DE202014100189U1 - Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine with shift gate - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine with at least one liquid-cooled cylinder head and a liquid-cooled cylinder block and a switching gate for controlling liquid cooling as required, the switching gate arranged in a coolant circuit having at least one input and at least three outputs (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) for coolant, and - to form the coolant circuit, a return line, in which a heat exchanger is arranged, and a bypass line which bypasses the heat exchanger arranged in the return line are provided, characterized in that the shifting gate has at least two cylindrical hollow cylinders and one for rotatable coaxial mounting and receiving of the hollow cylinders Housing, wherein - a second hollow cylinder is rotatably mounted in a first hollow cylinder which is rotatably mounted in the housing, - the at least one input of the shift gate in the second Hollow cylinder opens, - the housing for forming the at least three outputs (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) of the switching link has at least three channel sections, and - each hollow cylinder has at least three openings (7, 8) on the lateral surface, the at least an input can be connected at least by rotating at least one hollow cylinder with at least one output (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e).

Description

• – die in einem Kühlmittelkreislauf angeordnete Schaltkulisse mindestens einen Eingang und mindestens drei Ausgänge für Kühlmittel aufweist, und
• – zur Ausbildung des Kühlmittelkreislaufs eine Rückführleitung, in der ein Wärmetauscher angeordnet ist, und eine den in der Rückführleitung angeordneten Wärmetauscher umgehende Bypassleitung vorgesehen sind.

The invention relates to a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine having at least one liquid-cooled cylinder head and a liquid-cooled cylinder block and a shift gate for demand-controlled control of liquid cooling, wherein

• - The arranged in a coolant circuit shift gate has at least one input and at least three outputs for coolant, and
• - To form the coolant circuit, a return line in which a heat exchanger is arranged, and a bypass line arranged in the return line arranged bypassing bypass line are provided.

A shift gate is used for example in serving as a motor vehicle engine of the type mentioned. In the context of the present invention, the term internal combustion engine includes gasoline engines, diesel engines, but also hybrid internal combustion engines that use a hybrid combustion process, as well as hybrid drives, which in addition to the internal combustion engine comprise an electric motor which can be connected to the internal combustion engine, which receives power from the internal combustion engine or as switchable auxiliary drive additionally delivers power.

In principle, it is possible to carry out the cooling of an internal combustion engine in the form of air cooling or liquid cooling. Due to the higher heat capacity of liquids can be dissipated with a liquid cooling much larger amounts of heat than is possible with an air cooling. The thermal load of the engines is steadily increasing, which is why internal combustion engines are increasingly equipped with liquid cooling according to the prior art. This is also due to the fact that internal combustion engines are increasingly charged and more and more components are integrated into the cylinder head or cylinder block with the aim of a dense as possible packaging, whereby the thermal load of the motors, d. H. the internal combustion engine, grows. Increasingly often, the exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head in order to participate in a provided for in the cylinder head cooling and the manifold does not have to produce from thermally highly resilient materials that are costly.

The formation of a liquid cooling requires the equipment of the cylinder head with at least one coolant jacket, d. H. the arrangement of the coolant through the cylinder head leading coolant channels. The at least one coolant jacket is supplied on the inlet side with coolant via a feed opening, which leaves the coolant jacket via the discharge opening after flowing through the cylinder head on the outlet side. The heat does not have to be directed to the cylinder head surface, as in the case of air cooling, in order to be dissipated, but is already delivered to the coolant inside the cylinder head. The coolant is thereby conveyed by means of a pump arranged in the coolant circuit, so that it circulates. The heat given off to the coolant is discharged in this way via the discharge opening from the interior of the cylinder head and the coolant outside the cylinder head withdrawn again, for example by means of heat exchangers and / or in other ways.

Like the cylinder head, the cylinder block can be equipped with one or more coolant jackets. The cylinder head is but the thermally higher loaded component, as the head is provided in contrast to the cylinder block with exhaust gas lines and the integrated combustion chamber walls in the head are exposed to hot exhaust gas longer than the cylinders provided in the cylinder block. In addition, the cylinder head has a lower component mass than the block.

