CN116538708A

CN116538708A - Insert for a collector of a refrigerant condenser

Info

Publication number: CN116538708A
Application number: CN202310046834.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 萨沙·翁格尔; 阿德里安·洛苏布; 利斯贝思-露西娅·莱昂斯-基马; 丹尼尔·雷勒; 马丁·卡斯帕; 普拉莫德·帕蒂尔
Original assignee: Mahle International GmbH
Current assignee: Mahle International GmbH
Priority date: 2022-02-02
Filing date: 2023-01-31
Publication date: 2023-08-04
Also published as: DE102022201103A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an insert (21) for a collector (11) of a refrigerant condenser (1), comprising a base body (28) having a separating wall (25) and a seal (29) in the region of the separating wall (25), wherein the separating wall (25) is provided for dividing an interior space (22) of the collector (11) into a lower interior space region (23) associated with a cooling and condensing region (16) and an upper interior space region (24) associated with a supercooling region (17); there is also a riser (26), wherein the dividing wall (25) is connected to the riser (26), wherein the riser (26) is provided for fluidly connecting a lower interior region (23) below the dividing wall (25) to an upper interior region (24) above the dividing wall (25), wherein the seal (29) in the region of the dividing wall (25) is formed as a ring-shaped elastomer element (30) which is injection molded in one piece with the insert (21).

Description

Insert for a collector of a refrigerant condenser

Technical Field

The invention relates to an insert for a collector of a refrigerant condenser and to a refrigerant condenser for a refrigerant circuit, in particular of a motor vehicle.

Background

In motor vehicles, refrigerant circuits are known in which a refrigerant condenser is provided, which has a tube fin block and a collector arranged in the vicinity of the tube fin block. The vaporous refrigerant flows into the condenser, where it is cooled and condensed in the cooling and condensing zone, so that the condensed liquid refrigerant flows from the tube fin block into the accumulator. In the accumulator, the liquid refrigerant is separated from the vapor residue and partially stored, preferably filtered, and again introduced as liquid refrigerant into the tube fin block, so that the liquid refrigerant is further cooled in the supercooling region of the condenser and is further sub-cooled below the condensation temperature. At the end of the subcooling zone, liquid and subcooled refrigerant is discharged from the condenser.

Thus, in the accumulator, a certain amount of refrigerant is collected and stored, and at the same time, the refrigerant passing therethrough is at least filtered. For this purpose, an insert is provided in the tubular collector, which insert is inserted into the collector and takes on the task of filtration.

In principle, condensers are known in the prior art, in which the cooling and condensing zone is arranged above the supercooling zone, so that the tube fin blocks are flown through from top to bottom, which causes in the collector: the liquid refrigerant, together with its vapor residue, flows into the accumulator at the upper part, where it is separated into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, while the liquid refrigerant is pumped in the accumulator at the lower part for flow into the supercooling region. Condensers are also known in the prior art, in which the cooling and condensing zone is arranged below the supercooling zone, so that the tube fin block is flowed through from below upwards, which causes in the collector: the liquid refrigerant together with its vapor residue flows into the accumulator in the lower part, where it is separated into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, and the liquid refrigerant is led upwards into the accumulator for flowing into the supercooling region by means of a riser tube and a dividing wall in the accumulator and is then sucked in the upper part. However, this is premised on the partition wall in the accumulator being closely abutted against the accumulator wall so that the refrigerant sucked up does not flow down through the partition wall again, but rather intentionally leaves the accumulator above the partition wall.

The insert provided for this purpose in the collector is made of plastic by injection molding, so that it can be manufactured at low cost. As sealing means, it is known to injection mold a circumferential sealing web made of insert material onto the circumference of the separating wall, which sealing web is pivotably connected to the separating wall by means of a film hinge. It is also known to provide two such sealing webs spaced apart from one another in order to be able to improve the sealing effect. The sealing web or the two sealing webs have the following advantages: they can be manufactured in one process step with the remaining inserts, which reduces costs, since the material is low cost and a separate installation is dispensed with. However, it has been found that over time the sealing web becomes brittle and does not ensure the required tightness over the service life of the insert. This results in reduced re-supercooling in the case of high operating times, and thus in a reduced power of the air conditioner due to reduced re-cooling of the refrigerant.

