EP2357430A2 - Condenser for an air conditioner, in particular for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The condenser (1) has a coarse tubing rib block (2) including horizontally running pipes and an undercooling section (P6) that is arranged above condensing sections (P1-P5). An accumulator (5) is arranged parallel to a manifold and is in refrigerant-connection with the section (P5) via an overflow hole. The accumulator is in refrigerant-connection with an undercooling section (P6) via another overflow hole. A downpipe communicates with the former overflow hole at an inlet side via an inflow chamber arranged in the accumulator.

Description

The invention relates to a condenser for an air conditioner according to claim 1, as far as its subject matter by the earlier patent application of the applicant with the file number 10 2005 005 187.1 is known.

The applicant's earlier patent application with the file number 10 2005 005 187.1 relates to a refrigerant condenser with a condensing section and a subcooling section arranged above it - so-called subcooling section, in which the refrigerant is cooled below its condensation temperature. The condenser further comprises laterally arranged collecting pipes and an integrating collector, which communicates via a first and a second overflow opening with the adjacent collecting pipe or the condenser. An insert is arranged in the collector, which comprises a downpipe, a filter-dryer unit and Having riser, wherein the downpipe on the input side communicates with the last Kondensierabschnitt and the riser output side with the subcooling. In the Hiter-dryer unit, a dryer material (a so-called molecular sieve) and a mechanical sieve are arranged, so that the refrigerant on the one hand freed from particles such as impurities when flowing through the filter-dryer unit and on the other hand dried. In the upper part of the collector, in the region of the overflow openings, a plug is arranged, which separates the incoming and outgoing refrigerant flows from each other.

Similar refrigerant condensers, ie with overhead Unterkühlstrecke and with a riser in the collector are through the DE 199 12 381 A1 the applicant and by the DE 102 50 384 A1 and the DE 103 45 921 A1 known.

It is an object of the present invention to further improve the subject of the above-mentioned earlier patent application of the applicant, in particular with regard to the filter-dryer function.

This object is achieved in each case by the features of the independent patent claims 1 and 14. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to the first independent solution, an inflow chamber is arranged in the region of the first overflow opening (outflow opening) and an outflow chamber in the region of the second upperflow opening (outflow opening), which are delimited on the one hand by the cylindrical wall of the collector and on the other by two plates or partitions and a closure part , This has the advantage that the guidance of the refrigerant is simplified in the inlet and outflow, for example, eliminates a corresponding plug, which is provided in this area in the earlier application.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the downcomer closes down to the inflow chamber, through which the refrigerant flow entering from the condenser section is channeled and oriented in its flow direction downwards, ie in the direction of the bottom of the accumulator. The downpipe ends far above the ground. Thus, the advantage is achieved that the downwardly exiting refrigerant flow is delayed due to the sudden cross-sectional widening, whereby entrained gas bubbles can separate and rise. They collect in a space below the inflow chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a dryer element is arranged in the collector on the ground, which is preferably designed as a nonwoven bag with trapped dryer granules and extends up to below the inflow chamber. The refrigerant flow emerging from the downpipe can thus contact the dryer material, as a result of which water is withdrawn from the refrigerant.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a continuous from the bottom to the outflow chamber riser or suction pipe is arranged in the collector, through which the refrigerant is fed from bottom to top in the outflow chamber. Advantageously, the riser is extended in its lower cross-sectional area and takes a filter element, preferably designed as a filter hat, positive or non-positive in itself. Thus, a simple, interchangeable and space-saving arrangement of the filter element is achieved within the suction tube, combined with an effective filtering effect. At the same time thus filter and dryer element are physically separated, allowing a simplified exchange.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the downpipe and the riser are integrally formed with each other and have a Doppeiquerschnitt, characterized by a common partition, on. Optionally, the lower and the upper plate are integrally formed with riser and downpipe, so that when trained as a plastic injection molding an easy-to-use use results, which is inserted into the collector and secured by a closure part. The assembly - or possibly also the disassembly - can thus be done with one or two steps.

According to the second independent solution, the downpipe of the first solution is replaced by a flow channel, which is formed by a partition wall insert, the outer wall of the riser and the inner wall of the collector, so that two injection channels result, thus the advantage of a better volume utilization of the collector is achieved: In particular, more desiccant can be accommodated in the storage space. About that In addition, the entire use injection molding technology can be made easier and less expensive material.

It is advantageous that the first flow channel has a flow cross section which is formed by the inner wall of the collector, by the outer wall of the riser and by a partition wall insert.

It is advantageous that the partition wall insert connects to a bottom part, which divides the inflow chamber

It is advantageous that the partition insert is angled approximately at right angles from the bottom part and is preferably formed integrally with the bottom part.

It is advantageous that the dividing wall insert has two dividing wall strips, through which two injection channels are formed.

