Patent Publication Number: US-2023141829-A1

Title: Heating/cooling system for a vehicle, in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle, holding element for such a heating/cooling system

Description:
The invention relates to a heating/cooling system for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim  1 . The invention further relates to a holding element for such a heating/cooling system. 
     A heating/cooling system of the kind mentioned at the outset is known from practice. Such heating/cooling systems are used for vehicles, for example to operate a vehicle air conditioning system. The main components of such a heating/cooling system are usually a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. These components are often arranged distributed in the vehicle, and connected with each other by lines, in particular pipes that carry coolant. Alternatively known is to mount at least some of these components together on a holding plate. However, the fluid connection established by means of lines remains intact in the previously known heating/cooling systems. 
     The distributed arrangement of the individual components increases the complexity of the known heating/cooling systems, in particular with respect to assembly. The fluid lines that connect the components must often be individually adjusted during the assembly of the heating/cooling system in different vehicles. In addition, in particular the fluid lines increase the installation space required by the heating/cooling systems previously known from practice. 
     In this regard, the object of the present invention is to propose a heating/cooling system that has a simple structure and a compact design. It is further the object of the invention to indicate a holding element for such a heating/cooling system. 
     According to the invention, this object is achieved with respect to the heating/cooling system by the subject matter of claim  1 , and with respect to the holding element by the subject matter of claim  10 . 
     In particular, the invention is based on the idea of indicating a cooling system for a vehicle, in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle, with components that are fluidically connected with each other to form a fluid circuit. For example, such components can be a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. According to the invention, the heating/cooling system has a holding element with a wall structure which has at least one through opening. At least two components of the heating/cooling system are arranged on opposite sides of the wall structure and mechanically connected with the wall structure. The two components are here directly fluidically connected with each other by the through opening to form a fluid passage. 
     As a consequence, the holding element provided in the invention performs a dual function. On the one hand, it mechanically holds and connects the at least two components. In this regard, the holding element forms a mechanical holder for the heating/cooling system. On the other hand, the holding element also produces the fluid connection between the at least two components by means of the through opening. Additional lines for fluidically connecting the individual components are thus not necessary. As a whole, then, this yields an especially compact heating/cooling system, which additionally has an especially simple structure. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the heating/cooling system according to the invention, the wall structure has several through openings. The wall structure can be mechanically connected with several components. Components arranged on opposite sides of the wall structure are preferably directly fluidically connected with each other by the through openings in such a way that the wall structure, the through openings and the components form a fluid circuit. 
     Specifically, all fluid connections of the heating/cooling system can be formed by means of the through openings in the wall structure. This contributes to an especially compact design for the heating/cooling system. In addition, this eliminates the need for any additional fluid lines, whether they be rigid pipes, or flexible hoses for connecting the individual components. The compact heating/cooling system thus also has a very simple structure. 
     The wall structure can specifically have a first through opening and a second through opening. 
     The first through opening can form a direct fluid connection between the compressor and the condenser. 
     The second through opening can be provided to form a direct fluid connection between the condenser and the expansion device. 
     In addition, the wall structure can have a third through opening, which forms a direct fluid connection between the expansion device and the evaporator. 
     A fourth through opening can likewise be provided, wherein the fourth through opening forms a direct fluid connection between the evaporator and the compressor. 
     The components essential for operating the heating/cooling system are in this way coupled via fluid connections, which are provided completely by the holding element. Therefore, the holding element forms not only a mechanical connection of the individual components, but also a fluid connection. Coolants can in this way circulate on short paths between the components. 
     The wall structure preferably has a first side and a second side. It can here be provided that the compressor and the expansion device be arranged on the first side of the wall structure, and be mechanically connected with the wall structure. 
     The condenser and the evaporator can be arranged on the second side of the wall structure, and mechanically connected with the wall structure. In particular, the condenser and the evaporator can be arranged next to each other on the second side of the wall structure. The condenser and the evaporator here together preferably assume a length that essentially does not exceed the length of the compressor. In this regard, then, arranging the compressor and expansion device on the first side of the wall structure and the condenser and evaporator on the second side of the wall structure enables an especially compact shape for the heating/cooling system. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the holding element is T-shaped in design, wherein the wall structure is arranged perpendicular to a floor structure. The floor structure can essentially form a fastening plate for fastening the heating/cooling system in a vehicle. 
