Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
A VEHICLE WITH A FLOOR HEATING ARRANGEMENT
Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle having a vehicle body
and an interior
for transporting passengers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method
for operating
such a vehicle.
Known prior art
[0002] In general, vehicles for transporting passengers are known, for
example
embodied as a public transport vehicle, in particular as trams, underground
trains,
commuter trains, buses, etc. The interiors of such vehicles are elaborately
air-conditioned,
such that the comfort for passengers is optimized.
[0003] In addition, the aforementioned vehicles comprise numerous
devices which
generate heat during operation. In this respect, it is necessary to enable a
controlled
dissipation of this heat to protect the devices from overheating.
[0004] The German patent application DE 10 2010 056 208 Al discloses a
method for
heating an interior of a vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a fuel cell, a
climate
measuring device by means of which a climate parameter of the interior of the
motor
vehicle is measured, and a heat transfer device for transferring heat. This
makes it possible
to heat the interior by regulating the heat generation of the fuel cell in
dependence on the
climate parameter.
Disadvantages of the prior art
[0005] However, the previously known technical solutions and embodiments
are
either designed in a very complex manner, do not allow for efficient energy
use or discharge
and/or have ergonomic shortcomings.
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Problem
[0006] The problem underlying the present invention therefore is to
provide a vehicle
that uses the energy supplied in an efficient manner and at the same time can
prevent or
at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.
Solution according to the invention
[0007] The aforementioned problem is solved by a vehicle and/or by a method
according
to the present disclosure. Further embodiments of said subject matter arise
from the
dependent claims and/or additionally discussed embodiments.
[0008] According to an embodiment, the vehicle comprises a vehicle body
having an
interior, which is supported on a surface in a moveable manner, for example by
means of
individual wheels or bogies. Furthermore, an interior with a floor is
provided, in which
sitting and/or standing passengers can be accommodated. Such a vehicle can be
a public
transit vehicle, such as a bus, tram, commuter train, underground train, local
train or
express train.
[0009] Furthermore, the vehicle comprises at least one heat-producing
component. In
particular, the vehicle has a traction motor, in particular an electric
traction motor, an
electric energy storage, a charging device for the same, power electronic
arrangements, in
particular for the traction motor, an on-board power converter for providing a
specific on-
board power voltage, a braking resistor for dissipating excess electrical
energy and/or a
compressor for providing a pressurized process medium. Such components have in
common that they convert a certain proportion of received primary energy into
heat
energy to be dissipated ¨ hereinafter referred to as exhaust heat. According
to a design,
the component is cooled by means of a liquid.
[0010] In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a heat dissipation
arrangement for the
targeted dissipation of heat to an environment of the vehicle. This heat
dissipation
arrangement is connected to the component via an exhaust heat circuit, such
that exhaust
heat from the component can be transported via the exhaust heat circuit to the
heat
dissipation arrangement and discharged to the environment there.
[0011] In addition, a floor heating arrangement for heating the floor is
provided in the
region of the floor of the vehicle. It may be connected, among other things,
to a heating
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circuit, which is designed to transport heat from a heat-generating component,
in particular
exhaust heat from one of the aforementioned components into the floor heating
arrangement. This allows the floor of the vehicle, in particular the surface
of the floor, to
be heated.
[0012] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the floor heating
arrangement
has an independent heating device, which can provide heat for heating the
floor
independently of the component.
[0013]
Furthermore, the vehicle comprises an adjustment device for adjusting a
heating capacity of the floor heating arrangement. In particular, the
adjustment device is
designed to adjust the heat transport from the component to the floor heating
arrangement and/or to the heat dissipation arrangement.
[0014]
Principally, the vehicle comprises a dampness detecting arrangement for
determining a dampness of the floor. Therein, the dampness detecting
arrangement may
be equipped with and/or connected to elements in the vehicle, such that a
signal can be
generated by the dampness detecting arrangement, which represents the degree
of
dampness of the floor and/or the presence of water on the floor. The signal
may be binary,
such that a first expression of the signal represents a damp and/or wet floor
and a second
expression represents a dry and/or less damp floor.
