EP2711657B1 - condenser - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a capacitor according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a capacitor is made WO 2010/108907 A1 known.

State of the art

In automotive vehicle air conditioning refrigerant circuits, condensers are used to cool the refrigerant to the condensation temperature and thereby condense the refrigerant. The refrigerant is further cooled in a region of the condenser, which is arranged after the condensation region, to a temperature which is below the condensation temperature of the refrigerant.

Condensers according to the prior art, in part, have a collector in which a volume of refrigerant is kept in order to compensate for volume fluctuations in the refrigerant circuit and to achieve a stable supercooling of the refrigerant.

In addition, partially provided in the collector means for drying and / or means for filtering the refrigerant. The collector is partially arranged in capacitors of the prior art in the immediate vicinity of the capacitor. It is flowed through by the refrigerant, which has already flowed through part of the condenser. After flowing through the collector, the refrigerant is returned to the condenser and subcooled in a subcooling below the condensation temperature.

In conventional rib-tube-type condensers, the refrigerant therefor is led out of the condenser from one of the manifolds arranged laterally on the tube-fin block and introduced into the collector.

Air-cooled condensers in rib-tube design compete in this case, in modern vehicles with high demands on the intercooler, with the intercoolers to a position in the, seen in the direction of air flow, foremost level of the cooling module.

An alternative to air-cooled capacitors are therefore the liquid-cooled capacitors, since they can also be arranged in an area in which they are not directly flowed around by an air flow. Only the coolant flowing through the liquid-cooled condenser must then undergo cooling by, for example, an air flow.

For capacitors constructed in a stacked disc design, ways in the art are known to attach the collector to the capacitor as an additional layer of disk elements.

Furthermore, the disclosure US 2006/0053833 a stacked disc capacitor in which a first stack of disk elements represents a first cooling and condensing region and a second stack of disk elements represents a subcooling region. The first stack is separated from the second stack by a housing containing a collector and dryer.

A disadvantage of the devices of the prior art is that the integration of collectors and subcoolers in capacitors in stacked disc design has been solved quite expensive. In addition to a complex structure, the capacitors from the prior art are characterized by an increased production cost. This results in the use of the capacitors additional costs that make their use unattractive.

Presentation of the invention, object, solution, advantages

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a condenser capable of condensing a refrigerant and further cooling it, the condenser being characterized by a simple structure and inexpensive to manufacture. In addition, the capacitor should be able to be easily connected to a collector.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a capacitor in stacking disk construction with the features of claim 1.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a stacked disc condenser having a first flow channel for a refrigerant and a second flow channel for a coolant, wherein a plurality of disc elements is provided, which form stacked adjacent channels between the disc elements, wherein a first part of the channels the first flow channel is assigned and a second part of the channels to the second flow channel is assigned, wherein the flow channel of the refrigerant has a first region for desuperheating and condensation of the vapor refrigerant and a second region for subcooling the condensed refrigerant, wherein the first region is separated from the second region by a cutting disc, with a collector for storing and or filtering and / or drying a refrigerant, wherein a refrigerant transfer from the first region leads into the second region through the collector, wherein the collector in fluid communication with the first region via a first flow path, which is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the collector is, wherein a connecting element as the fluid outlet of the collector is in fluid communication with the second region, wherein the connecting element extends at least partially within the first flow path.

The construction of a capacitor in stacked disk design is particularly advantageous because the capacitor is essentially constructed from a plurality of identical disc elements. Only the condenser to the outside limiting disc elements and disc elements with special functions require a separate version. Special functions include, for example, the deflection of flow channels within the condenser or the blocking of flow channels in the condenser.

Advantageously, a collector is provided at or in the vicinity of the condenser, which stores a defined volume of the refrigerant and can thus compensate for volume fluctuations in the refrigerant circuit. In addition, the collector may include means for drying and / or for filtering the refrigerant.

The collector is advantageously integrated at a location of the refrigerant circuit which is located between the condensation region and the subcooling region of the condenser.

To connect a collector located outside the capacitor to a stacking disk capacitor, without losing the structure of the individual disc elements To change substantially, it is advantageous if both the inlet, as well as the drain of the collector takes place through one of the existing openings in the disc elements. Particularly advantageous here is the arrangement of the inlet and the drain of the collector at least partially into each other.

This can be achieved, for example, in that the feed to the collector is realized via a flow path which is formed along mutually adjacent openings in the disk elements, and the outlet from the collector is realized by a line arranged in the same flow path.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the first flow path is formed along first openings, in adjacent disc elements, wherein the disc elements are part of the first region of the first flow channel.

The first flow path is formed by an area which results along the successive openings, of stacked disk elements. The openings in the disk elements are preferably concentric with each other in a line. The first flow path forms a partial region of the first region, the first flow channel.

A further advantageous exemplary embodiment is characterized in that the disk elements, which are part of the second region of the first flow channel, have first openings along which a second flow path is formed

The second flow path forms a partial region of the second region of the first flow channel. The second flow path is in the direct extension of the first flow path and is also formed by an area which results along successive openings, stacked disk elements.

The openings which form the second flow path are advantageously concentric with the openings which form the first flow path. This is facilitated by the use of uniform disk elements.

Separated is the first flow path from the second, through a cutting disc. If an opening is provided in the cutting disc, it may be closed by a plug, for example.

