Patent Application
20190241132
The document relates to a thermally insulating device for a vehicle, which has a closed hollow space under reduced pressure.
Vehicles consume energy in order to provide a temperature which is pleasant for passengers in the inner vehicle space. Vehicles absorb thermal energy by means of direct or indirect solar radiation or heat radiation from engines and/or exhaust systems. Undesirable heat storage and consequently temperature increase in the inner vehicle space can be counteracted by activating an air-conditioning system which is, however, energy-intensive. Conversely, during winter weather conditions, vehicles transmit thermal energy to the environment. This can be counteracted with a heating of the inner vehicle space, which is also energy-intensive.
An air-conditioning unit is generally provided to cool the temperature in an inner vehicle space within a specific period of time from an (excessively high) temperature which is perceived to be unpleasant down to a comfortable temperature. In order to achieve corresponding desired power levels under all environmental conditions, increasingly efficient air-conditioning systems are provided, with larger compressors in comparison with normal air-conditioning systems (170 cm3 versus 140 cm3), high-power evaporators and condensers, etcetera. However, more efficient air-conditioning systems drive up the vehicles costs, vehicle weight and energy consumption for operating the air-conditioning systems. An object is also to achieve desired power levels with comparatively smaller (conventional) air-conditioning systems.
This object is achieved with a thermally insulating device having the features of the main claim. Additional advantageous embodiments and configurations will be appreciated from the subordinate and dependent claims, the Figures and the embodiments. The embodiments can advantageously be combined with each other.
A first aspect relates to a thermally insulating device for a vehicle. That device comprises at least a first molded component which is constructed at least partially in a planar manner and which is shaped in such a manner that it surrounds a hollow space in an air-tight manner. The device has a first outer side and a first inner side. The inner side faces the hollow space. The hollow space of the device is evacuated, that is to say, it has a pressure reduction.
The device advantageously enables shielding of the inner vehicle space against heat radiation, and in particular against solar radiation. In comparison with conventional devices of, for example, foam or polyester nonwoven, heat conduction and heat flow into the vehicle are significantly reduced as a result of the effect of the non-conducting pressure reduction in the device. Advantageously, less powerful air-conditioning systems are thereby required, whereby in economic terms space, weight and costs can be saved.
The term vehicle is intended to be understood to refer to motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles, trucks, small vans and busses, but also rail-borne vehicles, water-borne vehicles and aircraft.
The term “constructed in a planar manner” means with respect to the molded component that it has significantly higher values in the first and second dimensions (length and width) than in the third (height). That is to say, the molded component comprises a planar material layer. In this instance, the first molded component may be bent along a line in order to form the hollow space and surround it. The device is accordingly also constructed in a planar manner. This is advantageous since it is intended to be arranged on walls of the vehicle without taking up an unfavorably large amount of space.
The term surrounded in an air-tight manner means that the material of the device closes the hollow space in the direction toward the environment and no gas can flow into the pressure reduction. A valve may be arranged in the device in order to enable the pressure reduction by drawing off air or another gas.
In a particularly preferred manner, the first molded component and at least a second molded component (which is constructed at least partially in a planar manner and which has a second outer side and a second inner side) are arranged in such a manner with respect to each other that the inner sides in a state facing each other surround the hollow space. The molded components are connected to each other in an air-tight manner at least at the edges thereof. The dimensions of the device correspond in terms of length and width substantially to those of the first and second molded component. The height of the device is determined by the spacing of the first and second molded components with respect to each other.
There is preferably arranged in the hollow space of the device at least one structural element which supports the structural integrity of the device. In this instance, the structural element advantageously counteracts a potential collapse of the device which could be brought about by the pressure reduction. The structural element acts in this instance in a stabilizing manner.
Preferably, the structural element has at least partially a peak-like protuberance, in which at least two flanks of the structural element taper toward each other. That is to say, the structural element is tapered in an acute manner at one side. In this case, the tip may be constructed in an acute or round manner or flattened. The structural element comprises a material which is suitable for providing the necessary stability.
