WO2019118396A1

WO2019118396A1 - Ventilating valve

Info

Publication number: WO2019118396A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/064842
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Jatzke; Thomas Pacher; Hubert Loewe; Waldemar Fiebich; Klaus Hildebrandt; Heiko Fischer; Gil SWASH
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2017-12-14
Filing date: 2018-12-11
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-14
Also published as: DE202017107610U1

Abstract

A ventilating valve for ventilating the interior compartment of a vehicle, including a valve frame (10) with at least one passage opening, and at least one ventilating flap (12) which is mounted on the valve frame (10) and can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position, the at least one ventilating flap (12) closing the at least one passage opening in the closed position and opening the at least one passage opening in the open position, characterized in that the ventilating valve is assigned at least one energy recovery device which recovers energy from an air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve.

Description

VENTILATING VALVE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilating valve for ventilating the interior

compartment of a vehicle, comprising a valve frame with at least one passage opening, and at least one ventilating flap which is mounted on the valve frame and can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position, the at least one ventilating flap closing the at least one passage opening in the closed position and opening the at least one passage opening in the open position.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Ventilating valves of the above-mentioned type serve to discharge outgoing air from the interior compartment of a vehicle, such as a passenger car or a truck, in the case of a positive pressure occurring in the vehicle interior compartment with respect to the vehicle surroundings. Thus, for example, air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation system can be discharged. A positive pressure which occurs suddenly in the vehicle interior compartment, produced, for example, by way of the closure of a vehicle door or by way of the triggering of an airbag, can also be compensated for, by the excess air passing out of the vehicle interior compartment to the outside through the ventilating valve. If the pressure in the vehicle interior compartment does not exceed the exterior pressure or exceeds the exterior pressure merely slightly, the at least one ventilating flap bears against the valve frame of the ventilating valve and closes the passage opening. This prevents contaminants and noise passing from the outside into the vehicle interior. Known ventilating valves are as a rule inserted with their valve frame into a recess of the vehicle provided for this purpose, and are fastened there.

[0003] DE 10 2010 054 965 Al has disclosed a ventilation apparatus for feeding fresh air into a passenger interior compartment with a heat exchanger. Here, in air recirculation operation, outgoing air which is discharged from the vehicle interior compartment is fed via the heat exchanger to the vehicle interior compartment again, in order to decrease the use of energy for maintaining the temperature level which is desired in the vehicle cabin. Air recirculation operation of this type can take place only for a short time period, however, since the fresh air supply is prevented as a result and, as a consequence, the oxygen content in the vehicle interior compartment drops continuously.

[0004] With an increasing use of electric vehicles, there is a requirement for increased efficiency of the energy utilization, in order to increase the range of electric vehicles.

SUMMARY

[0005] Proceeding from the described prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a ventilating valve of the type mentioned at the outset, by way of which ventilating valve the energy efficiency can be increased.

[0006] The invention achieves the object by way of the subject matter of claim 1.

Advantageous refinements are found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0007] For a ventilating valve of the type mentioned at the outset, the invention achieves the object by virtue of the fact that the ventilating valve is assigned at least one energy recovery device which recovers energy from an air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve.

[0008] As described at the outset, the ventilating valve has a valve frame, on which one or more ventilating flaps is/are mounted such that they can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position. For example, the at least one ventilating flap can be mounted on the valve frame such that it can be pivoted between the closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the at least one ventilating flap closes the passage opening, with the result that contaminants and noise cannot enter into the vehicle interior compartment from the outside. In the open position, in contrast, the passage opening is opened for a throughflow of air from the vehicle interior compartment to the outside, in particular in order to dissipate a positive pressure which prevails in the vehicle interior compartment with respect to the vehicle surroundings, as described at the outset. The ventilating valve is mounted on a vehicle, such as a passenger car or a truck, in particular in a recess which is provided for this purpose on the vehicle. For example, the ventilating valve can be arranged in the rear region of the vehicle, with the result that the fresh air which is usually fed into the vehicle interior compartment in the front region can flow out in the rear region after flowing through as far as possible the entire vehicle interior compartment. The ventilating valve can consist overall of plastic. The ventilating valve or its constituent parts can be produced in a particularly simple way in a plastic injection molding method.

