EP4276368A1 - Device for cooling and/or heating a medium and cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is based on a device (100) for cooling and/or heating a medium with at least one housing (102), in which at least one heat exchanger (104) through which the medium can flow is arranged, with at least one fan (106), which Air (108) can be conveyed through the at least one heat exchanger (104), the housing (102) having at least one opening (110) permeable to the air. It is proposed that the opening (110) is covered or can be covered by a plurality (200) of smaller recesses (202) which are separated from one another by means of intermediate webs (204), the recesses (202) partially channeling the air (108) and partially block.

Description

The activity leading to this application has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) under grant agreement No EIT/EIT InnoEnergy/SGA2018. This European body receives support from the European Union's the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

State of the art

From the prior art are devices for cooling and/or heating a medium with at least one housing, in which at least one heat exchanger through which the medium can flow is arranged, with at least one fan which is able to convey air through the at least one heat exchanger, whereby the Housing has at least one opening permeable to air, known. The opening can be covered with a cover.

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved device and an improved cover.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on a device for cooling and/or heating a medium with at least one housing, in which at least one heat exchanger through which the medium can flow is arranged, with at least one fan which is able to convey air through the at least one heat exchanger, whereby the Housing has at least one opening permeable to air.

It is proposed that the opening is covered or can be covered by a plurality of smaller recesses which are separated from one another by means of intermediate webs, the recesses partially channeling and partially blocking the air.

In this context, a device is to be understood in particular as a heating device, a cooling device, a heat pump or an air heat exchange device or a component thereof assigned to the area of heating, air conditioning and ventilation technology. In particular, the device can be an outdoor unit of a heat pump that can be set up in an outdoor environment or a monoblock heat pump. The device can be set up in an external environment of a building, in particular on a roof of the building. Alternatively, the device can be set up essentially at ground level. The device uses air from the outside environment as a heat source and/or heat sink. A medium is to be understood here in particular as a liquid and/or gaseous heat transfer medium or a, in particular evaporable/condensable, refrigerant. A housing is to be understood here in particular as a spatial delimitation of an interior of the device from an external environment of the device, comprising essentially tight housing walls. A heat exchanger is to be understood here in particular as an air/medium heat exchanger and/or an evaporator and/or a condenser, for example a finned tube heat exchanger or a microchannel heat exchanger, for cooling and/or heating a medium, in particular for transferring heat between air and medium. An air side of the heat exchanger is touched by, in particular flowing, air, in particular flows around or flows through it. A medium side of the heat exchanger is touched, in particular flows around or flows through, by, in particular, flowing medium. An important design parameter of the heat exchanger is the heat exchanger surface, which is touched by the air and/or the medium and which serves to transfer heat between the air and the medium. In particular, it is advantageous to allow air to flow evenly around the heat exchanger surface, in particular evenly distributed over the heat exchanger surface Partial amounts of air flow around a total amount of air. Partial air quantity can be understood to mean, in particular, a specific air quantity per unit area of the heat exchanger surface. The sum of the partial air quantities corresponds to a total air quantity. In this context, the term uniform distribution is intended to mean, in particular, a substantially constant distribution of the amount of air and/or air velocity (flow velocity) over a surface. An opening here is to be understood in particular as a flat passage in the housing, in particular in a housing wall or between at least two housing walls, between the interior and the outside environment, through which air from the outside environment can flow into the device and/or flow out of the device into the outside environment . In particular, the opening can be an inflow opening and/or an outflow opening for air. The opening has a characteristic cross-sectional area, measured in a plane parallel to a main plane of extent of the opening. A blower should here be understood to mean, in particular, an air blower or an air fan. In particular, the fan can be used to suck air from the external environment of the device through a first opening into the device, convey it to the heat exchanger and blow it out again into the external environment through a second opening. The fan can be arranged in particular in the interior of the housing. A component adjacent to the opening is to be understood here in particular as a heat exchanger and/or a fan. The at least one opening and the heat exchanger are spatially arranged relative to one another in such a way that the air reaches the heat exchanger with low flow losses. A recess here is to be understood as meaning a structural element, in particular in the form of a hole, a cavity or a recess. For example, a recess can be cylindrical or prismatic in shape. The recesses forming a large number are arranged flat next to one another and cover the opening. A single recess is significantly smaller than the opening, in particular a recess is smaller than the opening by an area-related factor in the range 50 to 5000, preferably in the range 100 to 2500. The various, for example channeling and/or blocking, recess types can, among others Recesses of other groups or mixed groups, in particular individually and / or in groups, for example in strips (rows) and / or fields (blocks) can be arranged above the opening of the housing. By means of the arrangement of the different types of recesses above the opening, which can be selected in particular by the designer of the device, in particular the recesses that channel the air and the recesses that block the air, the opening can be covered in such a way that an adjacent component, in particular the heat exchanger, is evenly covered on the air side Air flows around (flows through). Air can flow through a channeling recess essentially unhindered. In contrast, a blocking recess locally increases the flow resistance.

