JPH04314613A - Vehicle heating method, vehicle heater device using the same, catalyst used in this device, and vehicle with vehicle heater device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the function as an auxiliary heater device by using a catalyst in combustion of fuel, utilizing the heat by activation of the catalyst, and raising the cooling water temperature of a vehicle by a safe and effective means. CONSTITUTION:An electric fan 7 is integrally disposed, and a protective cover 17 is mounted in such a manner as to enclose the whole outer circumferential part of a combustion chamber in which a heat exchanger 2 having an evaporator 8, a heating element 5, a combusting catalyst 1, and circulating water inlet and outlet pipes 3, 4 is disposed. By using the catalyst and the heating element as a combustion device, the number of parts can be reduced, the evaporated fuel can be easily combusted, and the safety can be further improved, compared with a conventional device.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to combustion devices, and more particularly to heating devices for vehicles.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The structure of a combustion device in a conventional vehicle heating system is such that fuel is combusted by a spray burner, an ignition spark generator, etc., as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-87714.
A structure that heats the cooling water using a heat exchanger installed inside the combustion device to make hot water, sends this hot water to the cabin heat exchanger, and heats the cabin by exchanging heat with the air supplied to the cabin. It had become.

In addition, in a catalytic combustion vehicle heating system known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-29505, a mixture of combustion air and vaporized fuel is combusted by a catalyst in a blower, and the resulting heat is transferred to the vehicle air. It is known to heat the supply air of

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned former prior art combustion device has many parts such as a spray burner and an ignition spark generator, and also burns fuel to produce a flame, so it is difficult to ensure safety. There were problems in improving it. Furthermore, this combustion has many problems such as the high content of harmful carbon monoxide and NOx in the combustion gas, the large combustion noise caused by burner combustion, and the high possibility of unburned gas. No consideration was given. Furthermore, in the latter catalytic type, no consideration was given to activating the catalyst, and sufficient combustion could not be obtained. Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a heating device that can solve the above-mentioned problems, which have poor safety in the event of failure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle equipped with a heating system which is equipped with an auxiliary heating system capable of rapid heating in addition to a vehicle hot water type heater that uses hot water heated by the heat generated by the engine as a heat source. It is in the point of providing.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst device suitable for use in a vehicle heating system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safety device for a catalytic combustion heating system.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve each of the above objects, the present invention uses a catalyst for combusting combustion air and vaporized fuel in place of the combustion device.

[0009] In order to activate the catalyst, a heating element for heating the combustion air is provided in the combustion air passage. Further, in order to combust a mixture of combustion air and vaporized fuel, a catalyst member containing an active metal such as platinum, palladium, or copper is used as a catalyst.

[0010] In addition, the catalyst has a honeycomb-shaped gas passage made of ceramics in order to improve the catalyst activation per volume, reduce the heat capacity, reduce the ventilation resistance per the same flow passage cross-sectional area, and simplify the structure of the catalyst container. At least one of a monolithic catalyst having an integral structure carrier or a pellet catalyst having a granular carrier which is advantageous in terms of durability, safety and cost is used.

[0011] Further, as fuel, gasoline or light oil, which is a vehicle fuel, is used.

Furthermore, the temperature of the catalyst and the fuel pump that adjusts the amount of fuel are detected, and when an abnormality occurs, the air mixture and the air supply to the vehicle interior are stopped.

[0013] Furthermore, a heat exchanger of an auxiliary heating device is installed between the engine, which is one of the engine cooling water circulation passages, and the hot water type vehicle heater.

Furthermore, an auxiliary heating device is provided independently of the hot water type vehicle heater, and the latter is activated when the former is insufficient in capacity or cannot be used.

