EP3015588A1 - Floor module for a heat pump device mounted in a housing of a domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor module (1) for a heat pump device of a domestic appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer dryer, in which a refrigerant pipe (2) with a pipe contour (3) is arranged, wherein the pipe contour (3) for solder joints (3). 4, 5) is pre-bent on the components to be connected such as a heat exchanger (6), a compressor or a filter drier (7) of the heat pump device. According to the invention, positioning elements (8, 9, 10) for the pipe contour (3) are provided on the floor module (1), which provide a reliable integration for the soldering connections (4, 5) of the refrigerant pipe (2) to the components (6 , 7) allow the heat pump device.

Description

The invention relates to a floor module for a housing arranged in a heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer dryer, in which a refrigerant pipe is arranged, wherein the pipe contour of the refrigerant pipe for solder joints on the components to be connected, such as a heat exchanger, a compressor or a Filter dryer of the heat pump device is pre-bent. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a refrigerant pipe to a arranged in a floor module heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer-dryer, which comprises a pipe contour.

In one known from the prior art floor module, which is made of a plastic molding, the own components of a heat pump device are installed in or on the floor module. Thus, in the bottom module, a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and depending on the version also still a desuperheating, and a throttle provided, which are connected by means of pipes. The pipes contain a refrigerant that flows through the evaporator and through the condenser to extract heat from the system, which is used to heat a process air stream. Thus, the central component of a heat pump dryer is the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant pipes designed as multiply curved copper pipes must absorb the vibrations emanating from the refrigeration compressor, without them resonating. Because an occurring resonance on the elements would lead after a short time to cracks and leaks in the refrigerant circuit and lead to a total loss of the device. To ensure the fatigue strength of the components, an accurate and complex design of the tube contours of the refrigerant tubes is necessary.

From the DE 10 2012 105 668 A1 a bottom pan for receiving a compressor in a floor module of a heat pump device of a household appliance is known in which refrigerant tubes are arranged with tube contours, which are pre-bent at the free ends for solder joints with the components to be connected. The floor pan has a holder for positioning refrigerant piping sections formed as a corrugated hose.

From the JP 2011-092 331 A a floor module for the heat pump device of a clothes dryer is known in the refrigerant pipes with a pipe contour for Soldered joints are pre-bent. The JP 2011-092 331 A also describes a method of assembly in which the pipe contour is soldered to the components of the heat pump device using a template.

However, a reliable function is only ensured if high demands are made on the accuracy of the pipe contour and its positioning in the module floor module. Especially the positioning in the assembly before soldering the joints causes a lot of effort in the assembly, because it works with so-called. Lötlehren that must be manually inserted into the assembly before soldering and finally removed again. It is not uncommon that the use of a gauge is forgotten in production, which affects the process reliability. The currently manufactured heat pump modules use different soldering gauges in heat pump production. These are adapted according to the different floor module variants, i. H. for different floor modules also the corresponding gauges must be used.

The use of solder gauges results in an increased effort in the production, which causes additional costs. There is also the danger that when dismantling the teachings, z. B. by tilting, the tubes are deformed, so that by a deviation from the desired position, the natural frequency of the components can change. Under certain circumstances, this leads to larger vibration amplitudes and alternating voltage stress, which is accompanied by a shortened service life of the device. It is also possible that positional deviation of the pipeline can lead to collisions with surrounding components.

The invention thus raises the problem of developing a floor module with a heat pump device such that the use of solder gauges in the heat pump module production can be minimized or that it can be completely dispensed with in the best case.

The invention also raises the problem of providing a method for mounting a refrigerant pipe to a arranged in a floor module heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer dryer ready, which ensures high process reliability during manufacture.

According to the invention, the problem with the features of claim 1 and the independent claim 9 is achieved. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims.

The advantages achieved with the invention essentially consist in the fact that a precise pre-positioning of the pipeline can take place without aids on the floor module. This time and cost savings in the assembly can be achieved. By the positioning elements Elimination of all degrees of freedom is achieved, so that a permanently secured position of the pipeline is given. Also be excluded by the positioning collisions with other components on the floor module, with sufficient insertion depths are ensured at all soldering and connection points.