Alternatively or additionally, the arrangement of the different types of recesses over the opening can also take place on the individual device, during assembly and/or at the location of installation. For example, a recess channeling the air can be converted into an air-blocking recess by subsequently introducing a suitable plug during assembly and/or at the installation site. Insertion here should be understood to mean, in particular, clamping, clipping and/or gluing.

An intermediate web can be understood here in particular as an intermediate wall between two hole-like recesses. In particular, an intermediate web is connected to its adjacent intermediate webs in a network-like manner. The recesses are formed between the intermediate webs. The fact that the opening can be covered by a large number of smaller recesses should be understood here in particular to mean that the large number of recesses can be separated from the housing and mounted on the housing. Part of the recesses in particular channel the flowing air. The intermediate webs delimiting the recesses act like channel walls or pipe walls on the flowing air. In this context, channeling air should be understood to mean, in particular, allowing an air flow to pass through and/or guide and/or guide and/or direct and/or align it through this recess. Part of the recesses in particular block the air. Blocking air here is intended to mean, in particular, throttling or preventing an air flow through this recess.

By means of the embodiment according to the invention, the arrangement of the various recesses, in particular the channeling recesses and the blocking recesses, relative to one another over the opening can be selected so that an air flow entering the device and/or an air flow exiting the device is optimized over the cross-sectional area of an adjacent one Component, in particular over the heat exchanger surface, is distributed. In particular, the air flow can be distributed in a user-defined manner, for example uniformly, over the cross-sectional area of the adjacent component, in particular over the heat transfer surface.

Furthermore, by means of the embodiment according to the invention, the dimensioning of the individual recesses, in particular the channeling recesses and the blocking recesses, can be selected so that an air flow entering the device and/or an air flow exiting the device is distributed in an optimized manner over the heat exchanger surface. In particular, the air flow can be distributed in a user-defined manner, for example evenly, over the heat exchanger surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, the recesses are divided into at least two groups and/or mixed groups. The recesses of a first group of recesses channel the air and connect an interior of the housing and an external environment of the housing in an air-permeable manner in the manner of a through opening. The recesses of a second group of recesses block the air and are at least partially closed, in particular in the manner of a blind hole.

In addition, mixed groups of recesses with mixed characteristics of the at least two groups are also conceivable. For example, a recess of such a mixing group can have the “through opening” feature of the first group, but the through opening has, at least in sections, a reduced cross-sectional area, which has a through the Air flow flowing through the recess is throttled (feature of the second group). Such a recess can theoretically be created from a blind hole, the bottom of which is provided with an opening of smaller diameter than that of the blind hole itself.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses are part of a cover, the cover covering the opening of the housing. Such a design is particularly easy to handle, both in production and in assembly and maintenance.

The cover can in particular be designed as a flow grille, cover grille, cover plate, cover, front panel or closure element which is permeable to the air at least in sections. The cover can in particular form a coherent structure. The fact that the cover covers the opening of the housing should be understood here in particular to mean that the cover spans the opening and covers it so that air can flow through it. The cover can in particular comprise a circumferential frame element that is connected or connectable to the intermediate webs. The cover can in particular have a characteristic surface, measured in a plane parallel to a main extension plane of the cover. The area of the cover should in particular be as large as the cross-sectional area of the opening; so the cover can be arranged in the opening. Alternatively, the area of the cover can also be larger than the cross-sectional area of the opening; so the cover can be placed on the opening. The air flowing through the opening flows, in particular completely, through the cover.

A main extension plane of an object is to be understood in particular as a plane which runs parallel to a largest surface of a smallest geometric cuboid, which just completely encloses the object.

The large number of recesses forms a coherent structure, especially together with the intermediate webs. The coherent structure is held together in particular by the intermediate webs. In particular, the coherent structure can be separated from the housing and mounted on the housing. Alternatively, the coherent structure is inextricably connected to the housing. Optionally, the coherent structure can be formed in one piece with the housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses are arranged in a plane, in particular in a plane of the cover and/or the opening of the housing, and/or in a layer. Such a configuration can be arranged particularly well on the housing or on the opening.

