DE10061661A1 - Heating system for passenger cabin, comprising heating elements integrated in air inlet for quicker action - Google Patents

Abstract

The air present in the ventilation duct (2, 2, 2) when the car is started normally enters the passenger cabin while still cold. Heating elements (5, 5, 5) integrated in the air inlet (13, 13, 13) positioned at the doors and particularly in ergonomically shaped footrests (12) facilitate a comfortable feeling from the start. The inlets (13, 13, 13) can be controlled individually using switches (20) positioned at the dashboard by the front passengers or located at the rear of the seatbacks in case of the passengers sitting in the fond of the vehicle. There could also be a thermostat involved or the system can be automatically activated when the seatbelt is fastened.

Description

The invention relates to a passenger compartment ventilation system according to the preamble of Claim 1.

In motor vehicles, the air supply to the driver, front passenger and front passenger is in the Fond well known. The air becomes individual via different air flow channels Outflow points spent. These channels can be separately in the foot and / or Be brought into the attic. Furthermore, cavity structures of the body can Air flow can be used. It is common practice to supply air through an air supply Dashboard installed heating and / or air conditioning according to the settings of the Let passengers be pre-treated and then passed through the individual channels Outflow points.

DE 41 23 949 describes a heater or air conditioner in the vehicle side area is arranged in a frame part. The heating or air conditioning unit should be in one Sitting the longitudinal beam. This longitudinal beam also serves as Flow channel. The treated air coming from this heater or air conditioner is then passed through the air flow channel to the outflow opening. There the air is then blown locally into the passenger compartment.

DE 197 52 264 discloses a device for air distribution in one Vehicle interior. It is provided that in the area of the vehicle floor longitudinal air ducts exist. These air channels each flow individually Driver, front passenger and the respective rear passenger. In addition, below the An air conditioner can be attached to the vehicle floor. The air outlet openings are supposed to be the air Spread flat on the vehicle floor in the respective foot area.

EP 0 210 548 discloses a console with which the inflowing in the rear foot area Air can be adjusted by mixing cold and warm air.  

DE 31 14 295 discloses a footrest which is used as an outlet opening for an under the air duct through the front seat.

The above prior art assumes that the air either in a Dashboard and / or air conditioning and / or heating device placed in the air flow channel is preheated or cooled. All these devices are characterized in that When switching on, first the cold air in the flow channels in the Passenger compartment is blown.

The task is therefore to provide an improved heating element, which makes it possible to operate the ignition key and actuate it directly the ventilation system to receive preheated air from the outflow openings.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

This construction has the advantage that the air standing in the air flow channels, which does not correspond to the requested temperature, when exiting through the Outflow opening is heated by the electrically heated grill. Here it is possible, such crickets z. B. also in the area of the dashboard in front of the Use windshield to prevent defrosting from the outset ensure escaping air.

This construction also ensures that the heating / Air conditioner coming air, which in the cold air flow channels through the Contact with the walls of the air flow channel has cooled back to the Desired outflow temperature is warmed up at the outflow opening.

It is essential for the invention that through the use of an electrically heated Grills in the outflow opening are sufficiently preheated immediately when the vehicle is started Air is available. This has the advantage that the air in the passenger compartment is quick and is efficiently heated to a temperature that is comfortable Corresponds to passengers.

It is easily conceivable that the individual outflow openings are separate can be controlled. This has the advantage that depending on the heat sensitivity and desire each individual passenger more or less warm air from his assigned Outflow opening receives.  

Especially in winter, it makes sense to close the footwell relatively quickly and efficiently heat. The invention provides a remedy here. A fast warm air Delivering foot heating increases the comfort of the vehicle occupants.

The outflow opening is advantageously designed as a footrest and with the grill Mistake. Due to the hot air currents emerging from the side, the ankles and Shins are warmed up immediately.

In addition, the storage space for the feet can be heated by the electric heater electrically operated grill can be warmed up immediately as heat energy is immediately available Available.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a passenger interior in section.

Fig. 1 shows a passenger compartment with a front seat 10 and rear seat 11. The passenger door window 6 is assigned an electrically heated grill 5 which is introduced into the door. This electrically heatable grill 5 is acted upon by a flow duct 2 with air. This has the advantage that both the passenger and the passenger door pane 7 flow out of heated air from the outflow opening 13 as desired.