Thus, various geometries such as chamfers, centering ribs and retaining clips are formed on the plastic component of the floor module, which are mounted so that during assembly, the pipes are brought into a desired position and held in this. The assembly concept envisages that the respective pipeline is first inserted with one end into the corresponding connection. This can be in the refrigerant circuit z. B. be the connections of the heater heat exchanger. The maximum insertion depth can be ensured in various ways, z. B. on a gradation of the inner diameter of the receiving geometry or the outer diameter of the tube einzusteckenden. Also, a bead formed on the tube can be used. When swiveling down, the pipe then hits a run-on slope formed on the floor module, where it slides along and is guided forcibly. The run-up slope opens into a contact surface, which prevents the tube from slipping out of its counterpart, so that the intended minimum insertion depth is ensured. At the end of the swiveling process, the opposite pipe end is inserted in the process air heat exchanger, filter dryer or refrigeration compressor. At the same time the tube is inserted with the end of the pivoting movement in a formed on the bottom module clamp, which holds the tube in the final position and thus ensures the Mindesteinstecktiefe the second connection point. The clamp is aligned in the mounting direction of the second connection point and equipped with a suitable inlet slope, so that even in difficult to reach places secure mounting is possible.

Optionally, where appropriate, positioning ribs can be installed on the floor module that are additionally provided with run-in bevels, which improve the positional accuracy over the entire length of the pipe for long and suitably flexible pipes. For piping that can vibrate freely, the connecting pipes from and to the refrigeration compressor must be mounted in retaining clips in the region of the pipe end, so that the vibration capability of the pipes is not affected. The formatted pipelines can now be soldered without additional positioning aids and are thus permanently fixed in their position on the floor module.

According to the invention, it is proposed for this purpose that positioning elements for the pipe contour are provided on the floor module, which enable a reliable integration for the solder joints of the refrigerant pipe to be created on the components of the heat pump device. In this case, the positioning elements comprise different geometry shapes, which are formed for this purpose on the floor module.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant pipe can now be brought and pressed by means of the molded positioning elements in the assembly in a desired position, wherein by means of the positioning also achieved that the refrigerant pipe is held in this desired position.

According to a particularly advantageous development of the positioning elements, these comprise a molded starting bevel, which provides a controlled pivoting operation into the desired position during pivoting of the refrigerant pipe. The positioning elements further comprise integrally formed centering ribs which secure the refrigerant pipe horizontally in the desired position. Also, the positioning members include retaining clips that hold the refrigerant tube in the desired position when pressed between these clips.

The pipe contour comprising the refrigerant essentially consists of a straight pipe center piece with an angled pipe region, at the end of which in each case, in particular, rectangular bent pipe ends connect to provide the accurately fitting plug connection.

The invention likewise relates to a method for mounting a refrigerant pipe to a arranged in a floor module heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer dryer, which comprises a tube contour for solder joints on the components to be connected such as a heat exchanger, a compressor or a filter drier of the heat pump device is pre-bent, wherein the pipe contour having refrigerant pipe is inserted during installation by means of integrally formed on the bottom module positioning in a desired position, which hold the refrigerant tube for creating the solder joints in this position.

During assembly, the pipe contour is inserted with an angled Rohrendbereich in a first step to the pipe end of a component of the heat exchanger of the heat pump device under a vertical position. Then, in a second step, the pipe contour is pivoted into the horizontal on the floor module, wherein the pipe contour comes into contact with a support slope which predetermines the Rohrendbereich a predetermined insertion depth of the heat exchanger. With progressive pivoting then put the centering ribs on the pipe contour, which limit the refrigerant pipe against horizontal movement on the floor module. At the end of the pivoting process, the pipe contour is pressed into molded retaining clips that hold the pipe contour in the desired position on the floor module, in which position the insertion depth of the other pipe end of the pipe contour on the other component, for example, a compressor of the heat pump device will pretend.