If the internal combustion engine has both a liquid-cooled cylinder head and a liquid-cooled cylinder block, it is possible to supply a coolant jacket integrated in the cylinder head via a cylinder block with coolant or to supply a coolant jacket integrated in the cylinder block via a cylinder head with coolant.

The coolant used is usually a mixed with additives water-glycol mixture. Water has the advantage over other refrigerants that it is non-toxic, readily available and inexpensive and also has a very high heat capacity, which is why water is suitable for the removal and removal of very large amounts of heat, which is generally considered to be advantageous.

To form a coolant circuit, the outlet-side discharge openings, from which the coolant exits the coolant jackets, can be connected or connected to the inlet-side supply openings, which serve to supply the coolant jackets with coolant, for which purpose one or more lines can be provided. These lines need not be lines in the strict sense, but may also be partially integrated into the cylinder head, cylinder block or other component. An example of such a line is the return line, in which a heat exchanger is arranged, which extracts heat from the coolant. Another example of a conduit for forming the coolant circuit is the Bypass line bypassing the arranged in the return line heat exchanger.

It is not the objective and the object of liquid cooling to extract the largest possible amount of heat from the internal combustion engine under all operating conditions. Rather, a needs-based control of the liquid cooling is sought, which in addition to the full load and the operating modes of the internal combustion engine takes into account, in which it is more advantageous to extract the engine less or as little heat.

In order to reduce the friction loss and thus the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine, rapid heating of the engine oil, in particular after a cold start, can be expedient. Rapid heating of the engine oil during the warm-up phase of the engine provides for a correspondingly rapid decrease in the viscosity of the oil and thus for a reduction of friction or friction, especially in the oil-bearing, for example, the bearings of the crankshaft.

In principle, rapid heating of the engine oil to reduce friction losses can also be achieved by rapid heating of the internal combustion engine itself, which in turn is assisted by d. H. forced, is that the internal combustion engine during the warm-up phase as little heat is removed.

In this respect, the warm-up phase of the internal combustion engine after a cold start is an example of an operating mode in which it is advantageous to extract the internal combustion engine as little as possible, preferably no heat.

A control of the liquid cooling, in which for the purpose of rapid heating of the internal combustion engine, the heat extraction is reduced after a cold start, can be realized by the use of a self-dependent temperature-controlling valve, which is often referred to in the art as a thermostatic valve. Such a thermostatic valve has a temperature-reactive element acted upon by coolant, wherein a connecting line leading through the valve is blocked as a function of the coolant temperature at the element or - more or less - is released.

In an internal combustion engine, which has both a liquid-cooled cylinder head and a liquid-cooled cylinder block, it may be advantageous to control the coolant flow through the cylinder head and the cylinder block independently and preferably continuously, in particular because the two components are thermally differently loaded and a different Have warm-up behavior. In this regard, it would be expedient to control the coolant flow through the cylinder head and the coolant flow through the cylinder block, each with its own thermostatic valve with different opening temperatures. At the beginning of the warm-up phase, the coolant would not flow, but be in the lines and the coolant jacket of the cylinder head and / or the cylinder block, whereby the heating of the coolant and the heating of the internal combustion engine are accelerated, the heating of the engine oil propelled and supports the reduction of friction would become.

However, the use of two or more thermostatic valves increases the cost of control, space and weight. In addition, in principle, a control of the liquid cooling is sought, with which not only the circulating coolant quantity or the coolant throughput can be reduced or prevented after a cold start, but can be influenced in general on the heat balance of the internal combustion engine in general.

For reasons of comfort, it may be advantageous or desirable, in particular after a cold start, to supply a coolant-driven vehicle interior heating via a heating circuit line with coolant preheated in the cylinder head and / or cylinder block. This creates a conflict of objectives, namely on the one hand preheat coolant in the cylinder head or cylinder block to provide the heater preheated coolant available, and on the other hand to suppress or reduce the coolant throughput through the cylinder head or cylinder block to the internal combustion engine during the warm-up phase as little as possible To remove heat.