[0015]
According to a specific design of the dampness detecting arrangement, the
degree of dampness of the floor can be quantifiable at least in discrete steps
and can be
represented by the signal accordingly.
[0016] In
addition, the control arrangement for controlling the adjustment device and
for receiving data from the dampness detecting arrangement is connected to the
same
devices. Furthermore, the control arrangement is designed in such a manner
that it can at
least derive a drying criterion from the received signal of the dampness
detecting
arrangement. Therein, the drying criterion represents whether the degree of
dampness of
the floor is acceptable or whether measures must be taken against the
moisture. According
to an embodiment, the drying criterion may take two states (positive and
negative drying
criterion), wherein the degree of dampness of the floor is acceptable in the
presence of a
negative drying criterion and no countermeasures need to be taken. On the
other hand, a
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positive drying criterion shows that the floor is too damp and, consequently,
countermeasures, in particular drying measures, must be taken.
[0017]
Accordingly, the control arrangement and the adjustment device are
configured such that the floor heating arrangement is activated when the
positive drying
criterion is present. In particular, the control arrangement and the
adjustment device are
configured and connected such that, in the presence of a defined, in
particular positive,
drying criterion, a heat transport from the component to the floor heating
arrangement is
carried out.
[0018] For
the first time, such a vehicle achieves a significant increase in passenger
comfort and safety by being able to dry the floor of the vehicle as needed, in
particular
automatically, by activating the floor heating arrangement. Thus, if it is
determined that
the dampness of the floor exceeds an acceptable threshold ¨ for example, if
the floor
otherwise were to become too slippery or a corresponding coefficient of
friction were to
drop below a certain threshold ¨ the floor is heated such that undesirable
moisture/dampness of the floor evaporates and is released into the interior.
This effectively
prevents moisture, ice and/or snow from accumulating in the interior. This
leads to a
significant reduction in the risk of slipping and falling for passengers.
[0019]
According to an embodiment, the vehicle is a so-called electrically operated
multi-system vehicle, which has an external power supply and an independent
internal
power supply. The external power supply can be carried out by means of a
pantograph via
an overhead line or a power rail. The internal power supply can be realized by
means of an
electrical energy storage, for example a battery or suitable capacitors, and
by a charging
device for the same. Such a multifunctional vehicle can be operated
independently both on
a non-electrified line and on an electrified line.
[0020] According to an embodiment, the dampness detecting arrangement
comprises
at least one dampness sensor for detecting moisture on the floor. For example,
such a
dampness sensor can allow for conclusions on the degree of dampness of the
floor by
means of resistance measurement. Therein, it is conceivable to check multiple
areas of the
vehicle floor, in particular in a door area of the vehicle, for the presence
of moisture.
[0021] Additional or alternatively, the dampness detecting arrangement or
the vehicle
may have a rain sensor for detecting rain in the environment of the vehicle.
The mere
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knowledge of whether or not it is raining in the immediate environment of the
vehicle
allows for a drying criterion to be determined, especially in the case of
vehicles with a high
frequency of stops and passenger exchanges.
[0022] It
might be useful to determine or estimate the number of passengers boarding
in this context. The determination of the drying criterion could then proceed
as follows: As
soon as it rains beyond a certain threshold at a stop of a vehicle, and a
certain threshold
number of passengers is exceeded, the drying criterion would have to be able
to be
determined in such a manner that the floor would have to be dried (positive
drying criterion
is present).
[0023] In extension of the basic principle, it is proposed to be able to
connect the
dampness detecting arrangement with external data sources on the weather
condition of
the environment of the vehicle. For example, data from a rain radar, analogous
to the rain
sensor, can be used to determine or estimate whether it is raining in the
immediate
environment of the vehicle.
