EP2244044A2 - Condenser and heat pump and household appliance with such a condenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The condenser (2) has a coolant line (6) through which coolant passes. The coolant line itself, or at least a considerable part of its, is made in the form of cooling fins on a flattened guide tube (12). This tube has a width-length ration from 1:3 to 1:30, preferably 1:5 to 1:20 and ideally 1.7 to 1.15. The coolant line may consist of several micro-tubes alongside each other.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a condenser (condenser), and a heat pump and a household appliance with such a condenser.

STATE OF THE ART

Condenser, as used for example in condensation dryers, refrigerators, refrigerators / freezers or freezers, have a pipe in which a coolant flows. The pipe or coolant line is provided on its outer side with cooling fins, via which air can be moved by means of a cooling air blower. The cooling fins are usually made of a large number of thin aluminum sheet fins that need to be extra attached to the outside of the pipe or coolant line, which is done for example by brazing. The production of such condenser with cooling fins is therefore quite complex and expensive. Due to their filigree construction, the thin fins of the cooling fins are also easy to damage and settle quickly with dust or other impurities.

From the DE 44 09 607 C2 For example, a condenser of the type described above is known.

This document also discloses a condensation clothes dryer with such a condenser. The condensation clothes dryer has a closed process air circuit in which drying air can be supplied via an air inlet of a drying chamber by means of a blower, via an air outlet from this can be discharged, to dehumidify in a heat exchanger and then reheated by a heater. Furthermore, this unit is provided with a heat pump, with a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant in circulated to a conduit system to which an evaporator, a compressor, the condenser and a throttle is connected, wherein the heat exchanger containing the evaporator and the heating means the condenser. For cooling the refrigerant, cooling ribs are arranged at a first section of the line system between the compressor and condenser and / or at a second section of the line system between condenser and throttle, which can be acted upon by cooling air movable by a cooling air fan. In other words, at a part of the piping, ie at a pipeline, cooling fins are provided in a manner as previously described in connection with the condenser of DE 44 09 607 C2 was explained. This has the disadvantage that the production of such a portion of the conduit system with cooling fins in turn is quite complex and expensive. In addition, the thin fins of the cooling fins damage easily and settle quickly with dust.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention has the object or the technical problem of providing a condenser which can be produced in a comparatively simple manner, is little polluted and yet effectively coolable and has a good liquefying performance; Furthermore, a heat pump and a household appliance, in particular a condensation clothes dryer, a refrigerator, a refrigerator / freezer or a freezer, with such a condenser to be provided.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect by a condenser according to the invention having the features of claim 1.

This condenser, in particular a heat pump, with a coolant line, through which a coolant can be conducted, is characterized in that the coolant line itself (or a substantial portion thereof) is designed as a cooling rib.

The condenser according to the invention is preferably designed as an air-cooled condenser, which is e.g. is cooled by a blower. Unlike the prior art solution of the invention uses no separate or additional cooling fins on the coolant line. Rather, the coolant line itself (or a substantial portion thereof) as a cooling fin, so as compared to a flat, in particular to a round tube, wide, elongated element formed, or vice versa. In this way, the coolant line assumes an advantageous dual function, since they can take over both the function of the line of the coolant and an improved heat dissipation without further additional components. The construction of the coolant line and the condenser is thereby considerably simplified. The configured as a cooling fin coolant line of the condenser according to the invention is therefore very robust and not so easy to damage. Even if this coolant line forms an entire cooling fin system, this construction will not settle too quickly with dust or other contaminants. Although in the condenser according to the invention, the cooling line designed as a cooling fin does not have as large overall surface area as in a conventional condenser with conventional cooling fins, it has been found that the condenser according to the invention is still effectively coolable and also at higher temperatures of about 30 ° C, a good liquefaction Has performance, in particular, when the condenser is cooled by means of a cooling air blower. The condenser according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in heat pumps, such as e.g. used in condensation laundry driers.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to a second aspect by a heat pump according to the invention with the features of claim 12. This heat pump is provided with a condenser according to one of claims 1 to 11. In particular, this condenser can be used as an additional condenser to a main condenser. With the heat pump according to the invention substantially the same advantages can be achieved, which were previously explained in connection with the condenser according to the invention; Furthermore, a good heat pump performance is achievable even at temperatures above 30 ° C.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to a third aspect by an inventive household appliance with the features of claim 13. This household appliance, in particular a condensation clothes dryer, a refrigerator, fridge / freezer or a freezer, with a condenser according to one of claims 1 provided to 11. With the household appliance according to the invention substantially the same advantages can be achieved, which have already been explained previously in connection with the condenser according to the invention.