It is advantageous that the partition wall insert and / or the bottom part are attached to the riser or formed integrally therewith.

It is advantageous that below the inflow chamber, in particular below the bottom part, a storage space for liquid and gaseous refrigerant is arranged.

It is advantageous that the upper part of the storage space can be divided off by the dividing wall insert or the dividing wall strip with respect to the injection channels.

It is advantageous that the dryer is arranged in the storage space.

It is advantageous that the dryer is designed as a fleece bag, fillable with dryer granules.

It is advantageous that the riser, the partition wall insert, the bottom part and / or the partition wall are designed as an insert, preferably as a one-piece plastic injection-molded part.

Fig. 1

einen Querstromkondensator mit oben liegender Unterkühlstrecke und seitlich angeordnetem integrierten Sammler,

Fig. 2

den Sammler in Schnittdarstellung,

Fig 3

einen weiteren abgewandelten Sammler in Schnittdarstellung,

Fig. 4

den Sammler gemäß Fig. 3 in 3-D-Darstellung und

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V in Fig. 3.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

a cross-flow capacitor with overhead subcooling and laterally arranged integrated collector,

Fig. 2

the collector in section,

Fig. 3

another modified collector in sectional view,

Fig. 4

according to the collector Fig. 3 in 3-D representation and

Fig. 5

a section along the line VV in Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 1 1 shows a multi-flow ouerstromkondensator 1, which has a tube fin block 2, laterally arranged manifolds 3, 4 and an integrated collector 5. The pointing in alternate directions arrows P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 represent the flow directions of the refrigerant in individual pipe groups of the pipe ripen block 2, not shown, wherein the refrigerant enters via a lower nozzle 3a and 3b via an overhead nozzle exit. The tube fin block 2 consists of a condensing section, which corresponds to the arrows P1 to P5, and a above the Kondensierabschnittes arranged subcooling section, which is indicated by the arrow P6. In the subcooling section flows substantially liquid refrigerant, which is cooled by the ambient air, which acts on the condenser 1, below the condensation temperature of the refrigerant. Subsequently, the refrigerant leaves the condenser 1 via the connection 3b.

Fig. 2 shows - as a first embodiment of the invention - the collector 5 in a sectional view - without the adjacent manifold 4. The collector 5 consists of two pipe sections, an upper extruded pipe section 5a and a lower, cohesively connected to the upper pipe section 5a welded pipe section 5b. The collector 5 is closed down by a bottom 6 (not detachable) and upwards by a sealing plug 7 (releasably). The extruded pipe section 5a has a first overflow opening (inlet opening) and a second overflow opening 9 (outflow opening), through which refrigerant flows from the not shown adjacent manifold according to the arrow E and flows out according to the arrow A. The structure and arrangement of the not shown adjacent manifold 4 correspond to the mentioned in the introduction to the earlier patent application with the file number 10 2005 005 187.1 , which is hereby incorporated in full in the apparent content of the present application. In the region of the inflow opening 8, an inflow chamber 10 for the refrigerant and in the region of the outflow opening 9 an outflow chamber 11 is arranged for the exiting refrigerant, wherein the inflow chamber 10 in the axial direction by a lower plate 12 and by an upper plate 13, which as a partition between the two overflow openings 8, 9 is arranged is limited. The discharge chamber 11 is formed by the upper plate 13, which has a circumferential sealing ring 14 and by the releasable sealing plug 7, the lower plate 12 has in its central region an inlet opening 12a, which is followed by a downpipe 15, which a has lower outlet opening 15a. Below the inflow chamber 10 is a dryer element, designed as filled with dryer granulate nonwoven bag 16, resting on the floor 6, arranged. The nonwoven bag 16 has a shape corresponding to the installation conditions, ie here an elongated, extending in the longitudinal direction of the collector mold, which leaves enough space for flowing around the nonwoven bag 16 for the exiting from the downcomer pipe 15 refrigerant flow. In the collector 5 refrigerant is stored, which is in liquid and gaseous phase; the liquid level should be above the outlet opening 15a of the downpipe 15.