Inserts are also known, wherein the injection molded insert has one or two circumferential receptacles in which O-rings are respectively tensioned after the insert has been injection molded. This process is relatively expensive because the corresponding O-ring must be purchased, stored and installed.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to achieve an insert for a collector of a refrigerant condenser and a refrigerant condenser which are improved over the prior art and which are inexpensive and simplified with regard to manufacture and installation.

The stated object with respect to the insert is achieved by means of the features of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention relates to an insert for a collector of a refrigerant condenser, having a base body with a dividing wall and a seal in the region of the dividing wall, wherein the dividing wall is provided for dividing the interior space of the collector into a lower interior space region associated with a cooling and condensing region and an upper interior space region associated with a supercooling region, and further having a riser, wherein the dividing wall is connected to the riser, wherein the riser is provided for fluidly connecting the lower interior space region below the dividing wall with the upper interior space region above the dividing wall, wherein the seal in the region of the dividing wall is configured as an annular elastomer element injection-molded in one piece with the insert. As a result, a permanently elastic sealing element is provided as a seal which does not have to be installed in a troublesome manner, but which nevertheless can be reliably sealed against the inner wall of the collector over the service life of the insert. In this case, it is preferred to injection-mold an elastic material or a thermosetting material, such as rubber, silicone, or the like, in particular, onto the insert in the region of the separating wall, in particular in a two-component injection molding process. The insert is preferably made of a thermoplastic, such as polyamide, polypropylene, acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polylactic acid (PLA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyolefin, polypropylene, etc. in a manner of injection molded as a hard plastic, and the seal is made of an elastic soft plastic.

In one embodiment, the dividing wall and the riser are expediently produced in one piece by injection molding. Thus enabling a simple and low cost installation. Alternatively, the dividing wall and the riser can also be manufactured separately and connected to one another.

It is also advantageous if the separating wall is surrounded by an annular region of the base body, which extends axially from the separating wall, in particular in one or both axial directions from the separating wall. An axially wider base is thus provided on which the seal can be injection moulded in order to be able to provide a more planar contact of the elastomeric material with the base body in the vicinity of the dividing wall.

In addition, in one embodiment, it is also expedient for the base body to form a housing which extends axially from the separating wall in at least one direction, in particular in both directions. It is thus possible to provide a stable structure on the side of the partition wall facing the supercooling region, which can be flowed through. Thus enabling: the partition wall is arranged axially reliably and cannot be displaced to an excessive extent in the axial direction, since the orientation of the partition wall defines a transition to the supercooling region. The housing can also assist in keeping the partition wall from tipping and thereby reducing the effectiveness of the seal.

It is particularly advantageous if the housing forms openings which are filled with a network or grid and serve as sieves and/or filters. Thus also integrating the filtering function or sieving action.

In a further embodiment, it is also expedient for the base body to form at least one annular web which protrudes radially outwards and extends in the circumferential direction in the region of the separating wall, in particular for the base body to form two annular webs which protrude radially outwards and extend in the circumferential direction and are arranged at a distance from one another in the region of the separating wall, wherein the seal is formed in the region of the annular webs or axially between the annular webs and radially beyond one or more of the annular webs. The seal is thus reliably placed on one annular web or between two annular webs and, thanks to the radial projection, still reliably performs the sealing function.

It is also advantageous if the two annular webs form a groove between them, in which groove a seal is provided. The arrangement of the seal can thus be reliably performed, which simplifies the injection molding process. The annular web also serves as a radial stop for placing the insert in the collector. The collector is in principle formed as a tubular collector having an inner wall on which the sealing element is arranged in a sealing manner.

The object relating to the refrigerant condenser is achieved by means of the features of the invention.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a refrigerant condenser having a collector and an insert arranged in the collector, wherein the insert is constructed in accordance with the insert according to the invention.