It is also advantageous if the cutting disk has a second opening, wherein the connecting element penetrates the cutting disk from the first region to the second region through the second opening.

In order to operate only as little as possible in the production of the disc elements, it is advantageous if the cutting disc also has an opening. In order to still be able to realize a functioning separation of the first and the second region of the first flow channel additional precautions must be taken. For this purpose, it may be advantageous to close the second opening of the cutting disc, for example by a plug, or to provide a connection element, which can be passed through the second opening of the cutting disc or the plug. The inflow or outflow of the refrigerant into the second region of the first flow channel is then realized via this connection element.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that in the second opening of the cutting disc, a stopper is arranged, which has a third opening, which is smaller compared to the second opening of the cutting disc and the connecting element through the third opening of the plug is guided.

Due to the identical manufacturing method with the disk elements above and below the cutting disk, the opening in the cutting disk sometimes has the same diameter.

In order to present the supply line to the collector, along the first openings in the disk elements of the first region of the first flow channel, and at the same time to realize a discharge from the collector into the second region of the first flow channel, within the first flow path, the opening in the cutting disc advantageously be smaller than the openings of the disk elements above and below it. For this purpose, for example, a plug can be inserted into the opening, which has a smaller opening in comparison to the opening of the cutting disc. In the opening of the plug then the connection element which connects the output of the collector to the second region of the first flow channel can be inserted.

In this way, an arrangement of the connection element, which connects the collector to the second region of the first flow channel, can be achieved within the first flow path.

In a likewise advantageous embodiment, the cutting disc itself may have an opening with a smaller diameter. The connecting element can then be inserted directly into the opening of the cutting disc. However, the production of such a cutting disc is more complex.

In addition, it is expedient if the cutting disc is at least substantially fluid-tightly connected to the connecting element and / or the plug.

A fluid-tight connection between the cutting disc and the connecting element or the plug is particularly important, since in this way the first region of the first flow channel is separated from the second region of the first flow channel.

A fluid-tight connection can be achieved for example by the pressing of the plug or the connecting element in the opening of the cutting disc. In particular, when the plug and / or the connecting element have an excess compared to the opening in the cutting disc.

It should be mentioned here that the fluid-tight connection is particularly advantageous, but not a decisive criterion for the functionality of the capacitor. Between the first region and the second region of the first flow channel there is only a small driving pressure difference. A leakage current resulting from a slight leakage therefore has no significant influence on the functionality of the capacitor. Nevertheless, in an advantageous embodiment, the highest possible sealing between the first region and the second region of the flow channel is achieved.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the plug has a first radial thickening and has a second thickening adjacent to the first thickening, wherein the separating disk is enclosed between the first thickening and the second thickening.

Via the first and second thickening, which are preferably arranged at the radial edge of the plug, the plug can be positioned in the opening of the cutting disc. In this case, the cutting disc is preferably positioned between the two thickenings. The thickening effectively prevents the plug from sliding up or down.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting element has a third radial thickening at its end region facing the second region of the first flow channel and has a fourth thickening adjacent to the third thickening, the cutting disc or the stopper being enclosed between the third thickening and the fourth thickening is.

The connection element likewise advantageously has two thickenings lying adjacent to one another. Between the thickenings, the plug can be positioned. In this case, then the connection element is inserted through the opening of the plug in the plug. Alternatively, the cutting disc between the thickenings of the connecting element can be positioned, in the event that the connecting element is inserted directly into the cutting disc.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is preferable if the thickenings on the connection element and / or on the plug are formed by radially at least partially encircling holding elements and / or by beads.

The thickenings on the plug and / or on the connecting element are advantageously formed either by beads, which may be formed for example by a material compression, or by the provision of additional material thickness in the production of the plug or the connecting element. The beads can also be realized as at least partially circumferential paragraphs or flanges.

Alternatively, the thickening on the two elements can also be formed by at least partially circumferential holding elements, such as projecting snap hooks.

If the elements have snap hooks, they can be easily inserted through the openings. The snap hooks are pressed in during the insertion process inside and jump back after insertion into a position which projects radially beyond the outer radius of the element. As a result, the elements are securely fixed and held in their inserted position.

It is also expedient if the first thickening and / or the second thickening and / or the third thickening and / or the fourth thickening has a seal directed towards the cutting disc and / or the stopper.

In order to further increase the sealing effect between the elements separating disk, plug and connecting element, it is particularly advantageous if the thickenings have sealing elements which additionally seal the connecting points between the elements.

A further preferred embodiment provides that in the first flow path and / or in the second flow path, a sleeve is inserted, which has radially circumferentially arranged recesses.

A sleeve which can be inserted into the first and / or second flow path can increase the stability of the capacitor. The edges of the openings which form the first and the second flow path can be supported on the outer wall of the sleeve. In addition, a plug, which is either inserted into the opening of the cutting disc, or in the sleeve itself, are supported by the sleeve.

Furthermore, it is preferable if the sleeve is fixed by an at least partially radially circumferential shoulder and / or by a radially at least partially encircling holding element and / or by a press fit on the disc elements.