Preferably, the structural element has a planar construction which is folded in the manner of a harmonica. The structural element comprises in this embodiment not only one peak-like protuberance, but instead a plurality which are arranged beside each other, wherein the tips alternately face the inner side, and wherein the flanks of one peak-like protuberance also constitute the flank of the next peak-like protuberance. Advantageously, the structural element extends in this instance over the entire volume of the hollow space since in this manner the stabilizing effect is provided in a uniform manner for the entire device. It is also possible for the structural element to be constructed in a planar manner, but in this instance to have a different shape from the shape folded in the manner of a harmonica, for example, an undulating form.
In a particularly preferred manner, the structural element has at least one perforation, preferably a plurality of perforations. Consequently, a more effective evacuation of the hollow space is advantageously enabled than without perforations. The perforations are in particular present in the construction of the structural element which is folded in the manner of a harmonica.
Preferably, the material which surrounds the hollow space is connected to each other in addition to the edges at least at one additional location of the hollow space. That is to say, for example, in the embodiment with two molded components, a connection is provided between the first molded component and the second molded component and is located in the center of the hollow space. These additional connections of the material have an advantageous stabilizing effect.
Furthermore, in the edge region of the at least first outer side of the device, there is arranged at least one insulating support. The at least one insulating support is constructed to provide a thermally insulating connection between the device and structures of a vehicle, in which the device is arranged. The insulating support is in this instance arranged in such a manner that it is located at the connection between the device and bodywork components, or at least with components which are directly connected to the bodywork. The said connection may in this instance also be brought about directly by means of the insulating support. In this instance, the insulating support advantageously shields the spaces located between the device and the outer wall of the corresponding vehicle from the inner space of the vehicle. The insulating support has an insulating material, for example, a polymer, for example, a polyester nonwoven, a polystyrene foam or similar advantageous material.
The material of the molded components which form the device may comprise any advantageous material. Preferably, the material of the molded components comprises a polymer material, including in particular a thermoplastic plastics material, in particular polypropylene. In a particularly advantageous manner, a reinforced polymer, in this context also reinforced polypropylene, is used. Polymer materials are advantageously light, stable and suitable for shaping by means of blow molding.
A second aspect relates to a use of the device for arrangement on the inner side of a wall which delimits a vehicle toward the outer side.
A third aspect relates to a vehicle having or incorporating a device as described herein. The advantages of the vehicle correspond in this instance to those of the device.
The thermally insulating device is explained in greater detail with reference to the Figures, in which:
The device 2 is connected in
At the connection locations between the device 2 and the front bar 5 or the rear bar 6, an insulating support 7 is arranged in each case. The insulating support 7 serves to provide a thermally insulating connection between the device 2 and the bodywork. The insulating support has a thermally insulating material, for example, a polymer, for example, a polyester nonwoven, a polystyrene foam or other advantageous material. The connection between the insulating support and the device 2 and the bars 5, 6 can be brought about by means of adhesive bonding, screwing, riveting or other possibilities known to the person skilled in the art. The insulating support 7 is provided as part of the device 2, is thus provided in a state connected to the device 2 for arrangement in a vehicle.
In
The portion of the arrangement 1 highlighted in
The first molded component 21 has a first inner side 211 and a first outer side 212. The second molded component 22 has a second inner side 221 and a second outer side 222.
The molded components 21, 22 are connected to each other by means of a weld connection. For stable connection by means of welding, a weld flange 23 is formed on both molded components 21, 22. The insulating support 7 is arranged at the outer side 212 of the weld flange 23 of the first molded component 21.
A hollow space 24 is formed between the molded components 21, 22 as a result of the shape of the molded components. The hollow space 24 is characterized by a pressure reduction. The pressure reduction may, for example, be produced by means of suction of air from the hollow space 24 through a valve which is not shown.
In order to stabilize the device 2, that is to say, to prevent a collapse of the molded components 21, 22 by the pressure reduction, a structural element 25 is arranged between the molded components 21, 22. The structural element 25 shown in
The material of the structural element 25 is a material which is suitable for constructing a stable arrangement, for example, a natural substance, a polymer or a metal material. It may, for example, comprise the same material as the molded components 21, 22 of the device.
In
The structural element 25 extends, as shown in
In another embodiment, the device 2 may be constructed in such a manner that the first molded component 21 and the second molded component 22 in addition to the edges are connected to each other at least at one additional location. That is to say, the molded components 21, 22 have connections 27 to each other through the hollow space 24. In this instance, the connections may be constructed in such a manner that they extend over the entire width of the device 2 (
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102018201908.8 | Feb 2018 | DE | national |