The multitude of recesses can have a plate-shaped shape, in particular together with the intermediate webs. Alternatively, the plurality of recesses, in particular together with the intermediate webs, can have a bowl-shaped shape. The multitude of recesses can be arranged, in particular as a coherent structure, in a layer in the opening or in front of the opening due to a spatial extent.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses are arranged in a honeycomb shape. Honeycomb-shaped is to be understood here in particular in the form of a hexagonal grid. In such a configuration, a particularly large number of recesses can be arranged on a predetermined surface, in particular a surface of the cover or the opening.

Alternatively or additionally, the recesses can also be arranged in the form of a triangular grid or a square grid.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses, in particular the recesses of a third group of recesses, have longitudinal extensions and define longitudinal axes with these longitudinal extensions. These longitudinal axes run essentially along an orthogonal to a main extension plane of the opening covered by the recesses. Such a design has the Advantage of low flow resistance for air flow. Another advantage is the possibility of targeted alignment of the air flow and/or airborne noise at the opening of the device.

Alternatively, the longitudinal axes run essentially along an orthogonal to a main extension plane of a cover.

The recesses in particular have the shape of a straight cylinder or straight prism.

A longitudinal axis is to be understood in particular as a cylinder longitudinal axis or prism longitudinal axis if the recess has the shape of a cylinder or prism.

Mixed groups of recesses with mixed characteristics of the at least three groups are also conceivable. For example, a recess of such a mixing group can have the “through opening” feature of the first group, the through opening having a longitudinal extension with a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis running orthogonally to the main plane of extension of the opening or the cover (feature of the third group).

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses, in particular the recesses of a fourth group of recesses, have longitudinal extensions and define longitudinal axes with these longitudinal extensions. The longitudinal axes run obliquely, in particular at an angle in the range from 20° to 60°, preferably in the range from 30° to 50°, particularly preferably from 45°, to an orthogonal to a main extension plane of an opening covered by the recesses. Such a configuration has the advantage of an angle-dependent air flow through the opening and/or the large number of recesses. Another advantage is the possibility of targeting airborne sound at the opening of the device.

Alternatively, the longitudinal axes run essentially obliquely, in particular at an angle in the range from 20° to 60°, preferably in the range from 30° to 50°, particularly preferably from 45°, to an orthogonal to a main extension plane of a cover.

The recesses in particular have the shape of an oblique cylinder or oblique prism.

Mixed groups of recesses with mixed characteristics of the at least four groups are also conceivable. For example, a recess of such a mixing group can have the “through opening” feature of the first group, the through opening having a longitudinal extension with a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being oblique, in particular at an angle in the range of 20° to 60°, preferably in the range of 30° ° to 50°, particularly preferably from 45°, to an orthogonal to a main extension plane of the opening or the cover (feature of the fourth group).

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses, in particular the recesses of a fifth group of recesses, have longitudinal extensions and define longitudinal axes with these longitudinal extensions, the longitudinal axes running essentially along an air passage direction of the air through the opening. Such a configuration has the advantage of a pressure loss-reduced air throughput through the opening and/or the large number of recesses.

An air passage direction of the air through the opening is intended to be understood in particular as a main direction of the air flow through the opening. The direction of air passage can also be understood to mean, in particular, a main direction of flow of air through the device. The main flow direction connects an inlet opening in the housing of the device with the heat exchanger and an outlet opening in the housing and can in particular take the form of a curve. The direction of air passage through the opening can in particular assume the direction of the main flow direction at the opening.

An entrance opening and/or exit opening can in particular be understood to mean an opening in the sense of the main claim.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the recesses, in particular the recesses of a sixth group of recesses, have longitudinal extensions and define longitudinal axes with these longitudinal extensions, the longitudinal axes pointing at least partially in a direction towards the heat exchanger. Such a configuration has the advantage of a pressure loss-reduced air flow between the opening and/or the plurality of recesses and the heat exchanger.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, one or the longitudinal extent of the recesses is coordinated with an opening size of the recesses in such a way that sound generated in the housing penetrates at least partially directed through the recesses to the outside of the housing. Such a design has the advantage that any operating noise or noise can be influenced in a targeted manner by matching the longitudinal extent to the opening size of the recesses.

This measure can in particular involve matching a length dimension of the longitudinal extent to the diameter of the recess. This measure can in particular involve matching the angle of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal extension introduced above to the length and/or diameter of the recess.