The sleeve can be fixed, for example by a circumferential shoulder in the stack of discs of the capacitor by being supported with the shoulder on one of the disc elements. Alternatively, the sleeve may also have snap hooks with which it can be fixed to one of the disc elements. By paragraphs or holding elements, a sleeve can be particularly advantageous fix in the capacitor.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the stopper is fixed in the sleeve by an interference fit and / or an at least partially circumferential shoulder and / or a radially at least partially circumferential retaining element.

This is particularly advantageous since a further fixation of the sleeve can be effected by the plug, which is supported on the sleeve inside the sleeve. For example, when the plug is press-fitted into the sleeve, this exerts a radially outward force on the sleeve, forcing it against the disc stack.

Moreover, it is favorable if means for drying the refrigerant are provided in the region of the first flow path.

By introducing a desiccant, already a part of the flow channel in the condenser can be used to dry the refrigerant. The collector, which otherwise may contain means for drying, can then be dimensioned smaller, for example.

It is also expedient if the connecting element is formed by a dip tube.

A dip tube is a particularly favorable component, which realizes the purpose of a further flow channel within the first flow path particularly simple. The refrigerant flows in the dip tube, in a direction opposite to the flow direction in the first flow path, opposite direction. The supply line and the discharge can be realized so easily.

According to a particularly favorable development of the invention, it is preferable if the first openings and / or the second openings and / or the third openings are arranged concentrically to each other.

By a concentric position of the first, the second and the third openings of the basic structure of the capacitor is substantially simplified. The elements, such as a plug, a connection element or a sleeve can be so easily inserted into the capacitor. Since it is often tried to construct the individual disc elements as identical as possible, the concentric position of the individual openings is usually already given.

Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the subclaims and the following description of the figures.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine Prinzipskizze eines Kondensators in Stapelscheibenbauweise mit einem externen Sammler,

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators iri Stapelscheibenbauweise, mit einem Anschlusselement, welches entlang der in einer Linie liegenden Öffnungen vom Kondensationsbereich durch eine Trennscheibe in den Uhterkühlbereich des Kondensators geführt ist,

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators gemäß Figur 2, mit einem Anschluselement mit einem umlaufenden Absatz und einem umlaufenden Wulst, an dem durch die Trennscheibe geführten Endbereich,

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators gemäß der Figuren 2 und 3, mit einem Anschlusselement, mit einem umlaufenden Absatz, welcher eine zur Trennscheibe gerichtete Dichtung aufweist und Schnapphaken, welche die Trennscheibe in montiertem Zustand hintergreifen,

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators gemäß der Figuren 2 bis 4, mit einem Anschlusselement, mit einem umlaufenden Absatz und dazu benachbart angeordneten Schnapphaken, welche die Trennscheibe in montiertem Zustand hintergreifen,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Schnittansicht eines Kondensators, mit einem Stopfen in der Trennscheibe und einem Anschlusselement, welches durch den Stopfen geführt ist, wobei der Stopfen einen Wulst und dazu benachbart Schnapphaken aufweist, welche in montiertem Zustand die Trennscheibe hintergreifen,

Fig. 7

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators gemäß Figur 6, mit einem Stopfen mit zwei zueinander benachbart liegenden umlaufenden Wülsten,

Fig. 8

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators gemäß der Figuren 6 und 7, mit einer in den Kondensator eingeführten Hülse, welche im Unterkühlbereich des Kondensators durch Schnapphaken fixiert ist,

Fig. 9

eine Schnittansicht eines Kondensators gemäß der Figuren 6 bis 8, mit einer in den Kondensator eingesteckten Hülse, welche mittels eines zumindest teilweise umlaufenden Flansches und mit Schnapphaken im Kondensator fixiert ist, und

Fig. 10

eine Schnittansicht durch einen Kondensator gemäß der Figur 9, mit einem Trocknungsmittel in der in den Kondensator eingesteckten Hülse.

In the following the invention will be explained in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of a capacitor in stacked disk design with an external collector,

Fig. 2

a sectional view of a capacitor iri stacking disk construction, with a connection element which is guided along the in-line openings of the condensation region through a cutting disc in the Uhterkühlbereich of the capacitor,

Fig. 3

a sectional view of a capacitor according to FIG. 2 , with a connecting element with a circumferential shoulder and a circumferential bead, on the end region guided through the cutting disk,

Fig. 4

a sectional view of a capacitor according to the Figures 2 and 3 , with a connecting element, with a circumferential shoulder, which has a seal for the cutting disc and snap hooks, which engage behind the cutting disc in the assembled state,

Fig. 5

a sectional view of a capacitor according to the FIGS. 2 to 4 , with a connecting element, with a circumferential shoulder and snap hooks arranged adjacent thereto, which engage behind the cutting disc in the mounted state,

Fig. 6

1 is a further sectional view of a capacitor, with a stopper in the cutting disc and a connecting element, which is guided through the stopper, wherein the stopper has a bead and adjacent snap hooks which engage behind the cutting disc in the assembled state,

Fig. 7

a sectional view of a capacitor according to FIG. 6 with a plug with two mutually adjacent circumferential beads,

Fig. 8

a sectional view of a capacitor according to the FIGS. 6 and 7 with a sleeve inserted into the condenser, which is fixed in the subcooling area of the condenser by snap hooks,

Fig. 9

a sectional view of a capacitor according to the FIGS. 6 to 8 , with a plugged into the capacitor sleeve, which is fixed by means of an at least partially circumferential flange and with snap hooks in the capacitor, and

Fig. 10

a sectional view through a capacitor according to the FIG. 9 with a desiccant in the sleeve inserted in the condenser.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a capacitor 1, which is constructed in stacked disc design. The condenser 1 is subdivided into a condensation region 2 and a subcooling region 3. The condensation region 2 serves for cooling and condensing the vaporous refrigerant which flows through the condenser 1. The subcooling region 3 connected to the condensation region 2 is provided for subcooling the completely liquid refrigerant to a temperature below the condensation temperature of the refrigerant.