     In particular, the floor structure can have a first floor part and a second floor part, wherein the first floor part is larger in design than the second floor part. The first floor part preferably abuts against the first side, and the second floor part against the second side of the wall structure. The relatively larger first floor part is thus also arranged on the first side of the wall structure on which the relatively heavy and comparatively large compressor is also arranged. 
     In this regard, the first floor part forms a larger footprint or fastening surface than the second floor part, so that the heating/cooling system has a good stability. The weight of the individual components is in this way uniformly entered into the floor structure via the holding element. The floor structure can then introduce these forces just as uniformly into load-bearing elements of a vehicle. 
     The wall structure by the holding element preferably has recesses that are arranged between the through openings. In particular, these recesses can cause a reduction in weight. This not only improves the compactness of the heating/cooling system, but in particular also reduces its weight, which is especially relevant in modern vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, so as to expand the range or reduce energy consumption. 
     A secondary aspect of the invention relates to a holding element for a heating/cooling system described above. The holding element according to the invention preferably has a wall structure that comprises at least four through openings and several mechanical connecting means, so that a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator can be fluidly connected by the through opening to form a fluid circuit and mechanically connected with the wall structure via the connecting means. 
     The advantages and preferred further developments mentioned above in conjunction with the heating/cooling system here also apply analogously for the holding element secondarily claimed here. Specifically, the holding element combines the function of the mechanical holder for the individual components with the function of the fluid connection between the individual components. This creates an especially compact heating/cooling system. 
    
    
     
       The invention will be explained in more detail below based on exemplary embodiments. Shown therein are: 
         FIG.  1    a front view of a heating/cooling system according to the invention based on a preferred exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    a side view of the heating/cooling system according to  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    an exploded view of the heating/cooling system according to  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    a perspective view of a holding element for a heating/cooling system according to the invention based on a preferred exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG.  5    a perspective view of a holding element according to the invention for the heating/cooling system according to  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
       FIG.  1    shows a front view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the heating/cooling system with an especially compact and simple design. 
     In general, the heating/cooling system comprises several components. Specifically, the heating/cooling system has a compressor  10 , a condenser  11 , an expansion device  12  and an evaporator  13 . These components are mechanically connected with each other by means of a holding element  14 . 
     The holding element  14  has a wall structure, which is designed as once piece with a floor structure  23 . In the front view according to  FIG.  1   , the floor structure  23  and the wall structure  15  essentially form a T-shaped cross sectional profile. 
     The floor structure  23  comprises a first floor part  24  and a second floor part  25 . The first floor part  24  is larger than the second floor part  25 . Specifically discernible is that the first floor part  24  has a width that is larger than the width of the second floor part  25 . 
     The first floor part  24  proceeds from a first side  21  of the wall structure  15  of the holding element  14 . The compressor  10  is fastened to the first side  21 . Additionally provided is an expansion device  12 , which is likewise mechanically connected with the holding element  14 , preferably the wall structure  15 . 
     The holding element  14  has several connecting means  27  for the mechanical connection ( FIG.  4 ,  5   ). The mechanical connecting means  27  are preferably designed as threaded holes in the wall structure  15 . The individual components, in particular the compressor  10  with the holding element  14 , are connected via screws  30  or threaded bolts. 
     The expansion device  12  is arranged below the compressor  10 , specifically between the first floor part  24  and the compressor  10 . The expansion device  12  can likewise be connected with the holding element  14  by means of screws  30 . 
     As further discernible on  FIG.  1   , the wall structure  15  has two additional components on a second side  22 . Specifically, a condenser  11  and an evaporator  13  are fastened on the second side  22  of the wall structure  15 . 
     In general, the components of the heating/cooling system are not just mechanically connected with the holding element  14 , but rather additionally also fluidically connected by means of the holding element  14 . It is preferred that the heating/cooling system generally comprise a coolant, which flows in a coolant circuit through the individual components. To this end, the individual components are coupled with each other by fluid connections. In the invention, these fluid connections are at least partially provided by the holding element  14 . As discernible on  FIGS.  3  to  5   , the wall structure to this end has several through openings  16 , which produce a fluid connection between the individual components. 