In particular, the length dimension of the recess can be chosen to be larger, preferably at least one and a half times as large, particularly preferably at least twice as large, as the diameter of the recess. Alternatively or additionally, the longitudinal axis angle can be chosen to be larger, the smaller the length dimension and/or the larger the diameter of the recess.

The invention also relates to a cover for at least partially air-permeable covering of an opening, in particular of a device according to one of the above descriptions, having a plate-shaped shape with a front side and an opposite, spaced back side, the front side and the back side running parallel to a main plane of extent of the cover, a plurality of smaller recesses being arranged between the front side and the back side, which are separated from one another by means of intermediate webs.

The plate-shaped shape can in particular have disk- and/or cuboid, round or square external dimensions. The cover can in particular have a thickness that is significantly smaller, for example smaller by a factor of at least 10, than a width and/or a length or a diameter of the cover.

Alternatively, the cover can have a cup-shaped, in particular curved, shape.

The plurality of recesses or the cover with a plurality of recesses can in particular be designed as a flow grid, cover grid, cover plate, cover, front panel, design element, closure element, access protection (hand protection) and/or small animal barrier that is permeable to the air at least in sections.

The cover can in particular form a coherent structure. The fact that the cover covers the opening of the housing should be understood here in particular to mean that the cover spans the opening and covers it so that air can flow through it. The cover can in particular comprise a circumferential frame element that is connected or connectable to the intermediate webs.

It is proposed that the recesses be divided into at least two groups and/or mixed groups of recesses. The recesses of a first group of recesses open into a free area of the cover in the manner of a through opening at the front and at the back. The recesses of a second group of recesses are closed, in particular in the area of the front and/or the back, in particular in the manner of a blind hole. The recesses of a third Groups of recesses have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes which run essentially along an orthogonal to the main extension plane of the cover. The recesses of a fourth group of recesses have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes which are oblique, in particular at an angle in the range of 20° to 60°, preferably in the range of 30° to 50°, particularly preferably of 45° an orthogonal to the main extension plane of the cover. Such a cover has the advantage of distributing and/or aligning an air flow in an optimized manner over the cross-sectional area of an adjacent component, in particular over the heat exchanger surface, upstream and/or downstream of the cover. In particular, the air flow can be distributed in a user-defined manner, for example uniformly, over the cross-sectional area of the adjacent component, in particular over the heat exchanger surface, upstream and/or downstream of the cover. In particular, recesses of the at least two groups of recesses can be specifically selected and arranged on the cover. Influences on the air flow from the neighboring components can be compensated for and a desired, in particular uniform or directed, flow occurs. Furthermore, sections of the adjacent component can be targeted with air.

The term “adjacent components” can be understood to mean, in particular, components of the device arranged in the air flow upstream and/or downstream of the cover. Adjacent components can be, for example, the at least one heat exchanger, the at least one fan, at least one sensor, at least one actuating element and/or at least one flow guide element.

The recesses of the different groups of recesses can be arranged between other recesses of other groups individually or in groups, in particular in strips (rows) and/or in fields (blocks) over the cross-sectional area of the opening and/or in the area of the cover.

The intermediate webs serve as a wall to laterally delimit the recesses from one another and to create cohesion and accordingly run essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a longitudinal extent of the recesses.

An advantageous embodiment of the cover with a large number of recesses is produced by an injection molding or die-casting process. This makes cost-effective mass production possible.

A further advantageous embodiment of the cover comprises a foam, in particular an open-cell foam, preferably comprising an insulating foam such as polyurethane. This configuration can well dampen noise, for example structure-borne noise, such as that generated during operation of the blower, or airborne noise, such as that generated by flowing air.

The invention further relates to a heat pump or parts thereof that can be mounted on a roof, containing a device according to one of the above descriptions.

Alternatively, the invention relates to any heat pump or parts thereof, for example which can be installed essentially at ground level in an outdoor environment, containing a device according to one of the above descriptions.

Such a heat pump or such heat pump components (for example an outdoor unit) in particular use air in the outside environment, in a heating operation of the heat pump as a heat source or in a cooling operation as a heat sink. For heat transfer between a medium and air, they include in particular an air/medium heat exchanger. Such a heat pump or such heat pump components work very advantageously efficiently and/or with optimized noise. By means of the device and/or the cover for air inflow openings and/or air outflow openings, the air can be supplied to the heat exchanger in an optimized and/or noise-reduced manner.

In particular, the air can be supplied to the heat exchanger in a targeted manner, in particular evenly distributed over the heat exchanger surface.