Between the condensation region 2 and the subcooling region 3, a collector 8 is connected. This collector 8 takes over the function of refrigerant storage and possibly the drying of the refrigerant and the filtering of the refrigerant. For drying the refrigerant, the collector 8 has a dryer 9 in the interior. After flowing through the collector 8, the refrigerant is conducted further into the subcooling region 3.

The condenser 1 is flowed through in addition to the refrigerant with a coolant. The coolant flows into the condenser 1 through the inflow point 16 indicated in the upper region of the condenser 1. There, the coolant is distributed over the condensation region 2 and the subcooling region 3 and flows through the condenser 1 to the outflow point 17.

Inside the condenser 1, the coolant may flow in parallel, serially or in parallel and serially through the various flow channels which result between the disc elements of which the condenser 1 is constructed.

The refrigerant flows through an inflow point 6 at the upper region of the condenser 1 into the condenser 1 and is distributed along the condensation region 2 over the width of the condenser 1. The refrigerant flows along the flow path 5 through the condensation region 2. Subsequently, the refrigerant enters the Outflow point 7 from the condenser 1 and flows along the inflow direction 11 into the collector 8 inside.

There, as already mentioned, the refrigerant is dried, filtered and stored. Subsequently, the refrigerant flows along the outflow direction 12 of the collector via the inflow point 13 back into the condenser 1. The inflow point 13 is arranged concentrically with the outflow point 7. The inflow point 13 is formed by a connection element 4, which in the FIG. 1 represented by a tube. The connection element 4 has a smaller diameter than the outflow point 7.

This connection element 4 is in fluid communication with the outlet of the collector 8. Through the connection element 4, the refrigerant flows into the subcooling region 3 of the capacitor 1. In this case, the connection element 4 extends through the condensation region 2 of the capacitor 1 directly into the subcooling region 3, so that from the collector 8 outflowing refrigerant flows only in the subcooling 3. In the subcooling region 3, the refrigerant flows along the flow path 14 through the subcooling region 3 and finally leaves the condenser 1 via the outflow point 15.

Like the coolant, the refrigerant can also flow through the individual flow channels formed between the disk elements of the condenser 1 in series, in parallel or in series and in parallel. Also can be provided for both the refrigerant, as well as for the coolant deviating from the shown embodiment arrangement of the inflow and outflow.

The FIG. 1 is an exemplary representation of a condenser 1 in stacked disc design and should basically show the subdivision into the condensation region 2 and the subcooling 3 and the arrangement of the collector 8 outside of the capacitor 1. Furthermore, by the FIG. 1 the possible flow through the capacitor 1 explained.

The FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a capacitor 30, which is constructed in a stacked disk design. The upper end of the disk stack forms the upper end disk element 32. Downwards, the lower end disk element 33 forms the boundary of the disk stack. The disc elements 42 used between the upper end plate member 32 and the lower end disc member 33 are substantially identical and differ only in orientation to each other. The only exception here is the cutting disk 31, which has an opening 41 which deviates from the openings 34 of the other disk elements.

The disk elements 42 each have an opening 34. The opening 34 of the disc elements 42 is larger in comparison to the opening 41 of the cutting disc 31.

The disk elements 42 are stacked on each other so that the individual openings 34 of the disk elements 42 lie concentrically on one another. The region along the openings 34 in the upper region of the condenser, which lies above the separating disk 31, forms the first flow path 35. The region along the openings 34 in the lower subcooling region of the condenser, which lies below the separating disk 31, forms the second flow path 37. The upper portion of the condenser 30 and the lower portion of the condenser 30 are separated by the partition 31.

The first flow path 35 is in direct fluid communication with the flow channels 36 which are associated with the first region of the first flow channel. Through this, the refrigerant flows for the purpose of condensation. The flow channels 36 are each arranged alternately with the flow channels 45 which guide the coolant. In this way, the heat transfer between the refrigerant and the coolant is realized.

Notwithstanding the arrangement which in the FIG. 2 is shown, an arrangement of coolant and refrigerant-carrying flow channels can be done in a different Reihung. For example, it is also possible to provide rows with two successive coolant channels and a subsequent coolant channel.

In the lower region of the condenser 30, the second flow path 37 is in fluid communication with the flow channels 40, which are associated with the second region of the first flow channel. The flow channels 40 are arranged here alternately with flow channels 45 of the coolant. As with the upper range, the lower range may vary depending on the embodiment.

In FIG. 2 a connection element 38 is shown, which forms a flow channel 39 in its interior. This connection element 38 is arranged concentrically with the openings 34 in the disk elements 42. In alternative embodiments, the arrangement of the connection element 38 may not be concentric. In this case, the connection element 38 leads through the upper region of the condenser 30 through the cutting disk 31 and opens into the upper flow channel 40 of the second region of the first flow channel.

