

opening

126

Engine room soundproofed

128

flap

130

servomotor

132

opening

x

direction of travel

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

• JP 10077838 A [0004]
• WO 01/79671 A1 [0005]

Claims (15)

Cooling system of a motor vehicle with a device ( 26 . 28 . 30 ; 126 . 128 . 130 ) for regulating an airflow to a radiator ( 18 . 22 ), the device ( 26 . 28 . 30 ; 126 . 128 . 130 ) a movable flap ( 28 ; 128 ) which is movable between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that the cooling system ( 26 . 28 . 30 ; 126 . 128 . 130 ) a lower engine compartment cover ( 26 ; 126 ) and the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) pivotable on the lower engine compartment cover ( 26 ; 126 ) is stored. Cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) is designed, in closed position, one on the vehicle front ( 4 ) arranged cooling air opening ( 10 ) to close. Cooling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) in the open position substantially parallel to the engine compartment cover ( 26 ; 126 ) is aligned. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed position by pivoting the flap ( 128 ) is accessible against the direction of travel (x). Cooling system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closed position by pivoting the flap ( 28 ) in the direction of travel (x) is reached. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engine compartment cover ( 26 ; 126 ) an opening ( 32 ; 132 ), which from the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) is at least partially obscured in the open position. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a servomotor ( 30 ; 130 ) for actuating the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) is provided. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control or regulating device for controlling or regulating the position of the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) is provided. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) may be in at least one position between the open position and the closed position. Motor vehicle ( 2 ) with a cooling system according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle according to Claim 10, with at least one cooling air opening ( 10 ) on a vehicle front ( 4 ) located below a bumper impact element ( 12 ) is arranged. Method for controlling a cooling system of a motor vehicle with a device ( 26 . 28 . 30 ; 126 . 128 . 130 ) for regulating an airflow to a radiator ( 18 . 22 ), the device ( 26 . 28 . 30 ; 126 . 128 . 130 ) a movable flap ( 28 ; 128 ) which is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cooling system ( 26 . 28 . 30 ; 126 . 128 . 130 ) a lower engine compartment cover ( 26 ; 126 ) and the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) pivotable on the lower engine compartment cover ( 26 ; 126 ), wherein the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) is pivoted to regulate the cooling capacity between the open position and the closed position. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the flap is pivoted to a position between the open position and the closed position. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the cooling capacity over the coolant temperature, outside temperature and / or engine power is retrieved. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the position of the flap ( 28 ; 128 ) is known or checked and is pivoted at a position not required the required cooling capacity at a lower required cooling capacity in the closed position and is pivoted at higher necessary cooling capacity in the open position until each of the corresponding position.

Images