With the invention, flows, in particular air flows, in particular over a flow cross-sectional area, can be optimized, in particular evened out.

A non-uniform flow profile across a cross-sectional area may be caused by an adjacent component such as a fan, a heat exchanger, a flow diverter and/or an actuator, and so on. An upstream or downstream plurality of recesses and/or an upstream or downstream cover with a plurality of recesses can optimize, in particular even out, the flow profile.

drawing

Figur 1

eine auf einem Dach montierte Vorrichtung zum Kühlen und/oder Erwärmen eines Mediums

Figur 2

Längsschnitt durch eine erste Vorrichtung

Figur 3

Längsschnitt durch eine zweite Vorrichtung

Figur 4

Ansichten einer ersten Abdeckung

Figur 5

Ansichten einer zweiten Abdeckung

Figur 6

Ansichten eines Ausschnitts aus einer dritten Abdeckung

Figur 7

Längsschnitt durch eine orthogonale Ausnehmung

Figur 8

Längsschnitt durch eine schräge Ausnehmung.

Figur 1 zeigt eine auf einem Dach montierte Vorrichtung zum Kühlen und/oder Erwärmen eines Mediums.Further refinements and advantages result from the following description of the drawing. The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into further sensible combinations. It shows:

Figure 1

a device mounted on a roof for cooling and/or heating a medium

Figure 2

Longitudinal section through a first device

Figure 3

Longitudinal section through a second device

Figure 4

Views of a first cover

Figure 5

Views of a second cover

Figure 6

Views of a detail from a third cover

Figure 7

Longitudinal section through an orthogonal recess

Figure 8

Longitudinal section through an oblique recess.

Figure 1 shows a device mounted on a roof for cooling and/or heating a medium.

The device 100 has at least one housing 102, in which at least one heat exchanger 104 through which the medium can flow is arranged for cooling and/or heating a medium. The device 100 includes a fan 106, which is able to convey air 108 through the at least one heat exchanger 104 (see arrows for flowing air 108). The housing 102 has two openings 110 that are permeable to air (one of which is hidden on the back of the device 100 facing away from the viewer). The openings 110 can each be covered by a plurality of 200 smaller recesses 202 (200, 202 not shown here, for example the plurality of 200 smaller recesses 202 is dismantled, see the following figures for details). These recesses 202 are separated from one another by means of intermediate webs 204 (not shown here, see the following figures for details), the recesses 202 partially channeling and partially blocking the air 108. The device 100 is shown here without the recesses 202 for illustrative purposes; the opening 110 facing the viewer can be seen uncovered. A breakthrough 112 in the housing 102 in front of the V-shaped heat exchanger 104 is also shown open. This opening 112 can be opened for maintenance purposes and can be closed, in particular essentially airtight, during operation of the device 100, for example by means of a lid (not shown here). Alternatively, the opening 112 can be omitted and the housing 102 can be closed at this point.

During operation, the blower 106 sucks air 108 from the external environment 2 through the inlet openings 110 arranged on the side of the device 100 and through the plurality 200 of recesses 202 (not shown here) into the device 100, conveys the air 108 through the heat exchanger 104 and blows the air 108 out of the device 100 into the external environment 2 through an outlet opening 114 arranged at the top of the device 100.

The device 100 is part of a heat pump 3 mounted on a roof 1, in particular an air heat pump. The heat pump 3 is mounted on the roof 1 by means of a foot structure 4. For example, the Heat exchanger 104 function as an air/refrigerant heat exchanger or evaporator of the heat pump 3 and serve to evaporate a refrigerant that is carried in a circuit. The heat absorbed by the refrigerant during evaporation can be removed from the flowing air 108. Alternatively, the heat exchanger 104 can function as a capacitor of the heat pump 3. The heat given off by the refrigerant during condensation can be dissipated with the flowing air 108.

The device 100 is presently arranged in an upper section of the heat pump 3. In a lower section of the heat pump 3, further components of the heat pump 3 can be arranged, for example a further heat exchanger such as a refrigerant/heating fluid heat exchanger, a capacitor, a compressor, an expansion element, control electronics and/or sensors, in particular for measuring temperatures and /or Press.

Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a first device 100. Figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a second device 100.