This in FIG. 2 shown connection element 38 assumes the function of in FIG. 1 It is therefore supplied through the connection element 38, the refrigerant from the collector into the subcooling region of the capacitor 30. Along the flow channels 36, which are assigned to the first region of the first flow channel, the refrigerant flows toward the flow path 35 and from there upwards into the in FIG. 2 not shown collectors. After flowing through the collector, the refrigerant flows through the flow channel 39 of the connection element 38 into the second flow path 37 of the condenser 30. From there, the refrigerant flows along the channels 40 of the second region of the first flow channel through the condenser 30.

The connection element 38 is in the FIG. 2 inserted through the opening 41 of the blade 31. The connecting element 38 may be, for example, a plastic tube, which is provided in comparison to the opening 41 with an oversize. By inserting force into the opening 41, the connecting element 38 can be fluid-tightly connected to the cutting disk 31. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to manufacture a connection element 38, for example, from a metallic material and to widen it after insertion into the opening 41 in such a way that a fluid-tight connection with the separation disk 31 is created.

The following FIGS. 3 to 5 each show a sectional view through the already in FIG. 2 As described in contrast to the FIG. 2 are in the FIGS. 3 to 5 alternative connections of the connecting element 52, 60, 70 shown with the cutting wheel 31. The basic structure of the capacitor 30 with its disc elements 42 and the blade 31 remains unchanged. As in the FIG. 2 In each case, flow channels 45 of the coolant alternate with flow channels 36 or 40 of the first region of the first flow channel or of the second region of the flow channel. At the top, the capacitors 30 are the FIGS. 3 to 5 likewise delimited by an upper end disk element 32 and at the bottom by a lower end disk element 33. It is therefore in the description of the FIGS. 3 to 5 mainly on the connection of the connecting element 52, 60, 70 received with the cutting disk 31.

The FIG. 3 shows a connection element 52, which has a flow channel 53 inside. The connection element 52 likewise runs concentrically with the openings 34 of the disk elements 42 and penetrates the cutting disk 31 provided with a smaller opening 41 with one of its end regions.

The lower portion of the capacitor 30 facing end portion of the connecting element 52 has a circumferential shoulder 50 and adjacent to a circumferential bead 51. The lower bead 51 is thereby pushed from above through the opening 41 of the blade 31 therethrough. The cutting disk 31 is thus fixed between the circumferential shoulder 50 and the circumferential bead 51. The formation of the shoulder 50 or the bead 51 serves here for fixing the connection element 52 and at the same time for sealing the connection element against the cutting disk 31.

The lower bead 51 of the FIG. 3 has a smaller radial extent than the upper shoulder 50. In this way, it is possible for the connection element 52 to be inserted without much effort and without the risk of damaging the cutting disk 31 through the opening 41 of the cutting disk 31.

It should be noted that between the upper condensation region and the lower subcooling region of the condenser 30 there is generally no large pressure difference. Therefore, even slight leaks between the connecting member 52 and the blade 31 can be accepted.

Slight leakage currents do not lead to the inoperability of the capacitor 30. The sealing of the connection elements 38, 52, 60, 70 to the cutting disk 31 is therefore not the highest scale to apply. A most optimal fluid seal between the connecting elements 38, 52, 60, 70 and the cutting disc 31 is still desirable.

The FIG. 4 shows a connection element 60, which is guided through the opening 41 of the cutting disk 31. The connection element 60, which forms the flow channel 61 in the interior, has an at least partially encircling flange 63 at its end region facing the subcooling region and snap-in hooks 62 adjacent thereto. The encircling flange 63 furthermore has a circumferential groove 65, which extends in the separation disk 31 facing surface of the flange 63 is arranged. Within the groove 65, a seal 64 extends. In the mounted state, the seal 64 is clamped between the at least partially circumferential flange 63 and the cutting disc 31, so that it develops a sealing effect between the upper portion of the capacitor 30 and the lower portion of the capacitor 30.

The snap hooks 62 are mounted in the connecting element 60 so that they are pressed by the insertion movement from above through the opening 41 by the insertion and after the penetration of the cutting disc 31 to the outside in a position which extends radially beyond the outer diameter of the remaining connection element 60, rebound and thus engage behind the blade 31.

The snap hooks 62 thus prevent unintentional detachment of the connecting element 60 from the cutting disk 31. The cutting disk 31 is thus fixed between the snap hook 62 and the overlying at least partially circumferential flange 63. By an optimal positioning of the snap hooks relative to the at least partially circumferential flange 63, a play-free fit of the connecting element 60 in the cutting disk 31 can be achieved. The more accurate this Seat is, the higher the sealing effect, which arises due to the seal 64.

While it is particularly advantageous to perform the flange 63 completely circumferentially around the connection element 60, the snap hooks 62 can be positioned both largely circumferentially and only at certain intended intervals.