[0024] According to a further embodiment, the vehicle comprises a first
humidity
measuring device for measuring a humidity in the interior of the vehicle
and/or a first
temperature measuring device for measuring an interior temperature. These
measuring
devices can be associated with the dampness detecting arrangement in such a
manner that
a conclusion can be drawn on the basis of these data about the dampness status
of the
.. floor. In particular, measurement results on temperature and humidity in
the interior in
combination with the previously described sensors and/or data could allow for
precise
statements on the dampness status of the floor, such that the drying criterion
can be
precisely determined.
[0025]
Measurement data on temperature and/or moisture in the interior can be used
.. particularly advantageously if the vehicle has an air conditioning
arrangement for
manipulating the interior temperature and/or moisture in the interior. In
particular, the
control arrangement may be connected to the air conditioning arrangement in
such a
manner that the air conditioning arrangement performs measures for drying the
air in the
interior when the humidity exceeds a certain threshold value. This threshold
value may in
turn depend on the temperature in the interior.
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[0026] This
means that, on the one hand, the floor of the interior can be dried by
means of the floor heating arrangement if a positive drying criterion is
present, i.e., if the
floor is too damp. The moisture that then evaporates into the interior is in
turn dissipated
into the environment by means of the air conditioning arrangement. In this
way, the floor
can be dried in a targeted manner, but an increase in the humidity in the
interior is
effectively avoided. This ensures comfort for passengers in the interior while
increasing
travel safety.
[0027] It is
furthermore conceivable to provide a second humidity measuring device
for measuring a humidity of the environment of the vehicle and/or a second
temperature
measuring device for measuring an ambient temperature.
[0028] All
or part of said measuring devices are connected to the control arrangement
of the vehicle at least for exchanging data or for transferring data to the
control
arrangement.
[0029]
Furthermore, the vehicle comprises a process medium for transporting the heat
of the component into the heating circuit and/or into the exhaust heat
circuit. The process
medium can be a liquid at least during a heat transfer from the component to
the process
medium.
[0030] In
the context of this invention, the terms "heating circuit" and "exhaust heat
circuit" do not necessarily have to be interpreted as circuits which are
closed within
themselves, but can also refer to functional portions of a fluid circuit. For
example, if heat
is transported from the component to the floor heating arrangement, the
process medium
circulates in a, preferably closed, circuit between a component heat exchanger
of the
component and a heat exchanger of the floor heating arrangement. Alternatively
formulated, the process medium in this case circulates between the heating
circuit and the
component. When the heat of the component is transported to the heat
dissipation
arrangement, the process medium circulates between the component and the
exhaust
heat circuit.
[0031]
According to a preferred embodiment, a fluid circuit with a phase transition
of
the process medium is provided, wherein the heating circuit and/or the exhaust
heat circuit
is/are at least part of the fluid circuit. In particular, the heating circuit
and/or exhaust heat
circuit is/are designed as a fluid circuit with a phase transition of the
process medium.
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Accordingly, at least one condensing device and a gasification device may be
provided in
the heating circuit and/or in the exhaust heat circuit and/or at an
appropriate location in
an involved (partial) fluid circuit. In this way, the heat transport can be
optimized such that,
for example, the component is cooled to a greater extent, a higher heating
capacity is
achieved for the floor heating arrangement and/or more heat can be emitted via
the heat
dissipation arrangement.
[0032]
According to an embodiment, the adjustment device may comprise at least one
fluid manipulator, in particular however, at least two fluid manipulators.
These can be used
to influence whether the process medium circulates between the heating circuit
and the
component and/or between the exhaust heat circuit and the component.
[0033]
According to a specific embodiment, the adjustment device is equipped with
fluid manipulators in such a manner that different operating states for
heating circuit
and/or exhaust heat circuit can be achieved.
[0034]
According to a first operating state, the process medium circulates
exclusively
between the component and the heating circuit, such that exhaust heat of the
component
is dissipated exclusively via the heating circuit and the floor heating
arrangement.