Concepts of liquid cooling are known from the prior art in which a so-called proportional valve is provided on the outlet side or inlet side. Such a proportional valve can control both the flow of coolant through the cylinder head and the flow of coolant through the cylinder block by means of a single valve body. It serves the needs-based control of the liquid cooling or the need-based cooling of the internal combustion engine. The cost, weight and space requirements of the controller are reduced. The number of components is reduced, which in principle reduce the costs of delivery and installation costs.

The valve body of the proportional valve can be designed, for example, as a rotatable hollow roller with coolant passages which are open toward the lateral surface. For rotatable mounting and receiving the roller is a valve housing with a corresponding number of coolant passage channels, which are connectable by rotating the roller with coolant passages or can be brought into line. A proportional valve has at least one inlet for the entry of coolant and at least one exit for the exit of coolant.

An example, by means of motor control actively controlled proportional valve basically allows a map-controlled operation and thus also adapted to the current load condition of the engine coolant temperature, for example at lower loads a higher coolant temperature than at high loads and thus a lower heat pull in partial load operation. By means of a motor control controlled proportional valve, the coolant flows through the cylinder head and the cylinder block and thus the amount of heat extracted can be adjusted as needed, d. H. to be controlled.

The proportional valve or the associated valve body can assume different positions, for example a suitable position for the warm-up phase of the internal combustion engine, in which the coolant flows through the cylinder head, but not through the cylinder block. The thermally stressed cylinder head would be flowed through by coolant and cooled. Preferably, by adjusting the roller within this position, the flow rate and thus the amount of heat extracted from the cylinder head can be adjusted.

In addition, by transferring the proportional valve to another position, the cylinder block for the coolant could be released and coolant flows through the cylinder head and the cylinder block. Preferably, by adjusting the roller within the position, the flow rate and thus the amount of heat extracted from the cylinder block can be adjusted.

The two above positions can be supplemented or replaced by a variety of other positions, for example by a position in which the cooling of the cylinder head is deactivated, d. H. the coolant flow through the cylinder head is completely prevented. In addition to the cooling circuits for the head and / or block further coolant circuits can be controlled by proportional valve whose lines are then passed through the proportional valve, for example, the coolant circuit of a charge air cooling, the coolant circuit cooling an exhaust gas recirculation, the coolant circuit of a coolant-driven vehicle interior heating, the coolant circuit of Coolant-operated oil cooler, the coolant circuit of a liquid-cooled exhaust gas turbocharger and / or the coolant circuit via return line or bypass line or the like.

Proportional valves are also known from the prior art in which the roller serving as a valve body is not only rotatable, but also translationally displaceable along the axis of rotation by means of an adjusting device, as a result of which the adjustment possibilities increase. Each realized by twisting, d. H. set and a certain angle of rotation associated position opens by additional displacement of the roller a plurality of other different positions of the roller, so that increases the number of possible positions of the roller by a multiple or multiplied.

The use of a proportional valve allows the optimization of the control of the cooling and the influence on both the heat balance of the engine in the warm-up phase and on the heat balance of the heated internal combustion engine.

However, a malfunction or failure of the proportional valve proves to be problematic in practice. Contaminants in the coolant, such as sand and / or other particles, may be deposited between the valve housing and the roller serving as a valve body and lead to jamming of the roller in the housing, which is an adjustment of the roller in the housing, d. H. a twisting and / or moving, no longer permits. Such a malfunction can lead to the failure of the liquid cooling in such a way that the flow of coolant through the cylinder head and / or the cylinder block is reduced or completely prevented, whereby the internal combustion engine can be thermally overloaded and irreversibly damaged.

Furthermore, it proves to be difficult to meet the requirements of all refrigerant circuits by means of a single proportional valve, especially at the same time and in full. In the context of the present invention is not a proportional valve the speech, but rather of a shift gate for needs-based control of liquid cooling.

Against the background of the above, it is the object of the present invention to provide a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to the preamble of claim 1, the shift gate allows optimization of the control of cooling and less prone to malfunction, especially for malfunction caused by impurities such as sand in the Coolant can be caused.