[0015]

[Operation] The heating element installed in the combustion air passage section generates combustion air at approximately 200°C to 25°C in order to activate the catalyst.
Heat to 0°C. Further, the evaporator installed to vaporize the fuel vaporizes the fuel by passing heated combustion air therethrough. Thereafter, the mixture of combustion air and vaporized fuel passes inside the catalyst. At this time, the active metals such as platinum, palladium, and copper contained in the catalyst cause a chemical reaction with the air-fuel mixture, generating a high-temperature combustion gas of approximately 800°C. The combustion gas is sent to the heat exchanger, where it exchanges heat with the cooling water inside the heat exchanger to increase the temperature of the cooling water. The coolant whose temperature has increased is sent to another heat exchanger provided in the vehicle interior, and a blower motor blows warm air into the vehicle interior, thereby increasing the temperature in the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the heat-exchanged combustion gas is released from the combustion chamber to the outside air as exhaust gas.

[0016] The control device for adjusting the combustion amount of the catalyst is
A signal is sent from another control system installed in the vehicle, and the control device sends a signal to energize and heat the heating element. Next, an activation signal is sent to the combustion fan, and after the combustion temperature sensor detects the temperature at which fuel can be vaporized, an activation signal is sent to the fuel pump. Further, the temperature of the circulating water is detected by a cooling water temperature sensor provided at the circulating water outlet of the heating device, and when the temperature reaches a critical temperature, combustion of the air-fuel mixture is stopped.

When used in gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles, it can be used as an auxiliary heating device, and by being separate from the engine, it can be used as the main heating device of the vehicle.

[0018] In addition, a monolithic catalyst having a monolithic support having honeycomb-shaped gas passages made of ceramics and a pellet catalyst having a granular support can be selectively used in terms of performance, durability, safety, and cost.

[0019]

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

In FIG. 1, the electric fan 7 is installed integrally in the upper left part of the combustion chamber, and the evaporator 8 is installed in the left center part of the combustion chamber, and the entire area between the outer periphery of the evaporator 8 and the inner side of the outer wall of the combustion chamber is A heating element 5 is installed around the circumference. In addition, a granular combustion catalyst 1 is installed in the center of the combustion chamber to seal the combustion chamber, and a non-ferrous heat exchanger is provided with a circulating water inlet pipe 3 and a circulating water outlet pipe 4 on the right side of the combustion catalyst 1. Exchanger 2 is installed. Note that the circulating water inlet/outlet pipes 3, 4 are arranged so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the combustion chamber. Further, a protective cover 17 is attached to surround the entire outer periphery of the combustion chamber. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a heating device 9 composed of the above-mentioned parts.

With this structure, the combustion air 10 is blown into the combustion chamber from the right side of the electric fan 7 by a motor, fan, etc. Combustion air 10 blown from the left side of the combustion chamber is heated to approximately 200°C to 250°C by the heating element 5, and is then passed through the evaporation section at the tip of the evaporator 8 to the fuel introduction pipe 6.
The fuel 6 sent to the evaporator 8 is vaporized and mixed with the heated air 11 to generate an air-fuel mixture 13. The mixture 13 is activated by ventilation inside the combustion catalyst 1, and the mixture 13 and active metals such as platinum, palladium, and copper contained in the catalyst member cause a chemical reaction, resulting in high-temperature combustion gas ( 8
00°C) 14. The combustion gas 14 is circulated through cooling water 19.The combustion gas 14, which has been heat exchanged by the heat exchanger 2, is circulated as exhaust gas 15 in the double-structured combustion chamber, and the combustion catalyst is preheated and drained. It is controlled at a temperature (100 to 150 degrees Celsius) that does not cause the generation of gas, and is released to the outside. As described above, by using the combustion catalyst 1 and the heating element 5 in place of the conventional combustion device consisting of a spray burner, ignition spark generator, etc., the heating device 9 can satisfy the same amount of combustion as the conventional heating device.

[0022] By using a combustion device having the above structure, it is possible to easily burn the vaporized fuel 12 without using an ignition system, and since there is no flame factor unless the vaporized fuel 12 is generated, it is safe in terms of safety. It can be significantly improved over conventional devices. Furthermore, the number of parts can be reduced.

Furthermore, by using a catalyst in this structure, the content of harmful carbon monoxide, NOx, etc. contained in the combustion gas accompanying fuel combustion can be far reduced compared to the conventional burner type combustion method. The biggest benefit is being able to do it.