[0009] According to the invention, the ventilating valve is assigned an energy recovery device which recovers energy from an air flow which flows through the passage opening of the ventilating valve. Said energy which otherwise escapes unutilized to the surroundings can therefore be re-harnessed, for example for range-extending measures for an electric vehicle. For instance, the heating in the winter and cooling in the summer takes place electrically in the case of electric vehicles. The range drops considerably if the heater is operated in winter or the air conditioning system is operated in summer, since the energy which is consumed and is applied for heating or cooling the air in the vehicle interior compartment in comparison with the ambient air has not been recovered up to now or has not been recovered in a way which is possible in continuous operation. This is where the invention comes into play, in order to utilize the energy potential of the air which escapes from the vehicle interior compartment and thus, for example, to increase the range of electric vehicles. As will be described in greater detail further below, this can take place, for example, by way of preheating or precooling of the fresh air which is fed to the vehicle or by way of utilization of the flow energy of the escaping air or its thermal energy, in order, for example, to feed the battery of an electric vehicle directly or in order to control the temperature in order to increase the efficiency. Here, the air which escapes through the ventilating valve and has already experienced the vehicle interior compartment and any heating or cooling by way of a heater or air conditioning system is naturally considerably richer in energy than air which is fed in in the region of the ventilation means. Specifically in the case of electric vehicles which substantially do not have a heater which is operated by way of waste engine heat, preheating of the fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment can also be particularly advantageous. This applies accordingly, for example, to cooling or heating of the battery of the electric vehicle, with the result that said battery operates in a particularly efficient range.

[0010] Although the invention can be used in a particularly advantageous way in the case of ventilating valves for electric vehicles, the efficiency -increasing advantages of the energy recovery device can also be used in the case of vehicles with an internal combustion engine or in the case of hybrid vehicles.

[0011] In accordance with one refinement, the at least one energy recovery device can comprise at least one heat exchanger which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening. Furthermore, the at least one heat exchanger can be in thermally conducting contact with a battery of the vehicle and/or with fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation device. Furthermore, the at least one heat exchanger can be flowed through by a fluid which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening, which fluid is in thermally conducting contact, furthermore, with the battery of the vehicle and/or with the fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation device. A fluid of this type can be, for example, a liquid, such as water. The fluid might also be a gas, however, for example air which is to be fed to the vehicle interior compartment.

[0012] In the case of the abovementioned refinements, air from the vehicle interior compartment flows through at least one heat exchanger before or after flowing through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve, as a result of which the temperature and/or the energy potential are/is adapted to the surroundings. The energy which is absorbed by the heat exchanger as a result and is available can be used to heat or to cool the fresh air for feeding into the vehicle interior compartment and/or for heating or for cooling a battery of the vehicle. As is known, fresh air is as a rule fed continuously to the vehicle interior compartment via air vents, in order firstly to ensure the desired air quality in the vehicle (oxygen content, odor) and secondly to set the desired temperature in the vehicle interior compartment. Said fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior

compartment can be heated or cooled by way of the heat exchanger depending on the energy potential of the outgoing air which escapes through the ventilating valve, in order thus to assist a heater or an air conditioning system or to reduce the heating or cooling effort. This procedure is naturally particularly effective if there is a great temperature difference between the temperature of the vehicle interior compartment and the