• – die in einem Kühlmittelkreislauf angeordnete Schaltkulisse mindestens einen Eingang und mindestens drei Ausgänge für Kühlmittel aufweist, und
• – zur Ausbildung des Kühlmittelkreislaufs eine Rückführleitung, in der ein Wärmetauscher angeordnet ist, und eine den in der Rückführleitung angeordneten Wärmetauscher umgehende Bypassleitung vorgesehen sind,

und die dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Schaltkulisse mindestens zwei walzenförmige Hohlzylinder aufweist und zur drehbaren koaxialen Lagerung und Aufnahme der Hohlzylinder ein Gehäuse, wobei

• – ein zweiter Hohlzylinder drehbar in einem ersten Hohlzylinder gelagert ist, der in dem Gehäuse drehbar gelagert ist,
• – der mindestens eine Eingang der Schaltkulisse in den zweiten Hohlzylinder mündet,
• – das Gehäuse zur Ausbildung der mindestens drei Ausgänge der Schaltkulisse mindestens drei Kanalabschnitte aufweist, und
• – jeder Hohlzylinder auf der Mantelfläche mindestens drei Öffnungen aufweist, wobei der mindestens eine Eingang durch Verdrehen mindestens eines Hohlzylinders mit mindestens einem Ausgang zumindest verbindbar ist.

This object is achieved by a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine having at least one liquid-cooled cylinder head and a liquid-cooled cylinder block and a shift gate for demand-controlled fluid cooling, wherein

• - The arranged in a coolant circuit shift gate has at least one input and at least three outputs for coolant, and
• To form the coolant circuit, a return line, in which a heat exchanger is arranged, and a bypass line arranged in the return line, are provided which bypass the bypass line,

and which is characterized in that the shift gate has at least two cylindrical roller-shaped cylinder and for rotatable coaxial storage and receiving the hollow cylinder housing, wherein

• A second hollow cylinder is rotatably mounted in a first hollow cylinder, which is rotatably mounted in the housing,
• - The at least one input of the shift gate opens into the second hollow cylinder,
• - The housing for forming the at least three outputs of the shift gate has at least three channel sections, and
• - Each hollow cylinder on the lateral surface has at least three openings, wherein the at least one input is at least connectable by rotating at least one hollow cylinder with at least one output.

In the shift gate according to the invention the adjustment possibilities are extended by the fact that in the cylindrical roller cylinder, which is already known from the conventional proportional valve forth, a second second cylindrical roller-shaped cylinder is introduced, wherein the two hollow cylinders are mounted coaxially in a housing and rotatably received.

The two hollow cylinders can be compared with each other and each hollow cylinder with respect to the housing, d. H. be twisted in the housing. Each realized by turning the first hollow cylinder position opens by turning the second hollow cylinder a variety of other different switching positions of the backdrop, so that increases the number of possible positions by a multiple.

This allows the control of a variety of coolant circuits, the requirements of the various circuits can be met in particular at the same time and as far as possible. In this respect, the control of the cooling by means of the shifting gate according to the invention can be significantly improved or optimized.

In addition, the provision according to the invention of a second hollow cylinder together with the twisting possibilities additionally created thereby makes the shifting gate and therefore the liquid cooling less susceptible to malfunctions.

If, for example, a grain of sand or another particle settles between the housing and the first hollow cylinder, in such a way that the first hollow cylinder is blocked and can no longer be twisted, it is possible with the shifting gate according to the invention to place the second hollow cylinder in the housing in relation to the first to turn first hollow cylinder and realize different switching positions, d. H. to approach. In contrast to embodiments with conventional proportional valves, control of the cooling by means of the shifting gate according to the invention is still possible, albeit to a limited extent.

If a grain of sand or another particle settles between the two hollow cylinders in such a way that the two hollow cylinders are mechanically coupled and can no longer be rotated relative to each other, there is still the possibility of assembling both hollow cylinders together, ie. H. to twist in combination with each other in the housing and to realize different switching positions, d. H. to approach. Cooling control is still possible in this scenario as well.