Next, in the combustion catalyst 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two types of catalysts are set: a monolithic catalyst 16 having an integral structure carrier having honeycomb gas passages made of ceramics, and a pellet catalyst 1a having a granular carrier. performance, durability, safety,
They are used differently in terms of cost. Advantages of monolithic catalysts include a simple converter container structure due to the monolithic structure, which has high catalyst activity per volume and low ventilation resistance per same flow cross-sectional area, while pellet catalysts are less prone to carrier damage due to external impact. It is more resistant to catalyst damage from fuel, etc. than monolith catalysts, and suffers less deterioration over time during use.

FIG. 4 shows a combustion section with a different structure. The combustion catalyst 1c in the combustion section of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. The principle of generating a mixture 13 of combustion air 10 and vaporized fuel 12 and combusting the mixture 13 using a catalyst is the same as that of the heating device 9 of FIG. 1. The combustion catalyst 1c in FIG. 4 has a honeycomb-shaped monolithic catalyst 16 configured in a hexagonal or polygonal shape,
The air-fuel mixture 13 previously generated is sent to the central space, and the air-fuel mixture 13 flows from the inside to the outside of the combustion catalyst 1c. Further, during the flow, the air-fuel mixture 13 and the catalytically active metal undergo a chemical reaction to generate a high-temperature combustion gas (approximately 800° C.) 14. A heat exchanger 2 is provided to cover the outer periphery of the combustion catalyst 1c, and a protective cover 17 is further provided to seal the outer periphery of the heat exchanger 2. Cooling water 19 is flowing into the sealed space. combustion gas 1
4 is sprayed onto the heat exchanger 2, the heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between the combustion gas 14 and the cooling water 19, and the heat-exchanged combustion gas 14 is discharged to the outside air as exhaust gas 15. or,
The cooling water 19 is introduced from the lower circulating water inlet pipe 3 of the sealed space shown in FIG. 4, and the heat-exchanged cooling water 14 is led out from the upper circulating water outlet pipe 4. By using the heating device 18 of this structure, compared to the heating device 9, the main feature is that the independent heat exchanger is stopped and integrated, there are no hot spots, and the cooling water 19 is exchanged with a higher efficiency. It becomes possible to exchange heat. Furthermore, since the outer periphery of the combustion part is covered with cooling water 19, the greatest advantage is that safety can be further improved. Accordingly, it is possible to easily control the temperature sensor of the cooling water 19 in the safety device and the control device. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, by making the combustion catalyst 1c section removable by screwing, it is possible to contribute to improved serviceability when replacing the combustion catalyst 1c.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which the heating device 9 or 18 is mounted on a vehicle. Usually engine 2
Cooling water 19 flowing out from the vehicle is sent to a radiator (not shown) installed in the front of the engine room and a heater 21 provided to warm the interior of the vehicle. The heating devices 9 and 18 are inserted in the middle of a pipe 24 that flows out from the engine and is introduced into the heater 21, and heats the cooling water 19. The heated cooling water is supplied to the heater 21 in the vehicle interior.
Heat exchange air is sent to the heater 21 by a blower motor 22 provided inside the vehicle interior. The heat exchange air exchanges heat with the heater 21 and is sent to each duct 35 as warm air 23.
The air is blown into the vehicle interior. Further, the cooling water 19 with which heat has been exchanged by the heater 21 is returned to the inside of the engine 20 through a pipe 24. FIG. 6 shows how to install the heating devices 9 and 18 in a general gasoline vehicle 25, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show how to install them in a passenger car such as a diesel truck 33 or a bus 34. This shows the mounting position. By using the above installation method, it can greatly contribute as an auxiliary heating device for a vehicle to assist in cases where heating capacity is insufficient, to provide rapid heating as an additional function of an air conditioner, or to improve window clearness in winter.

