Electric coolant pump

Abstract

An electric coolant pump may include at least one first coolant inlet, at least one second coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and a valve device. The valve device may be configured to, based on a selected operating point and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet. The valve device may be integrated in a body of the coolant pump.

1 . An electric coolant pump comprising:
 at least one first coolant inlet, at least one second coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet; and   a valve device configured to, based on a selected operating point and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet;   wherein the valve device is integrated in a body of the coolant pump.   
     
     
         2 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in a first operating point, the coolant pump is switched off and the at least one first coolant inlet is open. 
     
     
         3 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 in a second operating point, the coolant pump has a rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet is open and the at least one second coolant inlet is closed;
 in a third operating point, the coolant pump has a second rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet are open; and 
 in a fourth operating point, the coolant pump has a third rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet is closed and the at least one second coolant inlet is open. 
   
     
     
         4 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the valve device includes a valve body, and wherein at least one of:
 in the first operating point and the second operating point, the valve body is arranged in a first position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one second coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet;   in the third operating point, the valve body is arranged in a second position, in which the valve body uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet; and   in the fourth operating point, the valve body is arranged in a third position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one first coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one second coolant inlet.   
     
     
         5 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve device is continuously adjustable based on a rotational speed of the coolant pump. 
     
     
         6 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the valve body is structured as a valve piston and is adjustable in a translatory manner. 
     
     
         7 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a spring device prestressing the valve body in the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor and a control device communicatively connected thereto configured to control a power of the coolant pump based on a temperature of the coolant. 
     
     
         9 . A motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a heat exchanger, and a coolant pump, the coolant pump including:
 at least one first coolant inlet, at least one second coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet; and   a valve device configured to at least one of open and close at least one of the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet based on a selected operating point of the coolant pump and a pressure in a coolant, the valve device integrated in a body of the coolant pump;   wherein the at least one first coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are connected to the internal combustion engine, and the at least one second coolant inlet is connected to the radiator.   
     
     
         10 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising an electric motor and an electrical energy accumulator, wherein the coolant pump further includes at least one third coolant inlet connected to at least one of the electric motor and the electrical energy accumulator. 
     
     
         11 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one third coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are connected to at least one of the electric motor and the electrical energy accumulator, and the at least one second coolant inlet is connected to the radiator. 
     
     
         12 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a temperature-regulated valve which is configured to, at a limit temperature, open a bypass between the coolant outlet and the at least one second coolant inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein:
 in a first operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump is switched off and the at least one first coolant inlet is open;   in a second operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet is open and the at least one second coolant inlet is closed;   in a third operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a second rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet are open; and   in a fourth operating point of the coolant pump, the coolant pump has a third rotational speed at which the at least one first coolant inlet is closed and the at least one second coolant inlet is open.   
     
     
         14 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the valve device includes a valve body, and wherein at least one of:
 in the first operating point and the second operating point, the valve body is arranged in a first position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one second coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet;   in the third operating point, the valve body is arranged in a second position, in which the valve body uncovers the at least one first coolant inlet and the at least one second coolant inlet; and   in the fourth operating point, the valve body is arranged in a third position, in which the valve body blocks the at least one first coolant inlet and uncovers the at least one second coolant inlet.   
     
     
         15 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the valve device is continuously adjustable based on a rotational speed of the coolant pump. 
     
     
         16 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the valve body is structured as a valve piston and is adjustable in a translatory manner. 
     
     
         17 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a spring device prestressing the valve body in the first position. 
     
     
         18 . The motor vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a temperature sensor and a control device communicatively connected thereto configured to control a power of the coolant pump based on a temperature of the coolant. 
     
     
         19 . An electric coolant pump comprising:
 a plurality of first coolant inlets, a plurality of second coolant inlets, and a coolant outlet; and   a valve device configured to, based on a selected operating point and a pressure in a coolant, at least one of open and close at least one of i) at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets and ii) at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets;   wherein the valve device is integrated in a body of the coolant pump.   
     
     
         20 . The coolant pump as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein:
 in a first operating point, the coolant pump is switched off and at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets is open;   in a second operating point, the coolant pump has a rotational speed at which at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets is open and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets is closed;   in a third operating point, the coolant pump has a second rotational speed at which at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets are open; and   in a fourth operating point, the coolant pump has a third rotational speed at which at least one of the plurality of first coolant inlets is closed and at least one of the plurality of second coolant inlets is open.