temperature of the vehicle surroundings. At the same time, the performance of batteries is at a maximum for many lithium ion batteries in a defined temperature range of, for example, from 18 to 25°C. Accordingly, the thermal energy which is recovered from the outgoing air which escapes through the passage opening of the ventilating valve can be used for suitable temperature control of the battery of the vehicle. At low temperatures, in particular, the available performance and therefore the range of an electric vehicle can be increased considerably by way of heating of the battery. Since the arrangement of an energy recovery device, such as a heat exchanger, in the air flow of the outgoing air can increase the flow resistance, ventilating valves without an energy recovery device can be combined with ventilating valves with an energy recovery device in a vehicle, for example. In this way, suddenly occurring pressure differences, such as those brought about by way of closure of a vehicle door or the triggering of an airbag, can also be equalized reliably at any time. Secondly, the use of an energy recovery device which is arranged in the air flow, such as a heat exchanger, can further reduce the infiltration of noise into the vehicle interior compartment.

[0013] In accordance with a further refinement, the at least one energy recovery device can comprise at least one heat pump which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening. Furthermore, the at least one heat pump can be in thermally conducting contact with a battery of the vehicle and/or with fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation device. Once again, the air which comes from the vehicle interior compartment and escapes through the ventilating valve into the surroundings flows through a heat pump before or after flowing through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve, which heat pump can utilize the thermal energy of the outgoing air, for example, for more energy-efficient heating or cooling of the vehicle interior compartment. The thermal energy which is recovered from the air which flows out of the vehicle interior compartment can also once again be used for optimum temperature control of a battery of the vehicle, as described above.

[0014] In accordance with a further refinement, the at least one energy recovery device can comprise at least one turbine which is arranged in the flow path of the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening, and at least one electric generator which is coupled to the at least one turbine. The at least one electric generator can feed a battery of the vehicle. Once again, the air which is discharged from the vehicle interior compartment via the ventilating valve flows through a turbine before or after flowing through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve, which turbine is accordingly driven rotationally by way of the flow energy of the air flow. Electric energy can be generated from said rotational movement by means of the electric generator which is coupled to the turbine (dynamo principle). Said electric energy, in particular an electric voltage, can be fed to the vehicle battery, for example in order to increase the range of an electric vehicle.

[0015] In accordance with a further refinement, the at least one energy recovery device can comprise at least one thermocouple which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening. The at least one

thermocouple can feed a battery of the vehicle. A thermocouple of this type which is accordingly arranged partially in the air flow which is discharged from the vehicle interior compartment generates an electric voltage in a manner known per se on account of a temperature difference from a part of the thermocouple which is situated outside the air flow, once again before or after flowing through the at least one passage opening. Said electric voltage can once again be fed to the battery of the vehicle, in order, for example, to increase the range of an electric vehicle.

[0016] In accordance with a further refinement, the at least one energy recovery device can comprise at least one element which is moved and/or deformed by way of the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening, which element generates an electric voltage during its movement and/or deformation. The at least one moved and/or deformed element can be at least one ventilating flap of the ventilating valve. Furthermore, the at least one moved and/or deformed element can be at least one piezoelectric element. The at least one element can feed a battery of the vehicle. The air which is discharged from the vehicle interior compartment via the ventilating valve sets, for example, the at least one ventilating flap of the ventilating valve in motion, for example a pivoting motion, and/or deforms said ventilating flap. Said kinetic energy can be utilized to generate electric energy if suitable materials are used, for example piezoelectric materials. Said electric energy can once again be fed to a battery of the vehicle, for example an electric vehicle, in order to increase the range. In particular, ventilating flaps can open the at least one passage opening for the air flow to be discharged by way of a pivoting movement and/or bending of the passage opening if a positive pressure occurs in the vehicle interior compartment. Said movement or bending can be utilized, by the ventilating flaps being formed at least partially from a piezoelectric material. [0017] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, having a ventilating valve according to the invention which is mounted thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail in the following text using figures, in which, schematically:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment,

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0024] FIG. 6 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0025] FIG. 7 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0026] FIG. 8 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment,