Figur 1

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung des Bodenmoduls mit exponierter Darstellung des einzusetzenden Kältemittelrohres;

Figur 2

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Bodenmoduls mit eingesetztem Kältemittelrohr;

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf das Bodenmodul mit eingesetztem Kältemittelrohr;

Figur 4

eine geschnittene Ansicht gemäß der Schnittlinie A - A in Figur 3 und

Figur 5

eine weitere geschnittene Darstellung gemäß der Schnittlinie B - B in Figur 3.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows:

FIG. 1

a first perspective view of the floor module with exposed representation of the refrigerant pipe to be used;

FIG. 2

a further perspective view of the floor module with inserted refrigerant pipe;

FIG. 3

a plan view of the floor module with inserted refrigerant pipe;

FIG. 4

a sectional view along the section line A - A in FIG. 3 and

FIG. 5

a further sectional view along the section line B - B in FIG. 3 ,

The Figures 1 and 2 each show portions of a floor module 1 for a arranged in a housing, not shown heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, a dishwasher or a washer-dryer. In this case, a refrigerant pipe 2 with a pipe contour 3 for use in the floor module 1 is arranged in the floor module. The pipe contour 3 for solder joints 4, 5 is pre-bent at the components to be connected, such as a heat exchanger 6 and a filter dryer 7 of the heat pump device.

How now from the synopsis of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be seen, are provided on the bottom module 1 positioning 8, 9 and 10 for the pipe contour 3, the process-reliable integration - shown in the FIG. 2 - Allow for the solder joints 4, 5 of the refrigerant tube 2 to be created on the components, as here on the heat exchanger 6 and the filter drier 7. The positioning elements 8, 9 and 10 in this case have different geometric shapes, in particular in the FIG. 2 , but also in the FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown in more detail. Because of the positioning elements 8, 9 and 10, the refrigerant pipe 2 during assembly in the desired position - as in the FIG. 2 but also in the FIG. 3 is shown - can be brought and pressed. The position elements 8, 9 and 10 according to the invention in this case hold the refrigerant pipe 2 in the desired position, so that in this position, the solder joints 4, 5 can be attached without the need for a special soldering gauge.

As from the synopsis of FIG. 2 . 4 and 5 can be seen, the positioning include once a molded run-on slope 8, which during pivoting of the refrigerant pipe 2 a controlled pivoting operation from the vertical position to the horizontal position in the desired position of the FIG. 2 provides. The positioning elements in this case comprise centering ribs 9.1 and 9.2, which secure the refrigerant pipe 2 in the desired position in the horizontal position, as shown in particular from the synopsis of Figures 3 and 5 is recognizable. As a further positioning a retaining clip 10 is provided, as in the Figures 3 and 4 will be shown. The retaining clips 10 hold this in the desired position, the refrigerant pipe in the depressed position.

As can be seen from the synopsis of all figures, in this case the pipe contour 3 essentially comprises a straight pipe center piece 11 with an angled pipe portion 12, at the ends 13 and 14 respectively bent rectangular pipe ends 15 and 16 join to provide the snug connections to the components 6, 7 as in the FIG. 2 and 3 can be seen. Thus, the pipe end 15 forms a plug-in connection with the heat exchanger 6, wherein the pipe end 16 provides a plug connection with the filter dryer 7 accurately.

Concerning the assembly of the pre-bent refrigerant pipe 2, the angled pipe end 15 is placed in a first step on the pipe end 17 of a component of a heat exchanger 6 under a vertical position during assembly of the pipe contour 3, as shown in the FIG. 1 is hinted at. In a second step, the pipe contour 3 is then pivoted into the horizontal, as shown in the Figures 2 and 3 is shown, in which case the pipe contour 3 comes into contact with the contact surface of the run-on slope 8, which predetermines the pipe end 15 a predetermined insertion depth at the pipe end 17 of the heat exchanger 6. In the progressive pivoting then put the centering ribs 9.1 and 9.2 to the outer periphery of the refrigerant tube 2, so that by a horizontal movement on the floor module 1 is no longer given. At the end of the pivoting operation, the pipe contour 3 is pressed into retaining clips 10. 1 and 10. 2 formed on the floor module 1, so that the pipe contour 3 is thereby in the desired position on the floor module 1 and held therein, as also shown in FIG FIG. 2 and 3 will be shown.