The FIG. 5 shows a connection element 70 with an internal flow channel 71. The connecting element 70 has in its the lower portion of the capacitor 30 end region facing at least partially circumferential shoulder 72 and adjacent snap hooks 73rd

Similar to the principle in FIG. 4 the snap hooks are dimensioned so that they are pressed in the insertion of the opening 41 of the cutting disc 31 inside and feathers after pushing through the cutting disc 31 in a radially beyond the outer radius of the connecting element 70 projecting position and engage behind the blade 31. In the FIG. 5 the connecting element 70 is fixed by the lower snap hooks 73 and the upper at least partially circumferential shoulder 72 on the cutting disk 31. Deviating from the FIG. 4 has the connection in FIG. 5 no additional seal on.

All in the FIGS. 2 to 5 connecting means shown, such as at least partially circumferential flanges, fully circumferential flanges, snap hooks, heels or beads are used in any combination with each other. Likewise, it is conceivable that more than one seal for sealing the connecting element 38, 52, 60, 70 is provided against the cutting disk 31.

The in the FIGS. 2 to 5 described embodiments are exemplary and have no limiting character.

The FIGS. 6 to 10 show a capacitor 90 in stacked disk design. The basic structure of the capacitor 90 corresponds to the structure of the capacitor 30 of the FIGS. 2 to 5 , Deviating from the FIGS. 2 to 5 now has the capacitor 90 of the FIGS. 6 to 10 a different cutting disc 96. While the blade 31 of the FIGS. 2 to 5 an opening 41 which is smaller than the openings 34 of the disc elements 42, now the cutting disc 96 has an opening 97 which corresponds in diameter to the openings 95 of the disc elements 114. This brings with it in particular the advantage that also the cutting disk 96 now corresponds to the remaining disk elements 114 of the capacitor 90.

The FIG. 6 has a connection element 102, which forms the flow channel 103 in its interior. The flow principle of FIGS. 6 to 10 is with the one already described FIGS. 2 to 5 identical. The concentric openings 95 of the disk elements 114 form a first flow path 91. This first flow path 91 extends along the openings 95 in the upper region of the condenser 90, in which the condensation takes place. In the lower region of the condenser 90, the second flow path 92 is formed through the openings 95. The second flow path 92 extends over the entire subcooling region of the condenser 90.

The refrigerant flows along the channels 93, which are associated with the first region of the first flow channel in the first flow path 91 and from there into the collector. After flowing through the collector, the refrigerant flows along the flow channel 103 into the lower subcooling region of the condenser 90 into the second flow path 92. From there it flows through the channels 94, which are assigned to the second region of the first flow channel through the condenser 90.

The connection element 102 is received in a plug 98. The plug 98 has an opening 104 through which the connection element 102 is guided. At its periphery, the plug 98 is supported on the cutting disk 96 and the underlying disk element 114.

The plug 98 has for this purpose at its radial edge region 101 on a circumferential bead 99 and adjacent snap hook 100. The bead 99 of the plug 98 rests on the upper portion of the condenser 90 facing side of the cutting disk 96. The snap-action hooks 100 engage from below against the disk element 114 which is connected to the cutting disk 96. The snap-action hooks 100 are designed so that they are pressed inwardly upon insertion of the plug 98 into the opening 97 of the cutting disk 96. After being pushed through the cutting disk 96 and through the disk element 114 underneath, the snap hooks spring outward into a position protruding radially beyond the outer radius of the plug 98. The snap hooks thus engage behind the disk element 114.

Due to the combination of the circumferential bead 99 and the snap hook 100, the plug 98 is fixed relative to the separating disk 96 and the underlying disk element 114 in the capacitor 90.

The connection between the connection element 102 and the stopper 98 can analogously to those already in the FIGS. 2 to 5 Connections shown between the connecting elements 38, 5, 60, 70 and the cutting disc 31 done. The connections of the connecting elements 38, 52, 60, 70 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 each relate to the connection of these connecting elements to the separating disk 31. However, the connecting principle is also applicable to the connecting elements 102, 120, 140 of FIG FIGS. 6 to 10 transferable and then refers to the connection of the connection elements 102, 120, 140 with the plugs 98, 110, 122, 145.

Alternatively, the plug 98, 110, 122, 145 can also be designed in one piece with the connection element 102, 120, 140.

The FIG. 7 shows a capacitor 90 analogous to the FIG. 6 , The plug 110 now has two mutually adjacent circumferential beads 111 and 112. The plug 110 is fixed to the cutting disk 96 and the underlying disk element 114 via the two beads 111 and 112. The bead 111 lies on the Upper area of the capacitor 90 facing surface of the cutting disk 96 and the lower bead 112 is located on the lower portion facing surface of the disk element 114 at.

The connection element 102 is inserted into the opening 113 of the plug 110.

The construction of the plug 110 with the circumferential beads 111 and 112 results in that the plug 110 can be inserted into the openings 95 of the condenser 90 without much effort until it is finally positioned at its intended position on the cutting disc 96 and the underlying disc element 114 can be.

In principle, it is advantageous to achieve a compromise between the highest possible Dichtwirküng between the plug 98, 110, 122, 145 and the cutting disc 96 and the ease of insertion of the plug 98, 110, 122, 145 in the condenser 90.

The FIG. 8 shows a connection element 120 with an inner flow channel 121. In addition, in the FIG. 8 in the second flow path 92, a sleeve 124 is inserted, which has recesses 128 along its circumference. Through these recesses 128, the refrigerant, which flows along the flow channel 121 into the second flow path 92, into the channels 94 of the second region of the first flow channel, which form between the disc elements 114, flow.