     As made evident by  FIG.  3   , which shows an exploded view of the heating/cooling system, the holding element  14  in the wall structure  15  has a first through opening  17 , which produces a direct fluid connection between the compressor  10  and the condenser  11 . Further provided is a fourth through opening  20 , which forms a direct fluid connection between the evaporator  13  and the compressor  10 . 
     The holding element  14  shown on  FIG.  3    comprises several recesses  26  for weight reduction. A lower recess  31  is here dimensioned in such a way that a fluid port  32  of the condenser  11  and the evaporator  13  can be fluidically connected directly with the expansion device  12 . The fluid ports  32  can thus engage through the lower recess  31 , and thereby be coupled directly to the expansion device  12 . 
     In alternative exemplary embodiments of the holding element  14 , second and third through openings  18 ,  19  can also be provided in the wall structure  15 , so as to produce the fluid connection between the condenser  11  and the expansion device  12  or between the evaporator  13  and the expansion device  12 .  FIG.  4    shows an example for such an exemplary embodiment of a holding element  14 . 
     The expansion device  12  generally comprises an expansion valve  33  and a reservoir  28  for coolant. The expansion valve  33  is preferably directly fluidically connected with the evaporator  13  via a fluid port  32  or via a third through opening  19 . In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the expansion valve  33  is directly coupled with a fluid port  32  of the evaporator  13 . 
     As in the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the reservoir  28  can be secured to the holding element  14  as a separate component. Alternatively, the reservoir  28  can also be integrated into the holding element  14 . In particular, the holding element  14  can have an inner cavity, which serves as a reservoir  28  for coolant. In both variants, the reservoir  28  is preferably fluidically connected with the condenser  11 . Given a separate reservoir  28 , the fluid connection can be produced directly via a fluid port  32  or via a second through opening  18  in the holding element  14 . A reservoir  28  integrated into the holding element  14  is preferably connected with a second through opening  18 . 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    show two different exemplary embodiments of a holding element  14 . In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG.  4   , the holding element  14  additionally has an integrated reservoir  28  for coolant. In particular, the reservoir  28  can be integrated into the wall structure  15 . In addition, the reservoir  28  can also be integrated into the floor structure  23 . In any event, it is provided that the holding element  14  have a cavity for storing coolant. This cavity forms the integrated reservoir  28 . 
     The holding element  14  according to  FIG.  4    has a base structure that is preferred for all exemplary embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the holding element  14  comprises a wall structure  15  that stands perpendicularly on a floor structure  23 . The floor structure  23  comprises a first floor part  24 , which is larger than an oppositely arranged second floor part  25 . Recesses  26  are formed in the wall structure  15  for weight reduction purposes. The wall structure further comprises several through openings  16 . Specifically, four through openings  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  20  are provided. At least one of the through openings can have an additional cross connection to the integrated reservoir  28 . 
     In particular, a first through opening  17  is provided, which forms a direct fluid connection between the compressor  10  and the condenser  11 . A second through opening  18  formed near the floor structure  23  can form a direct fluid connection between the condenser  11  and an expansion device  12 . A third through opening  19  can further be provided for a direct fluid connection between the expansion device  12  and the evaporator  13 . The third through opening  19  is likewise formed near the floor structure  23 . A fourth through opening  20  arranged at the upper end of the wall structure  15  just like the first through opening  17  is provided to form a direct fluid connection between the evaporator  13  and the compressor  10 . 
     Also evident on  FIG.  4    are several connecting means  27  in the form of threaded holes, which make it possible to mechanically attach the individual components to the holding element  14 . 
     The exemplary embodiment of a holding element  14  according to  FIG.  5    differs from the holding element according to  FIG.  4    in that no integrated reservoir  28  is provided. This holding element  14 , which is also used in the exemplary embodiment of the heating/cooling system according to  FIG.  1 - 3   , is rather provided for use with a separate reservoir  28 . 
     The holding element  14  according to  FIG.  5    has a lower recess  31 , so that fluid ports  32  can reach directly through the wall structure  15 . Further provided for the stability of the wall structure  15  is a vertical reinforcing rib  29 , which is supported below against the second floor part  25  of the floor structure  23 . In this regard, the holding element  14  or the wall structure  15  has only the first through opening  17  and the fourth through opening  20 , which produce a direct fluid connection between the compressor  10  and the condenser  11  on the one hand, and the evaporator  13  on the other. The direct fluid connection between the expansion device  12  and the condenser  11  or the evaporator  13  takes place directly via the fluid ports  33  that reach through the lower recess  31 . 