With the downpipe 15 is a riser 17, preferably integrally connected, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the collector 5 from the bottom 6 to the upper plate 13. The latter has an outlet opening 13a, to which the upper end 17a of the riser 17 connects. The riser 17 penetrates with its upper portion 17 a, the inflow chamber 10 and the plate 12 and forms with its central portion 17 b together with the adjacent downpipe 15 has a double cross-section, ie two divided by a common partition cross-sections for in opposite directions flowing refrigerant. The lower portion 17 c of the riser 17 is widened in its cross-section and takes in - as seen in the drawing - a cylindrical filter element, which is designed as a so-called filter cap 18. Between the cylindrical filter cap 18 and the cylindrical portion 17c of the riser 17 an annular gap 19 is left. The filter hat 18 has on its cylindrical circumference window-like filter screens 18b (particle filter), is closed at its upper front end 18a and open at the opposite end 18c. The riser 17 is with its lower front end on the floor 6 and has for the access of refrigerant to a breakthrough 17d. On the upper side of the upper plate 13 four distributed about the circumference, rod-shaped spacers 20 are arranged and connected to the plate 13 - they abut with their upper ends to the underside of the sealing plug 7 and thus fix the plate 13 upwards. The riser 17, the downpipe 15, the lower plate 12, the upper plate 13 and the spacers 20 are preferably made in one piece as a plastic injection molded part and thus form an insert which can be inserted into the collector 5 from above - with the plug plug 7 removed. At the same time or before, the nonwoven bag 16 is inserted. Then the closure plug 7 is inserted and fixed so that it forms an upper stop for the entire use with riser 17.

In the following we describe the function of the dryer and filter device according to the invention: The largely condensed refrigerant passes according to the arrow E (analogous to the mentioned earlier application) in the inflow chamber 10 and flows through the inlet opening 12a and the downpipe 15 in the direction of an arrow F down , When exiting the outlet opening 15a, which is immersed in liquid refrigerant, the flow velocity of the refrigerant delays due to the cross-sectional widening, so that entrained gas bubbles can separate and rise upwards. As a result of the flow guide in the downpipe 15, the liquid refrigerant does not come into contact with the gas phase. The refrigerant continues to flow downwards, thereby contacting the nonwoven bag 16 or the dryer granules contained therein, whereby moisture is removed from the refrigerant. Arrived at the bottom 6 of the collector 5, the refrigerant deflected according to an arrow G and enters through the lower opening 18c in the axial direction in the filter cap 18 a. The refrigerant then flows in the radial direction through the window-like sieves 18b outward into the annular gap 19, wherein any entrained particles are retained by the sieves 18b and fall down to the bottom 6. Corresponding to an arrow H, the refrigerant rises upward into the central region 17b and further into the upper region 17a of the riser 17. Via the outlet opening 13a in the upper plate 13, the refrigerant leaves the collector 5 according to the arrow A and passes through the adjacent not shown Collector in the also not shown upper subcooling of the capacitor.

3 , 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention with a collector 21, which - as in the previous embodiment of two pipe sections, an upper extruded pipe section 21a and a lower welded pipe section 21b is composed. In the upper tube piece 21a, there are an inflow opening 22, which communicates with an inflow chamber 23, and an outflow opening 24, which communicates with an outflow chamber 25. Inlet chamber 23 and outflow chamber 25 are separated from each other by a partition wall 26, which is formed as a disk and sealed on its circumference, with spacers 26a. The collector 21 is closed at the bottom by a bottom 27 and at the top by a detachable sealing plug 28. In the collector 21 designed as a riser 29 flow channel is arranged for flowing from the bottom 27 into the outflow chamber 25 refrigerant. The riser 29 is on the floor 27 and extends in height, ie in the longitudinal direction of the collector 21 to the partition wall 26, which receives the upper end 29 a of the riser 29. The lower end 29b has a shoulder 29c for entry of the refrigerant. In the central region, the riser 29 has a sleeve 30, which serves for the one-piece production of the riser 29. How out Fig. 4 can be seen, a filter element 31 is disposed in the lower region of the riser 29, which the filter element 18 according to Ausführungsbeispiei of Fig. 2 corresponds, ie in form, arrangement and function.

Notwithstanding the first embodiment according to Fig. 2 a flow channel for inflowing refrigerant is provided, which is not formed by a closed pipe cross-section (in the form of a downpipe), but by a partition wall insert 32, the outer wall of the riser 29 and the inner wall of the pipe section 21 b. The dividing wall insert 32 consists of two dividing wall strips 32a, 32b, which abut with their inner longitudinal edges on the riser 29 and with its outer longitudinal edge against the inner wall of the collector 21. Die Trennwandstreifen 32a, 32b are connected to a bottom part 33, which the inflow chamber 23 after bounded on the bottom (in the direction of the bottom 27), but on both sides of the riser 29 leaves two through-flow cross-sections for the inflowing refrigerant, which form the inlet to two injection channels 34 (cf. Fig. 5 The dividing wall strips 32a, 32b and the bottom part 33 are preferably formed in one piece and connected to the riser 29, inter alia via a web 33a. Below the bottom part 33, ie on the side facing away from the inflow chamber 23, a storage space 35 is arranged, in which in particular the gaseous phase of the refrigerant can collect. The liquid level S of the refrigerant, that is to say the separating plane between liquid and gaseous phase, is located in the region of the dividing wall strips 32a, 32b. Within the storage space 35, which extends from the bottom part 33 to the bottom 27 of the collector 21, a dryer element in the form of a nonwoven bag 36, filled with granules, is arranged.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section corresponding to the plane VV with a view of the bottom part 33 and arranged on either side of the riser 29 injection channels 34. The cross section of the injection pipe 29 is slightly flattened, so that a good space utilization within the circular cross-section of the collector 21 for the injection channels 34 results and on the other hand a sufficiently large cross-section for the storage space 35 is available, in particular for the accommodation of the desiccant 36th

The riser 29, the bottom part 33 with partition insert 32 and the partition wall 26 with spacers 26a may preferably be made in one piece as a plastic injection molded part and thus form an insert, which - Together with the nonwoven bag 36 - inserted into the collector 21 and can be fixed there.

