DE102021210694A1 - Heating device for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating device (2) for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, having a heating chamber (6) through which air can flow, with an air inlet (20) and with an air outlet (22) and with a covering element (16) facing the vehicle interior, a 6) arranged radiant heater (8), and a fan (10) for promoting an air flow (46) from the air inlet (20) through the heating chamber (6) to the air outlet (22).

Description

The invention relates to a heating device for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, in particular in the area of a vehicle door. The invention also relates to a vehicle door with such a heating device.

Air conditioning systems are regularly installed in motor vehicles, which air condition the vehicle interior, ie bring or keep (condition) the air in the vehicle interior, for example, in a desired temperature and/or (air) humidity range. For this purpose, air conditioning systems have, for example, an introduction of driving wind, ventilation systems, vehicle heating and/or (vehicle) air conditioning systems.

Such air conditioning systems basically have a circuit in which a refrigerant is routed. The refrigerant, for example R-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) or R-744 (carbon dioxide), is heated in an evaporator and compressed using a (refrigerant) compressor or compressor, with the refrigerant then being transported via a heat exchanger gives off the absorbed heat again before it is fed back to the evaporator via a throttle (expansion valve, expansion element).

Vehicle interiors or passenger cabins have comparatively low thermal insulation. As a result, the vehicle interior, in particular the built-in components and the interior air, can heat up considerably when the sun is shining in summer. Accordingly, the low thermal insulation of the passenger cabin in winter results in an increased need for heating energy.

At low ambient temperatures, vehicles with combustion engines heat the passenger cabin with the heat lost from the engine. Electrically driven or drivable motor vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, in particular battery-powered vehicles, lack this heat loss. When the outside temperatures are low, the resulting heating power requirement can exceed the average drive power of battery-powered vehicles and thus more than halve the range.

In the study by the Forschungsvereinigung Automobiltechnik e.V. (FAT): Specific requirements for heating and air conditioning systems in e-vehicles, May 2011, the decisive connection between the range of an electric vehicle and the energy used for the air conditioning of a vehicle is explained. The figures for heating at low outside temperatures are particularly striking: When the outside temperature is below 0 °C (degrees Celsius), essentially the entire heating capacity of the vehicle of 4 kWh is used, but conditioning the interior to 20 °C cannot be guaranteed. In this case, up to 40% of the vehicle energy used can be required for the air conditioning of the vehicle interior. This considerable energy consumption and the inefficiency of conventional air conditioning or heating systems poses a problem in the field of interior conditioning of electrically powered or powered motor vehicles.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a particularly suitable heating device for controlling the temperature of a vehicle interior. In particular, a fast and efficient heat source for a vehicle user is to be realized. The invention is also based on the object of specifying a particularly suitable vehicle door with such a heating device.

With regard to the heating device, the object is achieved with the features of claim 1 and with regard to the vehicle door with the features of claim 10. Advantageous refinements and developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The advantages and configurations given with regard to the heating device can also be transferred to the vehicle door and vice versa.

The heating device according to the invention is intended for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle and is suitable and set up for this. The heating device is preferably designed for thermal management, ie for temperature control, of the vehicle interior, in particular a passenger cell (driver's cabin) or a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Temperature control is understood here and below to mean in particular heating, that is to say an increase in the temperature of the vehicle interior or of the air located therein. The motor vehicle is designed, for example, as an electrically driven or drivable motor vehicle, in particular as an electric or hybrid vehicle.

According to the invention, the heating device has a heating chamber through which air can flow, with an air inlet and with an air outlet, as well as with a cover element facing the vehicle interior. The covering element thus forms a front on the vehicle interior side or a visible surface or covering of the heating device. The air inlet and the air outlet are in this case fluidically coupled to the vehicle interior, so that air from the vehicle interior in the fluidic off exchange with the air inside the heating chamber. For example, the air inlet is designed as ventilation slots of the heating chamber.

A radiant heater is arranged within the heating chamber. In this case, a radiant heater is understood to mean a heat source, in particular an electric heat source, which essentially radiatively introduces heat into the environment at a high overtemperature. The radiant heater therefore generates thermal radiation during operation. The arrangement of the radiant heater within the heating chamber ensures protection against accidental contact, ie a minimum distance from the vehicle user, which prevents excessive heat input.

According to the invention, the heating device also has a fan for promoting an air flow from the air inlet through the heating chamber to the air outlet. In this case, the fan is arranged in particular in the area of the air outlet. A particularly suitable heating device is thereby realized. In particular, the air flow cools the radiant heater in that (cooling) air is sucked in from the air inlet and is guided preferably in a spiral or spiral shape around the radiant heater, with the heat that is dissipated being usable, for example, for temperature control of the interior air.