The likelihood that the control of the liquid cooling is impaired in such a way that the flow of coolant through the cylinder head and / or the cylinder block is reduced or completely prevented, is noticeably reduced, as a result of which a thermal overload of the internal combustion engine can generally be avoided, but at least unlikely.

With the internal combustion engine according to the invention, the object underlying the invention is achieved, namely provided a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to the preamble of claim 1, the shift gate allows optimization of the control of cooling and less prone to malfunction, especially for malfunctions caused by impurities such as sand can be caused in the coolant.

The at least three openings of a hollow cylinder are coolant passages, ie, coolant passages connecting the interior of a hollow cylinder to the exterior of the hollow cylinder. These openings may be round or elliptical or have any other contour, wherein the diameter may be larger and is preferably greater than the lengthwise extension in the flow direction transverse to Diameter. The at least three channel sections in the housing need not be lines or channels in the true sense. Thus, the channel sections may also be apertures or hole-like bores. For the cross section of the channel sections, what has already been said for the contour of the openings applies.

The hollow cylinders according to the invention need not be open at both ends. According to the invention, it is then also hollow cylinder, if one end is closed or both ends are closed.

The shift gate has at least two, d. H. two or more cylinder-shaped hollow cylinder.

Further advantageous embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to the subclaims are described in more detail below. Among other things, it will become clear which switching positions of the scenery are important.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which at least one output of the shift gate is assigned to the cylinder block are advantageous.

As already stated, internal combustion engines are charged increasingly frequently, whereby the thermal load of the internal combustion engine increases. In this respect, it may be useful, as in the internal combustion engine according to the invention, to equip the cylinder block with a liquid cooling and to control the coolant flow through the cylinder block independently, in particular independently of the cylinder head, since both components are thermally differently loaded and have a different warm-up behavior. At the beginning and during the warm-up phase, however, it may be advantageous to prevent or reduce the coolant flow through the cylinder block in order to force the heating of the coolant and thus the heating of the internal combustion engine.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which the at least one input of the shift gate can be connected by turning at least one hollow cylinder to the at least one output assigned to the cylinder block are advantageous in this connection. Then the coolant flow through the cylinder block can be controlled by means of a shift gate, i. H. reduce, increase and eliminate.

Also advantageous are embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, in which at least one output of the shift gate is assigned to the cylinder head.

The cylinder head is thermally loaded higher than the block, since the head, in contrast to the cylinder block has a lower component mass, is provided with exhaust gas lines and the combustion chamber integrated in the head walls are exposed to hot exhaust gas longer.

The charging of the internal combustion engine and an integration of the exhaust manifold in the head increase the thermal load in addition.

After a cold start, it may be advantageous to disable the cooling of the cylinder head, d. H. completely suppress the flow of coolant through the cylinder head, d. H. to obstruct the at least one output assigned to the cylinder head by means of a shift gate.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which the at least one input of the shift gate can be connected by turning at least one hollow cylinder to the at least one output assigned to the cylinder head are advantageous in this connection.

As already mentioned above for the cylinder block, in the present case the at least one input of the shift gate should also be connectable by twisting at least one hollow cylinder to the at least one output assigned to the cylinder head. Ie. Variants in which only one hollow cylinder has to be rotated in order to release the coolant flow through the cylinder head, whereas the other hollow cylinder remains in its current position and does not have to be rotated, are possible when using a shift gate according to the invention, but are particularly advantageous. In this context, it may be advantageous for a hollow cylinder or both hollow cylinders to have a plurality of openings on a specific circumference along their longitudinal axis, preferably an opening at the opening being circumferentially juxtaposed with one another. At this concrete extent, the hollow cylinder then releases the input, so to speak, so that a rotation of the other hollow cylinder is sufficient to connect the input to an outlet, so that coolant flows.

For the above-mentioned reasons, therefore, embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine are advantageous in which at least one hollow cylinder has a plurality of openings along a specific circumference along the axis of rotation, with the opening being lined at the opening.