Another installation method is shown in FIG. 7 in which the engine 20 or the cooling water 19 of the engine 20 and the radiator
The heating devices 9, 18 and the heater 21 in the vehicle interior are directly connected and configured separately from the components including the heating devices 9, 18, etc., and hot water 27 is circulated between the heating devices 9, 18 and the heater 21. With this configuration, it becomes unnecessary to increase the water temperature of the cooling water 19 by warming up the engine, and it can be omitted as an additional function of the engine 20. Moreover, by configuring it as a vehicle heating device, it can be easily installed and has versatility in many types of vehicles, regardless of whether it is a gasoline vehicle 25 or a diesel vehicle 33, 34. Furthermore, in the future, when the cooling water 19 is abolished due to electric vehicles, ceramic engines, etc., a heating device must be configured separately from the engine to heat the vehicle interior. Therefore, a heating device with this configuration is indispensable.

In addition, a control device for the heating device 9 is shown in FIG. The control system 30 controls the electric fan 7 that adjusts the amount of combustion air, the fuel pump 28 that supplies and adjusts the fuel 16, the temperature sensor 29 that detects the combustion gas temperature and the cooling water temperature, and the like. Note that an auxiliary heating switch 31 is installed in the vehicle interior, and is operated using a battery 32 as a power source.

The operation control of the control system 30 is as follows:
First, an ON signal is sent from the auxiliary heating switch, and an ON signal is sent from the control system 30 to the electric fan and heating element 5. Next, a supply (ON) signal is sent to the fuel pump, and after a mixture 13 is generated, it is combusted by the catalyst 1. Incidentally, combustion is confirmed by the combustion temperature detection temperature sensor 29, and temperature rise is confirmed by the cooling water temperature sensor 29. Further, when the combustion gas 14 rises more than necessary or the air-fuel mixture 13 does not burn, the control system 30 sends an OFF signal to the fuel pump 28, and then also sends an OFF signal to the electric fan 7 and heating element 5. It will be done. Thereafter, the malfunction of the heating system is displayed to the driver in some way. Regarding the cooling water temperature sensor 29, the control system 30 is similarly activated when the temperature of the cooling water 19 does not rise or rises more than necessary.

By combining the control system 30 and the heating device 9, it functions as an auxiliary heating device for a vehicle.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the mixture of combustion air and vaporized fuel can be easily combusted by a chemical reaction with the active metals such as platinum, palladium, and copper contained in the catalyst member, so that it is not necessary to ignite it separately. No need to install equipment. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the combustion device and improve safety.

Furthermore, by using a catalyst in this structure, harmful carbon monoxide and N contained in the combustion gas accompanying the combustion of fuel can be removed.
The content of Ox, etc. can be reduced.

Functionally, by using a combustion catalyst and a heating element, it is possible to create a combustion device that achieves the same amount of combustion as the conventional combustion device.

[0034] Furthermore, in the combustion device, two types of catalysts are available: a monolith catalyst with an integral structure carrier having ceramic honeycomb passages, and a pellet catalyst with a granular carrier, which can be used selectively in terms of performance, durability, safety, and cost. can do.

[0035] By providing a heating element in the combustion passage, the combustion air can be heated, the catalyst can be activated, and vaporized fuel can be generated.

[0036] By assembling a control device for controlling the combustion of the catalyst, such as a fuel pump and a temperature sensor, it can be configured as a heating system for a vehicle.

[0037] With this structure, it can be used with both gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles, and can also be used as an aid for rapid heating of cars and when heating capacity is insufficient, and can contribute to improving window clearness in winter.

[0038] Gasoline or diesel vehicle (truck,
By installing the heating device between the engine and the vehicle heater, which is one of the cooling water distribution passages, in a bus, etc., it can function as an auxiliary heating device for the vehicle by increasing the temperature of the cooling water.