[0035]
According to a second operating state, the heating circuit is decoupled from
the
heat supply. The process medium thus circulates exclusively between the
component and
the exhaust heat circuit.
[0036] If the system is in the first or second operating state, the heating
circuit and the
exhaust heat circuit are at least materially separated from each other, such
that the exhaust
heat circuit is deactivated in the first operating state, and the heating
circuit is deactivated
in the second operating state.
[0037]
According to an embodiment, the adjustment device can control the fluid
manipulator in such a manner that, according to a third operating state, the
heating circuit
and the exhaust heat circuit are operated in parallel. The process medium
flowing through
a component heat exchanger of the component is therefore fed by a fluid
manipulator into
the heating circuit and/or into the exhaust heat circuit, as needed, wherein
the process
medium is combined again downstream of the floor heating arrangement or the
heat
dissipation arrangement. The third operating state is particularly
advantageous if the
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component provides more exhaust heat than the floor heating arrangement or the
heat
dissipation arrangement could dissipate on their own.
[0038]
Furthermore, according to a further additional or alternative embodiment, the
adjustment device may be designed such that the process medium is applied to
the floor
heating arrangement and the heat dissipation arrangement in series. In this
fourth
operating state, fluid manipulators are provided in such a manner that the
heating circuit
and exhaust heat circuit are at least partially connected in series.
[0039]
According to an optional embodiment of one or more of the designs described
above for different operating states, the process medium undergoes a phase
transition
from liquid to gaseous and back at a suitable location. In particular, it is
conceivable that
the process medium has a temperature of 40 C to 50 C downstream of the
condensing
device.
[0040] As
the process medium is also handled with a phase transition during operation
according to the fourth operating state, the serial configuration of the
heating circuit and
exhaust heat circuit can lead to a further improvement of the overall effect.
In particular, a
condensing device shall be provided upstream of the floor heating arrangement
in terms
of flow, such that the energy added to the process medium by means of
compression and
condensing can be released into the interior via the floor heating arrangement
in the form
of heat for drying. A gasification device should be placed downstream of the
floor heating
arrangement in terms of flow and upstream of the heat dissipation arrangement.
In this
manner, the condensation of the process medium would take place at least
partially within
the heat dissipation arrangement, such that it would absorb heat energy from
the
environment of the vehicle in the fourth operating state. In such a fourth
operating state,
the heat dissipation arrangement acts as a heat absorption device. After the
process
medium has passed through this heat absorption device, it is fed back to the
component in
a preheated state, where it is further heated up by the component heat
exchanger.
[0041]
Furthermore, a method for operating a vehicle according to one of the
preceding embodiments is disclosed, which includes at least the following
steps:
[0042] The
dampness detecting arrangement is used to determine the dampness,
especially the degree of dampness, of the floor in the vehicle interior. This
may also mean
that the degree of dampness of the floor is estimated on the basis of indirect
data, for
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example by checking whether it is raining in the environment of the vehicle
and whether a
certain number of passengers (e.g., with wet shoes) have boarded.
[0043] The drying criterion or a state of the drying criterion is
determined at least
partially dependent on the detected dampness of the floor, or depending on a
signal of the
dampness detecting arrangement. In the presence of a positive drying
criterion, the
adjustment device, in particular at least one fluid manipulator of the
adjustment device, is
controlled by the control arrangement in such a manner that a heat transport
takes place
from the component to the floor heating arrangement. If necessary, it is
checked in
advance whether the component is in an operating state in which excess heat is
to be
dissipated.
[0044] According to a further embodiment of the method, it is disclosed
that the air
conditioning arrangement, in particular during an operation of the floor
heating
arrangement, is controlled in such a manner that the humidity in the interior
of the vehicle
does not exceed a certain threshold value. In particular, the threshold value
may also
depend on the humidity and/or temperature of the environment, and/or on the
temperature in the interior.