     The holding element  14  according to  FIG.  5    also has additional recesses  26  that essentially serve weight reduction purposes. Further discernible are connecting means  27  in the form of threaded holes, which are used to fasten the individual components to the holding element  14 . 
     The entire heating/cooling system can have additional components that are discernible on  FIG.  3   . In particular, electrical connections  34  can be provided on the upper side of the compressor  10 . In this regard, it is preferred that the compressor  10  be an electrical compressor, in particular an electrical reciprocating compressor. Finally, a pressure and temperature sensor  35  can also be connected with the compressor  10 . 
     The entire heating/cooling system preferably has an especially compact structure. In particular, by combining the mechanical connection and fluid connection in the single holding element  14 , the entire heating/cooling system has especially compact dimensions or takes up very little installation space in a vehicle. 
     Viewed in a longitudinally axial direction of the compressor  10 , the length L of the heating/cooling system according to the invention can specifically measure at most 290 mm, in particular at most 270 mm, preferably about 250 mm. The width B of the heating/cooling system, which is essentially determined perpendicular to the wall structure  15  and along the floor structure  13 , preferably measures at most 280 mm, in particular at most 260 mm, in particular about 240 mm. 
     The height H of the heating/cooling system preferably measured along the wall structure  15  and perpendicular to the floor structure  23  can measure at most 290 mm, in particular at most 270 mm, in particular about 250 mm. 
     Also advantageous is that doing away with in particular rigid pipes between the individual reduces the mass of the heating/cooling system. In preferred embodiments, the mass of the heating/cooling system measures at most 15 kg, in particular at most 14 kg, in particular at most 13.8 kg, in particular at most 13.7 kg, in particular at most 13.5 kg, in particular at most 13.3 kg, in particular at most 13.2 kg, in particular at most 13.1 kg, in particular at most 13.05 kg, in particular at most 13.02 kg, in particular at most 13.0 kg, in particular at most 12.9 kg, in particular at most 12.8 kg, in particular at most 12.7 kg, in particular at most 12.6 kg, in particular at most 12.5 kg. 
     Eliminating the tubular or hose-like connections between the individual components also reduces the inner volume of the coolant circuit. As a result, the quantity of required coolant can be greatly reduced. In particular, the heating/cooling system according to the invention is characterized in that it can be operated with at most 160 g, in particular at most 150 g, in particular at most 140 g, in particular at most 130 g of a coolant. 
     In addition, eliminating the tubular or hose-like connections between the individual components also helps to reduce the danger of leaks. The coolant circuit is limited to a defined area in a vehicle. The heat or cold of the coolant can be transferred to a water circuit via a heat exchanger. In this way, only water lines are guided through the vehicle. 
     Another advantage offered by the heating/cooling system according to the invention lies in the fact that the heating/cooling system operation can be easily switched from a cooling operation to a heating operation. The heating/cooling system can be used both as a cooling unit for an air conditioning system, and as a heat pump for a heating system. In particular, it is easy to switch between these two operating modes, which makes the heating/cooling system interesting in particular for electrically operated vehicles. The problem in electrically operated vehicles is that, as opposed to internal combustion engines, the drive system does not generate any significant waste heat, which can be used for heating the interior of the vehicle. In this regard, electrically operated heating systems are expedient. The invention offers such an electrically operated heating system, which at higher outdoor temperatures can alternatively also be used as an air conditioning system for cooling the interior. 
     REFERENCE LIST 
     
         
           10  Compressor 
           11  Condenser 
           12  Expansion device 
           13  Evaporator 
           14  Holding element 
           15  Wall structure 
           16  Through opening 
           17  First through opening 
           18  Second through opening 
           19  Third through opening 
           20  Fourth through opening 
           21  First side 
           22  Second side 
           23  Floor structure 
           24  First floor part 
           25  Second floor part 
           26  Recess 
           27  Connecting means 
           28  Reservoir 
           29  Reinforcing rib 
           30  Screw 
           31  Lower recess 
           32  Fluid port 
           33  Expansion valve 
           34  Electrical connection 
           35  Pressure and temperature sensor 
         L Length 
         B Width 
         H Height