EP2984421B1 - Receiver - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a collector for a refrigerant for a refrigerant circuit, in particular a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a condenser with such a collector.

State of the art

Collectors for refrigerants in a refrigerant circuit are known in the prior art. These collectors store the refrigerant in order to have enough refrigerant available in the refrigerant circuit even in the event of operational fluctuations in the filling volume.

Furthermore, a desiccant is often also provided in the collector in order to dry the refrigerant and to filter moisture out of the refrigerant.

The collector is often arranged in the refrigerant circuit after the condenser or between a condensation zone and a sub-cooling zone of the condenser in the fluid flow. The refrigerant flows out the condenser or from the condensation zone of the condenser into the collector, where the refrigerant is separated into a gaseous phase and a liquid phase. The gaseous phase collects above the liquid phase in the collector and the liquid phase can be discharged from the collector again from below the gaseous phase.

If gaseous refrigerant is also fed from the collector into the subsequent subcooling zone, this gaseous refrigerant must first condense in the subcooling zone, so that the further lowering of the temperature of the refrigerant for the gaseous component cannot be implemented until the gaseous component has not condensed . This reduces the effectiveness of the subcooling zone, because part of the effectiveness does not lower the temperature of the refrigerant, but only its condensation.

This ultimately has the effect that the maximum subcooling temperature is not reached and therefore the effectiveness of the downstream evaporator is not optimal.

The fill level of the collector with refrigerant depends on the load condition of the refrigeration circuit, but also on the fill quantity during filling and any leaks. In this case, under every operating condition, i.e. every filling level of the refrigerant in the collector, refrigerant is fed into the subsequent subcooling zone. document JP-A-405196326 discloses a collector according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention, task, solution, advantages

It is the object of the invention to create a collector in which the gaseous component in the liquid refrigerant which flows out of the collector over wide operating ranges or at different filling levels is as low as possible. It is also the task to create a capacitor with such a collector.

This is achieved with the features of claim 1.

One embodiment of the invention provides a collector with a collector housing with a fluid collection space, with a fluid inlet and with a fluid outlet, a dryer being provided in the fluid collection space, with an inlet channel protruding into the fluid collection space, which has a channel outlet in the fluid collection space from which fluid flows Fluid inlet leads as a channel inlet into the fluid collecting space, the inlet channel being shaped such that the fluid flowing out of the channel outlet flows out in a lateral direction at a distance from the central axis of the collector. This ensures that the fluid flows on a circular or spiral path in the collector and thereby a good separation of gaseous and liquid refrigerant is achieved in the fluid collection chamber of the collector, so that when fluid flows out of the collector, the gaseous portion is reduced or is avoided.

According to the invention it is useful if there is an unblocked volume above the channel outlet which is at least 50% of the gross volume of the collector in this section and which extends over a height of at least 50% of the total internal height of the collector.

It is advantageous here if a dryer, such as dryer granules, is located below the channel outlet, on the side facing away from the unobstructed volume.

It is also useful if a dryer, such as dryer granules, is located at the upper end of the collector.

It is also advantageous if the collector volume has an essentially constant cross-sectional area.

It is useful if the cross section of the collector has a round shape.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention it is advantageous if the collector housing has a round cross section with a cylindrical wall. This means that the fluid flowing out of the channel outlet is forced into a circular flow on the cylindrical wall of the collector housing, in which the gas components can rise better and are better able to separate from the liquid component.

It is also expedient if the inlet channel has an outlet opening at its channel outlet that is rotated by approximately 90 ° with respect to a channel longitudinal axis, so that the outflowing fluid flow emerges approximately at right angles to the channel longitudinal axis. This means that the fluid flows out essentially in a horizontal plane and can be forced into a spiral path in order to lengthen the path of the fluid so that the phase separation is improved.

It is particularly advantageous if the channel outlet is designed as a pipe bend. A simple type of deflection of the fluid is thereby achieved.

It is also expedient if the channel outlet is designed as an obliquely cut pipe end, in which the long protruding pipe wall side is folded to the short pipe wall side. Because the long protruding pipe wall side is bent over by approximately 90 ° towards the short pipe wall side, a structure is advantageously achieved which corresponds to a simple deflection by 90 °. This structure is achieved by cutting the pipe at an angle and then folding over one side of the pipe wall.

It is also advantageous if the dryer is arranged between two fluid-permeable retaining disks, the inlet channel passing through at least one of the retaining disks, advantageously through the two retaining disks. In this way, the dryer can be arranged between the two retaining disks, with the inlet channel reaching through the retaining disks. This has the effect that the fluid does not directly cross the dryer on its way into the fluid collection space, but is guided through the dryer in a manner separated from the inlet channel. On the other hand, on the way back from the fluid collecting space to the fluid outlet, the fluid must flow through the dryer, that is to say through the retaining disks and past the dryer granulate arranged in between. This means that the dryer flows through only once from the inlet to the outlet of the fluid collection chamber.