[0045] The embodiments described above can be combined as desired, but
in
particular in a meaningful manner from the point of view of the person skilled
in the art;
for example, it is conceivable that the vehicle has multiple heat-emitting
components,
which in connection with one or multiple of the preceding embodiments release
exhaust
heat into the corresponding system or into the fluid circuit. Depending on the
requirements, these components or their heat exchangers can be sensibly
grouped, or may
be arranged serially and/or in parallel.
Short description of the drawings
[0046] The enclosed drawing illustrates an embodiment and, together with
the
description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. The elements
of the drawing
are shown relative to each other and not necessarily true to scale.
[0047] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.
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Exemplary embodiments
[0048] Fig.
1 is used to represent an exemplary design of an embodiment of a vehicle
1. Vehicle 1 is embodied as a tram supported by rails 5 with a pantograph 7.
By means of
the pantograph 7, a supply of electrical components, in particular of a
traction motor 13,
an electrical energy storage 11, a charging device 15 and of power electronic
devices 12
with electrical energy is ensured, wherein the power lines and further control
and switching
elements which may be required for this purpose are not shown here.
[0049] A
vehicle body 3 of the vehicle 1 forms an interior 4 with a floor 6, wherein
the
interior 4 is designed for the standing and/or seated transport of passengers,
and may
further comprise a door arrangement (not shown) for boarding and disembarking,
and/or
a driver's cab.
[0050] A
floor heating arrangement 20 is installed in the floor 6 or in the immediate
vicinity thereof, which can release a heat for drying Q2 into the interior 4
via the surface of
the floor 6. For this purpose, the floor heating arrangement 20 may at least
in portions have
a heating circuit 21, which is connected in terms of flow to a heat exchanging
device 10 of
the electrical component for heat transport.
[0051] In
this context, it should be noted that the special representation of a heat
exchanging device 10 of an electrical component is not to be understood in a
limiting
manner. Rather, the heat exchanging device 10 optionally also represents a
parallel and/or
serial combination of multiple individual heat exchangers, for example the
traction motor
13, the electric energy storage 11, the charging device 15, the power
electronic devices 12
and/or a braking resistor 14.
[0052] These
electrical components and the heat exchanging device 10 can be
designed and arranged in such a manner that an exhaust heat Q1 of the
electrical
component is transferable to a process medium of the heat exchanging device
10.
[0053] In
the embodiment shown, the heat exchanging device 10 can be connected in
series to the heating circuit 21 by means of suitable lines and fluid
manipulators 24 and 25.
[0054] In
addition, the heat exchanging device 10 can be connected serially with a heat
dissipation arrangement 22 by means of suitable lines and fluid manipulators
24 and 25.
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[0055] The
fluid manipulators 24 and 25 are part of an adjustment device for adjusting
the floor heating arrangement 20, and can be embodied as three-way valves,
which can
distribute a mass flow of the process medium to different lines according to
demand.
[0056] In
the present example, a condensing device 26 and a gasification device 27 are
effectively provided in the fluid circuit, such that ¨ upon selection of a
suitable process
medium ¨a two-phase operation of the process medium is made possible.
Regardless, this
embodiment is not to be understood restrictively. In particular, the
gasification device 27
and the condensing device 26 can be omitted, wherein the corresponding fluid
circuit
operates in an analogous manner, but without the advantageous energy
absorption and
transfer characteristics of a two-phase operation.
[0057]
Furthermore, the vehicle 1 comprises a control arrangement 30 which, at least
for the purpose of data reception, is connected to a dampness sensor 31 of the
floor 6, to
a first humidity measuring device 32 and a first temperature measuring device
33 of the
interior 4, to a second humidity measuring device 34 and a second temperature
measuring
device 35 for the environment of the vehicle 2 and to a rain sensor 36 of the
vehicle body
3. Furthermore, the control arrangement 30 may be equipped with means for
receiving
external data, in particular weather data, for example from the Internet. The
connection of
the control arrangement 30 to the aforementioned sensors is not to be
understood
restrictively, but such connections are to be provided meaningfully depending
on the
exemplary embodiment or operating state.