Also advantageous are embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, in which both hollow cylinders have a plurality of openings on a specific circumference along the axis of rotation, which extend circumferentially against each other, wherein the concrete circumference of the first hollow cylinder and the concrete circumference of the second hollow cylinder are spaced along the axis of rotation.

The two above embodiments are described in connection with the figures and made clear.

In addition to the cooling circuits for the cylinder head and the cylinder block further coolant circuits can be controlled by means of shift gate, which is assigned to at least one output of the shift gate. By rotating at least one hollow cylinder, these coolant circuits are then controlled, in particular activated or deactivated. By means of shift gate, for example, the charge air cooling, the cooling of the exhaust gas recirculation, a coolant-operated vehicle interior heating, a coolant-operated oil cooler and / or a liquid-cooled exhaust gas turbocharger can be controlled.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which at least one output of the shift gate is connected to the return line are advantageous.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which the at least one input of the shift gate can be connected by turning at least one hollow cylinder to the return line are advantageous.

Also advantageous embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, in which at least one output of the shift gate is connected to the bypass line.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which the at least one input of the shift gate can be connected by twisting at least one hollow cylinder to the bypass line are advantageous.

The heat absorbed by the coolant can be removed from the coolant in the heat exchanger of the return line or the coolant is passed to the heat exchanger via bypass line directly to the inlet side of the coolant circuit, for example during the warm-up phase of the internal combustion engine, in particular after a cold start. A proportionate distribution is also feasible.

In internal combustion engines in which at least one output of the shift gate is connected to the return line, embodiments are advantageous, which are characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by turning at least one hollow cylinder in an emergency running position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate with the at least a cylinder block associated with the output and the at least one connected to the return line output of the shift gate is connected.

In internal combustion engines in which at least one output of the shift gate is connected to the return line, embodiments are also advantageous, which are characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by twisting at least one hollow cylinder in an emergency running position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate with the at least one output of the Schaltkulisse is connected, which is connected to the return line.

The return line supplies the cylinder head with coolant, possibly the cylinder head and the cylinder block, wherein the coolant is previously removed heat in the heat exchanger. Therefore, the two above embodiments or shift positions are particularly suitable as Notlaufposition in which cooling of the cylinder head and the cylinder block is or is ensured.

Advantageously, embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, in which the shift gate can be converted by turning at least one hollow cylinder in a rest position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate is separated from the at least three outputs of the shift gate. In the rest position, the liquid cooling of the internal combustion engine is fully deactivated.

In internal combustion engines in which at least one output of the shift gate is connected to the bypass line, embodiments are advantageous, which are characterized in that the shift gate by turning at least one hollow cylinder in a first working position can be converted, in which the at least one input of the shift gate is separated from the at least one output associated with the cylinder block and is connected to the at least one connected to the bypass line output of the shift gate. The first working position is suitable, for example, for the warm-up phase. In the further course of the heating of the internal combustion engine could then be released by twisting at least one hollow cylinder in addition to the at least one cylinder block associated output.

In internal combustion engines in which at least one output of the shift gate is connected to the return line, embodiments are also advantageous, which are characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by rotating at least one hollow cylinder in a second working position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate of the at least one output associated with the cylinder block is separated and connected to the at least one output connected to the return line of the shift gate. The second working position is suitable for an advanced warm-up phase and can, for example, follow the first working position. In the further course of the heating of the internal combustion engine could then be released by twisting at least one hollow cylinder in addition to the at least one cylinder block associated output.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which at least two outlets are assigned to the cylinder block are advantageous.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which at least two outlets are assigned to the return line are advantageous.

In internal combustion engines in which at least two outputs are assigned to the cylinder block and / or the return line, embodiments are advantageous in which the at least two outputs along the axis of rotation of the hollow cylinder are arranged spaced from each other.