The device 100 is used to cool and/or heat a medium circulating through the heat exchanger 104. The device 100 has a housing 102, a fan 106 and openings 108 permeable to air (inlet opening 110, outlet opening 114). The inlet openings 110 are covered by a large number of 200 smaller recesses 202, which are connected by means of intermediate webs 204 (better seen in the Figures 4 to 9) are separated from each other. The recesses 202 partially channel the air (shown here in white) and partially block it (shown here in black). The one in the right half of the picture Figure 2 and in Figure 3 The plurality 200 of smaller recesses 202 shown is shown in a position suitable for operating the device 100. The one in the left half of the picture Figure 2 The plurality 200 of smaller recesses 202 shown is shown in a position moved out of the operating position (for example dismantled).

The recesses 202 are divided into at least two groups. The recesses 202a (shown here in white) of a first group of recesses 202 channel the air 108 and connect an interior 116 of the housing 102 and an external environment 2 of the device 100 in the manner of a through opening in an air-permeable manner. The recesses 202b (shown here in black) of a second group of recesses 202 are closed and block the air 108.

The recesses 202 and the intermediate webs 204 can be designed as parts of a cover 206, with the cover 206 covering the opening 110 of the housing 102 (see Figure 2 right half of the picture, and Figure 3 ). The cover 206 can be mounted and removed (see Figure 2 left half of the picture).

The recesses 202 are arranged in a plane, in particular the main extension plane of the opening 110.

The recesses 202 have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes 208, which run essentially along an orthogonal 118 to a main extension plane of the opening 110 (in Figure 2 clearly visible).

The recesses 202 have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes 208 which - particularly in the case of continuously open or air-permeable recesses 202a - run essentially along an air passage direction of the air 108 through the opening 110.

The recesses 202 have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes 208, which at least partially point in a direction towards the heat exchanger 104.

The according to Figure 2 Air 108 entering the device 100 flows from two sides in an approximately horizontal direction through two openings 110 into the interior 116 of the housing 102 and through the heat exchanger 104. At the V-shaped heat exchanger 104, the air 108 becomes vertical Direction of flow redirected. Promoted by the fan 106, the emerging air 108 flows upwards out of the device through the opening 114. According to the prior art, the redirection of the air could cause an uneven distribution of the air 108 over the surface of the heat exchanger 104, in particular that more air 108 flows through the sections of the heat exchanger 104 arranged close to the fan than through the sections arranged away from the fan.

The according to Figure 3 Air 108 entering the device 100 flows from the left through the opening 110 into the interior 116 of the housing 102 and through the heat exchanger 104. Promoted by the fan 106, the exiting air 108 flows out of the device through the opening 114 to the right. According to the prior art, the blower 106 could cause an uneven distribution of the delivered air 108 over the surface of the heat exchanger 104, since conventional blowers do not deliver air in the form of a piston flow or plug flow, but rather significantly different amounts of air and / or air speeds (fan flow profile) over one generate applied flow cross section.

The design according to the invention of the plurality 200 of recesses 202 arranged in/on the opening 110, which partially channel the air and partially block it, serves to distribute the air 108 evenly over the surface of the heat exchanger 104. Due to the uniform distribution of the air 108 over the heat exchanger surface The heat from the air is also transferred evenly to the heat exchanger surface. The entire heat exchanger surface is efficiently used for heat transfer.

Particularly when using the heat exchanger 104 as an evaporator 104 of a heat pump 3, the uniform heat transfer across the heat exchanger surface is advantageous. The evaporator 104 can become very cold when the heat pump 3 is in operation. Humidity in the air 108 can condense as ice on the air side of the evaporator 104 and impede heat transfer. The ice must be defrosted and removed from the evaporator 104 at regular intervals, requiring time and energy. An even distribution of air 108 over the evaporator surface causes an even, slow precipitation of ice over the evaporator surface. The evaporator surface is fully and efficiently utilized for a long time. In this way, time intervals between successive defrosting processes can be optimized, in particular extended. An annual performance factor SCOP of a heat pump 3 can thus be optimized, in particular increased.

The Figures 4 and 5 show a first and second cover 206 with a plurality 200 of recesses 202 and intermediate webs 204 in a top view ( Figures 4a and 5a ) and in cross section ( Figures 4b and 5b ).

Figure 6 shows a section of a third cover 206 with a plurality 200 of recesses 202 and intermediate webs 204 in a perspective view ( Figure 6a ), in cross section ( Figures 6b ) and in top view ( Figure 6c ).

The recesses 202 are arranged in a honeycomb shape in the main plane of extent of the cover 206.

The cover 206 serves to at least partially air-permeable cover an opening 110, in particular a device 100, as described above. The cover 206 has a plate-shaped shape with a front side 210 and an opposite, spaced back side 212, the front side 210 and the back side 212 extending parallel to a main plane of extent of the cover 206. A plurality 200 of smaller recesses 202 and intermediate webs 204 are arranged between the front 210 and the back 212. The recesses 202 are separated from one another by means of intermediate webs 204 or intermediate walls 204.