[0027] FIG. 9 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, and

[0028] FIG. 10 shows a ventilating valve according to the invention in a sectional view in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. [0029] ETnless specified otherwise, identical designations denote identical or functionally identical objects in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The ventilating valve which is shown in figure 1 serves to ventilate the interior compartment of a vehicle, such as a passenger car or truck, in particular an electric vehicle. It comprises a valve frame 10, on which, in the example which is shown, three ventilating flaps 12 are mounted such that they can be pivoted about pivot axes 14 between a closed position (shown in figure 1) and an open position (not shown in FIG. 1). In the closed position which is shown, the ventilating flaps 12 close at least one passage opening for outgoing air which comes from the vehicle interior compartment. In the open position (not shown), in which the ventilating flaps 12 are pivoted counter to the clockwise direction in comparison with the closed position which is shown in figure 1, outgoing air can in contrast escape through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve into the vehicle surroundings, as illustrated by way of the arrows 16. The ventilating valve is inserted by way of its valve frame 10 into a recess which is provided for this purpose, for example in the vehicle body, and is fastened therein. Part of a vehicle body part 11 of this type, for example a vehicle panel 11, is shown at the designation 11.

[0031] In figure 1, an air duct 18, in which a heat exchanger 20 is arranged, is arranged upstream of the ventilating valve 10 in the flow direction. The heat exchanger 20 is situated in the air flow of the outgoing air. A fluid, for example air, which is conducted through the heat exchanger 20 in accordance with the arrows 22 is thus in thermally conducting contact with the outgoing air which flows through the ventilating valve, and thus absorbs thermal energy of the outgoing air. The air which flows through the heat exchanger 20 can be, for example, fresh air which is to be fed to the vehicle interior compartment and can thus, for example, be preheated in winter by way of the heated outgoing air which comes from the vehicle interior compartment or can be precooled in summer by way of the cooled outgoing air.

[0032] The exemplary embodiment which is shown in figure 2 corresponds largely to the exemplary embodiment of figure 1. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of figure 1, the air duct 18 with the heat exchanger 20 which is arranged thereon is situated downstream of the ventilating valve in the exemplary embodiment of figure 2. Once again, the fluid which is conducted through the heat exchanger 20 in accordance with the arrows 22 is in thermally conducting contact with the outgoing air which flows along the arrows 16 from the vehicle interior compartment. The function corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of figure 1.

[0033] The exemplary embodiment which is shown in figure 3 once again corresponds largely to the exemplary embodiment from figure 1, a heat pump 24 being arranged in the air duct 18 in the exemplary embodiment of figure 3 unlike in the exemplary embodiment of figure 1. A medium which is conducted through the heat pump 24 in accordance with the arrows 26 absorbs thermal energy of the outgoing air flow which flows along the arrows 16, and outputs said thermal energy, for example, to a heater or air conditioning system of the vehicle.

[0034] The exemplary embodiment which is shown in figure 4 once again corresponds largely to the exemplary embodiment from figure 3, the air duct 18 with the heat pump 24 once again being arranged downstream of the ventilating valve here. The function corresponds once again to the exemplary embodiment of figure 3.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment, in which a turbine 28 is arranged in the air duct 18 which is arranged upstream of the ventilating valve. Said turbine 28 is coupled to an electric generator (not shown in greater detail), as illustrated by way of the arrow 30. The turbine 28 is turned by way of the outgoing air flow which flows along the arrows 16. Electric energy is generated from said rotational movement by way of the electric generator. A battery of the vehicle can be fed, for example, by way of said electric energy, in order to extend the range in the case of an electric vehicle.

[0036] The exemplary embodiment of figure 6 once again corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of figure 5, with the difference that the air duct 18 with the turbine 28 is arranged downstream of the ventilating valve. The function once again corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of figure 5.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment which is shown in figure 7, a thermocouple 32 which is in thermally conducting contact with the outgoing air flow which flows along the arrows 16 is situated in the air duct 18. Electric energy is generated by the thermocouple 32 by way of the thermal energy which is transmitted in this way, which electric energy can once again be fed to a battery of the vehicle, as illustrated by way of the arrow 34.