The provision of more than one output for a component to be cooled or a coolant path creates some redundancy. The thus additionally created adjustment options or positions make the shift gate and thus the liquid cooling less prone to malfunction.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine are advantageous in which an actuator is provided as an adjusting device for rotating the hollow cylinder, which has a temperature-reactive element acted upon with coolant, wherein the hollow cylinder is rotatable on the element as a function of the coolant temperature. The temperature-responsive element may expand, for example, with increasing temperature and contract again as the temperature decreases and thereby twist the hollow cylinder. Optionally, a return element is provided as a spring. The rotation of the hollow cylinder is controlled automatically.

Also advantageous are embodiments in which an actuator actuatable by means of a vacuum is provided as the adjusting device for rotating the hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being controlled in dependence on the negative pressure in the vacuum.

Also advantageous are embodiments in which an electrical adjusting device is provided for rotating the hollow cylinder. The twisting of the hollow cylinder is not automatic, but targeted; for example by means of motor control.

Therefore, embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which a motor control is provided for controlling the adjusting device are also advantageous.

Embodiments of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine in which an actuator is provided, by means of which a hollow cylinder can be transferred to an emergency running position when a malfunction occurs, are advantageous.

In the following the invention is based on an embodiment according to the 1a . 1b . 1c and 2 described in more detail. Hereby shows:

1a schematically the development of the inner surface of the housing of the shift gate of a first embodiment of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine,

1b schematically the development of the lateral surface of the second hollow cylinder of the shift gate of the first embodiment of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine,

1c schematically the development of the lateral surface of the first hollow cylinder of the shift gate of the first embodiment of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, and

2 in the 1a . 1b and 1c illustrated developments in combination with each other in a Notlaufposition the shift gate.

1a schematically shows the development of the inner surface of the housing of the shift gate of a first embodiment of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine.

The twisting direction of the hollow cylinder is indicated on the right with a double arrow. A twisting of a hollow cylinder is equivalent to a displacement of the unwinding of the inner surface along the double arrow. Along the axis of rotation of the hollow cylinder, which runs transversely to the double arrow, are in five rows, ie in five columns 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 outputs 6a . 6b . 6c . 6d . 6e arranged. Each column extends on a concrete circumference of the inner surface of the housing.

An output assigned to the cylinder block 6a the shift gate is both in the first column 1 as well as in the fifth column 5 intended. In the third column 3 are two outputs assigned to the cylinder head 6b arranged, wherein a cylinder head associated output 6c with a return line, via which coolant can be passed through a heat exchanger, and a cylinder head associated output 6d is connected to a bypass line bypassing the heat exchanger. A second output assigned to the cylinder head 6b . 6c which is connected to the return line is in the fourth column 4 arranged. A vehicle interior heating may be via one in the second column 2 arranged output 6e be supplied with coolant.

1b schematically shows the development of the lateral surface of the second hollow cylinder of the shift gate of the first embodiment of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine.

The second hollow cylinder has a plurality of openings 8th on. In the second column 2 and in the fifth column 5 extend several openings 8th , where is opening 8th at opening 8th circumferentially strung together. At these specific peripheries, the second hollow cylinder releases the input of the shifting gate quasi constantly, so that a rotation of the first hollow cylinder is sufficient to the input of the shift gate with in the fifth column 5 arranged output 6a , which is associated with the cylinder block, or with that in the second column 2 arranged output 6e , which is assigned to the vehicle interior heating, to connect.

On the other hand, in the first column 1 and in the fourth column 4 only one opening at a time 8th intended. In the third column 3 there is only one gap.

1c schematically shows the development of the lateral surface of the first hollow cylinder of the shift gate of the first embodiment of the liquid-cooled internal combustion engine.

During the second hollow cylinder in the first column 1 and in the fourth column 4 only one opening at a time 8th has, extend in the first hollow cylinder in the first and fourth column 1 . 4 several openings 7 , which are lined up completely without gaps. At these specific peripheries, the first hollow cylinder releases the input of the shifting gate quasi constantly, so that a rotation of the second hollow cylinder is sufficient for the input of the shifting gate with that in the first column 1 arranged output 6a , which is assigned to the cylinder block, or with that in the fourth column 4 arranged output 6b . 6c , which is associated with the cylinder head and the return line to connect.