[0058] The
control arrangement 30 is connected in an appropriate manner via control
connections (not shown here) to fluid manipulators 24, 25, the condensing
device 26, to a
pump (not shown) of the fluid circuit, to a temperature sensor of the heat
exchanging
device 10, etc.
[0059] In the following, aspects of different operating states, embodiments
and
method steps are described on the basis of the concrete example according to
Fig. 1:
[0060] After
an exhaust heat Q1 of the heat-emitting components has been applied to
the process medium in the heat exchanging device 10, the process medium is
transferred
into the corresponding fluid circuit ¨ depending on the operating state. A
pump can be
provided for this purpose.
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[0061]
According to an embodiment with a first operating state, the fluid manipulator
24 of the adjustment device is switched such that the entire process medium is
fed to the
condensing device 26. The process medium, which is then liquid and is
additionally heated
by the condensing, next passes through the heating circuit 21 and releases the
heat for
drying 02 to the floor 6 in a heat exchanger of the heating circuit 21 and
heats the same.
As a result, liquid from the floor 6 evaporates into the interior 4.
Downstream of the heating
circuit 21, the liquid process medium passes through the gasification device
27 and is
conveyed back to the heat exchanging device 10 of the component via an
appropriately
switched fluid manipulator 25 (and via a return node 29). The gasification
device 27 causes
a cooling of the process medium, such that an increased temperature gradient
exists
between the process medium and the component dissipating the exhaust heat Q1
in the
heat exchanging device 10.
[0062] In a
second operating state, the entire process medium is guided by means of
a corresponding position of the fluid manipulator 24 to the exhaust heat
circuit 23 of the
heat dissipation arrangement 22 of the vehicle 1 and from there back into the
heat
exchanging device 10. The heating circuit 21 is thus insulated and decoupled.
Thus, the
exhaust heat Q1 of the component could be dissipated into the environment of
the vehicle
2 in the form of heat Q3 dissipated by the heat dissipation arrangement 22.
[0063]
Regarding the second operating state, it is conceivable ¨ although this is not
shown in Fig. 1 ¨ to meaningfully introduce a condensing device and a
gasification device
into the fluid circuit and/or into the exhaust heat circuit, such that a two-
phase operation
is possible even in pure cooling mode of the heat dissipation arrangement 22.
[0064]
According to a third operating state, the heating circuit 21 of the floor
heating
arrangement 20 and the exhaust heat circuit 23 of the heat dissipation
arrangement 22 are
operated parallel to the heat exchanging device 10. A suitable adjustment of
the first fluid
manipulator 24, and, if applicable, also the second fluid manipulator 25,
leads to a portion
of the process medium flowing through the heating circuit 21, another portion
of the
process medium through the exhaust heat circuit 23. Downstream of the floor
heating
arrangement 20 and the heat dissipation arrangement 22, both circuits can be
combined
again in the return node 29, whereupon the entire, combined process medium is
fed back
to the heat exchanging device 10.
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[0065] The
third operating state allows for an optimal operating point to be set
depending on the quantity of available exhaust heat 01, depending on the
heating and/or
drying needs of the interior 4 and/or depending on the capacity of the heat
dissipation
arrangement 22. It may be possible that the third operating state could be
realized either
completely without two-phase operation or with two-phase operation in both
circuits
arranged in parallel. Accordingly, it could be useful to provide the
condensing device and
the gasification device in single or multiple instances.