The sleeve 124 is in the FIG. 8 supported on the lower end plate member 107 of the capacitor 90. Furthermore, the sleeve 124 on its periphery snap hook 127. These snap hooks are designed so that they are pressed inward during insertion of the sleeve 124 along the openings 95 of the disk elements 114. After pushing through the cutting disc 96 and the underlying disk element 114, the snap hooks 127 spring radially over the outer contour analogously to the snap hooks already described in advance the sleeve 124 addition. As a result, the sleeve 124 is fixed between the lower end disk element 107 and the disk element 114, which is arranged below the cutting disk 96.

The fixation of the sleeve 124 is further enhanced by the fact that the plug 122 is pressed into the interior of the sleeve 124. For this, the plug has a conically tapering from top to bottom outer contour. In the interior of the sleeve 124, a circumferential shoulder 125 and, moreover, snap hooks 126 are arranged above the snap hooks 127.

The plug 122 has a smaller outer diameter than the openings 95 of the capacitor 90. He can therefore be introduced without effort from above into the openings 95. However, the plug 122 has, at least in its widest region of the conically tapered region, a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the sleeve 124 above the at least partially circumferential shoulder 125.

The plug 122 is therefore jammed by being pressed into the sleeve in the sleeve 124. The plug 122 comes to rest on the at least partially circumferential shoulder 125. Arranged in the interior of the sleeve 124 snap hooks 126 are arranged so that they are pressed by the insertion of the plug 122 to the outside and after pushing through the plug 122 on the wall of the sleeve 124 inwardly spring into the sleeve 124 inside. Thereby, the plug 122 is fixed between the at least partially circumferential shoulder 125 and the snap hook 126.

The sealing of the upper portion of the condenser 90, in which condensation takes place, to the lower portion of the condenser in which the subcooling occurs is accomplished by the sleeve 124, which bears against the blade 96 and underlying disc member 114, and inside the sleeve 124 via the plug 122, which sits with a press fit in the sleeve 124 and between the at least partially circumferential shoulder 125 and the snap hook 126 of the sleeve 124 is fixed.

In an alternative embodiment, the plug can also be fixed only by the fixation between the heel and the snap hook in the sleeve. The additional sealing effect, which is caused by a press fit, is to be regarded as optiohal and is not absolutely necessary. The plug can also have a non-conical shape.

The FIG. 9 shows a connection element 140 with an internal flow channel 141. The connection element 140 is plugged into a plug 145, which has an opening 146. The plug 145 has similar to the plug 122 in FIG. 8 a tapered from top to bottom shape. In this way, the plug is advantageously inserted into the openings 95 of the capacitor 90.

Deviating from FIG. 8 is now in the upper region of the condenser 90, in which the condensation takes place, a sleeve 142 is introduced. This sleeve 142 corresponds in its outer radius to the radius of the openings 95 of the disc elements 114. The sleeve 142 has an at least partially circumferential flange 143, with which the sleeve 142 comes to rest on the upper end plate element 106.

The sleeve 142 further has recesses 144 along its circumference. Via these recesses 144, the refrigerant from the channels 93 of the first region of the first flow channel can flow into the first flow path 91. Inside the sleeve 142, an at least partially circumferential shoulder 149 is arranged. This at least partially circumferential shoulder 149 is arranged in the lower end region of the sleeve 142. Above this at least partially encircling paragraph 149, the sleeve 142 snap hook 148. These are, as well as in FIG. 8 already described, directed inwards, so that they are pressed by the insertion of the plug 145 to the outside and feathers after passing past the plug 145 on the inner wall of the sleeve 142 inwardly out. The inserted Plug 145 is thus fixed between the partially circumferential shoulder 149 and the snap hook 148 in the sleeve 142.

In addition, depending on the geometric design of the plug 145 may be pressed on its tapered shape in the interior of the sleeve 142. By such a compression, the sealing effect of the sleeve 142 against the cutting disc 96 and the underlying disc member 114 can be further increased. By pressing in the plug 145, radially outwardly directed forces, which act on the wall of the sleeve 142 arise. These forces increase the sealing of the sleeve 142 relative to the capacitor 90.

The sleeve 142 also has snap hooks 147 on its exterior. These snap hooks 147 are positioned so that they engage behind the disc element 114, which is arranged directly under the cutting disc 96, in the fully inserted state of the sleeve 142. The sleeve 142 is thus fixed by the snap hook 147 in the capacitor 90. The at least partially circumferential shoulder 143 of the sleeve 142 defines the maximum insertion depth of the sleeve 142 in the capacitor 90th

The FIG. 10 shows that already in the FIG. 9 shown construction. In addition, an additional drying agent 150 is now introduced in the region of the sleeve 142. The desiccant 150 corresponds to a desiccant, which is also used in an external collector. Due to the arrangement of the drying agent 150 within the sleeve 142, the refrigerant, which flows through the first region of the first flow channel into the first flow path 91 and then flows on to the collector, are already partially dried within the condenser 90.

In the in FIG. 10 In the embodiment shown, the region of the first flow path 91 within the sleeve 142 is filled with desiccant 150.