In the rear area, an electrically heated grill 5 'is arranged in the door and / or side wall. This electrically heated grill 5 'is supplied with air by a flow channel 2 '. The outflowing air is further heated according to its pre-temperature by the electrically heated grill 5 '. This ensures that only appropriately preheated air flows out of the outflow opening 13 ', which is assigned to the electrically heated grill 5 '. The rear passenger window 7 is limited by the C-pillar 9 .

An air flow channel 2 "coming from the driver's footwell 3 is led under the front seat 10 to the footwell 4 of the passenger sitting in the rear behind the driver. In the example shown here, the air flow channel 2 " ends in an ergonomically shaped footrest 12 . The air supplied from the air flow channel 2 "emerges from the footrest 12. The air exits at the outflow opening 13 ". The outflow opening 13 "can be arranged laterally in the footrest 12. The outflow opening 13 " can also be designed as a storage surface 14 for the feet. The footrest 12 is preceded by an electrically heated grill 5 ".

The grill 5 "heats the air flowing out of the footrest 12 air. If the lateral arrangement of the outflow opening 13" of the grill 5 can "also provided for the feet of shelf 14 to heat. If the air through the formed as a storage area 14 outlet opening 13" from, are the soles of the feet are directly exposed to warm air.

In any case, the invention has the advantage that the passengers sitting in the rear quickly get a temperature-controlled passenger compartment after starting the vehicle. In addition, the rear passengers have further comfort in the rapidly heated footwell 4 and the warm storage area 14 for the feet. Another embodiment of this invention provides that each electrically heated grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "can be controlled, preferably each individually.

The electrical control takes place via a power line 24 connected to the vehicle electrical system. This circuit 24 is opened or closed via an easily accessible temperature control device 20 . It is readily conceivable that the temperature control device 20 outputs its information to a so-called bus system (not shown) installed in the motor vehicle. This reduces the wiring harness to be laid in the motor vehicle.

In a further development of the invention it is provided that the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "are assigned outlet lamella 17 , 17 ', 17 " through which the outflow direction 18 of the air flow can be adjusted.

It is characteristic here that each outlet lamella 17 has a fixed axis of rotation (not shown) which is articulated, for example, on the common frame 25 . The entirety of outlet lamellae 17 , 17 ', 17 "and frame 25 forms one of the outlet openings 13 , 13 ', 13 ".

Furthermore, all outlet lamellae 17 , 17 ', 17 "can be set in motion together by an adjuster 15. In this case, the outlet lamellae 17 can move up and down and / or to the right and left. It is also conceivable that two layers (not shown) of outlet fins 17 are arranged.

The exit lamellae 17 of the two layers preferably run almost perpendicular to one another. Their respective fixed axes of rotation are also almost perpendicular to each other. Each of the layers of the outlet fins 17 has its own adjuster (not shown). It is possible that these adjusters are controlled by a device assigned to the outflow openings 13 , 13 ', 13 ". This has the advantage that both adjusters of the individual layers can be addressed with a single device. This construction enables the outflow direction 18 of the air to be specified individually by the passenger.

In addition, the discharge fins 17 may be also formed such that the outflow opening 13, 13 ', 13 "completely closed. Further, it is possible that the device in addition to the direction preset for the discharge lamellae 17, 17', 17" a in the channel 2, 2 ', 2 "arranged closing mechanism (not shown) actuated so that the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 " is no longer acted upon by an air stream. In this case, it is advantageous if at the same time there is a feedback to the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "which may take place via a bus, so that the grill is switched off in this case.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is controlled by a regulated voltage source.

The voltage source can be the alternator and / or the battery. This has the advantage that with appropriately powerful batteries even at low Motor speeds, and thus possibly insufficient current on the part of the Alternator the grill is supplied with sufficient power to power the to heat outflowing air to the preset temperature.

In a further development of the invention it is provided that the power supply 24 is switched off when the preselected temperature for the outflowing air is reached.

It is possible to transmit the preset temperature for the outflowing air flow to the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "via a bus system which may be present in the motor vehicle. This has the particular advantage that after the preset air temperature has been reached by the Heating and / or by the engine cooling circuit of the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "can be switched off as an electrical consumer. The grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is no longer a load. This relieves the load on the alternator and / or battery at the moment. The relieved alternator has to draw less mechanical energy from the engine. This leads to energy-saving driving and thus reduces fuel consumption.