[0066] An
operational arrangement according to a fourth operating state involves
switching the fluid manipulators 24 and 25 in such a manner that the heating
circuit 21 and
the exhaust heat circuit 23 are switched essentially in series. Accordingly,
the process
medium would be routed through the fluid manipulator 24 exclusively into the
heating
circuit 21. Following this, based on an appropriate switching of the fluid
manipulator 25,
the process medium would be guided exclusively and completely through the
exhaust heat
circuit 23 or through the heat dissipation arrangement 22. Subsequently, the
process
medium is returned to the heat exchanging device 10.
[0067]
Depending on the operating point and temperature gradient or depending on
whether the process medium is used in one or two phases, the exhaust heat
device 22
would release heat 03 into the environment of the vehicle 2 or alternatively
even absorb
heat 04 from the environment of the vehicle 2. The latter would effectively
convert the
exhaust heat device 22 into a heat absorption device:
[0068] Now
that the process medium is fed through the condensing device 26 to the
heating circuit 21 and flows through the same, the process medium, which flows
out of the
gasification device 27 to the device 22, would be able to absorb heat 04 from
the
environment of the vehicle 4. This increases the temperature level of the
process medium
overall, which could effectively increase the heating performance of the floor
heating
arrangement 20.
[0069] The
description of different operating states is not necessarily to be understood
in such a manner that an embodiment must be able to assume all operating
states. Rather,
the operating states serve to present different and independent embodiments of
the
vehicle as an example, wherein an exemplary embodiment may only realize a
single
operating state or multiple operating states.
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[0070] The
control arrangement 30 controls connected components, in particular the
fluid manipulators 24 and 25, for realizing the different operating states
depending on the
drying needs of the floor 6. The drying needs are determined by a dampness
detecting
arrangement for determining a dampness of the floor 6 and/or by determining a
drying
criterion. For this purpose, the control arrangement 30 is connected to
temperature and
humidity sensors 32, 33, 34 and 35 and to a dampness sensor 31 of the floor 6.
Furthermore, the control arrangement can be connected to the rain sensor 36.
The control
arrangement 30 is able to determine the drying criterion on the basis of
individual data or
a plurality of the data received in this manner. In the presence of a positive
drying criterion,
the floor heating arrangement 20 is activated, which causes a drying of the
floor 6 by means
of heat for drying Q2. Accordingly, the fluid manipulator 24 could be
controlled by the
control arrangement 30, such that the heated process medium is fed from the
heat
exchanging device 10 to the heating circuit 21.
[0071]
Although a specific embodiment has been presented and described herein, it is
within the scope of the present invention to appropriately modify the
embodiment shown,
without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention. For
example, the
fluid circuit of the vehicle 1 can be designed with or without an optional
phase transition
of the process medium (liquid-gaseous). In such a case, the condensing device
26 and the
gasification device 27 would be omitted from the fluid circuit of Fig. 1, or
there could be
switchable, bypass connections arranged in parallel for the condensing device
26 and the
gasification device 27, such that the fluid circuit is operated exclusively
with a liquid or
gaseous process medium. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 shown here can be designed
as a bus
with a power supply by means of an overhead line (trolley bus), instead of as
a tram. The
following claims represent a first, non-binding attempt to define the
invention in general.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-14
CA 03120040 2021-05-14 24415N-
CA
- 15 -
Reference numbers
1 vehicle Q1 exhaust heat
2 environment of the vehicle 02 heat for drying
3 vehicle body Q3 dissipated heat
4 interior of the vehicle space 04 absorbed heat
rail
6 floor
7 pantograph
8 air conditioning arrangement
component heat exchanger
11 electrical energy storage
12 power electronic device
13 traction motor
14 braking resistor
charging device
floor heating arrangement
21 heating circuit
22 heat dissipation arrangement
23 exhaust heat circuit
24 first fluid manipulator
second fluid manipulator
26 condensing device
27 gasification device
28 inlet node
29 return node
control arrangement
31 humidity sensor
32 first humidity measuring device (inside)
33 first temperature measuring device (inside)
34 second humidity measuring device (outside)
second temperature measuring device
(outside)
36 rain sensor
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-14