It is also advantageous if the dryer is arranged between a bottom wall or top wall and a fluid-permeable retaining disk. The dryer can be arranged on the upper or lower area of the fluid collection space so that it is arranged in a space-saving and cost-effective manner with only one holding disk.

It is advantageous here if the inlet channel passes through one retaining disk. This is particularly the case when the dryer is arranged at the lower area of the collector.

It is also expedient if a fluid deflecting element is connected to the inlet channel, which deflects the fluid flow from the fluid collecting space to the fluid outlet. As a result, the direct path to the fluid outlet is blocked and the fluid is deflected in order to lengthen the path for the fluid, which promotes the phase separation.

It is also advantageous if the fluid deflecting element is a wall which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inlet channel. A simple and inexpensive way of blocking and redirecting can thus be achieved. The wall can be designed as a flat disk with an opening for leading through the inlet channel.

It is also expedient if a gap for the fluid to flow through to the fluid outlet is provided between the wall as the fluid deflecting element and the wall of the collector housing. In this way, a specifically dimensioned passage can be created without the need for separate components.

It is particularly advantageous if a filter is arranged between the fluid deflecting element and the fluid outlet. As a result, the fluid deflection element can also be used to hold the filter, so that a separate holder can be omitted. The holder can be integrated into the fluid deflection element.

It is also useful if the filter covers the fluid outlet with one of its side surfaces and is covered by the fluid deflecting element on one of the opposite side surfaces. This results in a defined arrangement and flow through the filter. It is held between the edge region of the fluid outlet and the fluid deflecting element, while the flow onto the filter takes place laterally from the side.

It is also advantageous if the retaining disk is a perforated plastic or sheet metal disk. As a result, the disk can be manufactured inexpensively by injection molding or stamping.

It is also expedient if the fluid inlet and / or the fluid outlet are arranged on a base plate of the collector.

The object relating to the capacitor is achieved with the features of claim 14.

One embodiment relates to a condenser for a refrigeration circuit, in particular of a motor vehicle, with a block with first and second fluid channels, wherein the first fluid channels can be flown through by a coolant and the second fluid channels can be flown through by a coolant, the first fluid channels in a condensation zone for condensation of the coolant and is subdivided into a subcooling zone for subcooling the liquid refrigerant, the collector being arranged in the fluid flow between the condensation zone and the subcooling zone or after the subcooling zone.

Further advantageous embodiments are described by the following description of the figures and by the subclaims.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

einen Sammler gemäß dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sammlers,

Fig. 3

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Sammlers,

Fig. 4

ein Detail eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Sammlers,

Fig. 5

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für einen Einlasskanal, und

Fig. 6

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für einen weiteren Einlasskanal.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of at least one exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a collector according to the state of the art,

Fig. 2

an embodiment of a collector according to the invention,

Fig. 3

another embodiment of a collector according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a detail of an embodiment of a collector according to the invention,

Fig. 5

an embodiment for an inlet channel, and

Fig. 6

an embodiment for a further inlet channel.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The Figure 1 shows a collector 1 for a refrigerant of a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle according to the prior art. The collector 1 has a collector housing 2 which has a cylindrical wall 3 and a base 4 and a cover 5.

A fluid inlet 6 and a fluid outlet 7 are provided in the base 4. The fluid inlet 6 represents a bore through the base 4, just as the fluid outlet 7 also represents a bore through the base 4. On the inside of the fluid inlet 6 there is a riser pipe 8 which communicates with the fluid inlet 6 and which extends essentially through the entire collector in the vertical direction. If a refrigerant 9 flows in through the fluid inlet 6, it passes upwards in the vertical direction through the riser pipe 8 and flows out at the upper end of the riser pipe 8 into the fluid collection space. There it essentially sinks and, after passing through the dryer 10, reaches the fluid outlet 7 again. The dryer 10 is arranged approximately in the center of the collector housing 2, a quantity of dryer granulate 11 being held between two perforated disks. The dryer granulate is therefore held on both sides by a perforated disk 12, 13, which are arranged at a distance from one another. The refrigerant 9, which flows out at the upper end of the riser pipe 8, flows through the dryer in that it flows through the upper perforated disk and flows past the dryer granulate and then flows through the lower perforated disk.

The Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a collector 20 according to the invention with a collector housing 21. The collector housing 21 consists of a cylindrical wall 22 and a base 23 and a cover 24. The collector housing 21 can preferably be formed from a tube which forms the wall 22, the Bottom 23 can be inserted into the pipe, for example, and the cover can be connected to the pipe or is even formed in one piece with it. The collector 20 forms a fluid collection space 25 in the interior of the collector housing 21, the collector 20 being provided with a fluid inlet 26 and with a fluid outlet 27. The fluid inlet 26 and the fluid outlet 27 are provided as bores in the base 23.

The fluid inlet 26 and the fluid outlet 27 form openings or bores in the base 23 and are used for fluid communication between an external connection and the fluid collection space 25. Inside the fluid collection space 25, an inlet channel 28 is provided which is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet 26 and which into the fluid collection space 25 protrudes. The fluid, such as refrigerant, 29 flowing in through the fluid inlet 26 flows through the inlet channel 28 and exits from the channel outlet 30 of the inlet channel 28. The channel inlet 31 can coincide with the fluid inlet 26 or it connects to the fluid inlet, for example where the inlet channel 28 begins at the bottom 23. The inlet channel 28 is advantageously a tube which is inserted into the base 23 or placed on the base 23. For this purpose, the tube which forms the inlet channel 28 can be let into an opening in the base 23 or placed in or on a receptacle.

The inlet channel 28 has a shape at its channel outlet 30 which has the effect that the fluid flowing out of the channel outlet 30, in cooperation with the wall 22 of the collector housing 21, assumes a spiral flow within the fluid collection space. For this purpose, the inlet channel 28 has an outlet opening at its channel outlet 30 that is rotated by approximately 90 ° to a channel longitudinal axis 32, so that the outflowing fluid flow leaves the channel outlet 30 approximately at right angles to the channel longitudinal axis 32. Spiral here means an arcuate or approximately circular flow or a flow approximating a circular path, which can also be provided with a velocity component in the vertical, so that the fluid can also move up or down starting from an inflow plane.

In further exemplary embodiments, the angle of 90 ° to the longitudinal axis of the channel can also assume different values in this regard, for example between 45 ° and 135 °, so that the flow of the fluid from the channel outlet 30 is directed towards the cylindrical wall 22, but the fluid flow is nonetheless directed also has a component of velocity in the vertical direction up or down.

The fluid flowing out of the fluid outlet 27 strikes the cylindrical wall 22 with a speed component and is deflected there onto an arc of a circle or onto a spiral path.

A fluid deflecting element 33 is connected to the inlet channel 28 in such a way that the fluid deflecting element 33 is designed as a wall, in particular for example horizontal, and the inlet channel 28 extends through the fluid deflecting element 33 so that a fluid flowing out of the channel outlet 30 cannot flow directly to the fluid outlet 27 , but is deflected by this fluid deflecting element 33. The fluid deflecting element 33 is designed, for example, as a flat plate which is either formed jointly with the inlet channel 28 or is connected and supported therewith, the inlet channel 28 being able to reach through as a tube through an opening in the fluid deflection element 33. A gap 34, through which the fluid 29 flows before it reaches the fluid outlet 27, can remain between an edge of the fluid deflection element 33 and the wall 22.

A filter 35, which sits on the fluid outlet and is covered by the fluid deflection element 33, can optionally be arranged between the fluid deflecting element 33 and the fluid outlet 27. This has the effect that the fluid 29 flows laterally into the filter 35, so that the fluid in the filter 35 is essentially deflected by 90 ° before it reaches the fluid outlet 27.

In the embodiment of Figure 2 the dryer 36 is arranged at the upper end in the region of the cover 24, the dryer 36 being received as granules between a cover wall 24 and a retaining disk 37. The retaining disk 37 is a fluid-permeable disk, such as, for example, a perforated disk or a grid or the like. The holding disk 37 is preferably fastened or held on the inner wall of the collector housing 21, so that the dryer granules from the dryer 36 remain between the cover 24 and the holding disk 37. For example, the holding disk 37 can also be spring-loaded, so that it presses on the dryer granulate in the axial direction on the cover and thus compresses it.

The Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a collector 50 according to the invention, in which a tubular inlet channel 54 is provided within the collector housing 51 with fluid inlet 52 and fluid outlet 53, through which the fluid 55 can flow into the fluid collection chamber 56. The channel outlet 57 is in turn designed such that a lateral, essentially horizontal outflow of the fluid 55 takes place in the direction of the wall 58, so that the fluid is forced onto a spiral path or a circular path.