In a development of the invention it is provided that a temperature measuring device 16 is arranged in the area of the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 ", which measures the temperature of the outflowing air flow at the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 " and / or in the passenger compartment.

It is possible that this temperature measuring device 16 is positioned directly in or on the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 ". This has the advantage that the temperature of the outflowing air flow is checked directly in or on the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 " becomes. This leads to a quick feedback to the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 ". The power supply for the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 " can be regulated according to the temperature of the outflowing air flow.

This can be done using a bus system that may be installed in the vehicle. The control device 20 for the electrically heated grill can also be arranged on this bus. Two measurement data could thus be transmitted via a line to the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 ". This reduces the wiring harness to be installed in the vehicle. This leads to weight savings.

By measuring the temperature of the outflowing air flow at the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 ", it is possible to put the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 " back into operation even after the start phase. This is an advantage if the vehicle is parked for a longer period in the city center and / or in a traffic jam if the heat supplied by the engine cooling circuit is no longer sufficient to supply the air in the heating system with sufficient heat. This ensures that the air flow at the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 "has the preselected temperature.

It is also possible to arrange the temperature measuring device 16 in the side wall of the door and / or the motor vehicle instead of directly in the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 "in the region of the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 ". Here, the temperature measuring device 16 also directly controls the internal temperature reached in the motor vehicle interior. Here too, feedback is possible again via an optional bus system installed in the motor vehicle.

In a further development of the invention it is provided that a temperature control device 20 is arranged in the area of the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 ", by means of which the temperature of the outflowing air stream is adjusted.

Each grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "can thereby be controlled separately. The control can take place, inter alia, in that the temperature control device 20 corresponds directly to the temperature measuring button 16. The voltage and / or current intensity with which the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is set as a function of the difference between temperature control device 20 and temperature measuring device 16 .

In the embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 "is positioned such that the air flow with its outflow direction 18 acts directly on the passenger and / or parts of the passenger, while the adjustment options, adjuster 15 and / or temperature control device 20 are arranged so that the passenger can reach them directly in order to make the desired settings.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this presupposes that the outflow openings 13 and 13 'are arranged in the side surfaces of the doors and / or fixed sides of the car in such a way that the main outflow direction is directed centrally toward the body of the passenger when the outlet slats 17 , 17 ' are open is. The adjusting devices are then also positioned in the side wall in front of the outflow opening 13 or 13 '.

Here, it is also conceivable that for the passengers sitting in the rear, the adjustment devices are introduced on the back in the backrest 23 of the front seat 10 . The setting devices for the passengers in the front area can be arranged, inter alia, in the dashboard. All information for the settings of the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "and the outlet slats 17 , 17 ', 17 " can then be transmitted to servomotors and current-controlling elements, inter alia, via a bus system.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the power supply is activated / deactivated via an additional contact switch 21 which registers a passenger present at the seat and only activates the power supply for the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "when a passenger is present.

Such a contact switch 21 has the advantage that only the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is actuated, on which a passenger is actually seated. This leads to a specifically tapped amount of current on the alternator and / or battery. This has the advantage that the alternator does not tap more electrical energy for heating 5 , 5 ', 5 "than necessary.

In a further preferred development of the invention it is provided that the contact switch 21 is arranged in the seat 22 , 22 'and / or in the backrest 23 , 23 ' of the front seat 10 and / or the rear seat 11 . Here, the contact switch 21 can be coupled to a signaling device present in and / or on the seat 10 , 11 via the actuation of the seat belt.

In the embodiment that the contact switch 21 is coupled to the feedback device for the seat belt, two devices can be controlled with one piece of information. It is advantageous if there is a bus system in the car. Then only a single line is required to control several devices.

The arrangement of the contact switch 21 in the seat ensures that the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is correctly informed about an existing passenger.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the power supply to the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is interrupted when the heating is switched off. This means that if the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 " is switched on inadvertently and the interior temperature is sufficient in the Passenger compartment and a lack of heating by the passengers, the air flowing out of the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 "is not subjected to heat.

In addition, it is ensured that if there is no heating requirement, this does not consume unnecessary energy in the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "for heating the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 ". This ensures that the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "draws only the necessary amount of electrical energy that is necessary to heat the outflowing air to the preset level in the event of an existing heating request.