It is particularly advantageous here if a tube fin block is provided which is formed by a row of tubes and fins arranged between the respective adjacent tubes, and furthermore a first and a second collecting tube are provided, wherein each of the collecting tubes is arranged on one side of the tube fin block, wherein the tubes of the tube fin block each have a tube end on both sides, wherein the tube ends are each fluidically connected to one of the two collecting tubes, wherein the collectors are arranged adjacent to one of the collecting tubes and fluidically connected to the collecting tubes arranged adjacent thereto, and wherein the collectors have a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening for this purpose, which are fluidically connected to the collecting tubes arranged adjacent thereto, such that a first fluid connection leading to the fluid inlet opening is provided by the collecting tubes, through which fluid flows from the collecting tubes into the collectors, and a second fluid connection leading to the fluid outlet opening is provided by the collecting tubes, through which fluid flows from the collectors into the collecting tubes, wherein the tube fin block is divided into a cooling and condensing region and a supercooling region, wherein the two collecting tubes are divided into a cooling and supercooling region by a dividing wall, and a supercooling region, respectively, and a fluid cooling region is arranged over the cooling region and the supercooling region, and a fluid outlet region is arranged above the cooling region, wherein the cooling region is connected to the cooling region and the supercooling region is arranged above the cooling region.

It is also advantageous if the dividing wall of the insert is arranged in the collector such that it serves to divide the interior space of the collector into a lower interior space region associated with the cooling and condensing region and an upper interior space region associated with the supercooling region, wherein the riser of the insert fluidly connects the lower interior space region below the dividing wall with the upper interior space region above the dividing wall in such a way that: the riser is led through or connected to an opening in the partition wall.

Drawings

The basis of the embodiments is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a refrigerant condenser according to the present invention having a collector of the refrigerant cold loop;

fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an insert for a collector of a refrigerant condenser; and

fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-section of the insert according to fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a refrigerant condenser 1 with a collector 11, in particular a collector 11 for a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle.

The refrigerant condenser 1 has a tube fin block 3 composed of a row of tubes 4 and fins 5 provided between respective adjacent tubes 4. The tubes 4 are arranged in at least one row transversely to their longitudinal direction, so that between two adjacent tubes 4, respectively, fins 5 are arranged, which are in each case in thermally conductive contact with the adjacently arranged fins 5. The fins 5 here extend in the longitudinal direction of the tube 4.

The tube fin block 3 also has a first collecting tube 6 and a second collecting tube 7, wherein one of the collecting tubes 6, 7 is provided on each side of the tube fin block 3.

The tubes 4 of the tube fin block 3 each have a tube end 8 on both sides, wherein the tube ends 8 are each in fluid connection with one of the two collecting tubes 6, 7.

The tube fin block 3 has a fluid inlet 9 and a fluid outlet 10. Thus, fluid, such as refrigerant, flows into the refrigerant condenser 1 through the fluid inlet 9, flows through the tube fin block 3, and flows out of the refrigerant condenser 1 again at the fluid outlet 10.

Furthermore, a collector 11 is provided, which is arranged adjacent to one of the collecting pipes 6, 7. In the embodiment shown, the collector 11 is illustratively arranged adjacent to the collection tube 7, which collection tube 7 is provided with a fluid inlet 9 and a fluid outlet 10 with respect to the collection tube 6.

The collector 11 is in fluid connection with a collecting pipe 7 arranged adjacent thereto. For this purpose, the collector 11 has a fluid inlet opening 12 and a fluid outlet opening 13, which are in fluid connection with the collecting pipe 7 arranged adjacent thereto, such that a first fluid connection 14 is provided by the collecting pipe 7 to the fluid inlet opening 12, through which fluid flows from the collecting pipe 7 into the collector 11. Furthermore, a second fluid connection 15 is provided by the collection tube 7 to the fluid outlet opening 13, through which second fluid connection fluid flows from the collector 11 into the collection tube 7.

The tube fin block 3 of the refrigerant condenser 1 is divided into a cooling and condensing region 16 and a supercooling region 17, wherein the two collecting tubes 6, 7 are divided into a collecting tube region 19 of the cooling and condensing region 16 and a collecting tube region 20 of the supercooling region 17 by a partition wall 18, respectively.

Accordingly, the fluid inlet opening 12 of the collector 11 is in fluid connection with the collecting pipe region 19 of the cooling and condensing region 16, while the fluid outlet opening 13 of the collector 11 is in fluid connection with the collecting pipe region 20 of the supercooling region 17.

Here, when the refrigerant condenser is installed according to a specification, for example, in a motor vehicle, the supercooling region 17 is disposed above the cooling and condensing region 16. Accordingly, the refrigerant condenser 1 is flown through by the refrigerant from the bottom to the top, which is also applicable to the accumulator 11.