The recesses 202 are divided into at least two groups and/or mixed groups of recesses.

In Figure 4 and Figure 5 are recesses 202ac of a mixed group of recesses 202 shown, which (i) in the manner of a through opening on the front 210 and on the back 212 in a free environment of the Cover 206 open and channel the air (feature of a first group of recesses 202a) and (ii) have longitudinal extensions and with these longitudinal extensions define longitudinal axes 208, which run essentially along an orthogonal 118 to the main extension plane of the cover 206 (see also Figures 2 and 7 ; Feature of a third group of recesses 202c).

In addition to the aforementioned recesses 202ac, further recesses 202bc of a further mixed group of recesses 202 are shown, which (i) are closed in the manner of a blind hole in the area of the back 212 of the cover 206 and block the air (feature of a second group of recesses 202b) and ( ii) have longitudinal extensions and define longitudinal axes 208 with these longitudinal extensions, which run essentially along an orthogonal 118 to the main extension plane of the cover 206 (see also Figures 2 and 8th ; Feature of a third group of recesses 202c).

In Figure 6 Recesses 202ac of a mixed group of recesses 202 are shown, which (i) open into a free environment of the cover 206 in the manner of a through opening on the front 210 and on the back 212 and channel the air (feature of a first group of recesses 202a) and ( ii) have longitudinal extensions and define longitudinal axes 208 with these longitudinal extensions, which run essentially along an orthogonal 118 to the main extension plane of the cover 206 (see also Figures 2 and 8th ; Feature of a third group of recesses 202c).

In addition to the aforementioned recesses 202ac, further recesses 202ad of a further mixed group of recesses 202 are shown, which (i) open in the manner of a through opening on the front 210 and on the back 212 into a free environment of the cover 206 and channel the air (feature of a first Group of recesses 202a) and (ii) have longitudinal extensions and with these longitudinal extensions define longitudinal axes 208 which are oblique, in particular at an angle W in the range of 20° to 60°, preferably in the range of 30° to 50°, especially preferably from 45 ° to an orthogonal 118 to the main extension plane of the cover 206 (compare Figure 9; feature of a fourth group of recesses 202d).

The recesses 202 are separated from one another by intermediate webs 204.

The arrangement of the aforementioned recesses 202 relative to one another within the cover 206 or within the plurality 200 of recesses 202 can be designed differently.

In Figure 4 are the recesses 202ac or 202bc of a mixed group of recesses 202 individually and/or in fields (in blocks, for example as single, double or multiple groups) between recesses 202bc or 202ac of a further mixing group arranged individually and/or in fields (blocks) over the surface of the Cover 206 arranged.

In Figure 5 the recesses 202ac or 202bc of a mixed group of recesses 202 are arranged in strips (in rows, for example as a single, double or multiple row) between recesses 202bc or 202ac arranged in strips of a further mixing group over the surface of the cover 206.

In Figure 6 the recesses 202ac or 202ad of a mixed group of recesses 202 are arranged as a multiple row next to a multiple row of recesses 202ad or 202ac of a further mixed group over the surface of the cover 206.

Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section through a recess 202ac with a sound course. Figure 8 shows a longitudinal section through a recess 202ad with a sound course.

The recess 202ac in Figure 7 belongs to a mixed group of recesses 202, which (i) open into a free environment of the cover 206 in the manner of a through opening on the front 210 and on the back 212 and channel the air (feature of a first group of Recesses 202a) and (ii) have longitudinal extensions and with these longitudinal extensions define longitudinal axes 208 which run essentially along an orthogonal 118 to the main extension plane of the cover 206 (feature of a third group of recesses 202c).

The recess 202ad in Figure 8 belongs to a mixed group of recesses 202, which (i) open into a free environment of the cover 206 in the manner of a through opening on the front 210 and on the back 212 and channel the air (feature of a first group of recesses 202a) and (ii) Have longitudinal extensions and with these longitudinal extensions define longitudinal axes 208 which are oblique, in particular at an angle W in the range of 20° to 60°, preferably in the range of 30° to 50°, particularly preferably of 45°, to an orthogonal 118 to the main extension plane of the Cover 206 runs (feature of a fourth group of recesses 202d).