[0038] The exemplary embodiment of figure 8 once again corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of figure 7, with the difference that the air duct 18 with the thermocouple 32 is arranged downstream of the ventilating valve. The function once again corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of figure 7.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment which is shown in figure 9, the ventilating flaps 12 are shown in their open position. In the example which is shown, the ventilating flaps 12 comprise a material which generates an electric voltage in the case of the occurrence of a mechanical stress which is caused by way of the flap movement. For example,

piezoelectric materials may be suitable as material. Said movement or stress of the ventilating flaps 12 which is caused by way of the outgoing air flow therefore leads to electric energy which can then once again be fed to a battery of the vehicle, as illustrated in figure 9 by way of the arrow 36.

[0040] The exemplary embodiment which is shown in figure 10 corresponds once again to the exemplary embodiment of figure 9, with the difference that the ventilating duct 18 is arranged downstream of the ventilating valve. The function corresponds once again to the exemplary embodiment of figure 9.

[0041] It is to be noted that the ventilating duct 18 is not absolutely necessary. Notably, this applies to the exemplary embodiments in figures 9 and 10.

[0042] Energy, which is otherwise lost, of the air flow which flows through the ventilating valve can be recovered by way of all exemplary embodiments according to the invention, and the range can thus be increased significantly, for example, in the case of electric vehicles. List of Designations

10 Valve frame

11 Vehicle body part

12 Ventilating flaps

14 Pivot axes

16 Arrows

18 Air duct

20 Heat exchanger

22 Arrows

24 Heat pump

26 Arrows

28 Turbine

30 Arrow

32 Thermocouple

34 Arrow

36 Arrow

Claims

1. A ventilating valve for ventilating the interior compartment of a vehicle, comprising a valve frame (10) with at least one passage opening, and at least one ventilating flap (12) which is mounted on the valve frame (10) and can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position, the at least one ventilating flap (12) closing the at least one passage opening in the closed position and opening the at least one passage opening in the open position, characterized in that the ventilating valve is assigned at least one energy recovery device which recovers energy from an air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening of the ventilating valve.

2. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one energy recovery device comprises at least one heat exchanger (20) which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening.

3. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, furthermore, the at least one heat exchanger (20) is in thermally conducting contact with a battery of the vehicle and/or with fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation device.

4. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the at least one heat exchanger (20) is flowed through by a fluid which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening, which fluid, furthermore, is in thermally conducting contact with the battery of the vehicle and/or with fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation device.

5. The ventilating valve as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one energy recovery device comprises at least one heat pump (24) which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening.

6. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, furthermore, the at least one heat pump (24) is in thermally conducting contact with a battery of the vehicle and/or with fresh air which is fed to the vehicle interior compartment via a ventilation device.

7. The ventilating valve as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one energy recovery device comprises at least one turbine (28) which is arranged in the flow path of the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening, and at least one electric generator which is coupled to the at least one turbine (28).

8. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the at least one electric generator feeds a battery of the vehicle.

9. The ventilating valve as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one energy recovery device comprises at least one thermocouple (32) which is in thermally conducting contact with the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening.

10. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the at least one thermocouple (32) feeds a battery of the vehicle.

11. The ventilating valve as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one energy recovery device comprises at least one element which is moved and/or deformed by way of the air flow which flows through the at least one passage opening, which element generates an electric voltage during its movement and/or deformation.

12. The ventilating valve as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the at least one element is at least one ventilating flap (12) of the ventilating valve.

13. The ventilating valve as claimed in either of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the at least one element is at least one piezoelectric element.

14. The ventilating valve as claimed in one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the at least one element feeds a battery of the vehicle.

15. A vehicle, in particular electric vehicle, having a ventilating valve as claimed in one of the preceding claims which is mounted thereon.