According to fig. 1, an insert 21 is provided in the collector 11, which divides the interior space 22 of the collector 11 into at least a lower interior space region 23 and an upper interior space region 24.

The insert 21 has a partition wall 25. The partition wall 25 of the insert 21 is provided in the collector 11 such that it serves to divide the interior space 22 of the collector 11 into a lower interior space region 23 associated with the cooling and condensing region 16 and an upper interior space region 24 associated with the supercooling region 17.

On the dividing wall 25, a riser 26 of the insert 21 is provided, which connects the lower interior space region 23 below the dividing wall 25 with the upper interior region 24 above the dividing wall 25 in a fluid manner: the riser 26 is led through an opening 27 in the partition wall 25 or is connected to an opening 27 in the partition wall 25. Thus, the refrigerant can rise from the lower interior space region 23 through the riser 26 into the upper interior space region 24.

The insert 21 is designed in such a way that it is sealed against the inner wall of the collector 11 in the region of the dividing wall 25, so that as little refrigerant as possible can flow from the upper interior region 24 to the lower interior region 23 via the dividing wall 25.

The insert 21 is shown in an advantageous embodiment in fig. 2 and 3.

The insert 21 of the collector 11 of the refrigerant condenser 1 has a base body 28 with a partition wall 25 and a seal 29 in the region of the partition wall 25.

The insert 21 also has a riser 26. In the embodiment shown, the dividing wall 25 is formed in a connecting manner with the riser 26, for example by plugging together, gluing or being produced in one piece.

A riser 26 is provided for fluidly connecting the lower interior space region 23 below the partition wall 25 with the upper interior space region 24 above the partition wall 25.

In order to seal the separating wall 25 against the inner wall of the collector 11, the sealing element 29 in the region of the separating wall 25 is formed as an annular elastomer element 30 which is injection molded in one piece with the insert 21. This allows for uncomplicated manufacture and avoids costly installation.

Preferably, the partition wall 25 and the riser 26 are manufactured in one piece by injection moulding. In this case, the annular elastomer element 30 can be injection-molded onto the injection-molded part of the separating wall 25 and the riser 26 with the base body 28.

The annular elastomer element 30 is formed in cross section such that it has a U-shaped projection 31 radially outwards, which projects in the radial direction and can rest on the inner wall of the collector 11.

The separating wall 25 is surrounded by an annular region 32 of the base body 28, which extends axially from the separating wall 25, in particular in one or both axial directions a from the separating wall 25.

In the region of the separating wall 25, the base body 28 can form at least one radially outwardly projecting annular web 33 extending in the circumferential direction, preferably the base body 28 forms two annular webs 33 in the region of the separating wall 25, which webs are arranged at a distance from one another, extend radially outwardly and extend in the circumferential direction.

The seal 29 is formed in the region of the annular webs 33 or axially between the annular webs 33. The sealing element 29 protrudes radially from the at least one annular web 33 or a plurality of annular webs 33, so that a reliable seal against the inner wall of the collector 11 is possible.

In the embodiment shown, the two annular webs 33 form a groove 34 between them, in which the seal 29 is arranged.

The base body 28 shown in fig. 2 and 3 optionally also forms a housing 35 which extends axially from the separating wall 25 in at least one direction, in particular in both directions. The housing 35 forms an opening 36 which is filled with a network 37 or a grid and serves as a screen and/or filter.

List of reference numerals:

1. refrigerant condenser

3. Tube fin block

4. Pipe

5. Fin type

6. First collecting pipe

7. Second collecting pipe

8. Pipe end

9. Fluid inlet

10. Fluid outlet

11. Collector device

12. Fluid inlet opening

13. Fluid discharge opening

14. First fluid connection

15. Second fluid connection

16. Cooling and condensing zone

17. Supercooling region

18. Partition wall

19. Collecting pipe region

20. Collecting pipe region

21. Insert piece

22. Interior space

23. Lower interior space region

24. Upper interior space region

25. Partition wall

26. Lifting pipe

27. An opening

28. Matrix body

29. Sealing element

30. Elastomer element

31. Protrusions

32. Annular region

33. Annular web

34. Groove(s)

35. Outer cover

36. An opening

37. Network system

Claims

1. An insert (21) for a collector (11) of a refrigerant condenser (1), having a base body (28) with a dividing wall (25) and a seal (29) in the region of the dividing wall (25), wherein the dividing wall (25) is provided for dividing an interior space (22) of the collector (11) into a lower interior space region (23) associated with a cooling and condensing region (16) and an upper interior space region (24) associated with a supercooling region (17), and further having a riser (26), wherein the dividing wall (25) is connected to the riser (26), wherein the riser (26) is provided for fluidly connecting the lower interior space region (23) below the dividing wall (25) with the upper interior space region (24) above the dividing wall (25),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the seal (29) in the region of the separating wall (25) is formed as an annular elastomer element (30) which is injection molded in one piece with the insert (21).