The heating device is provided in particular in the area of a vehicle door, preferably a front vehicle door, for example a driver's door. Other potential areas of application in the vehicle interior are, for example, in the foot area under the dashboard and in the area of the windshield, the A-pillar, the center console and the roof lining. Further equipping the interior with heating devices according to the invention would mean increased driving comfort and improved energy efficiency when heating the interior.

The heating chamber and the radiant heater are designed, for example, as an infrared module. This means that the radiant heater is designed in particular as an infrared element or infrared radiator for generating infrared radiation. The radiant heater has, for example, an evacuated bulb, in particular a glass bulb, preferably a quartz glass bulb, with a radiation source accommodated therein for generating the thermal radiation. The radiation source is designed, for example, as a heating wire, in particular with a Kanthal coil. In this case, the radiation source is designed in particular as a medium-wave radiator which, when supplied with current, preferably generates thermal radiation in the medium infrared range spectrum. In this context, the mid-infrared range spectrum is understood to mean, in particular, wavelengths of approximately 2 μm (microns) to approximately 3.5 μm. Such infrared radiation is almost completely absorbed by water, so that this radiation is also absorbed particularly well by the surface of the skin, as a result of which a vehicle user can experience an immediate feeling of warmth. The feeling of heat or infrared radiation on the human body can be compared to that of a tiled stove or an open fireplace.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover element is at least partially transparent to the thermal radiation generated by the radiant heater. This means that the thermal radiation, in particular infrared radiation, can pass through the material of the cover element, preferably essentially unhindered, that is to say without any significant attenuation or absorption. As a result, the cover element is essentially not heated by the heat radiation, so that a particularly effective and reliable protection against accidental contact is realized for the radiant heater. Furthermore, the radiant heater can thus warm up a vehicle user in the vehicle interior particularly quickly and in an energy-efficient manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the air flow inside the heating chamber is heated by means of the radiant heater. In particular, the heating device combines direct heat radiation from the radiant heater with a convective air flow, which is generated by the inflow of the radiant heater. In operation, cool air is drawn from the vehicle interior through the air intake into the thermal chamber. There, the air flow sweeps over the radiant heater and heats up in the process. The fan sucks in the heated air, accelerates it and thus emits a pleasant veil of heat to the surrounding surfaces of the vehicle interior. Especially in winter, this can make a significant contribution to the comfort of the vehicle user. In particular, a dried-out, warmed-up interior air of a conventional air conditioning system is avoided in this case.

In an expedient development, the fan is arranged outside the heating chamber. The arrangement outside the heating chamber increases the distance between the fan and the radiant heater, so that the fan is exposed to less thermal stress during operation of the heating device. Furthermore, more installation space is thus created within the heating chamber, so that, for example, the radiant heater can be dimensioned larger.

An additional or further aspect provides that the heating chamber or the infrared module is inserted into a pot-like housing shell, with between the heating chamber and the housing shell is formed with an air inlet chamber coupled to the air inlet and an air outlet chamber coupled to the air outlet for guiding the air flow. In other words, a clear distance between the heating chamber and the housing shell is formed as an intermediate space, at least in some areas, the intermediate space coupled to the air inlet being referred to as the supply air chamber and the intermediate space coupled to the air outlet being referred to as the exhaust air chamber. The supply air chamber and exhaust air chamber preferably surround the heating chamber in the region of the covering element on the vehicle interior side. In other words, a circumferential gap is formed between the heating chamber or the cover element and the housing shell at the front of the heating device. For example, the heating device has an approximately rectangular front, with the air inlet chamber being arranged on a short end face, and with the air outlet chamber extending over the other three sides. As a result, the outflowing air creates a pleasant veil of warmth in the area.

Furthermore, thermal insulation between the heating chamber and the housing shell is implemented by the supply air and exhaust air chambers, so that only a small amount of heat is introduced into the environment of the installation site via the housing shell. This ensures that surrounding visible or touching surfaces do not heat up undesirably in the installed state.

The housing shell thus forms an outer housing for the heating chamber. The heating device is preferably fastened or installed at a desired installation location via the housing shell. The housing shell is therefore designed, for example, as a module carrier or module holder for the heating chamber or the infrared module. The housing shell, which is designed in particular as an injection-molded part, has greater mechanical stability than the heating chamber, for example, so that an advantageous separation of functions is made possible. In the mounted or installed state, the heating chamber is thus attached to the installation site only indirectly via the housing shell.

In a conceivable embodiment, the heating chamber and/or the fan are screw-fastened to the housing shell. As a result, the heating chamber and/or the fan are held in a stable and secure manner on the housing shell. The conjunction “and/or” is to be understood here and in the following in such a way that the features linked by means of this conjunction can be designed both together and as alternatives to one another.