The ones in the Figures 7 and 8 The sound curves shown use dashed arrows to indicate how sound radiates from the interior 116 of the device 100 directly through the recesses 202ac or 202ad into the external environment 2 and/or is reflected at the intermediate webs 204. From comparing the sound curves of the two Figures 7 and 8 It can be seen that the recess 202ac in Figure 7 for direct sound radiation has more open passage area D (bracket) than the recess 202ad in Figure 8 . It can also be seen that the reflected sound at the recess 202ac Figure 7 runs similarly in all directions. The reflected sound at the recess 202ad Figure 8 runs clearly upwards and is distracting; There is also a total reflection of sound back into the interior 116 of the housing 102. A device 100 when installed outdoors 2, especially when installed outdoors 2 on a roof 1, with recesses 202ad Figure 8 deflects a large part of the sound emerging through the opening 110 upwards towards the sky; Outdoor areas 2 to the side next to or diagonally below the device 100 are protected from sound. The oblique recesses 202 and their intermediate webs 204 direct the emerging sound from a used, for example inhabited, outdoor environment 2 Device 100 away, whereby the device 100 is perceived as significantly quieter and more pleasant.

Claims (14)

Device (100) for cooling and/or heating a medium with at least one housing (102), in which at least one heat exchanger (104) through which the medium can flow is arranged, with at least one fan (106) that blows air (108) through the able to transport at least one heat exchanger (104), the housing (102) having at least one opening (110) permeable to the air (108), characterized in that the opening (110) is composed of a plurality (200) of smaller recesses (202 ) is covered or can be covered, which are separated from each other by means of intermediate webs (204), the recesses (202) partially channeling and partially blocking the air (108). Device (100) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the recesses (202) are divided into at least two groups and/or mixed groups, whereby a. the recesses (202a) of a first group channel the air (108) and connect an interior (116) of the housing (102) and an external environment (2) of the housing (102) in an air-permeable manner in the manner of a through opening, b. the recesses (202b) of a second group block the air (108) and are at least partially closed, in particular in the manner of a blind hole. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the recesses (202) are part of a cover (206), the cover (206) covering the opening (110) of the housing (102). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the recesses (202) are arranged in one plane. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the recesses (202) are arranged in a honeycomb shape. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the recesses (202c) of a third group have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes (208) which run essentially along an orthogonal (118) to a main extension plane of the opening (110). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the recesses (202d) of a fourth group have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes (208) which are oblique, in particular at an angle (W) in the range from 20° to 60°, preferably in the range from 30° to 50 °, particularly preferably from 45 °, to an orthogonal (118) to a main extension plane of the opening (110). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the recesses (202) of a fifth group have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes (208) which run essentially along an air passage direction of the air through the opening (110). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the recesses (202) of a sixth group have longitudinal extensions and, with these longitudinal extensions, define longitudinal axes (208) which point at least partially in a direction towards the heat exchanger (104). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that one or the longitudinal extent of the recesses (202) corresponds to an opening size of the recesses (202). is coordinated so that sound generated in the housing (102) penetrates at least partially directed through the recesses (202) to the outside of the housing (102). Cover (206) for at least partially air-permeable covering an opening (110), in particular a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, having a plate-shaped shape with a front side (210) and an opposite, spaced back side (212), the front side (210) and the back side (212) running parallel to a main plane of extent of the cover (206), wherein a plurality (200) of smaller recesses (202) are arranged between the front (210) and the back (212), which are separated from one another by means of intermediate webs (204), characterized in that the recesses (202) are divided into at least two groups and/or mixed groups, whereby a. the recesses (202a) of a first group open into a free area of the cover (206) in the manner of a through opening on the front (210) and on the back (212), b. the recesses (202b) of a second group in the area of the front (210) and/or the back (212), in particular in the manner of a blind hole, are closed, c. the recesses (202c) of a third group have longitudinal extensions and with these longitudinal extensions define longitudinal axes (208) which run essentially along an orthogonal (118) to the main extension plane of the cover (206), d. the recesses (202d) of a fourth group have longitudinal extensions and with these longitudinal extensions define longitudinal axes (208) which are oblique, in particular at an angle (W) in the range of 20° to 60°, preferably in the range of 30° to 50°, especially preferably from 45 ° to an orthogonal (118) to the main extension plane of the cover (206). Cover (206) with a plurality (200) of recesses (202) for a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, produced by an injection molding or die-casting process. Cover (206) according to claim 11 or 12,
characterized by a foam, in particular an open-cell foam, preferably comprising an insulating foam such as polyurethane. Roof-mountable heat pump (3) or parts thereof containing a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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