Further preferred and advantageous design features of the condenser according to the invention and of the domestic appliance according to the invention are the subject of the respectively associated dependent claims, which find their support in the following description and the drawings.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and other advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Verflüssigers gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine schematische, vergrößerte Schnittansicht entlang der Linie II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine schematische, seitliche Explosionsansicht eines wesentlichen Teils eines erfindungsgemäßen Verflüssigers gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittansicht durch einen wesentlichen Teilbereich eines erfindungsgemäßen Verflüssigers gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5

eine schematische, perspektivische Explosionsansicht eines Schnittstellenbereichs einer Kühlmittelleitung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verflüssigers gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Perspektivansicht des Schnittstellenbereichs von Fig. 5 in einem zusammengesetzten Zustand;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines wesentlichen Teilbereichs einer Kühlmittelleitung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verflüssigers gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines wesentlichen Teilbereichs einer Kühlmittelleitung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verflüssigers gemäß einer sechsten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 9

ein schematisches Blockdiagramm eines wesentlichen Teilbereichs eines erfindungsgemäßen Kondensationswäschetrockners.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a condenser according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic, enlarged sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a schematic, side exploded view of an essential part of a condenser according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view through a substantial portion of a condenser according to the invention according to a third embodiment;

Fig. 5

a schematic, exploded perspective view of an interface portion of a coolant line of a condenser according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic perspective view of the interface region of Fig. 5 in an assembled state;

Fig. 7

a schematic perspective view of a substantial portion of a coolant line of a condenser according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment;

Fig. 8

a schematic perspective view of a substantial portion of a coolant line of a condenser according to the invention according to a sixth embodiment; and

Fig. 9

a schematic block diagram of an essential portion of a condensation laundry drier according to the invention.

PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and in the figures, the same components and components are also identified by the same reference numerals to avoid repetition, unless further differentiation is necessary or useful.

The in Fig. 1 A condenser 2 according to the invention shown in a schematic side view according to a first embodiment has one in a holder 4 held, meandering arranged coolant line 6, through which a coolant is passed through. The coolant inlet and the coolant outlet of the condenser 2 are designated by the reference numerals 8 and 10. The flow direction of the coolant is indicated by arrows. The coolant line 6 itself (or a substantial portion thereof) is formed as a cooling fin. This is achieved in the present example, characterized in that the coolant line 6 is configured in the form of a flattened conduit 12, as in the Fig. 2 it can be seen which an enlarged sectional view along the line II-II in Fig. 1 represents. The width-length ratio (B / L) of this flattened conduit 12 is preferably in the range from 1: 3 to 1:30, in particular 1: 5 to 1:20, in particular 1: 7 to 1:15. In the present example it is about 1: 8. The flattened power tube can be next to the in Fig. 2 However, shown variant, have any other suitable flat, rib-like or wing-like cross-sectional shape. Further, the flattened power tube may have one or more inner flow channels for the coolant.

Like in the Fig. 1 can be seen, the coolant line 6 formed as a cooling fin has a plurality of spaced adjacent line portions 6a to 6n, which together form a cooling fin system with multiple, each formed by a different portion of the coolant line 6, adjacent individual cooling fins. These adjacent line portions 6a to 6n are made by deforming, that is, in this case, bending the coolant pipe 6 to the meandering shape.

When the condenser 2 according to the invention is cooled during operation, for example by means of a cooling air blower, which is the case in the Fig. 1 The arrangement of the condenser is then preferably carried out in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, the cooling air flow generated by fan S sweeps along the left and right in the longitudinal direction of a respective flattened conduit 12, as in Fig. 2 is sketched, or between each two adjacent flattened conduits 12 therethrough. Due to the large outer surface of the flattened conduit 12, this leads to an effective heat dissipation and thus to an effective cooling and Liquefaction of the coolant within the coolant line 6 designed as a cooling fin.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic, exploded side view of an essential part of a condenser 2 according to the invention according to a second embodiment. This variant is similar to that of Fig. 1 However, formed as a cooling fin coolant line 6 has a plurality of individual straight sections 14, which are arranged side by side and at a distance from each other and in each case via connecting pieces 16 connected to each other, for example, soldered or welded. The connecting pieces 16 are in turn flattened, U-shaped pipe pieces which mate with the ends of the straight sections 14. The connectors 16 are not limited to this U-shape but may have other suitable shapes.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view through a substantial portion of a condenser 2 according to the invention according to a third embodiment. Also in this variant, the cooling line 6 formed as a cooling fin has a plurality of individual straight sections 14, which are arranged next to one another. However, the sections 14 are interconnected via two (or more) opposing tubular plugs 18, eg, by welding or brazing. Here, a claw 18 is associated with one end of the individual sections 14 and the other claw 18 in each case the other end of the individual sections 14. In this way, the condenser 2 in turn receives a plurality of spaced adjacent line portions, which together form a cooling fin system with a plurality of, each formed from a different portion of the coolant line 6, adjacent individual cooling fins. Like in the Fig. 4 is further outlined, the collecting pieces 18 have inner separating elements 20 (in the figure only one is shown), which serve for the separation and sealing of individual portions of the collecting pieces 18 and deflect the flow path of the coolant respectively from one side to the other side of the condenser 2 , In the present example, two adjacent sections 14, 14 form a parallel flow path. In principle, however, individual flow paths or more than two parallel flow paths could also be defined.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic, exploded perspective view of an interface portion of a configured as a cooling fin coolant line 6 of a condenser according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. And Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of this interface area in an assembled state. This interface region is preferably that region of the coolant line 6 which has the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet and is connected to the external components of a coolant circuit of a superordinate device, for example a condensation tumble dryer, directly or indirectly via intermediate lines ,