For example, the housing shell can be fitted in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner at a desired installation location without the use of tools. In particular, the housing shell is designed for snap-in or clip fastening. For example, the housing shell has integrally formed latching tabs or latching tongues, that is to say in one piece or monolithically, which latch or clip with corresponding counter-contours at the installation site. This enables a particularly simple and cost-reduced installation of the heating device.

A "positive fit" or a "positive connection" between at least two parts connected to one another is understood here and in the following in particular to mean that the parts connected to one another are held together at least in one direction by a direct interlocking of contours of the parts themselves or by an indirect interlocking via an additional connector. The "blocking" of a mutual movement in this direction is therefore due to the shape.

A “positive connection” or a “positive connection” between at least two parts connected to one another is understood here and in the following in particular to mean that the parts connected to one another are prevented from sliding off one another due to a frictional force acting between them. If there is no "connection force" that causes this frictional force (this means the force that presses the parts against each other, for example a screw force or the force of weight itself), the non-positive connection cannot be maintained and can therefore be released.

In a suitable embodiment, the fan is designed in particular as a radial fan. A radial fan is to be understood here and in the following as a fan, blower or ventilator, which draws in air axially and—after it has been deflected (90° deflection)—discharges it radially. This means that the radial fan conveys (blows out) outwards in the radial direction. In contrast to axial fans, radial fans produce less noise. In particular, radial fans achieve significantly lower sound pressure levels with the same air performance. As a result, a noise-reduced heating device is implemented, which is particularly advantageous for use in the area of the vehicle interior. The radial fan sucks in air axially from the heating chamber and conveys it radially into the exhaust air chamber, and thus in the direction of the vehicle interior.

In an advantageous embodiment, a preferably circumferential ventilation grille is provided, which upstanding on the outside of the Heat chamber is formed. In this case, the ventilation grille is in particular formed in one piece, that is to say in one piece or monolithically, onto the heating chamber. In this case, the ventilation grille covers or overlaps, for example, a gap area between the heating chamber and the housing shell, so that a cover for the air supply and exhaust air chambers is realized. The air flow is filtered through the ventilation grille, so that in particular impurities in the incoming air cannot enter the heating chamber.

In a possible development, the cover element is made from a glass ceramic. The glass ceramic has the lowest possible coefficient of thermal expansion in different temperature ranges, which avoids damage due to temperature fluctuations. For example, the cover element is made from the glass ceramic “NEXTREMA” from Schott. In order to fasten the glass ceramic, it is enclosed in a frame, for example, which can be fastened to the heating chamber.

In a preferred application, the heating device described above is integrated into a vehicle door of a motor vehicle. The heating device is integrated here, in particular on the dry room side, in the area of a door inner lining.

A vehicle user is warmed up quickly and in an energy-efficient manner by the heating device. Furthermore, a dried out, warmed-up interior air of a conventional air conditioning system is avoided.

• 1 in Schnittansicht eine Heizvorrichtung in einer ersten Ausführungsform,
• 2 in Draufsicht die Heizvorrichtung gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform, und
• 3 in perspektivischer Darstellung die Heizvorrichtung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

• 1 a sectional view of a heating device in a first embodiment,
• 2 in plan view the heating device according to the first embodiment, and
• 3 a perspective view of the heating device in a second embodiment.

Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

In the 1 and 2 The heating device 2 shown is designed for thermal management of a vehicle interior of an electrically driven or drivable motor vehicle. The heating device 2 has an infrared module 4 with a heating chamber 6 and with a radiant heater 8 accommodated therein. A fan 10 designed as a radial fan is mounted on the outside of the heating chamber 6 . In this case, the infrared module 4 is inserted into a housing shell 12 as a module carrier and fastened to it.

The heating chamber 6 has a shell-shaped or pot-shaped housing part 14, which is covered at the end with a plate-like or window-like cover element 16 as a lid. In this case, the cover element 16 is transparent to thermal radiation 18 from the radiant heater 8. The cover element 16 is made in particular from a glass ceramic, for example from “NEXTREMA” from Schott. The thermal radiation 18 is in the 1 shown by vertical arrows.

The heating chamber 6 or the housing part 14 has a lateral air inlet 20, for example in the form of ventilation slots. The heating chamber 6 also has an air outlet 22 on a housing or chamber floor arranged opposite the cover element 16 . In this case, the air outlet 22 is connected to an intake side of the fan 10 .