Furthermore, by configuring the heating device in conjunction with the vehicle heater separately from the engine cooling water or the parts that make up the engine, it can be easily set up for many vehicle models as a vehicle heating device separate from the engine. It is possible to provide versatility. Furthermore, with the discontinuation of engine cooling water in the future, the heating device can be configured as a heating function for the vehicle interior. Furthermore, by activating the protection device when the catalyst is abnormal, a highly safe heating system can be obtained. Furthermore, if the supply of air to the vehicle interior is also stopped at this time, the problem of cold air blowing out when the heater malfunctions can be resolved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pellet catalyst that is a combustion catalyst.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a monolithic catalyst that is a combustion catalyst.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a heating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the combustion catalyst installed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the heating device installed in a gasoline vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram when a heating device is configured separately from the engine.

FIG. 8 is a control system configuration diagram of the heating device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the heating device installed in a diesel vehicle (truck).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the heating device installed in a diesel vehicle (bus).

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Combustion catalyst, 2... Heat exchanger, 3... Circulating water inlet pipe,
4... Circulating water outlet pipe, 5... Heating element, 6... Fuel introduction pipe, 7... Electric fan, 8... Evaporator, 9... Heating device, 10
... Combustion air, 11... Heated air (200°C), 12... Vaporized fuel, 13... Air mixture, 14... Combustion gas (800°C),
15...Exhaust gas, 16...Fuel, 17...Protection cover, 1a
... Pellet catalyst, 1b... Monolith catalyst, 1c... Combustion catalyst, 18... Heating device, 19... Cooling water, 20... Engine, 2
1...Heater, 22...Blower motor, 23...Warm air, 24...
pipe, 25...gasoline car, 26...radiator, 27...
Hot water, 28...Fuel pump, 29...Temperature sensor, 30...Control system, 31...Auxiliary heating switch, 32...Battery, 33...Diesel vehicle (truck), 34...Diesel vehicle (bus), 35...Duct.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An electric fan for blowing combustion air, a heating element for heating the combustion air, a fuel supply means for vaporizing fuel and feeding it into the combustion chamber, and a fan for supplying the combustion air to the combustion chamber. A heating device for a vehicle, comprising a catalyst that burns a mixture with vaporized fuel, and a heat exchange means that uses heat generated by the combustion of this mixture to warm air supplied into a vehicle interior. 2. The heating system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a mixture of combustion air and vaporized fuel is combusted by a chemical reaction of a catalyst. 3. The heating device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a heating element provided in the combustion air passage for heating the combustion air to activate the catalyst. 4. A heat exchanger for a vehicle heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is installed in a cooling water passage circulating between a vehicle engine and a heater for heating a vehicle interior; A vehicle with a heating device characterized by having an auxiliary heater that warms air supplied into a vehicle interior using hot water generated by a heat exchanger as a heat source. 5. The vehicle heating device according to claim 1 is installed independently of a hot water type vehicle heater that uses engine cooling water, and the cooling water is brought to a desired temperature. A heating method for a vehicle characterized by using this heating device preferentially for a period of time. 6. An electric blower that supplies combustion air, a fuel supply means that supplies fuel to be mixed with combustion air, a catalyst that combusts a mixture of combustion air and fuel, and uses heat generated by combustion of the mixture. heating means for heating the air supplied into the vehicle interior; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the catalyst; supplying the air-fuel mixture when the output of the temperature sensor is below a predetermined value despite the air-fuel mixture supply state; A vehicle heating system consisting of a protection device that stops the heating. 7. The heating system for a vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising an air supply stop means for stopping the supply of air into the vehicle interior when the protection device is activated. 8. The catalyst for a heating device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one type of carrier is used: a monolithic monolith catalyst having a honeycomb-shaped gas passage made of ceramic or a pellet catalyst having a granular carrier. Claim 9: A carburetor that vaporizes a portion of fuel for driving a vehicle;
A mixer that mixes the heated air and the vaporized fuel for driving the vehicle, a catalyst that chemically reacts with this mixture and burns it, and heats the air supplied to the passenger compartment using the heat generated by this combustion. A heating device for a vehicle, comprising heating means for heating the vehicle. 10. The heating device for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst containing at least one active metal selected from platinum, palladium, and copper as a main component. Claim 11: Claim 1 characterized in that the evaporator for fuel vaporization is heated by the heating element that heats the combustion air.
3. Vehicle heating device according to item 3.