On the other hand, in the third column 3 and in the fifth column 5 only one opening at a time 7 intended.

2 shows the in the 1a . 1b and 1c illustrated developments in combination with each other in a Notlaufposition the shift gate.

In the emergency position, the shift gate is both in the first column 1 as well as in the fifth column 5 provided, the cylinder block associated output 6a free, so that coolant flows through the block. In addition, the cylinder head and the return line associated outputs 6b . 6c the third and fourth column 3 . 4 released, so that coolant circulates through the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The coolant is withdrawn in the emergency position heat in the heat exchanger of the return line.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 first column

2

 second column

3

 third column

4

 fourth column

5

 fifth column

6a

 an output of the shift gate associated with the cylinder block

6b

 an output of the shift gate associated with the cylinder head

6c

 an output of the shift gate associated with the return line

6d

 one of the bypass line associated output of the shift gate

6e

 one of the vehicle interior heating associated output of the shift gate

7

 Opening on the lateral surface of the first hollow cylinder

8th

 Opening on the lateral surface of the second hollow cylinder

Claims (17)

Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine having at least one liquid-cooled cylinder head and a liquid-cooled cylinder block and a shift gate for demand-controlled liquid cooling, wherein - the arranged in a coolant circuit shift gate at least one input and at least three outputs ( 6a . 6b . 6c . 6d . 6e ) for coolant, and - for the formation of the coolant circuit, a return line, in which a heat exchanger is arranged, and a bypass line arranged in the return line, bypass line are provided, characterized in that the shift gate has at least two cylindrical roller-shaped cylinder and for rotatable coaxial storage and receiving the hollow cylinder housing, wherein - a second hollow cylinder is rotatably mounted in a first hollow cylinder which is rotatably mounted in the housing, - the at least one input of Switching gate opens into the second hollow cylinder, - the housing for forming the at least three outputs ( 6a . 6b . 6c . 6d . 6e ) of the shift gate has at least three channel sections, and - each hollow cylinder on the lateral surface at least three openings ( 7 . 8th ), wherein the at least one input by rotating at least one hollow cylinder with at least one output ( 6a . 6b . 6c . 6d . 6e ) is at least connectable. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one output ( 6a ) of the shift gate is assigned to the cylinder block. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one input of the shift gate by turning at least one hollow cylinder with the at least one cylinder block associated output ( 6a ) is connectable. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one output ( 6b ) of the shift gate is associated with the cylinder head. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one input of the shift gate by turning at least one hollow cylinder with the at least one cylinder head associated output ( 6b ) is connectable. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one output ( 6c ) of the shift gate is connected to the return line. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one input of the shift gate is connectable by turning at least one hollow cylinder with the return line. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one output ( 6d ) of the shift gate is connected to the bypass line. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one input of the shift gate can be connected by twisting at least one hollow cylinder with the bypass line. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by turning at least one hollow cylinder in an emergency running position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate with the at least one cylinder block associated output ( 6a ) and the at least one output connected to the return line ( 6c ) is connected to the shift gate. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by turning at least one hollow cylinder in an emergency running position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate with the at least one output ( 6c ) is connected to the shift gate, which is connected to the return line. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by turning at least one hollow cylinder in a rest position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate of the at least three outputs ( 6a . 6b . 6c . 6d . 6e ) of the shift gate is disconnected. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by rotating at least one hollow cylinder in a first working position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate of the at least one cylinder block associated output ( 6a ) is separated and with the at least one connected to the bypass line output ( 6d ) is connected to the shift gate. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the shift gate can be converted by rotating at least one hollow cylinder in a second working position, in which the at least one input of the shift gate of the at least one cylinder block associated output ( 6a ) and with the at least one output connected to the return line ( 6c ) is connected to the shift gate. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two outputs ( 6a ) are assigned to the cylinder block. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two outputs ( 6c ) are associated with the return line. Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the at least two outputs ( 6a . 6c ) are arranged spaced apart along the axis of rotation of the hollow cylinder.

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