The radiant heater 8 is designed in particular as an infrared element or infrared radiator for generating infrared radiation 18 as thermal radiation. The radiant heater 8 has an evacuated bulb 24, in particular a glass bulb, preferably a quartz glass bulb, with a radiation source 26 accommodated therein. The radiation source 26 is designed as a heating wire, in particular with a Kanthal coil. The radiation source 26 is connected to electronics 28 of the heating device 2 . The electronics 28 can be connected to an on-board network of the motor vehicle, for example by means of a connection 30 of the housing shell 12 .

The infrared module 4 is inserted into the approximately pot- or cup-shaped housing shell 12 and screwed to it. For this purpose, the heating chamber 6 is screwed directly to the housing shell 12, for example by means of four fastening screws 32, 34, with two of the fastening screws 34 passing through the fan 10 and thus also fixing it to the housing shell 12. The housing shell 12 has a bulge 36 in which the fan 10 and the electronics 28 are accommodated.

The infrared module 4 and the housing shell 12 are thus joined together on the bottom side, with the peripheral sides of the infrared module 4 and the housing shell 12 being spaced apart from one another at least in sections. In the installed state, a circumferential gap area is formed as an air gap between the cover element 16 and the housing shell 12 . In this case, the gap area opens into one between the heating chamber 6 and the housing shell 12 formed supply air chamber 38. The air inlet 20 of the heating chamber 6 here opens into the supply air chamber 38 a. On the exhaust side, the fan 10 is coupled to an exhaust air chamber 40 which opens into the gap area.

The heating chamber 6 has a ventilation grille 42 in the area of the cover element 16, which is formed in a collar-like manner all the way around the heating chamber 6 or the housing part 14. The ventilation grille 42 protrudes from the outside of the heating chamber 6 and protrudes into the gap area. In particular, the ventilation grille 42 overlaps the supply air and exhaust air chambers 38, 40.

The heating device 2 is preferably set up for tool-free installation in a vehicle door. For this purpose, the housing shell 12 has, for example, latching elements 44 formed thereon for positive and/or non-positive latching or clip attachment.

The heating device 2 combines direct heat radiation from the infrared module 4 with a convective air flow 46 which is generated by a flow towards the radiant heater 8 . During operation of the heating device 2 , cool air is drawn into the heating chamber 6 from the vehicle interior through the supply air chamber 38 and the air inlet 20 . There the air flow 46 sweeps over the piston 24 of the radiant heater 8 and heats up in the process. The fan 10 sucks in the heated air at the other end of the infrared module 4, accelerates it and emits a pleasant veil of heat to the surrounding surfaces through the exhaust air chamber 40 and the ventilation grille 44. The incoming and outgoing air is in the 1 and 2 provided with arrows, the guided air in the heating chamber 6 being denoted as air flow 46 . In this case, the air flow 46 is preferably guided in a spiral or helical manner around the piston 24 .

The 3 shows a detail of a vehicle door 48 with a heating device 2' in a second embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the infrared module 4' has a radiant heater 8' with two bulbs 24 and two radiation sources 26.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. On the contrary, other variants of the invention can also be derived from this by a person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all of the individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

Reference List

2

heating device

4

infrared module

6

heat chamber

8th

radiant heater

10

Fan

12

housing shell

14

housing part

16

cover element

18

thermal radiation/infrared radiation

20

air intake

22

air outlet

24

Pistons

26

radiation source

28

electronics

30

Connection

32

mounting screw

34

mounting screw

36

bulge

38

supply air chamber

40

exhaust chamber

42

ventilation grille

44

locking element

46

airflow

48

vehicle door

Claims (10)

Heating device (2) for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, having - a heating chamber (6) through which air can flow, with an air inlet (20) and with an air outlet (22) and with a covering element (16) facing the vehicle interior, - A heater (8) arranged within the heating chamber (6), and - A fan (10) for promoting an air flow (46) from the air inlet (20) through the heating chamber (6) to the air outlet (22). Heater (2) after claim 1 , characterized in that the cover element (16) is at least partially transparent to the radiant heater (8) generated thermal radiation (18). Heater (2) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the air flow (46) is heated within the heating chamber (6) by means of the radiant heater (8). Heating device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the fan (10) is arranged outside the heating chamber (6). Heating device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the heating chamber (6) is inserted into a pot-like housing shell (12), wherein between the heating chamber (6) and the housing shell (12) there is an air inlet chamber (38) coupled to the air inlet (20) and one to the air outlet (22) coupled exhaust air chamber (40) for guiding the air flow (46) are formed. Heater (2) after claim 5 , characterized in that the heating chamber (66) and/or the fan (10) are screw-fastened to the housing shell (12). Heating device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the fan (10) is designed as a radial fan. Heating device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that a ventilation grille (42) is formed upstanding on the outside of the heating chamber (6). Heating device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the cover element (16) is made of a glass ceramic. Vehicle door (48) for a motor vehicle, having a heating device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 .

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