In this so-called end position, the insertion depth into the pipe end on the other component is likewise predetermined for the filter drier 7 of the heat pump device. Because of this now so facilitating assembly process, it no longer requires soldering jigs. This results in a cost savings through the reduction, simplification and / or the complete elimination of Lötlehren, resulting in a reduced assembly costs. The simplified assembly also results in a higher process reliability in production, since it is no longer possible to position the soldering gauges incorrectly or to forget them after the soldering process. Also, in this case, the dimensionally accurate and precisely fitting insertion depths are defined exactly for the soldering process, so that the soldering process can also be substantially shortened.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

Base module

02

Coolant pipe

03

pipe contour

04

solder

05

solder

06

heat exchangers

07

filter dryer

08

Start-up slope (positioning element)

09

Centering ribs (positioning element)
9.1 Centering rib
9.2 Centering rib

10

Brackets (positioning element)
10.1 bracket
10.2 bracket

11

Pipe centerpiece

12

Angled pipe area

13

End bent

14

End bent

15

pipe end

16

pipe end

17

Pipe end heat exchanger

Claims (10)

Floor module (1) for a housing arranged in a heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer dryer, in which a refrigerant pipe (2) with a pipe contour (3) is arranged, wherein the pipe contour (3) for solder joints (4, 5) to the components to be connected, such as a heat exchanger (6), a compressor or a filter drier (7) of the heat pump device is pre-bent,
characterized,
that positioning elements (8, 9, 10) for the pipe contour (3) are formed on the floor module (1), providing a reliable integration for the soldering connections (4, 5) of the refrigerant pipe (2) to the components (6, 7) enable the heat pump device. Floor module according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the positioning elements (8, 9, 10) comprise various geometrical shapes, which at the bottom module (1) are formed, Floor module according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that, by means of the positioning elements (8, 9, 10), the refrigerant pipe (2) can be brought and pressed into a desired position during assembly. Floor module according to claim 3,
characterized,
in that the refrigerant pipe (2) is held in the desired position by means of the positioning elements (8, 9, 10). Floor module according to claim 1 to 4,
characterized,
in that the positioning elements (8, 9, 10) comprise an integrally formed run-on slope (8), which provides a controlled pivoting operation into the desired position during pivoting of the refrigerant pipe (2). Floor module according to claim 1 to 4,
characterized,
in that the positioning elements (8, 9, 10) comprise integrally formed centering ribs (9.1 and 9.2) which secure the refrigerant tube (2) in the desired position against horizontal movement. Floor module according to claim 1 to 4,
characterized,
in that the positioning elements (8, 9, 10) comprise integrally formed holding clips (10.1 and 10.2) which hold the refrigerant tube (2) in the desired position. Floor module according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the pipe contour (3) essentially comprises a straight pipe central piece (11) with an angled pipe region (12), at the ends (13) and (14) of which respectively bent pipe ends (15) and (16) connect to provide the precisely fitting connectors. Method for mounting a refrigerant pipe (2) to a in a floor module (1) arranged heat pump device of a household appliance such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher or washer dryer, which comprises a pipe contour (3) for solder joints (4, 5) to be connected to the components such For example, a heat exchanger (6), a compressor or a filter drier (7) of the heat pump device is pre-bent, wherein the pipe contour (3) having refrigerant pipe (2) during installation by means of the bottom module (1) integrally formed positioning elements (8, 9, 10 ) is used in a desired position, which hold the refrigerant pipe (2) for creating the solder joints (4, 5) in this position. Method according to claim 9,
characterized,
that during assembly the tube contour (3) with an angled tube end region (13) is placed in a first step on the tube end (17) of one component of a heat exchanger (6) of the heat pump device under a vertical position, and wherein in a second step the tube contour (3) is given away in the horizontal, and wherein in this case the pipe contour (3) comes into contact with a run-on slope (8), which predetermines the Rohrendbereich (13) a predetermined insertion depth of the heat exchanger (6), and wherein with progressive Verschwenkvorgang itself Place the centering ribs (9.1 and 9.2) against the pipe contour (3), which delimit the refrigerant pipe (2) against horizontal movement on the floor module (1). At the end of the pivoting process, the pipe contour (3) is formed in holding clamps (10.1 and 10.2) is pressed, which hold the pipe contour (3) in the desired position on the floor module (1), and in this position, the insertion depth of the other pipe end (14) of the pipe Contour (3) on the other component of a compressor filter drier (7) of the heat pump device specified.

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