2. The insert (21) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the dividing wall (25) and the riser (260) are manufactured in one piece by injection moulding.

3. The insert (21) according to claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the separating wall (25) is surrounded by an annular region (32) of the base body (28), which extends axially from the separating wall (25), in particular in one or both axial directions from the separating wall (25).

4. An insert (21) as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the base body (28) is designed as a housing (35) which extends axially from the separating wall (25) in at least one direction, in particular in both directions.

5. The insert (21) as claimed in claim 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the housing (35) forms openings (36) which are filled with a network (37) or a grid and serve as screens and/or filters.

6. The insert (21) as set forth in any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the base body (28) in the region of the separating wall (25) forms at least one annular web (33) which protrudes radially outwards and extends in the circumferential direction, in particular the base body (28) in the region of the separating wall (25) forms two annular webs (33) which protrude radially outwards and extend in the circumferential direction and are arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the seal (29) is formed in the region of the annular webs (33) or axially between the annular webs (33) and radially extends beyond one or more of the annular webs (33).

7. The insert (21) according to claim 6,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the two annular webs (33) form a groove (34) therebetween, in which the seal (29) is arranged.

8. A refrigerant condenser (1) having a collector (11) and an insert (21) arranged in the collector (11), wherein the insert (21) is constructed according to at least one of the preceding claims.

9. The refrigerant condenser (1) according to claim 8,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

provided with a tube fin block (3) consisting of a row of tubes (4) and fins (5) arranged between respective adjacent tubes (4), and furthermore the refrigerant condenser is provided with a first collecting tube (6) and a second collecting tube (7), wherein each of the collecting tubes (6, 7) is arranged on one side of the tube fin block (3), wherein the tubes (4) of the tube fin block (3) each have a tube end (8) on both sides, wherein the tube ends (8) are each fluidically connected to one of the two collecting tubes (6, 7), wherein the collector (11) is arranged adjacent to one of the collecting tubes (6, 7) and fluidically connected to the collecting tube (6, 7) arranged adjacent thereto, the collector (11) has a fluid inlet opening (12) and a fluid outlet opening (13) for this purpose, which are fluidically connected to the adjacently arranged collecting tubes (6, 7) such that a fluid connection is provided by the collecting tubes (6, 7) to one of the two collecting tubes (6, 7) through a fluid inlet opening (12) and a fluid connection (15) is provided from the collector (11) through the fluid inlet opening (7), through the second fluid connection, fluid flows from the collector (11) into the collecting pipes (6, 7), wherein the pipe fin block (3) is divided into a cooling and condensing zone (16) and a supercooling zone (17), wherein the two collecting pipes (6, 7) are divided into one collecting pipe zone (19) of the cooling and condensing zone (16) and one collecting pipe zone (20) of the supercooling zone (17) by a separating wall (18), respectively, wherein the fluid inlet opening (12) of the collector (11) is in fluid connection with the collecting pipe zone (19) of the cooling and condensing zone (16), and the fluid outlet opening (13) of the collector (11) is in fluid connection with the collecting pipe zone (20) of the supercooling zone (17), wherein the supercooling zone (17) is arranged above the cooling and condensing zone (16).

10. The refrigerant condenser (1) according to claim 9,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the partition wall (25) of the insert (21) is arranged in the collector (11) such that it serves to divide the interior space (22) of the collector (11) into a lower interior space region (23) associated with the cooling and condensing region (16) and an upper interior space region (24) associated with the supercooling region (17), wherein a riser (26) of the insert (21) fluidly connects the lower interior space region (23) below the partition wall (25) with the upper interior space region (24) above the partition wall (25), in that: the riser (26) is guided through an opening (27) in the partition wall (25) or connected to an opening (27) in the partition wall (25).