The dryer 59 is arranged between two retaining disks 60, 61 through which the tubular inlet channel 54 passes. The fluid flows above the upper retaining disk 51 from the inlet channel 54 into the fluid collection space 56 and enters the dryer through the upper retaining disk 61, which is a fluid-permeable retaining disk, flows around the dryer granulate located there and then flows through the lower retaining disk 60 into Direction towards the fluid outlet 53.

The Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the upper retaining disk 61 in relation to the tubular inlet channel 54. The retaining disk 61 has a plurality of openings 62 through which the fluid can flow. Furthermore, the holding disk 61 has a larger opening 63 through which the inlet channel 54 can reach as a tubular element. The upper end of the fluid inlet channel with its end area, which is designed as a pipe bend or a cap and has a lateral opening, protrudes beyond the holding disk 61. The fluid can thus flow out of the inlet channel 54 in the lateral direction above the retaining disk 61.

The Figure 5 shows an inlet channel 70 which is designed as a tube. At the upper end the inlet channel 70 has a pipe bend 71 which ends in a channel outlet 72 which lies in a plane which is arranged perpendicular to the cross section of the fluid inlet of the collector and to the cross section of the vertical part of the tubular inlet channel 70.

The Figure 6 In the figure on the left, FIG. 8 shows an inlet channel 80 which is cut off at an angle at its upper end 81. In this case, the inlet channel has a channel outlet 82 which is inclined through the cut pipe end is formed, the pipe having a long protruding pipe wall side 83 and a short pipe wall side. After the inlet channel has been cut to length, the long protruding pipe wall side is bent over in the direction of the short pipe wall side 84, so that a channel outlet is created which essentially allows the fluid to flow laterally out of the inlet channel, see FIG Figure 6 the right figure.

Individual features of different exemplary embodiments can generally be combined with one another without restricting the generality and also without being specifically mentioned.

Claims (14)

1. A receiver (20) with a receiver housing (21) with a fluid-receiving chamber (25) having a fluid inlet (26) and a fluid outlet (27), wherein in said fluid-receiving chamber (25) a drier (36) is provided, wherein an inlet channel (28) extends into the fluid-receiving chamber (25), characterised in that the inlet channel (28) has a channel outlet (30) in the fluid-receiving chamber (25) which feeds fluid from the fluid inlet (26) as a channel inlet (31) into the fluid-receiving chamber (25), wherein the inlet channel (28) is shaped such that the fluid flowing out of the channel outlet (30) flows in a lateral direction at a distance from the central axis of the receiver, wherein the channel outlet is designed as a pipe socket with an attached or inserted adapter piece, particularly of plastic.
2. The receiver according to claim 1, characterised in that above the channel outlet there is an unobstructed volume which comprises at least 50% of the gross volume of the receiver in this section and which extends over a height of at least 50% of the total internal height of the receiver.
3. The receiver according to claim 2, characterised in that the drier (36), such as drying granulate, is located at the upper end of the receiver.
4. The receiver according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel outlet (30, 70) is designed as a pipe bend (71).
5. The receiver according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drier (59) is arranged between two fluid-permeable retaining discs (60, 61), wherein the inlet channel (28) penetrates at least one of the retaining discs (60, 61), advantageously both retaining discs (60, 61).
6. The receiver according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drier (36) is arranged between a base wall or a top wall and a fluid-permeable retaining disc (37).
7. The receiver according to claim 6, characterised in that the one retaining disc (37) is penetrated by the inlet channel.
8. The receiver according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a fluid deflector (33) which deflects the flow of fluid from the fluid-receiving chamber (25) to the fluid outlet (27) is coupled with the inlet channel (28).
9. The receiver according to claim 8, characterised in that the fluid deflector (33) is a wall which is essentially oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (32) of the inlet channel.
10. The receiver according to claim 9, characterised in that a gap (34) for flow-through of the fluid to the fluid outlet (27) is provided between a wall as fluid deflector (33) and the wall (22) of the receiver housing (21).
11. The receiver according to at least one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterised in that a filter (35) is arranged between the fluid deflector (33) and the fluid outlet (27).
12. The receiver according to claim 11, characterised in that the filter (35) covers the fluid outlet (27) with one of its side surfaces and is covered by the fluid deflector (33) on the opposite side surfaces.
13. The receiver according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet are arranged on a base plate of the receiver.
14. A capacitor for a refrigerant circuit, in particular a motor vehicle, with a block having first and second fluid channels, wherein a refrigerant can flow through the first fluid channels and a coolant can flow through the second fluid channels, wherein the first fluid channels are divided into a condensation zone for condensing the refrigerant and into a sub-cooling zone for sub-cooling the liquid refrigerant, wherein the receiver is arranged in the fluid stream between the condensation zone and the sub-cooling zone or after the sub-cooling zone, and the receiver is formed according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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