The arrangement of desiccant 150 is shown in all FIGS. 2 to 10 be provided. For this purpose, the drying agent is advantageously provided in the condenser 30, 90, in particular in a region upstream of the collector. It is important to ensure that the desiccant can not flow freely through the condenser, so can be entrained by the refrigerant. Therefore, the arrangement of the desiccant 150, as in FIG. 10 shown inside the sleeve 142 or other device preventing the spreading of the desiccant.

The structure of the capacitors 30, 90 of FIGS. 2 to 10 is intended to illustrate the basic structure of a capacitor 30, 90 in stacked disk design. The illustrated illustration of the disc elements 42 and 114 or the cutting discs 31 and 96 has no limiting character and represents only one possible embodiment. Likewise, the number of stacked discs is not limiting.

Claims (16)

1. A condenser (1, 30, 90) of stacked plate design, comprising a first flow channel (36, 40, 93, 94) for a refrigerant and comprising a second flow channel (45, 105) for a coolant, wherein a plurality of plate elements (42, 114) is provided, which form channels (36, 40, 45, 93, 94, 105) between the plate elements (42, 114), which channels are adjacent to one another in a manner stacked above one another, wherein a first part of the channels (36, 40, 45, 93, 94, 105) is associated with the first flow channel (36, 40, 93, 94) and a second part of the channels (36, 40, 45, 93, 94, 105) is associated with the second flow channel (45, 105), wherein the flow channel (36, 40, 93, 94) of the refrigerant has a first region (2) for cooling and condensing the vaporous refrigerant and has a second region (3) for subcooling the condensed refrigerant, comprising a collector (8) for storing and/or filtering and/or drying a refrigerant, wherein a refrigerant transfer from the first region (2) into the second region (3) leads through the collector (8), wherein the collector (8) is in fluid communication with the first region (2) via a first flow path (35, 91), which is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the collector (8), wherein a connection element (4, 38, 52, 60, 70, 102, 120, 140) as fluid outlet of the collector (8) is in fluid communication with the second region (3), characterised in that the connection element (4, 38, 52, 60, 70, 102, 120, 140) runs at least in part within the first flow path (35, 91), and in that the first region (2) is separated from the second region (3) by a separation plate (31, 96).
2. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first flow path (35, 91) is formed along first openings (34, 95) in plate elements (42, 114) adjacent to one another, wherein the plate elements (42, 114) are part of the first region (2) of the first flow channel (36, 40, 93, 94).
3. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate elements (42, 114) that are part of the second region (3) of the first flow channel (36, 40, 93, 94) have first openings (34, 95), along which a second flow path (37, 92) is formed.
4. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separation plate (31, 96) has a second opening (41, 97), wherein the connection element (4, 38, 52, 60, 70, 102, 120, 140) penetrates the separation plate (31, 96) from the first region (2) to the second region (3) through the second opening (41, 97).
5. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to claim 4, characterised in that a stopper (98, 110, 122, 145) is arranged in the second opening (97) of the separation plate (96), which stopper has a third opening (104, 113, 123, 146), which is smaller in comparison with the second opening (97) of the separation plate (96), and the connection element (102, 120, 140) is guided through the third opening (104, 113, 123, 146) of the stopper (98, 110, 122, 145).
6. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to claim 5, characterised in that the separation plate (31, 96) is connected at least substantially in a fluid-tight manner to the connection element (4, 38, 52, 60, 70, 102, 120, 140) and/or the stopper (98, 110, 122, 145).
7. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the stopper (98, 110, 122, 145) has a first radial swelling, and has a second swelling adjacent to the first swelling, wherein the separation plate (96) is enclosed between the first swelling and the second swelling.
8. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the connection element (52, 60, 70), at the end region thereof facing towards the second region (3) of the first flow channel, has a third radial swelling and a fourth swelling adjacent to the third swelling, wherein the separation plate (31) or the stopper is enclosed between the third swelling and the fourth swelling.
9. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the swellings on the connection element (52, 60, 70) and/or on the stopper (98, 110, 122, 145) are formed by radially at least partially peripheral retaining elements (62, 73, 100) and/or by beads (50, 51, 63, 72, 99, 111, 112).
10. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the first swelling and/or the second swelling and/or the third swelling and/or the fourth swelling has a seal (64) directed towards the separation plate (31) and/or towards the stopper.
11. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a sleeve (124, 142) can be introduced into the first flow path (91) and/or into the second flow path (92), which sleeve has radially peripherally arranged recesses (128, 144).
12. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to the preceding claim 11, characterised in that the sleeve (124, 142) is fixed by an at least partially radially peripheral shoulder (143) and/or by a radially at least partially peripheral retaining element (127, 147) and/or by a press fit at the plate elements (114).
13. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 12, characterised in that the stopper (122, 145) is fixed in the sleeve (124, 142) by a press fit and/or an at least partially peripheral shoulder (125, 149) and/or a radially at least partially peripheral retaining element (126, 148).
14. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that means for drying (150) the refrigerant are provided in the region of the first flow path (91).
15. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection element (4, 38, 50, 60, 70, 102, 120, 140) is formed by a dip tube.
16. The condenser (1, 30, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first openings (34, 95) and/or the second openings (41, 97) and/or the third openings (104, 113, 123, 146) are arranged concentrically in relation to one another.

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