The function of the collector described above is basically the same as in the previous embodiment according to Fig. 2 , Differing is - as already mentioned - the geometric design of the flow channel, which adjoins the inflow chamber 23 and leads down, the downpipe 15 according to Fig. 2 is here substituted by the injection channels 34. The inflowing according to arrow E refrigerant thus flows through the two injection channels 34 down, following the arrow F, wherein the refrigerant is deprived of moisture by the granules. According to the arrow G, the refrigerant enters the bottom pipe 27 through the opening 29c in the riser 29, rises according to the dashed arrow H up to the outflow chamber 25, from which the refrigerant according to the arrow A exits.

By the injection channels 34 ensures that the inflowing refrigerant is not with any gas cushion, which could be located in the upper part of the storage space 35, comes in contact so far down that the incoming refrigerant flow directly into the liquid phase of the refrigerant opens. The liquid level S, which has a geodetic height h with respect to the lower edge of the dividing wall strips 32a, 32b, is shown by way of example in the storage chamber 35. The mirror S is variable in the course of the operation of the air conditioner, d. H. it can be higher or lower. However, the length of the injection channels 34 should be such that the height h is always positive, i. H. immerse the lower edges of the dividing wall strips 32a, 32b in liquid refrigerant.

Claims (15)

Condenser (1) for an air conditioning system, in particular a motor vehicle with a tube block (2) and laterally arranged collecting tubes (3, 4), said tube rib block (2) horizontally extending tubes, a Kondensierabschnitt (P1 to P5) and arranged above the Kondensierabschnittes Subcooling (P6), and arranged with a parallel to one of the manifolds, a dryer, a filter, a downpipe (15), and a riser (17) receiving the collector (5) via a first overflow opening (8) with the Condenser section (P5) and via a second overflow opening (9) with the subcooling section (P6) is in refrigerant communication, wherein the downpipe (15) communicates with the first overflow opening (8) via an inlet chamber (10) arranged in the collector (5). A condenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the collector (5) has a bottom (6), and that between the inflow chamber (10) and the bottom (6) a dryer element (16) is arranged. Condenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the dryer element as a nonwoven bag (16), can be filled with a dryer granules formed. Condenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inflow chamber (10) by a lower plate (12) and an upper plate (13) is limited. A condenser according to claim 4, characterized in that above the inflow chamber (10) an outflow chamber (11) is arranged in the collector (5) which is delimited by the upper plate (13) and by a closure part (7). A condenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the riser (7) has a length from the bottom (6) to the outflow chamber (11) _. Condenser according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the drop tube (15) and the riser (17) are interconnected. A capacitor according to claim 7, characterized in that the drop tube (15) and the riser (17) are integrally formed and have a double cross-section over the region of a common length. Condenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the riser (17) has a lower portion (17c), in which the filter element (18) is accommodated. A capacitor according to claim 9,. characterized in that the
Filter element is designed as a filter cap (18) which can be flowed axially (arrow G) and radially (arrow H) can be flowed off. A capacitor according to claim 10, characterized in that the filter cap (18) positively and / or non-positively in the riser (17, 17c) is received and fixable. Condenser according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the riser (17) in the region of the filter cap (18) has an enlarged cross-section (17c) and forms an annular gap (19) with the filter cap (18). Condenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the downpipe (15), the riser (17), lower and upper plate (12, 13) one or more pieces are made of plastic. Condenser (1) for an air conditioning system, in particular a motor vehicle with a tube block (2) and laterally arranged collecting tubes (3, 4), said tube rib block (2) horizontally extending tubes, a Kondensierabschnitt (P1 to P5) and arranged above the Kondensierabschnittes Subcooling (P6), and arranged with a parallel to one of the manifolds, a dryer, a filter, a first flow channel for inflowing refrigerant and a second flow channel for escaping refrigerant containing collector (21), which via a first overflow opening (22) the condensing section (P5) and via a second overflow opening (24) in refrigerant communication with the subcooling section (P6), wherein the first flow channel on the inlet side with the first overflow opening (22) via a in the collector (21) arranged inflow chamber (23) communicates. A capacitor according to claim 14, characterized in that the second flow channel is formed as a riser (29).

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