At these interface areas, i. at their ends, the cooling line 6 formed as a cooling fin is in each case equipped with an adapter element 22, which is provided with a) a first, wide, flattened connection region 22a, which is assigned to the coolant line 6, and b) a second, and with respect to the first Connection region 22a narrow and rounded or round connection portion 22b, which is associated with a rounded, in particular round, connection pipe 24, via which the condenser is connected with its formed as a cooling fin coolant line 6 to an external component of a coolant circuit.

The adapter element 22 can, as in the variant according to FIGS. 5 and 6 be configured as a separate element which is to be connected, for example by gluing, soldering or welding, with the respective end of the coolant line of the condenser. In this case, the wide, flattened connection region can be produced, for example, by plastically deforming a separate cylindrical tube. The second, narrow, rounded connection area may be an undeformed portion of the cylindrical tube itself.

However, it is also possible to integrally form the adapter element 22 on the coolant line 6 designed as a cooling rib. For example, this can be from a originally made round tube, which, except at its ends, flattened or widened and flattened.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a substantial portion of a coolant line 6 of a condenser according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment. In this variant, the cooling line 6 formed as a cooling fin is constructed of a plurality of arranged in a row, juxtaposed micro-tubes 26, which together form a flattened, elongated, rib-like coolant line cross section, similar to that of Fig. 2 , form. The micro-tubes 26, which may have an outer diameter of 0.5 to about 5 mm, for example, by gluing, soldering (in the Fig. 7 indicated by reference numeral 28) or welding individually connected to each other, or by a holder in the in Fig. 7 fixed position shown. Although in the Fig. 7 only a single row of micro-tubes 26 is shown, the micro-tubes 26 may of course be arranged in multiple rows and / or offset from each other in other embodiments of the invention, but a flow-favorable outer contour is desirable if the condenser, for example by means of a cooling air Blower is cooled.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a substantial portion of a coolant line 6 of a condenser according to the invention according to a sixth embodiment. This variant largely corresponds to the according Fig. 7 However, the juxtaposed micro-tubes 26 are integrally formed in the coolant line 6, for example, by extruding the coolant line 6 in one piece, at the same time the micro-tubes 26 are formed. By means of this extrusion method, in particular designed as a cooling fin coolant lines 6 with a smooth outer surface can be easily and effectively produced. The embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 can also be combined.

In particular, a heat pump or a household appliance in the form of a condensation tumble dryer, a refrigerator, a refrigerator / freezer or a freezer can be equipped in an advantageous manner with the condenser 2 according to the invention.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of an essential portion of a preferred embodiment of a condensation clothes dryer 30 according to the invention (hereinafter referred to as dryer 30). The dryer 30 has a closed process air circuit in which in an air duct 32 by means of a blower 34 drying air via an air inlet 36 of a drying chamber 38 (here: a drum) can be fed and discharged via an air outlet 40 back out of this. The discharged air is dehumidified in a heat exchanger 42 and then reheated by a heater 44. The dryer 30 is further equipped with a heat pump, with a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates in a line system 46, to which an evaporator 48, a compressor 50, a main condenser 52 and a throttle 54 are connected. The heat exchanger 42 includes the evaporator 48, and the heater 44 includes the main condenser 52.