After reaching the preset temperature, this additional one drops Energy expenditure with switching off the heating is eliminated. The energy expenditure joins an appropriately preheated car and a switched off heating system only on. This leads to less electrical energy at the alternator  is tapped, which reduces the mechanical load on the engine, so that this Saves fuel.

In a further development of the invention, the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "is a PTC element.

The PTC element has the advantage that it works in a self-regulating manner. Self-regulating means here that the current requirement of the PTC element decreases with increasing temperature. This has the advantage that after a short intensive current consumption, the power consumption of the grill 5 , 5 ', 5 "drops. This in turn relieves the pressure on the alternator and the engine. This leads to energy-saving warming up of the air. This ensures that the comfort gain is not excessive at the expense of fuel consumption.

In addition, the PTC element has the advantage that it can be introduced flatly into the background of the outflow opening 13 , 13 ', 13 ". There is also the possibility of designing the PTC element quasi as an air outlet opening sieve. So that the holes through the PTC element Elements flowing air is heated as it passes.

This flat design reduces the installation depth of the entire component consisting of mold, grill 5 , 5 ', 5 ", outlet lamellas 17 and frame 25. In addition, the PTC element has the advantage that it is low-maintenance and mechanically robust Furthermore, the PTC element has the advantage that it can be designed in such a way that it has a preferred radiation direction for the heat, thereby ensuring that almost the entire amount of heat emitted by the PTC element is transferred to the over and / or airflow flowing through it, which avoids unnecessary energy losses due to the heating of the surrounding components.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

passenger compartment

2

flow channels

2

'' Flow channels

2

"Flow channels

3

driver's footwell

4

footwell

5

electrically heated grill

5

'' electrically heated grill

5

"electrically heated grill

6

Passenger door window

7

Fond passenger wheel

8th

B-pillar

9

C-pillar

10

front seat

11

back seat

12

footrest

13

outflow

13

'Outflow opening

13

"Outflow opening

14

shelf

15

adjuster

16

temperature measuring

17

discharge fins

17

'' Outlet slats

17

"Outlet slats

18

flow direction

20

Temperature control device

21

contact switch

22

seat

22

'' Seat

23

backrest

23

'Backrest

24

power supply

25

frame

Claims (15)

1. Passenger compartment ventilation system, in which the air pretreated by heat exchangers is led through various flow channels ( 2 ) to outflow openings in the driver, front passenger, rear passenger compartment, characterized in that in at least one of the outflow openings ( 13 , 13 ', 13 ") an electrical heated grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") sits. 2. Heating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the grill ( 5 ") is used to heat the footwell ( 4 ). 3. Heating element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the grill ( 5 ") has the shape of a footrest ( 12 ) for a seated guest. 4. Heating element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the grill ( 5 ") covers the outflow opening ( 13 ") of a channel ( 2 ") which lies on the vehicle floor and serves the rear seat guests as a footrest ( 12 ). 5. Heating element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each electrically heated grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") is controllable, preferably each individually. 6. Heating element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") outlet fins ( 17 , 17 ', 17 ") are assigned, through which the outflow direction ( 18 ) of the air flow is adjustable , 7. Heating element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") is controlled via a regulated voltage source. 8. Heating element according to claim 7, characterized in that the Power supply when reaching the selected temperature for the escaping air is switched off.   9. Heating element according to claim 8, characterized in that in the area of the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") a temperature measuring device ( 16 ) is arranged, which the temperature of the outflowing air flow at the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") and / or in the passenger compartment. 10. Heating element according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a temperature control device ( 20 ) is arranged in the region of the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") with which the temperature of the outflowing air stream is adjusted. 11. Heating element according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the power supply is activated / deactivated via an additional contact switch ( 21 ) which registers a passenger present at the seat and the power supply for the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") activated. 12. Heating element according to claim 11, characterized in that this contact switch ( 21 ) in the seat ( 22 , 22 ') and / or in the backrest ( 23 , 23 ') of the front seat ( 10 ) and / or the rear seat ( 11 ) is arranged. 13. Heating element according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the contact switch ( 21 ) with an in and / or on the seat ( 10 , 11 ) existing signaling device is coupled via the actuation of the seat belt. 14. Heating element according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the power supply to the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") is interrupted when the heater is issued. 15. Heating element according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the grill ( 5 , 5 ', 5 ") is a PTC element.