For further cooling of the refrigerant, in addition to the main condenser 52, a condenser according to the invention, as described above and designated by the reference numeral 2, is provided as additional condenser 56 and at a first portion 46 a of the line system 46 between the main condenser 52 and Choke 54 arranged. The additional condenser 56 is supplied with cooling air, which is moved by a cooling air blower 58. The air flow rate of the cooling air blower 58 can be regulated by means of a control device 60 as a function of the temperature detected by a sensor 62 and / or the pressure of the refrigerant in the line system 46 detected by the sensor.

However, as an alternative to, or in addition to, the above-described arrangement, the auxiliary condenser 56 could also be disposed on a second portion 46b of the conduit system between the compressor 50 and the main condenser 52. This is indicated in FIG. 10 by dashed lines and the reference numerals 56 'and 58'.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

condenser

4

bracket

6

Coolant line, designed as a rib

6a ... 6n

Management areas of 6

8th

Coolant input

10

Coolant outlet

12

Flattened pipe

14

Straight cuts

16

connectors

18

Collectibles

20

separating element

22

adapter element

22a

Wide, flattened connection area

22b

Narrow, round connection area

24

Connecting pipe

26

Micro-tubes

28

soldering

30

Condensation heat dryer

32

air duct

34

fan

36

air intake

38

drying chamber

40

air outlet

42

heat exchangers

44

heater

46

Refrigerant piping system

48

Evaporator

50

compressor

52

Main condenser

54

throttle

56, 56 '

Additional condenser

58, 58 '

Cooling fan

60

control device

62

sensor

S

Cooling air flow

Claims (14)

Condenser (2, 56, 56 '), in particular a heat pump, with a coolant line (6), through which a coolant is conductive,
characterized in that
the coolant line (6) itself, or a substantial portion thereof, is formed as a cooling fin. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to claim 1,
characterized in that
designed as a cooling fin coolant line (6) in the form of a flattened conduit (12) is configured. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the flattened conduit (12) has a width-aspect ratio (B / L) which is in a range of 1: 3 to 1:30, more preferably 1: 5 to 1:20, more preferably 1: 7 to 1:15. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coolant line (6) formed as a cooling fin is constructed from a plurality of juxtaposed micro-tubes (26) which together form a flattened, elongated, rib-like coolant line cross-section. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the adjacent micro-tubes are individually connected together. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the juxtaposed micro-tubes (26) are integrally formed in the coolant line (6) formed as a cooling fin, in particular by integrally forming the coolant line (6) integrally formed therein Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coolant line (6) designed as a cooling rib has a multiplicity of line regions (6a-6n) which lie next to one another at a distance, which together form a cooling rib system. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coolant line (6) designed as a cooling rib is deformed into the plurality of line regions (6a - 6n) which adjoin one another at a distance, in particular is bent in meandering fashion, which together form the cooling rib system. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coolant line (6) designed as a cooling rib has a plurality of individual sections (14) arranged next to one another and connected to one another via connecting pieces (16). Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the connecting pieces are formed as at least two collecting pieces (18), wherein a collecting piece (18) in each case one end of the individual sections (14) and the other collecting piece (18) in each case the other end of the individual sections (14) is associated, and Pieces (14) are interconnected by the claws (18) and form a plurality of spaced apart conduits (6a-6n) which together form the fin system. Condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coolant line (6) designed as a cooling rib has an adapter element (22) at at least one end, which is provided with
a first, wide, flattened connection region (22a), which is associated with the coolant line (6), and
a second, narrow, rounded connecting portion (22b), which is associated with a rounded, in particular round, connecting pipe (24), via which the condenser (2, 56, 56 ') can be connected to an external component of a coolant circuit. Heat pump, with a condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one of claims 1 to 11. Household appliance, in particular condensation clothes dryer (30), refrigerator, refrigerator / freezer or freezer, with a condenser (2, 56, 56 ') according to one of claims 1 to 11. Household appliance according to claim 13, which is designed as a condensation clothes dryer (30), - With a closed process air circuit in which by means of a blower (34) drying air via an air inlet (36) of a drying chamber (38) can be fed, via an air outlet (40) can be discharged therefrom to dehumidify in a heat exchanger (42) and thereafter reheatable by a heater (44); and - With a heat pump device with a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates in a refrigerant line system (46) to which an evaporator (48), a compressor (50), a main condenser (52) and a throttle (54) are connected wherein the heat exchanger (42) includes the evaporator and the heater (44) includes the main condenser (52); and - wherein for cooling the refrigerant
at a first portion (46a) of the refrigerant line system (46) between the main condenser (52) and throttle (54) and / or
at a second portion (46b) of the refrigerant piping system (46) between the compressor (50) and main condenser (52) of the condenser (2, 56, 56 ') is arranged according to claims 1 to 10, which with a cooling air blower (58, 58 ') of movable cooling air can be acted upon.

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